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Maldives
Area : 298 sq km
Population : 2,45,000
Capital : Malé
Languages : Dhivehi, English
Currency : Rufiya
The famous explorer Marco Polo referred to the Maldives as
the 'flower of the Indies,' while the great traveler Ibn Batuta
called her 'one of the wonders of the world.' The archipelago
of Maldives has been a constant source of attraction to many
tourists all over the globe. Its golden beaches, washed by
the azure waters of the Indian Ocean, are enticing to one
who loves to venture into the sea.
GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Maldives is a group of coral islands that stretch along the
73rd meridian between latitudes 0°42' south and 8°10' north.
The shortest distance from the mainland of India is 350 km
and from Sri Lanka 740 km.
The islands lie in the northern Indian Ocean and the sea area
is approximately 107,500 sq km. There are some 1,200 islands
in the country, 202 of which are inhabited. The archipelago
is 823 km long and 130 km at its greatest width. The islands
are formed into 26 natural atolls but they are divided into
19 administrative regions, also known as "atolls."
Generally, the year is divided into two monsoon periods: the
northeast monsoon or Iruvai lasts from December to March,
which are the drier months; the southwest monsoon or Hulhangu
lasts from April to November, which are wetter, with more
storms and occasional strong winds. Daytime temperatures are
about 28°C throughout the year. The humidity is slightly lower
in the dry season but on most days, there is a cool sea breeze.
Cuisine
Fish and rice are the staple diet of Maldivians, with meat
and chicken eaten only on special occasions. National dishes
include fried fish, fish curry and fish soup. The spiny backed
lobster is a delicacy. Areca nut is the equivalent of an after-dinner
mint. Maldivians, being Muslims, are prohibited by law from
consuming alcohol; hence, there is a strict restriction on
the alcohol available in inhabited islands. Nevertheless,
all tourist resorts and hotels, as well cruise ships and yachts
have alcohol for consumption of guests. The local brew is
raa, a sweet and delicious toddy, tapped from the palm trees.
In fact, fish and coconuts are about the only products that
do not have to be imported. Apart from coconuts, there are
very few fruits and vegetables grown on the islands; so most
of the food served at tourist resorts is imported.
Places of Interest
Malé, the capital of the Maldives, is the commercial center,
seat of government and the location of many important historical
and religious landmarks. It was known as the Sultan's Island
in the past. The Grand Friday Mosque, Masjid-al-Sultan Mohammed
Thakurufaan-al-Azzam is the biggest mosque in the Maldives.
It also includes the Islamic Center. This grand mosque with
its dominant golden dome decorates the façade of Malé. It
can accommodate over five thousand worshippers at a time.
The old Friday Mosque, with its unique minaret and the tombs
of national heroes and members of royalty resting in the quietness
of its compound, gives the visitor a glimpse of the past.
The art in the mosque and royal burial grounds are exclusive
and priceless. Other important sites in Malé include the tombs
of legendary saints, the Presidential Palace, the National
Museum in the Sultan Park, which shows the glories of a different
era, and the Singapore Bazaar. All these are within a ten-minute
stroll.
A few locations worth visiting in the Maldives are Seenu or
Addu Atoll, Fuamulaku, Kuahuvadhoo, and Baa Atoll.
HOW TO REACH
Almost all visitors to the Maldives arrive by air. Malé International
Airport, situated in Hulhule Island, is just over a kilometer
or about ten minutes by boat from Malé, the capital. There
are regular flights to Colombo (Sri Lanka), Thiruvananthapuram
(southwest India), Dubai, and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), as
well as many chartered flights from European centers.
The tourist resort islands have their own transfer boats to
carry their clients. Visitors with confirmed reservations
are normally met on arrival at the airport and transferred
by boat, helicopter or seaplane to the resort island of their
choice. Transport and communication services provided for
tourists are generally of a high standard. There is no regular
inter-island transportation system between inhabited islands.
The ad hoc transportation system is serviced mainly by the
local boats, which average a speed of about 8 miles per hour.
A larger number of dhonis ply between the Malé International
Airport and Malé route as ferries. Dhonis and even modern
speedboats are also available for hire. Air Maldives, the
national carrier, operates regular flights to the domestic
airports at Hanimaadhoo, Kadhdhoo, Kaadedhdhoo and Gan.
Cruising among the islands may be an exciting alternative.
Yachts and yacht-dhonis with bunk beds or private cabins are
available for hire. These boats can accommodate between eight
to twenty passengers on cruises that sail for ten to fifteen
days. Some of the larger vessels have scuba diving and windsurfing
facilities with qualified instructors on board. Food prepared
by the crew using the day's fresh catch of fish may be modest,
but a tourist is never too far to stop for a sumptuous meal
or a drink. On a cruise, dining under a clear sky in the Maldives
can be an experience in itself. With the equator running through
the Maldives, it is an astronomer's dream too.
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