| The Maldives is a collection of 1190 Indian Ocean | | | | suits; swimwear is fine by day and shorts and |
| islands, consisting of 26 atoll (a word from | | | | T-shirts or blouses for night time. Take note that |
| Maldivian origin) formations. Only about 200 islands | | | | nudism is prohibited on all islands and alcohol is not |
| are inhabited and another 80 have been | | | | available in town (locals don't drink, but there are |
| developed as exclusive tourist resorts. | | | | bars on the resort islands). |
| The Maldives is a major diving destination due to | | | | TIME DIFFERENCE: |
| its magnificent coral reefs and wealth of marine | | | | GMT +5 |
| life with its atolls believed to have been formed | | | | TIPPING: |
| about 65 to 200 million years ago. All resorts are | | | | Officially discouraged. |
| fully geared for the active traveller, who can | | | | TOP TEN ATTRACTIONS DESCRIPTION: |
| enjoy sailing or diving safaris, island hopping, whale | | | | Malé: |
| and dolphin watching, big game fishing and photo | | | | The capital where most Maldivians live; a number |
| flights. | | | | of sights to see as listed below; tourists normally |
| However, the Maldives is also ideal for couples in | | | | stay on the island resorts and visit Malé |
| search of a romantic getaway, those looking at | | | | for shopping and sightseeing. |
| rejuvenating body and mind by indulging in spa | | | | Island resorts: |
| treatments, or those planning to elevate doing | | | | The major attraction in the Maldives, there are |
| nothing to an art. 'Idyllic' is the word that comes | | | | over 80 exclusive tourist resorts; some of the |
| to mind when you consider the palm-fringed white | | | | most popular include Meeru, Kuredu and |
| beaches, clear blue-green sea, bright tropical fish | | | | Kurumathi, which attracts serious divers especially; |
| and flowers and picture-perfect sunsets... | | | | Nakatchafushi is one of the most photographed |
| CAPITAL: | | | | and has the country's largest lagoon; resorts |
| Malé | | | | range from ultra-luxurious to simple; each resort |
| CLIMATE: | | | | has its own amenities and sport and leisure |
| The Maldives is Hot, tropical weather all year | | | | facilities; many have air-conditioning and |
| round with monsoons. Nov-Mar is mild and | | | | desalination plants to provide tap water; different |
| pleasant with northeast monsoons. Jun-Aug is | | | | islands tend to attract different nationalities. |
| rainy with violent storms and southwest | | | | Fishing villages: |
| monsoons. Daytime showers are usually | | | | One of the main attractions in the Maldives, |
| short-lived, with most heavy downpours occurring | | | | normally visited as part of an excursion; night |
| at night. Temperatures vary very little. | | | | fishing trips are also a possibility. |
| CURRENCY: | | | | National Museum: |
| 1 Rufiyaa = 100 Larees. Payments to hotels and | | | | Sultan's Park in Malé is home to this |
| resorts must be made in foreign hard currencies - | | | | museum that has a superb collection of artefacts |
| the USD (traveller's cheques or notes) is the most | | | | including Sultanese thrones and palanquins; some |
| popular. Credit cards are also accepted at some | | | | of Thor Heyerdahl's archaeological discoveries can |
| hotels: Amex, Master, Visa and Diners Club. There | | | | be found. |
| is little need for Rufiyaa, except when shopping | | | | Mosques: |
| for souvenirs on local islands. | | | | Over 20 mosques are scattered around |
| ELECTRICITY: | | | | Malé; Hukuru (Friday) mosque dates back |
| 230 volts, 50Hz. Plugs are 3-pin round. | | | | to the 17th century and is famed for its intricate |
| HEALTH: | | | | stone carvings ; Grand Mosque ********. |
| A yellow fever certificate is an official requirement | | | | Diving sites: |
| for travellers coming from infected areas. Visitors | | | | In Moroni, elaborate 2-storey buildings with |
| are advised to take pre-arrival precautions against | | | | arcades, balustrades and meticulously carved |
| hepatitis, polio and typhoid. Other health concerns | | | | wooden latticework doors and shutters; easy to |
| include cholera and other food- and water-borne | | | | get around. |
| diseases (bottled water is recommended and | | | | Uninhabited islands: |
| available at resorts); influenza (risk extends | | | | Most of the islands in the country are uninhabited |
| throughout the year); sunburn (can be severe); | | | | and you can take an excursion to visit them, |
| and limited medical facilities and medicines. | | | | either as part of an island-hopping tour group or |
| LANGUAGE: | | | | privately by hired traditional or speed boat; in |
| The national language is Dhivehi, but English is | | | | tours, a beach barbecue is often served; options |
| widely used as a business language. In tourist | | | | include to spend one day and one night alone on |
| areas, other languages are also spoken. | | | | an uninhabited island; Kudahuvadhoo has a hawitta |
| PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: | | | | which is probably the ruins of a Buddhist temple |
| New Year's Day (1 Jan); Hajj Day (1 Feb); Eid al | | | | and an old mosque. |
| Adha (2 Feb); Islamic New Year (22 Feb); National | | | | Islamic Centre: |
| Day (21 Apr); Mouloud (2 May); Huravee Day (20 | | | | In Malé, imposing white building with a |
| Jul); Independance Day (26 Jul); Martyr's Day (16 | | | | magnificent golden dome. |
| Sep); Start of Ramadan (15 Oct); Victory Day (3 | | | | Mulee-aage: |
| Nov); Republic Day (11 Nov); Kuda Eid (14 Nov); | | | | A former palace in Malé. |
| SHOPPING:sea shells (must be bought, not picked | | | | Markets: |
| up); lacquered wooden boxes; reed mats. | | | | Fish, fruit and vegetable markets; mostly in |
| SOCIAL CONVENTIONS: | | | | Malé; the Singapore Bazaar is a collection |
| Religion is Sunni Muslim, so clothing requirements in | | | | of stores selling handicrafts and a selection of |
| town and other inhabited areas mean the | | | | traditional and imported tourist knick-knacks; Baa |
| minimum dress is shorts and a T-shirt for men | | | | Atoll is famous for its handicrafts, incl. lacquer |
| and skirts or longer shorts and a T-shirt for | | | | work and finely woven cotton 'felis' (traditional |
| women. At the resorts, clothes are very casual, | | | | sarongs). |
| there's no need for cocktail dresses, jackets or | | | | |