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DESTINATIONS |
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Maldives |
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Government: Presidential Republic
Official languages: Dhivehi
President: Maumoon Abdul Gayoom
Currency: Maldivian Rufiyaa (MRf)
Time zone: (UTC+5)
Currency: Maldivian Rufiyaa (MRf)
Capital: Male
Area: 298 km² (206th)
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Maldive reefs
The Maldives holds the record for being the lowest country in the world, with a maximum natural ground level of only 2.3 m (7½ ft), though in areas where construction exists this has been increased to several metres. Over the last century, sea levels have risen about 20 centimetres (8 in); further rises of the ocean could threaten the existence of Maldives.
The first accurate maritime charts of this complex Indian Ocean atoll group were the British Admiralty Charts. In 1834-36 Capt. Robert Moresby, assisted by Lieutenants Christopher and Young, undertook the difficult cartography of the Maldive Islands. The resulting charts were printed as three separate large maps by the Hydrographic Service of the Royal Navy.
A tsunami in the Indian Ocean caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake caused parts of the Maldives to be covered by sea water and left many people homeless. After the disaster, cartographers are planning to redraw the maps of the islands due to alterations caused by the tsunami.
On April 22, 2008, Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom pleaded for a cut in global greenhouse gas emissions, warning that rising sea levels could submerge the island nation of Maldives.
The reef is composed of coral debris and living coral. This acts as a natural barrier against the sea, forming lagoons. Other islands, set at a distance and parallel to the reef, have their own protective fringe of reef. An opening in the surrounding coral barrier allows access to the calmer lagoon waters.
The barrier reefs of the islands protect them from the storms and high waves of the Indian Ocean. The Indian Ocean has a great affect on the climate of the country by acting as a heat buffer, absorbing, storing, and slowly releasing the tropical heat. The heat is further mitigated by cool sea breezes.
A layer of humus six inches (152 mm) thick forms the top layer of soil on the islands. Below the humus layer are two feet of sandstone, followed by sand and then fresh water. Due to excessive salt in the soil near the beach, vegetation is limited there to a few plants such as shrubs, flowering plants, and small hedges. In the interior of the island, more vegetation such as mangrove and banyan grow. Coconut palms, the national tree, are able to grow almost everywhere on the islands and are integral to the lifestyle of the natives.
The limited vegetation is supplemented by the abundance of coral reefs and marine life
Geography & Climate
A group of 1190 little coral islands scattered across the Indian Ocean about 350km southwest of Sri Lanka built up on the tops of a submarine ridge. No part of the republic is more than 8 ft/2.4 m above the sea level. Almost 99% of the country being the ocean and 1% is spread to 26 atolls, ring like coral formation. Maldives has a tropical monsoon climate with warm temperature and sunshine through the year. The warm tropical climate results in relatively minor variations in daily temperature throughout the year. From November to April is mostly dry with very little Wind, while the southwest monsoon from May to October brings some rain and the temperature varies very little. The annual average daily temperature is between 30.4 and 25.4 degrees.
Although the vegetation on these islands is limited this is supplemented by the riches of the seas surrounding them, these multicolored coral gardens are home to thousands of species of fish.
Coconut palms grows in abundance on all the islands, however only few other types of trees grow on the islands. Especially the salinity of the soil along the beach restricts the growth to few plants. Normally, shrubs and small hedges occupy this area.
History & Culture
Archeological and historical discoveries indicate that the islands have been inhabited for over three thousand years. Being on an important trade route, Maldives was visited by people from all over the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. These visitors left a strong influence on the people, their religion and the culture of Maldives.
People & Language
The population of 270 000 People in the past .Dhivehi is the language and spoken in all the parts of the Maldives. And all Maldivian’s are writing Dhivehi in Thaana which was invented in 16 century. The people live in simple laid back, and contented life style. In the resorts of the Maldives the languages are spoken in English, German, French, Chinese, Italian and Russian.
Travel to Maldives
Although geographically isolated the Maldives is easily accessible by air from anywhere in Southeast Asia, Middle East and Europe. Colombo is an hour's journey away by air, from Singapore and Dubai it takes about four hours and from Europe it takes nine to eleven hours to reach Malé. Catch one these international airlines travel from your region click here
Immigration/Visa
Tourist are issued a 30-day toursit visa on arrival. A valid travel document is necessary. Visa extensions are granted by the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Malé.
Health requirements
An international certificate of inoculation against yellow fever and cholera is required by visitors arriving from infected countries.
Malé International Airport
Malé International Airport is on an island that only houses the airport and related facilities. The airport located on Hulhule Island is a modern well-equipped airport with all the facilities and services one would expect from an international airport. The airport complex houses terminals for arrivals and departures, landside shops and airside duty free shops, restaurants, medical facilities, bank, post office and other services. The island also house the airport hotel.
Departure tax
The airport departure tax which is US$ 12.00 is usually included when you purchase your airline ticket.
Duty free shopping
Duty free shopping is only available at the departure terminal at Malé International Airport. The lounge has specialized shops with a wide variety of international brands selling well known products at competitive prices. The duty free lounge has shops for toys, souvenirs, perfume, electronics, watches, fashion accessories, jewelry, liquor and tobacco and confectionery.
Customs
The import of firearms, drugs, pornography and idols of worship are prohibited. Dogs, pigd, and pork products are also prohibited for import by tourists. Alcohol imported under a special license is available in all the resorts. Similarly pork products are available at most of the resorts as well. Prohibited products such as alcohol brought in by passengers are bonded and released at departure.
Airport Counter
On arrival you will be welcomed by our airport representative at the airport and he takes you to our counter just in front of the arrival gate and assists you to arrange your transfer.
What to pack
The Maldives is warm throughout the year. Light, cotton and lien wear is ideal. Pack lots of tee shirts, beachwear, and wrap-around skirts, cotton shirts and shorts. For visits to inhabited islands, where most of the streets are of compact sand, or Malé where the street are paved, sandals are easy to walk on. Some essential items include swimwear, sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat or a cap. If your travel plan includes traveling to many islands, a mosquito repellent may become handy.
Resort transfer
If you have a booking with a resort, transfer is usually arranged prior to your arrival. Th options of speedboat or seaplane transfer where available is for you to choose from. For transfer to resorts close to the airport, motorboat or dhoni transfer is quite convenient. Even if you mak a resort booking while in Malé, transfer arrangement are often made by the resort.
The Maldives has one of the largest seaplane fleets in the world, not suprising for a country with 99% ocean and more than a thousand islands. The low altitude seaplane journey offers you the additional opportunity to experience a breathtaking bird's eye view of the country.
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