The republic of Maldives consists of 1190 coral islands which form a chain in 820 km in length and 130 km in width, set in a territorial area of 859,000 sq. km. of the Indian Ocean. The total land area of the Maldives is approximately 300 square kilometers. Sri Lanka and India are the country's closest neighbors, lying 750km and 600km north and north-east of Maldives, respectively.
The island of Maldives is formed into 26 natural atolls, which, for purposes of administration, are grouped into 20 administrative regions. Most of the islands are quite small and low-lying, with an average elevation of 1.6m above sea-level. The islands are surrounded by shallow, crystal-clear lagoons enclosed by coral reefs. Out of the 1192 islands, 199 are inhabited and 87 islands have been developed as tourist resorts.
The Maldivians are said to be racially homogeneous. It is a mixed race of predominantly Aryan and Dravidian origins. The estimated population of Maldives, according to national census 2006 is 298,842. The population is spread over 199 inhabited islands. The most populous of the inhabited islands and the center of commerce is the capital, Male'. The rest of the islands are largely uninhabited, except for 87 islands which have been developed exclusively as luxury resorts.
- Tourist Attracted things in Maldives
The Maldives is one of the world's best scuba diving destinations.Thousands of scuba divers come to the Maldives each year for a taste of this amazing underwater experience, and many of them return year after year to continue exploring the many Maldives dive sites. The best way to experience scuba diving in the Maldives is from a liveaboard safari.
This way, you spend a week or two weeks cruising around all the islands on a cool safari boat with all the amenities you need. Every day, you wake up close to a new dive site, and you just get in the water and dive. It makes diving so much more simple and relaxing since you are eliminating all the boat travel from resort to dive site.2. Relaxing at Resorts
The Maldives has some interesting policies regarding the establishment of resorts. Only one resort can be built on each island and all new hotels must be built to a certain standard. The result is an assortment of the most secluded, intimate, luxurious and spectacular resorts in the whole world. Just a quick look on the internet at Maldives resorts and you will see some of the most gorgeous, romantic hotels you have ever seen. They are also some of the most expensive hotel rooms in the world, but if you have the money, it just has to be worth it!
3. Sundowners at Sunset
4. Surfing
The Maldives has recently been recognised as an international surfing destination. Several international competitions have been held here recently, and people are realizing the power of the Maldivian break. Some resorts cater to surfers and take you out a few times a day in a boat to catch the best breaks.
5. Snorkeling
If you don't feel like taking the plunge into scuba diving, you can still experience the marvels of the underwater world with snorkeling. It's a good idea to bring your own snorkel gear from home to make sure it fits properly and it's comfortable. You can hire or borrow the equipment from your resort, if you don't want to buy. This is some of the best snorkeling in the world.
6. Eat
The food in the Maldives is some of the freshest, most delicious of anywhere in the world. Paradise for seafood lovers, here you will find lobster, scallops, octopus, squid, tuna and all kinds of fish cooked in all kinds of ways. The Asian flavours of the islands often involve curry, coconut, and other exotic spices. While on holiday here, don't be shy. They things you have never had and never heard of, you won't be disappointed.
7. Male Fish Market
The Male Fish Market is always abuzz with activity, but the high point of each day is in the afternoon, around 4pm, when most boats return with the fruits of their day's labor. Tuna is the most common fish here, and the enormous specimens are laid out in the market for all to see and then quickly sold off to restaurants from all over the Maldives. The Fish Market is located close to Republic Square along the beachfront.
8. Local Market
The Local Market in Male is located just a few minutes' walk from the Fish Market and makes for a very interesting shopping experience. People from all the atolls bring items from their islands to the Market in Male. These include fresh and dried fruits and vegetables, spices and handicrafts. Any items including turtle shell, coral, pearl or reptile skin is prohibited in the Maldives. If you do see anything made from these materials, you should not buy it, as you can would be propagating the trade of endangered creatures and also you can get into trouble at the airport. You can also shop on the islands. Most resorts usually organize trips to other islands and its better to buy souvenirs directly from these places than at your resort, where you will end up paying a lot more money.
9. Hukuru Miskiiy Mosque
Hukuru Miskiiy is a beautiful mosque that was constructed in 1656. The building features some intricate carvings and is made predominantly from coral. The carvings are present on the mosque's exterior and interior, especially on the ceiling.
10. National Museum
The Maldives National Museum is housed within a palace in the Sultan Park, an attractive green space amid the craziness of Male, with a considerable amount of pretty flora and fauna. The National Museum makes for an interesting visit, but is very different from museums you will find in developed cities like London or New York. Among the exhibits, visitors can enjoy coral sculptures, objects from the pre-Islamic period, traditional musical instruments of the islands, and a wide variety of wooden carvings.
Source by: Maldives Tours
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