Show where the Maldives are on the map. Maldives. Traveling around the area

Mira, first you need to find India on it. This is not difficult - the peninsula on which this state is located is located in the south of Asia and has the outline of a triangle. From the southernmost point of this exotic country, you need to mentally draw a line to the southwest. It is there that there is a large group of atolls - coral islands, which are called the Maldives.

Atolls are a closed or broken ring formed by the crater of an extinct volcano, that is, in the middle of such an “island” there is a lagoon filled with sea water.

The distance to India is approximately 700 km; it is worth noting that the atolls are located over a fairly large area, so the southernmost ones are 1,000 km away. The Maldives is washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean and, due to its proximity to the equator, has a unique climate with an almost constant temperature throughout the year and only two distinct seasons - dry and rainy.

Due to their volcanic origin, the islands have a low altitude above sea level (only about two meters) and a rather sparse fauna - only a few species of mammals live here. But the underwater world is very diverse.

State of Maldives

All atolls located in this part of the Indian Ocean are united into the state of the Republic of Maldives. It is worth noting that its history began in 1965, when Britain, under whose protectorate the islands were, generously granted them independence, however, not just like that, but after violent uprisings of the population against the power of the empire.

However, much remains from the British, including the name; it is a distortion of the words in Hindi: “” - palace and “diva” - island. The capital of the state of the Republic of Maldives is the city of Male; by the way, it is the only settlement with such status.

Maldivians are Muslims, or rather Sunnis. In the 12th century, a Muslim preacher landed on the islands, who founded a dynasty that ruled until the arrival of the Portuguese, Dutch, and subsequently the British.

How to get to the Maldives

Traveling to the Maldives will require a tourist not only to spend time and money, but also patience, because a direct flight from Moscow to the capital of Male lasts more than 8 hours. If a non-stop flight is unavailable for some reason, you will have to plan a route with a connection at an intermediate airport, usually Colombo in Sri Lanka, Abu Dhabi in the UAE or Dubai in Saudi Arabia. In any case, it is worth considering that you will have to get from Male to the desired island by water transport or by seaplane.

The official name of the chain of atolls and coral islands located south of India in the equatorial waters of the Indian Ocean is the Republic of Maldives. The population of this South Asian state is approximately 393 thousand people. The total area of ​​the country is 90 thousand sq. km. The climate is subequatorial monsoon.

The Maldives amazes with its endless ocean, amazing underwater caves and reefs. The tropical virgin nature surrounding you evokes peace and comfort on the island. The culture has remained at a primitive level, and local residents still respect their traditions.

The largest coral island in the Maldives is Kafu, on which stands the city of Male, which is considered the smallest capital and the most populated city. Male is so small in size that you can walk around it in a couple of hours.

Sights of the Maldives

Famous places in the Maldives are the National Museum and the Muliage Palace, designed in a colonial style. It is also worth visiting the beautiful Jumuri Maidan Park or visiting one of the most revered shrines in the Maldives - the Medu Ziyarat Chapel.

The city of Male is home to the Good Friday Mosque, famous for its golden dome. Next to it are the graves of both national heroes and members of ruling families. It is worth paying attention to the Islamic Center, which is located nearby. It is considered the largest in the Maldives, because it can accommodate about 5,000 people at the same time.

Local markets are also not far behind in popularity; there are several types of them - vegetable, fruit and craft markets, where island residents sell handmade crafts.

Many tourists are attracted to the Maldives for its unsurpassed diving. The underwater world of the peninsula amazes with the diversity of its inhabitants, at the same time, the coral reefs scare away predators and swimming underwater is not at all dangerous.

Paradise for newlyweds

For most tourists, the Maldives is one of the most romantic places on the planet. That’s why newlyweds and lovers are the first to go to the islands. The wedding ceremony on the white sand at sunset and surrounded by palm leaves is worth it. If you discuss your wedding with the hotel in advance, you can get a discount and stay in the best bungalow. The Maldives is suitable not only for a wedding ceremony, but also for the honeymoon itself. After all, holidays here are unique and unusual. On the beach you can see both young people and families with children or even older people.

The Maldives are located in the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka, geographically crossing the equator. Tourists associate the concept of the equator with unbearable heat, however, the average annual temperature there is 25-30 degrees. In other resorts in Italy, Spain or Egypt, the temperature during the season can be much higher, and most importantly, it is much worse to tolerate.

Among all the island groups, the Maldives, being a 100% Islamic state, have created perhaps the most original recreation system for their guests. Protecting the population from the bad influence of tourism, the government allocated 200 previously uninhabited islands for vacationers, on which there are no indigenous inhabitants.

Map of the Maldives online interactive from satellite
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Residents of India and Sri Lanka are involved in the service sector there. Therefore, the rare opportunity to see an indigenous inhabitant of the islands does not come often. An interesting and important feature is that you don’t pay for anything on the spot, but collect bills that you will have to pay when leaving the country. And therefore, by chance, you may not calculate your material capabilities. The islands can be recommended to those who want to spend their entire vacation on the beach.
You can get there by direct flight from Moscow. You will be taken from the airport by boat or helicopter.

Pros: This is one of the best places for diving and snorkeling. Experienced instructors will make you a pro in a week.
Disadvantages - you cannot import alcohol, swim naked and have contact with local women. The last two points are prosecuted under Islamic law.

The Maldives is a scattering of picturesque atolls in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Everything here is conducive to bliss: kilometers of secluded beaches, upscale hotels and very beautiful nature. All about the Maldives: diving and surfing, photos, prices, weather and tours.

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The Maldives, famous “residents” of the equatorial waters of the Indian Ocean, are rightfully considered one of the best exotic destinations. There are 1,190 islands (or rather, atolls) and all of them are just your choice: with blue lagoons, sandy beaches and unique vegetation. There is everything for relaxation: peace and tranquility, beautiful nature, a rich underwater world. And also something without which any advantages of any resort immediately fade in the eyes of modern tourists - good hotels and a high level of service.

Prices, it must be said, in the Maldives are also quite “at the level”: holidays here can be afforded mainly by travelers whose income level marketers define as “above average”. Having paid a significant amount for the trip, the following categories of vacationers will be 100% satisfied with their vacation. Divers are maniacs, diving three times a day. This is the most problem-free subtype of tourists: they will still be delighted, diving like ducklings from morning to night. Happily married (or unmarried) couples who need no one but each other. They can choose a hotel with the appropriate furnishings - there are plenty of them on the islands. And, of course, seekers of an absolutely relaxed holiday in the ambience of a tropical paradise.

Time difference from Moscow

2 hours

• with Kaliningrad

• with Samara

• with Yekaterinburg

• with Omsk

• with Krasnoyarsk

• with Irkutsk

• with Yakutsk

• with Vladivostok

• from Severo-Kurilsk

• with Kamchatka

History and legend

According to legend, life in the Maldives was once not as cloudless as glossy catalogs would have us believe. The sea genie Rannamaari, who unfortunately settled in their territorial waters, demanded regular human sacrifices every full moon, and exclusively in the form of virgins from the island of Male. The poor fellows were taken to a certain temple, and the next morning they were found dead.

But it’s not all Maslenitsa: one day a traveler from the distant Maghreb, Abdul-Barakat ul-Barbari, arrived at the atoll. The stranger took pity on the girls (whom his compatriots apparently had nothing to do with) and on the full moon he himself sat down in the temple in the place of the victim. He read the Koran all night, but in the morning it turned out that the genie had escaped, unable to withstand the power of the holy book. So the women were saved, and the Maldivians joyfully converted to Islam - that’s why now there are mosques everywhere, a ban on the import of alcohol and no toplessness (presumably, they are afraid that the genie will return). However, this did not affect the amazing nature of the archipelago - and therefore its attractiveness for tourists.

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Climate

The climate of the Maldives is warm and humid. Air temperature during the day is about +30 °C, at night +26 °C, water temperature +26 °C. Due to its close location to the equator, seasonal changes associated with the monsoons are almost imperceptible. During the southwest monsoon (May to October), it rains more often and the weather is windier. The northeast monsoon season (November to February) is considered less humid.

Maps of the Maldives

Visa and customs

Police: 119, fire service: 118, ambulance: 102.

Beaches in the Maldives

In the Maldives, all roads lead to the beach: fine snow-white sand, perfectly blue waves, tall palm trees - everywhere you look, pictures from advertising posters come to life. The coastline is almost everywhere wide, spacious, equipped with amenities and umbrellas to protect you from the scorching sun. Most of the beaches belong to hotels, and the areas assigned to modest “three rubles” are not much inferior in grooming and comfort to fashionable five-star zones.

Topless sunbathing and drinking alcohol are strictly prohibited on Maldivian beaches.

The list of the most famous beaches of the archipelago includes Naladu and Banyan Tree on Male Atoll, San and Nika on Ari Atoll. Turtles nest on the shores of Lhaviani, and dolphins splash off the coast of Maafushi. The wealthy relax on the islands of Hadahaa (Gaafu Alif Atoll), Kunfunadhoo (Baa Atoll) and Veligandu (Ari Atoll). There is an equipped beach even in the capital: of course, it is not as spectacular as the recreation areas at luxury resorts, but it is quite suitable for surfing and sunbathing. And the most vivid impressions will be given by night swimming on the “glowing” beach: underwater microorganisms and luminescent algae on the coast of Vaadu (South Male) shimmer with blue lights in the dark, creating the effect of a starry sky descending to the ground.

Diving in the Maldives

Maldives... how much this word brings together for a diver’s heart: comfortable water temperature (+27 °C at a depth of 40 m), excellent visibility up to 30 m and, of course, professional dive centers. The disadvantages of this direction include strong currents outside the reefs. The best season for snorkeling in the archipelago is from January to April, when the weather is sunny and the water is clear. Giraavaru Island Resort, on the North Atoll, has over 20 sites known to divers from all over the world.

For beginners, diving on reefs would be ideal: on their inner slopes or inside the atoll. Advanced divers will be interested in the outer surface of the reef (amazing ocean fish live there in caves with ledges and terraces), but do not forget about strong currents and breaking waves. The underwater coral slides are very interesting - their tops are at a depth of 5 to 25 m, and their base is up to 40 m.

In addition, there are several interesting wrecks in the Maldives, for example, the cargo ship Victoria with the remains of goods brought to the islands, or the steamer Chaika, which sank at the end of the 19th century - its hull was completely split in two. Some popular sites: Emboodu National Reserve with a stunningly diverse underwater world, the Feliwaru and Halaveli rivers (giant rays can be seen here), Maaya Reef, the cozy channel between the reefs of Fushi, teeming with a variety of inhabitants, the secluded dive site of Rakido, the protected marine area of ​​​​Guraidhoo , Miyaru's shark site.

Read more about local diving in the article by our regular expert, the charming Veronica Birman, “Diving without lyrics - 13. The soul of the Maldives.”

Surfing

Wave boarding is a relatively recent entertainment in the Maldives: only in the late 80s. The first surfers flocked here. Today, the islands are considered one of the most popular places in the world for surfing: it is never crowded (the number of people going out to sea is regulated by a special service), and the waves are just a sight for sore eyes: high, stable, ideally shaped. The prestigious international tournament O’Neill Deep Blue Open is regularly held on the island of Lohifushi.

There are 7 popular surfing spots in the Maldives, including Sultans, Pasta Point (with exclusive rights to “rent” waves by the Atoll Adventures club) and the so-called “Police Island”. The most wonderful surfing is from June to September, the height of local waves is from 1 to 2.5 m.

You can also practice surfing in the capital Male: there is a sandy bottom, and there is no risk of cutting yourself on the coral at low tide. True, the landscapes are not as picturesque as at the atoll resorts.

Wedding in the Maldives

Entertainment and attractions

All the main beauties of the Maldives are located below sea level; there are no special attractions on land. There is the unremarkable capital of Male (excursion from 40 USD), many similar uninhabited islands where people like to have picnics (from 35 USD), as well as a kind of “action” - a fishing excursion. Perhaps the only notable overwater excursion is the Photo Flight, a seaplane flight over the islands. It costs a lot: for 15-20 minutes in the air you will have to pay about 150-250 USD. Other popular excursions are a yacht cruise (from 80-90 USD) or a submarine dive (from 45-50 USD).

Do you know how an atoll differs from “just an island”? Just in case, we provide information: an atoll is a coral island in the form of a continuous or discontinuous ring surrounding a lagoon. If you look from under the water, the atoll will most likely turn out to be a long-extinct volcano, on the slopes of which a coral reef once began to grow - and grew so much that it gradually appeared on the surface. But the top of the volcano, on the contrary, over many centuries collapsed and sank under water. You know the rest: people sailed from somewhere to the formed ring, built hotels with restaurants and spas, and opened diving centers.

If your soul still requires a cultural program, we recommend visiting the National Museum on the territory of the picturesque Sultan’s Park, the Islamic Center under the golden dome and the Presidential Palace in Male. The oldest in the country, the Old Friday Mosque with a unique minaret (1656) and the tomb of Mohammed Takurufanu, a legend of national resistance, are also located here. Ari Atoll has the ruins of a Buddhist temple from 90 BC. e., on the island of Matirah (Haa Alif Atoll) - a mausoleum with a sacred tomb, a place of pilgrimage for Muslims.

Holidays and Events

The main holidays in the Maldives are patriotic and religious in nature. The most magnificent celebrations take place on Independence Day, July 26: the islanders have fun in honor of the long-awaited exit from British protectorate and the declaration of sovereignty. On the first day of the month of Rabi al-Awwal, Nation Day is celebrated to commemorate the liberation from the Portuguese invaders by the troops of Mohammed Takurufanu. On the 12th day of the same month, the birth of the Prophet Muhammad is celebrated.

The end of holy Ramadan marks Eid al-Fitr: three days of hearty meals, visits and other entertainment. After 70 days, Eid al-Fitr begins with traditional services and sacrifices. November 3 is Victory Day in honor of the coup d'état prevented in 1988. In the first month of the Muslim calendar, Muharram, religious celebrations are held to celebrate the Islamic New Year.

December 10 is one of the most colorful local holidays: Fisherman's Day with folk festivities and noisy fairs. On New Year (January 1) and Christmas (December 25), adored by foreign tourists, colorful celebrations are held in hotels and on city streets: the degree of fun depends only on the thickness of the wallet.

But to the question: - Where are the Maldives? not everyone will be able to give the correct answer. Meanwhile, finding their location is not at all difficult. Pick up a map and find the Indian Ocean. Two parallel chains of islands, southwest of India and near the equator, are the coveted Maldives.

A little geography

Exotic coral islands stretch from north to south for 820 kilometers. The total area of ​​the Maldives is 90 thousand square kilometers, but only 298 square kilometers are allocated to land, the rest of the territory is occupied by the sea. The coral atolls comprise 1,192 stunning islands, of which 994 are uninhabited.

The population of the paradise country is 393 thousand people, who settled on two hundred islands. About half of them hospitably welcome tourists from all over the world, who know very well where the Maldives are on the world map and strive to come here as often as possible. The islands are very small, several square kilometers, so there is no more than one hotel on each of them. Blue transparent lagoons, amazing sandy beaches, unique vegetation and the highest level of service make your holiday here delightful and unforgettable.

Weather

Where are the Maldives? Where there is no winter. The subequatorial monsoon climate provides an average annual temperature of 24-30 degrees. From November to March there is dry, warm weather and the thermometer does not drop below 17 degrees. There are rains, rough seas and temperatures of 30-32 degrees. It is pleasant to swim here all year round, because the water temperature constantly remains at the same level - 24-27 degrees.

Flora and fauna

A distinctive feature of the animal world is the complete absence of poisonous reptiles. And you don’t even have to worry about a dog bite here; keeping these animals is prohibited by law. But quite a short distance from the shore you can see a huge whale shark, but, as you know, giants feed only on plankton, so those who want to swim can do so without fear.

Fans of exotic fruits simply need to know where the Maldives are, because there are a great variety of them here. The unique climate allows you not to lack vitamins all year round.

Coconuts, bananas, mangoes, papaya, and pineapples delight tourists and natives with their juicy pulp. Everywhere the delicate aroma of orchids, hibiscus, roses, their variety and variety amazes the imagination.

Calmness, silence and complete unity with nature allow you to completely detach yourself from existing problems and give yourself a good rest.

Smallest capital

The city of Male is recognized as the smallest capital in the world, because it covers an area of ​​only 2.5 square kilometers. This is a tiny cozy town, the main attractions of which are the Good Friday Mosque with a sparkling golden dome, the National Museum located in the Sultan's Park, the Presidential Palace and the legendary burial places of the Maldivian saints. There are no noisy entertainment venues here, but you can stroll along the picturesque embankment, enjoy the aroma of flowers in a shady park, and visit unique vegetable and craft markets. Everything in this country is subject to the laws of nature, and, probably, sometimes it’s even good to take a break from the hustle and bustle of big cities in such a cozy and calm place.

Visa and customs control

Where the Maldives is located is well known to those who have visited this wonderful exotic corner and will probably visit it again.

To travel here you do not need to visit consular offices -.

You can vacation here for 30 days, this is exactly the period indicated on the tourist visa, which is placed in your passport free of charge upon arrival in the country. Customs can check whether you comply with the rules that prohibit import:

• drugs;
• pork products;
• animals;
• alcohol;
• anti-Islamic literature;
• pornographic products;
• military attributes.

In addition, when going on an exotic vacation, you should remember that nudism and toplessness are prohibited in this Muslim country, and when visiting the capital and areas where aborigines live, women should not wear beachwear; knees and shoulders must be covered.

The attractiveness of the Maldives

The prohibitions and restrictions that are important for local residents and not at all burdensome for us do not in any way detract from the advantages of relaxing in this fabulous country. Now you know that the Maldives is where the transparency of the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, exotic fruits and the aroma of exquisite flowers, spreading palm trees and schools of colorful fish, calm silence and solitude on a small colorful island in the middle of the ocean expanse. The Maldives is paradise on earth, pleasure and bliss that you can give yourself.

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Travel packages and tours

about country

In the Indian Ocean, southwest of Ceylon, almost at the very equator, there is a coral archipelago - Maldives. It consists of twenty-six coral atolls, most of which are uninhabited. They were never part of the mainland. Simply, myriads of tiny polyps built their limestone houses on top of each other - as a result, islands were formed.

The Maldives enjoy the greatest success among newlyweds - such a combination of privacy, comfort, luxury and primitiveness at the same time does not exist, perhaps, anywhere else in the world. This is one of the few places where a miracle is possible: complete detachment from the present, immersion in a space woven from blue skies, snow-colored sand and emerald water of extraordinary transparency.

Nature and geography

The island nation of the Maldives is located in South Asia, southwest of Sri Lanka, in the equatorial waters of the Indian Ocean. The Maldives archipelago has about 2,000 islands, forming 26 atolls, and only 202 of them are inhabited. The closest neighbors - India and Sri Lanka are located at a distance of 600 and 700 km north and south of the archipelago.

The capital of the Maldives - Male - is located on the island of Male. Time is 2 hours ahead of Moscow, and from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October - by 1 hour.

Climate of the Maldives

The Maldives has a warm tropical climate with even temperatures throughout the year (air temperature 25-30 C, water temperature 24-27 C). The optimal season for travel is from October to May.

Average monthly air temperature in the capital:

Sights of the Maldives

widely known for their resorts, each of which is a unique world surrounded by the purest golden sands. This is a place “at the edge of the world”, where there is no noise of cities and European civilization, where there is only exotic nature and endless expanses of the ocean.

Numerous underwater coral caves stretch throughout the Maldives archipelago, lush tropical vegetation creates the pristine and unique beauty of the islands.

The Maldives is a discovery for diving enthusiasts. Numerous coral caves provide interesting places for underwater exploration. Coral reefs protect coastal waters from predatory fish, so diving enthusiasts do not have to fear for their lives.

Among the attractions of the Maldives are the National Museum, Sultan Park, Singapore Bazaar, the Islamic Center and 20 picturesque mosques of the capital.

Cuisine of the Maldives and its features

Local cuisine usually includes rice, fish curry cooked with coconut milk, and flavored with lime, chili and small onions. Roshi - a local bread - is usually eaten along with mas huni - a fish cocktail flavored with coconut, onion, chilli and lime.

Among the local snacks, fihunu mas - fish baked with chili paste, keemia - fried fish rolls, and kulhi borkihaa - the most delicate fish pie are very popular. Among sweets, bondi - white coconut sticks - are very tasty.

Population, language, religion

The population of the Maldives is mainly Maldivians and Indians.

The official language is Dhivehi and belongs to the Indo-Iranian group. English is widely spoken in the capital Male and in the resorts.

The population professes Sunni Islam.

Customs regulations, visa, currency, embassies

Tourist visa for 30 days, stamped free of charge upon arrival at the airport.
Israeli passport holders are not allowed into the country. There is an airport tax of US$10 per person when departing from Hulule Airport.

Stay mode. There are no restrictions on movement. To visit one of the islands where the indigenous population lives, you must obtain special permission.

On Maldives There is no Russian embassy. You can contact the Russian Embassy in Sri Lanka, Colombo. Tel. (94-1) 57-35-55, 57-49-59 (24 hours a day).

Currency. The official currency is Maldivian rufiyaa. One rufiyaa contains 100 lari. There are banknotes in circulation in denominations of 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2 rufiyaa and coins in denominations of 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 lari.

Customs regulations. When passing through customs control at the Male airport, you must present all your belongings for inspection, including hand luggage. The import of alcoholic beverages, drugs, any pornographic materials, recorded videotapes, and spearfishing weapons is prohibited.

When departing from Male, upon presentation of the appropriate receipt, you can receive back the alcoholic beverages selected at customs upon entry.

Tips for tourists

Holidays and non-working days. January 1 - New Year, January 8-10 - Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan Fast), March 15-18 - Eid al Kebir (Day of Sacrifice), April 6 - Islamic New Year, June 4-5 - National Holiday, June 15 - Mulud (Prophet's Birthday), July 26-27 - Independence Day, November 11-12 - Republic Day, September 1 - Huravi Day, October 28 - Martyrs' Day, November 3 - Victory Day.

Souvenirs. Shark jaws, handicrafts, light summer clothes, coconut oil, shells, etc. are brought as souvenirs from the Maldives.

Transport. Any Maldives island can be crossed in 1.5 - 2 hours. In the Maldives, water modes of transport predominate: the local taxi is a wooden dhoni boat with a flat roof.

Bicycles and motorcycles are the most popular types of land transport. Taxis are available to get around Male. The cost of one trip in any direction is 10 rufiyaa. In Male and other major islands you can rent a car.

Cloth. Any light clothing of your choice is acceptable. Even in deluxe hotels, most restaurants do not require you to wear evening gowns. For the beach, regular beachwear is recommended. It should be remembered that nudism and topless are prohibited in the Maldives (the exception is Kuramati Island, where topless is allowed). When visiting fishing villages and the capital Male, tourists should wear modest clothing, respecting Muslim traditions.

Behavior rules. Although the Islam practiced in the Maldives is milder than in most Arab countries, the following should not be forgotten:

• Spearfishing and unauthorized fishing are prohibited
• It is prohibited to remove corals, shells, starfish, etc. from the sea.
• Nude swimming is prohibited on all islands of the archipelago.