Where are the Maldives? Travel packages and tours

The Republic of Maldives is located in equatorial waters south of India. The state is a chain of atolls that consist of 1,192 islands of coral origin. The capital of the state is Male, the only city in the entire archipelago.

The Maldives were inhabited more than 2 thousand years ago. Twice the Portuguese and the Dutch tried to establish power over the islands, but the local population did not allow this to be done. In 1887, a British protectorate was established over the Maldives. The Maldives was under British rule for more than half a century and finally gained independence in 1965. In 1968, a referendum was held in the country, as a result of which the state became a republic.

Capital	Male
Population	395,000 people
Population density	1328 people/km 2
Religion
Form of government	presidential republic
Time zone
International dialing code
Internet domain zone
Electricity

Climate and weather

The climate in the Maldives is equatorial, with a predominance monsoon winds. The northeast monsoon from November to April creates favorable conditions for relaxation. Due to the proximity of the equator, the air temperature is approximately the same throughout the year and does not fall below +25 °C. In April, the southwest monsoon brings wet weather to the islands. air masses. During this period in the Maldives there is slight decrease temperatures, precipitation and storms.

Nature

The flora in the Maldives is typical tropical vegetation. There are mangroves and fruit trees here. The abundance of vegetation depends on the soil. On some small islands covered with sand, only shrubs and grasses are found. Large islands are rich in vegetation. There is also a real jungle here with tropical plants, mangroves, various types of exotic flowers. But there is one plant in the Maldives that grows everywhere, regardless of the type of soil - the coconut palm.

Fauna Maldives not too varied. Some species of reptiles live here: snakes, which are not dangerous to humans, lizards. Mosquitoes are found only on the wild islands of the archipelago. Among the insects in the Maldives, butterflies and rhinoceros beetles also live.

Much more interesting underwater world Maldives. On the ocean floor you can find different types of corals and sea ​​creatures, starting from sea ​​urchins and ending with whale sharks.

Attractions

There are not many historical or cultural attractions in the Maldives. The most interesting places located in Male. Here you can visit Sultan Park. Until 1968, the Sultan's palace was located here. Subsequently, the palace was destroyed, and the gardens surrounding the palace were turned into a park.

The Islamic Center is also of interest. This great mosque next to the pier. Its interior is decorated with symbols of Arabic calligraphy and wood carvings. It is better to visit the mosque accompanied by one of the local residents: after all, this is a religious building in which special rules of behavior must be observed.

Another attraction of the Maldives is the National Museum, which displays items of clothing and jewelry of the sultans. Also here are the manuscript of the Koran and pre-Islamic statues that were found during archaeological excavations.

Nutrition

At the core local cuisine lie Indian and Arabic traditions. Many dishes consist of ingredients such as rice, seafood and spices. The most common sauce is coconut curry; it is added to almost all dishes. There are a variety of fish dishes, for the preparation of which there are hundreds of recipes. Fish is even added to pies. The main side dish is rice, which is cooked with coconut milk, vegetables and even some fruits, such as papaya, bananas, mangoes, pumpkin. The meat they eat is mostly chicken, but extremely rarely. Most often served for dessert coconut. Baked goods and fruit salads are also widespread. The drinks here are mainly tea, coffee and various juices.

Accommodation

There are practically no high-rise buildings in the Maldives, with the exception of buildings in Male. Hotels are represented by all kinds of villas, bungalows, chalets, and cottages. All of them are one- and two-story, located separately from each other and have an entrance from the street. In the main building of hotel complexes, as a rule, there is a reception, bar and restaurant. The tourist houses themselves are located either in the depths of the island, or on the shore, or right on the water. In the latter case, the houses are connected to the land by a wooden bridge, and in some cases the rooms can only be reached by boat. Whatever type of accommodation is chosen, they are all distinguished by a high level of service.

Entertainment and relaxation

Most people go to the Maldives for a beach holiday. However, there are many options here. active recreation. For example, lovers of diving and snorkeling can have a great time on the islands. Divers from all over the world come to the Maldives, because the reefs near the islands are home to an incredible variety of marine life of unimaginable colors and shapes. But not only fish and corals attract diving enthusiasts. The waters surrounding the atolls are home to many sunken ships that are also of interest to divers.

Due to the fact that the Maldives is a Muslim state, many holidays here are of a religious nature. In addition, in the Muslim calendar, almost all holidays “move”, i.e. fall on different dates from year to year. Unchangeable are New Year(January 1), Independence Day (July 26-27), Catholic Christmas(December 25).

Purchases

Most of the stores are located in Male and specialize in souvenir products. Usually these are products made from coral, shells, and wood. Straw mats are especially popular. Local artisans make and sell beautiful coral jewelry - bracelets, earrings, necklaces. You can also purchase high-quality diving equipment in the Maldives.

Closed days in the Maldives are Friday and Saturday, respectively, shops are open from Sunday to Thursday from 7:30 to 21:00 or from 9:00 to 22:00. During prayers, which are performed 5 times a day, shops are closed, but if you are there at this time, leave trading floor optional.

Transport

The international airport is located in Male. In general, air transport is widespread on the islands, which is due to the peculiar geography of the archipelago. Air transport is represented by seaplanes and helicopters. In addition, transportation is carried out on sailing, motor boats and cutters. There is basically no public transport in the Maldives. Although there are taxis in Male. Its peculiarity is that if the car stops for more than a minute, then the trip is considered over and must be paid. On the islands it is possible to rent a boat or speedboat. This will cost an average of $140.

Connection

Mobile communications in the Maldives are well developed. You can use your operator for calls if you activate roaming, but it is cheaper to purchase a SIM card from a local mobile operator. The cost per minute of connection is on average $0.5. The Maldives is divided into several telephone zones, and the cost of calls from one zone to another is higher than within one zone.

Safety

After the country allowed political parties, rallies and demonstrations often began to take place on the streets of Male. It is not safe for tourists, although street crimes are extremely rare in the Maldives. To increase security, the law obliges all hotels to provide guests with a safe for storing documents, money and jewelry. If you discover that you have something missing, you should inform the manager, who must record your request in writing. The manager will then conduct his own investigation and, if necessary, contact the police.

When traveling to the Maldives, you must be vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, and yellow fever. In addition, it is necessary to take out medical insurance, because any treatment in the country is paid.

Business climate

If you wish, you can open your own in the Maldives small business. The most popular destinations are the hotel and restaurant business. You can also organize a diving center or yacht club. However, the country’s government is reluctant to hand over business to foreigners, preferring to do so on our own. This is due to the fact that when the Maldives was first discovered as a new tourist destination, attempts by foreigners to set up tourism businesses here usually ended in failure.

The tax system in the Maldives is considered one of the simplest in the world. There is no VAT or income tax here.

Real estate

Due to the very small area of ​​the state, real estate prices in the Maldives are very high. In addition, there is a moratorium on the purchase of real estate by foreigners. Instead, the state proposes to take out real estate for a long-term lease. The minimum term of such an agreement is 35 years, the maximum is 50 years. Mostly villas are rented; it is extremely difficult to rent an apartment on the islands. If you manage to find a suitable apartment, then you will have to pay at least $300,000 for it. Most of the villas for rent are luxury housing. The cost of such housing starts from $350,0000.

Since the Maldives is a Muslim state, this imposes some obligations on tourists. Should not appear in public places in revealing outfits. Topless swimming on the wrecks is strictly prohibited and will result in a fine. Drinking alcoholic beverages is prohibited in public places. The state has a ban on catching and exporting corals unless they were purchased in a souvenir shop. In restaurants, it is customary to leave a tip, the amount of which is 10% of the order value.

Visa information

Citizens Russian Federation no visa required. The Russian consulate closest to the Maldives is located on the island of Sri Lanka.

Useful information for tourists about the Maldives, cities and resorts of the country. As well as information about the population, currency of the Maldives, cuisine, features of visa and customs restrictions of the Maldives.

Geography of the Maldives

The Republic of Maldives is located in South Asia, on the islands of the Maldives archipelago, which is a chain of 20 atolls (about 2000 coral islands) in the equatorial waters of the Indian Ocean, southwest of the island of Sri Lanka.

State

State structure

Democratic republic, part of the Commonwealth. The head of state and government is the president. The legislative body is a unicameral parliament (54 deputies).

Language

Official language: Dikhevi

English is spoken in tourist centers.

Religion

The majority of the population professes Sunni Islam.

Currency

International name: MVR

One rufiyaa is equal to 100 lari. Banknotes in denominations of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 rufiyaa, as well as coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 25 and 50 lari are in circulation. US dollars and major credit cards are accepted everywhere. Upon departure, the remaining rufiyaa can be exchanged back to dollars.

History of the Maldives

The beginning of the history of the Maldives is unknown, but we know that people lived on the islands already 3000 years ago. About 800 years ago, the rulers of the Maldives - Buddhist kings - converted to Islam from Arab merchants. The Maldives was a British colony at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries and gained independence in 1965. In 1968, the Republic of the Maldives was proclaimed.

Popular attractions

Tourism in the Maldives

Where to stay

Maldivian hotel complexes quite different, but they are all united by the hospitality of local residents and excellent service. In the Maldives there is a very interesting system hotel construction - one island = one hotel.

There is no official classification of hotels in the Maldives. The hotels here are classified according to a special rating system for hotel service: Deluxe, Superior and Standard. Most hotels in the country are four- and five-star level, bungalow type. There are very few three-star hotels here.

All Maldivian hotels high level, with a huge territory (the whole island) and unique design. Even the most budget hotels provide their guests with good rooms with minibars, air conditioning, safes and other necessary amenities. Most hotels have diving and spa centers, golf courses, volleyball and tennis courts, 24-hour bars and restaurants. Swimming pools are not found in all hotels.

In hotels in the country, vacationers have access to both half and full board in a buffet format. Each room in the hotel restaurant has a separate table.

Most Maldivian hotels are complexes that consist of dozens of one- or two-story bungalows and cottages, each of which houses one or more rooms. These rooms are equipped with a kettle and daily replenished coffee and tea, air conditioning and a TV. Replacement bed linen is done every other day, and cleaning is done twice a day.

Many hotels offer tourists accommodation in “water bungalows” - spacious wooden houses on stilts standing directly on the beach above the water. Available - bathroom with ocean view and terrace.

In addition, accommodation in boutique hotels is possible in the Maldives - these are 10-12 detached villas. Each room has an outdoor shower and a separate terrace.

Another, not the most traditional option for living in this country is yachts, the cost of living on which is very high.

Office hours

Banks are usually open from 9 am to 1 pm from Saturday to Thursday. Closed on Friday.

Store opening hours are variable. The majority, especially on big islands, work from 7-8 hours to 21-23 hours, but in summer time many shops are open from 13-15 hours to 18-20 hours.

Souvenirs

You can bring shark jaws, coconut oil, shells, sarongs, wood crafts (red and black figurines), and coconut monkeys.

Medicine

Vaccination against hepatitis A and B is recommended. If necessary, it is better to bring medications with you, since there are practically no pharmacies on the islands, and medications sold in hotels are extremely expensive. It is recommended to drink bottled water.

This question is asked by those who have already bought the long-awaited one or are just going to look for tickets and prepare for the trip. Everyone has heard about this stunning resort, the leader among the giants of beach holidays, and have probably seen photos from best beaches and hotels. The Maldives are 8.5 hours away by direct flight from Moscow to Male. This island nation is located in South Asia in the middle of the Indian Ocean near the equator. It is this geographical location of the Maldives and the equatorial climate that provide excellent weather for a beach holiday all year round in any season.

To choose the best hotel, it is worth understanding where the Maldives are, where the capital Male and the international airport are located, and where you will go on vacation. I hope I have already convinced you of the importance of understanding geographical location Maldives? Then let's go!

The geography of the Maldives is so interesting that when you start studying it, you immediately understand why the widespread “lostness” of the Maldives is not accidental. They are so small that they are practically invisible geographical map. And many people often don't know what the Maldives is. Some of them quite seriously think that this is not the whole country, and one small island (for example, as part of Chile) with magnificent beaches and hotels.

Where is Male

Male(Male) is the capital Republic of Maldives. Male is located in the very center of the country on a fairly large and densely populated island. It is part of the North Male Atoll (Kaafu). Thousands of tourists fly to the Maldives every day at Male International Airport (its code is MLE), located on the island of Hulhule, neighboring the capital.

Good to know:

• See cheap flights to Male follow the link →
• A ready-made tour to the Maldives can be selected on the website

Male City- financial, administrative and transport center Maldives. It is home to many significant cultural attractions, modern hospitals, shops, restaurants, banks and a post office.

Male Island connected to many inhabited islands in the Maldives various types transport - ferries, high-speed boats and local air travel to regular airplanes and seaplanes.

Male on the world map

Where are the Maldives resort islands?

Not all islands in the Maldives are inhabited. Of the nearly 1,200 individual islands, only about 200 are inhabited or used as resorts. The Maldives are located both south and north of the capital Male. Some of them can be reached by speedboat or ferry, while others are located so far away that tourists fly to them either by seaplane (air taxi) or by regular domestic flights.

If you have already chosen your hotel, then on the map of the atolls you can understand where it is approximately located (see map). And for those who are still choosing, it will be interesting to keep in mind:

• The closest resort island to the airport in the Maldives is a famous hotel Kurumba. It is very popular among Russian tourists, and for good reason, because the holiday there, judging by the reviews, is simply magnificent!
• The furthest island in the south where the local population lives is Gan(Addu Atoll). Maldivian Airlines flies there from Male. Near the island of Gan there is a magnificent resort on the equator. Who hasn't dreamed of relaxing right under the sun? There is such an opportunity in the Maldives. Look

The Republic of Maldives is nothing more than a group of atolls - rings enclosing sea lagoons. The archipelago is located south of India, and the sea of ​​the Maldives is the majestic and vast Indian Ocean, which here merges with the sky, making the horizon line almost invisible.

Paradise holiday

Which sea washes the Maldives? This question is one of the first to be asked by the happy owners of tours to luxury Maldivian resorts. The Indian Ocean is the third largest among the world's oceans and it is its waters that made beach holiday on the islands so amazing and memorable. The main visitors to the local resorts can be divided into three groups:

• Newlyweds who decided to spend their honeymoon like a king. The sea of ​​the Maldives, white sand beaches and bright sun complete with magnificent hotels and the opportunity to retire for two on the entire island - strong arguments in favor of choosing this particular one tourist destination.
• Divers for whom the first and only place is the rich underwater world of the Indian Ocean in the Maldives region. Other aspects do not bother them much, and diving at the local resorts is possible in any season.
• Fans of high-quality recreation and ideal service, for whom the price does not matter.

Ocean of Dreams

The Indian Ocean in the Maldives region can be called ideal. It has a beautiful color, the water is clean and transparent, the underwater world is amazingly diverse, and the water temperature makes swimming pleasant and comfortable. The thermometer in its waters at the local resorts does not fall below +26 degrees throughout the year, which makes both beachgoers and divers absolutely delighted.
The question of what seas are in the Maldives is usually puzzled by those who like to go out on yachts. On the archipelago, it is even possible to stay on a yacht, and renting it will not exceed the cost of a good room in a local hotel. This type of vacation allows you to see many new islands and get a real ocean of impressions.
The Indian Ocean is rich in a wide variety of fauna. Here you can find not only sea ​​turtles and dolphins, but even blue whales and sperm whales. In the Maldives region, the ocean waters are populated by plankton, some of which can glow at night, making the waves especially picturesque. There are no dangerous animals on land on the islands, but whale sharks, which can swim to the shores at a fairly close distance, feed only on plankton and do not pose a threat to swimmers.