Facts about the Maldives:
- The Maldives are located about 430 km southwest of India, in the Indian Ocean
- They consist of almost 1200 islands spread out in 26 ring-shaped atolls
- 220 islands are inhabited by locals, around 150 are considered resort islands
- Only a little over 400,000 people live in the Maldives
- The capital city is Malé, where one third of the population lives
- The Maldives is the flattest country on earth – the highest point is 2 m.
- 99% of the area is water, only 1% is land
- The Maldives stretches 871 km in a north-south direction
- Each atoll differs in its characteristics, e.g. Ari Atoll is known for whale sharks, whereas Baa Atoll with the famous Hanifaru Bay is known for manta rays
The official language is Dhivehi. It is derived from medieval Sinhalese. Both the Latin script and the Thaana script, which is written from right to left, are used.
ދިވެހި
The local currency is Rufiyaa. But US dollars are also welcome as a means of payment.
The best season to visit is the dry season
between November and April
Tourists receive a free tourist visa
for 30 days upon entry
The Maldives is a Muslim
country with some peculiarities