The Maldives Officially known as The Republic of Maldives is a small archipelagic country known as the island nation in South Asia located in the Arabian Sea of the Indian Ocean. The Maldives is widely known for its natural environment, including the white sandy beaches, blue ocean and clean air.
During the colonial era, the Dutch referred to the country like the Maldives’ climate is perfect for visitors to participate in water sports such as swimming, scuba diving, fishing, snorkeling, and water-skiing. The Maldives archipelago contains 1190 tiny islands spread across the Indian Ocean. Out of this 1190 island, only 185 are colonized, and the rest are used mainly for agriculture and tourism purpose.
This is a list of islands of the Maldives. There are around 1,192 in total. They are listed by administrative division/atoll.
The islands are divided into:
Inhabited islands: those officially recognized as towns, villages, fishing and farming communities with permanent human habitation. They all have an island office and island chiefs
Uninhabited islands: Islands with no human habitations. They are sometimes used for industrial and agricultural motives, and more lately as picnic islands and tourist hotels & resorts. Some of these islands are beneficial breeding grounds of numerous species of sea turtles and seabirds.
Disappeared islands: During recorded history, islands have been destroying away, claimed by the sea due to the sea-level rise related to global warming or incorporated by other islands. Some of these islands were formerly inhabited and have been influential in the history of the country. Some natural atolls are named after them (islands of Addu and Thiladhoo after which Addu and Thiladhunmati atoll are named) while others are thought to have been the sites of the first community in the Maldives (Ihadhoo- meaning seen first and possibly the early settlement of the Maldives)
Spread throughout the Indian ocean like gems of a broke nickel, an island country is a form of a few islands and outlying reefs. The Maldives is formed by 26 natural atolls, out of which Boduthiladhunmathi is the largest atolls, while the atoll accommodates the most islands in Huvadhu. The Maldives’ atolls surround a territory spread over roughly 90,000 square kilometres, making it one of the world’s most spread countries in geographic terms. The atolls of the Maldives form a quite regular chain and, particularly in the central and northern atolls, an arrayed structure is apparent. There are wide and deep channels in between some atolls. The origin of the word atoll itself is in the language of the Maldives. ‘Atoll’ (from Dhivehi ‘atholhu’) is now used in many languages worldwide.
Popular Atoll
South Male / North Male / Vaavu Atoll / Meemu Atoll / Mhalu Atoll / Gaafu –Alifu Atoll / Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll / Ari –Alifu Atoll / Rasdhoo / Baa Atoll / Raa Atoll
The Maldives people are very friendly and have ancestral roots of Africa, India, Arab, Sri Lanka and Portuguese. Indian and Sri Lankan elements heavily influence the Maldives Culture. For example, Bodu Beru a form of Maldives folk music consisting of drumming is linked to African tribal drumming rituals. Folk music, dance, arts and craft through being to those of our immediate neighbors and the African and Arab world have unique Maldives tinge and twist to it.
The traditional Maldivian family contained of a patriarch who earned a living primarily by fishing. Carpentry, seamanship, tapping toddy and boat building are also traditional professions some men pursued. The woman typically stayed at home and took care of the children and other household duties. She was also responsible for activities like smoking the fish and drying the fish and for commercial use. Some women also take part in activities like mat weaving and making coir rope. There was very much a close-knit communal atmosphere to the islands.
After the 1970s, which assisted in a new era of rapid urbanization, modernization, industrialization, and tourism growth had brought about significant change in the locals’ lifestyle and profession. Most Maldivian people now pursue the modern profession in both the private sector and the public sector.
The traditional food of Maldives not surprisingly is based around fish, tuna to be more specific and coconuts. White rice and roshi (basically Tortilla) staple items. Fish is usually consumed fried, roasted, smoked, barbequed, etc. one of the most popular local dished “garudhiya” is also a soup made out of tuna. Moreover, tuna is also consumed in the form of curry. Traditional beverages include Toddy – aged coconut-based sap and plain coconut sap. Sweets range from addu bondi think bounty (the chocolate) without the chocolate over it.
The Maldives is famous for its intricately designed and crafted lacquer works, the majority of these pieces are now produced in Thulhaadhoo, Baa Atoll. These pieces, which include jewellery boxes, containers and vases, are crafted by moulding and hollowing out pieces of wood which are locally known as Liye laa Jehun. Colours consist of strands of black, red and yellow resin, and pattened usually are of a floral nature.
Additionally, mat weaving (thundu kunaa), coir rope making, pyrography and calligraphy are well known traditional Maldivian arts. However, their prominence is at a decline in recent times due to rapid modernisation and urbanisation and simply a lack of demand.
Since the Maldives accepted Islam in 1153, Islam has been central to the life of Maldivians. The Muslim Calendar follows the important festivals and events of Maldivian people. From infancy, children are taught the Arabic alphabet. Education related to religion is taught both at school and home. Islam is part of the school syllabus and is conducted concurrently with other subjects.
Dhivehi is known as the Maldives’ official language, an Indo-Aryan language having some similarities with Sinhala. The first well known script used to write Dhivehi is Eveyla Akuru Script, which is introduced in the king’s history recording. Later, a script called “Dhives Akuru was introduced and used from a long period, the present-day written script is called “Thaana” and written from right to left. Thaana is said to be found by the reign of Mohamed Thakurufaanu. English is considered the second language of the Maldives education system because it follows the British Standards since the 1960s. It can be said that most of the people in the Maldives are quite fluent and skilful in the English language.
Take a trip for a few days or a week to experience the worlds most untouched and remote dive sites is to take a trip on a liveaboard. Cruising the ocean in style, you can jump into the water from the boat onto pristine reefs with nobody else there but you. This is the most significant diving experience the one you will not forget. The original popular diving locations within the world usually have a liveaboard option also. You want to look for reefs that you cannot access on a one-day dive expedition, and then you know you’re getting to dive off the grid, and it is almost guaranteed to be better diving.
Grand Friday Mosque:
The Grand Friday Mosque is one of the largest in the Maldives and South Asia it has a gathering capacity for up too 5000 people. The golden dome of this majestic modern mosque dominates Male’s skyline and has become something of a symbol for the city. The centre houses a conference hall and a library. The most famous architectural landmark of Male’ is the three-storey Islamic Centre, opened in November 1984.
National Museum: National Museum of Maldives is the first national museum in the country established on the National Day of the Maldives, on 11 November 1952, by the Prime Minister, Mohamed Amin Didi. It houses several well-kept artefacts of Maldivian culture, including coins, royal antiques, furniture, clothing items, embellishments and armaments. For the people who love culture and history, visiting the museum is a must while you are touring in Male.
Fish Market: One of the major tourist attraction spots in Maldives is the Male fish market. Being the hub of commercial activities, Maldives fish market is a place that is always overcrowded with people. The shops over here are stocked with a wide variety of products.
Jumhooree Maidan: Independence Square is also known as Jumhooree Maidhan is a little park on the north coast of the capital and is marked by a flagpole with a giant Maldivian flag. The park was set up in the year 1989; it is the youngster’s favourite evening hangout spot.
Diving
The Maldives becomes top dive or scuba diving destinations because in the world the country is the home to the thousands of coral reefs, clear warm waters and beautiful reefs boasting of a large and diverse range of marine life and flora and fauna. Many scuba divers are eager to dive in the Maldives because of whale sharks, manta rays, eagle rays, reef sharks, hammerhead sharks and moray eels, as well as many smaller fish and coral species. Most of the Maldives’ resorts have a scuba diving facility. Several liveaboard operators offer scuba diving cruise holidays that take guests to many dive sites all over the Maldives
Snorkelling
Snorkelling in the Maldives does not need you to have any particular qualification. Snorkelling is the practice of swimming on or through a body of water while equipped with a shaped tube called a snorkel a diving mask, and usually fins. Snorkelling is best for exploring the house reefs of the resort at a leisure pace. Snorkelling is a popular refreshment activity, particularly at a tropical resort and scuba diving locations. It is the basis of the two top authority of the underwater sport of finswimming. It appeals to all ages because of how little effort there is, and without the exhaled bubbles of scuba-diving tools.
Seaplane Photo Flights
Seaplane photo flight offers you a fantastic sightseeing view that gives you the opportunity of a lifetime. Enjoy your exceptional Maldives holiday experience from the sky in one of the De Havilland DHC 6 Twin Otter seaplanes. The seaplanes are ideal for photography and sightseeing: their high wings, large view windows and untainted glass present panoramic views and unrivalled photo opportunities. The excitement of landing and taking off from the sea is truly memorable.
Big-Game Fishing
Maldivian private charter as well as resorts operations, offer big-game fishing trips. There are no local laws that stipulate the mandatory release of big-game fish after catching, and often the catch is taken back to the resort for a Maldivian style BBQ. Adrenaline junkies can savour that feeling of hooking a sizeable yellow-fin tuna, wahoo, marlin or a majestic sailfish on such trips.
Excursion (Island Hopping)
An island-hopping excursion lets you visit a set number of inhabited island or resorts in a day foe general exploratory purposes. Mostly package combinations of dwelling on an inhabited island, one uninhabited island and one resort per day trip offered by resorts
Whale Submarine
The whale submarine is efficient of carrying a maximum of 50 passengers and reaching depts. Up to 150 meters though it usually goes and stays at depts, between 10m-40m as this is the range in which coal growth and fish life are abundant. The wale submarine operates from the capital Male and is docked near to the capital. Bookings can be made directly from their office located in male or from your selected resort. Price for adults ranges around US$ 75 and USD 38 for children.
Night Fishing
Almost all of the resorts offer regular night fishing trips or you could even book a trip from a private charter operation. Night fishing is a much more relaxed affair than big-game fishing.
Local Currency
The Maldives has a non-convertible currency; therefore, Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR) cannot be purchased beforehand. Major international currencies can be changed at the airport on arrival or in the capital. The USD$ is accepted as legal tender. The money exists in the following banknotes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 500.
Transfer
Getting off your selected resorts or liveaboard is a pretty straightforward affair. Almost all of the resorts and liveaboards offer an airport welcome and collection service. You can either take a seaplane or a speedboat to get to the resort (such arrangements will usually be taken care of by the resort). However, if you prefer to fly on a seaplane, you could request the resort to make such a booking