Location
The Republic of Maldives or Dhiveh Rajje' (the land of the Dhivehi people) is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean. Its closest neighbors are India (595km) and Sri Lanka (670km).
The 26 coraline atolls that from the Maldives archipelago are situeaded on top of a vulcanic ridge 960 km in length, which runs from north to south. Almost all the atolls are enclosed by a coral reef which is considered to be some of the most abundant in marine life and beauteful in the whole world.
The approximately 1190 islands that make up the Maldives are small and low lying with the highest barely three meters above mean sea level. There are no rivers or mountains in the Maldives.
Geography
The atolls stretch from north to south for about 764 km and spread to 128 km at the widest point. The equator cuts across the country between the southernmost atolls, laying Addu and Fuamulaku to the south and Huvadhu Atoll to the north.
Climate
The Maldives experiences monsoonal climate. Maldives has two distinct seasons; dry season (northeast monsoon) and wet season (southwest monsoon). Northeast monsoon extends from January to March. Daily temperature ranges from 31 °C in daytime to
23 °C in nighttime.
The wet season runs from mid-May to November.
In this season Maldives experiences torrential rain (annual average reinfall of 2277 mm).
Capital Male'
the capital island has an area of 1.77 sq.km.
Male', the capital of the Maldives , is the commercial centre, seat of government and the location of many important historical and religious landmarks.
With an area of just over 1.77 square kilometres, it is home to over sixty thousand people, and is the busiest and most populous island in the archipelago.
It has been known as the Sultan's Island in the past.
The Grand Friday Mosque, Masjid-al-Sultan Mohammed Thakurufaanu-al-A "z" zam is the biggest mosque in the Maldives . It also includes the Islamic Centre. This Grand Mosque with its dominant golden dome decorates the facade of Male'. It can accommodate over five thousand worshippers at a time. Nearly all visitors to Male' take time to visit this magnificent landmark.
The old Friday Mosque with its unique minaret and the tombs of national heroes and members of royalty resting in the quietness of its compound, gives the visitor a glimpse of the past. The art in the mosque and royal burial grounds are unique and invaluable.
Other important sites in Male' include the tombs of legendary saints, Mulee-aage - the Presidential Palace and the National Museum in the Sultan Park which shows the glories of a different era. All these are within a ten minute stroll.
The fruit and vegetable market and the firewood market are busy and colourful places where islanders from outer atolls trade their goods.
The fish market nearby, is always immaculately clean, until the fish is landed in the busy hours of late afternoon when fisher-folk begin to arrive with the day's catch. The fishermen cutting and cleaning the fish have developed the process to an art. It is a clean and well maintained area that generates much interest from visitors and provides a glimpse into the life of typical Maldivian fisher-folk.
Shopping in Maldives
Male' is the best place for shopping if you are interested in buying imported goods. Most of the shops that specialize in tourists do sell a lot of local handicrafts and souvenirs. It is always best to browse through some shops before making a choice. The shops that are recommended by guides or shop assistants volunteering to be guides are not necessarily the best places for shopping.
If you are looking for duty free shops, there are some located at the Male' International Airport . They offer a pretty good range of goods from cameras, cosmetics, electrical and electronic equipment, cigarettes and other merchandise.
Clothing Casual clothing is normal in Maldives . However, it is advisable to have your thighs and shoulders covered. Bikini 's are not permitted in inhabited local islands since it is a Muslim country.
Light weight cottons and linens clothes are common.
Language
Dhivehi is the language spoken in all parts of the Maldives . The script is called "Thaana". English is the main taught language at schools. Most people in Male and tourist resorts speak English.
The language of the Maldivians is Dhivehi and displays much resemblance to several other languages from Sri Lanka , South East Asia, North India .
It contains many Arabic, Hindi and English words.
Historically speaking the early people spoke "Elu" a form of ancient Singhalese. The language had gone many transformations and the present day Dhivehi is written from left to right, probably to incorporate many Arabic words.
Modern Thaana script was invented in the 16th century following the overthrow of Portuguese. The earliest Dhivehi is inscribed on copper plates known as the "Loamaafaanu". The script is written with letters and vowels separately on top or below the letters, depending on the sound.
Dhivehi is used equivocally in the administration of the country. Until the 1960s, Dhivehi was also the medium of teaching in al schools, but with the need for further education, Dhivehi medium syllabuses changed to English medium teaching.
For this reason, English is widely understood, spoken and written by the locals.
Useful Dhivehi phrases
Hello Assalaamu Alaikum
Yes Aan
No Noon
What is your name? Kon nameh kiyanee?
How are you? Kihineh?
Good Rangalhu
Thank you Shukuriyaa
I am sorry Ma-aafu kurey
Where is it? Kobaa
How much does it cost? Agu kihaavareh?
What time is it? Gadin kihaa ireh?
What time are we leaving? Aharemen dhanee kon irakun?
Where are you going? Kon thanakah thi dhanee?
How long does it take? Kihaa ireh nagaanee?
Goodbye Dhanee
Religion
100% Sunni Muslim. Maldives is perhaps the only country with a 100% Muslim population. Islam was introduced around A.D.800, and the moderate form practiced in Maldives has remained virtually unchanged.
Time
Maldives Standard Time
+5 hrs GMT ( 5 hours ahead of GMT )
Currency
The Maldivian currency is the Rufiyaa and Laaree. One Rufiyaa is equivalent to 100 laarees. Rufiyaa bank notes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500. Coins are in the denominations of MRf.2.00, MRf.1.00, 50 laarees, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 laaree.
Approx..
Exchange rates are US $ 1 = 12 Mrf and Sterling £ 1 = 18 Mrf.
The Maldivian currency, Rufiyaa comes in notes of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500.
A rufiyaa is divided into 100 Larees.
Coins in use are 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, Larees and one and two Rufiyaa.
Major currencies are converted to local currency at the banks, tourist resort islands hotels and leading shops. The American Dollar is the most common foreign currency. Payments in the hotels can be made in most hard currencies in cash traveler's cheques or credit cards. Personal cheques may be accepted if they are supported by an internationally recognised bank guarantee card. The most commonly used credit cards are American Express Visa Master Card Diners Club JCB and Euro Card.
Shopping
Male is the best place for shopping, given the choice and variety of goods available in this centre of commercial activity. Local and imported handicrafts and souvenirs, cigarettes and electronic items are sold. The prices in Male have now become highly competitive, with minimum or no duty levied on most items. Most of the shops are in the main business area which is only a five-minute walk from the jetty where tourists usually arrive.
It is always better to browse through a few shops before choosing what to buy. The shops recommended by guides or shop assistants volunteering to be guides are not necessarily the - best places for duty free shopping .
Duty Free shops at Male International Airport offer high quality electrical and electronic ,goods, cameras, hi-fi stereo equipment watches and cosmetics along with cigarettes and other merchandise.
The capital Malé, being the centre of commercial activity is the ideal place to shop.
Shops open between 7.30 and 9.30 am, closing at 11 PM.
On Fridays they open at 1.30 PM, closing as usual.
Credit & Debit Cards
American Express, Diners Club, EuroCard, JCB, MasterCard, Visa.
Electricity
230 volts AC, 50Hz. Round-pin plugs are used, although square-pin plugs are now becoming more common.
Telephone/ Mobile
IDD is available. Country code: 960. Outgoing international code: 00.
GSM 900 network operated by the Maldives Telecommunications Company, DhiMobile.
Internet
The Internet can be accessed from most areas of the Maldives . Mal?, the capital, has an Internet cafe and almost all resorts facilitate the sending and receiving of e-mails. The islands' ISP is Dhivehi.
Post
Post office hours: Sat-Thurs 07:30-13:30 and 16:00-17:50.
Press
The Maldives News Bulletin is published weekly in English. The other dailies Aafathis Daily News, Haveeru Daily and Miadhu News have English sections. Information about local events is widely available on all the resort islands.
Radio
BBC World Service and Voice of America can be received.
Working Hours
Banks : 8 am - 1.30 PM (Sun to Thus)
Government Offices : 7.30 am -2.30 PM (Sun to Thus), Fri and Sat holidays.
Private Offices: Open between 8 am and 10 am and close between 6 PM and 8 PM, with a lunch break. Closed on Fridays only.
History & People
The country has a long and eventful history and has been an independent sovereign state except for a brief occupation by the Portuguese during the 16th century. Maldives became a British Protectorate in the mid-fifties and gained full independence in July 26, 1965. That same year it also became a member of the United Nations.
The country has a Republican government with an elected president as the head of the state. It was converted to Islam in the 12th century AD. Maldives has been a100% Muslim State for more than 800 years.
Although official Maldivian History only begins in the twelfth century, literary works and archeological remains provide clues to earlier pre-Islamic eras. Maldives was a port of call for many great sea faring civilizations that roamed the high seas, long before European Maritime History began.
A roman coin dated 90 BC has been discovered in the Maldives, and since it Was the Egyptians who taught the Romans how to cross the Indian Ocean, it may not be fanciful to imagine the great Egyptian papyrus boats with their colorful square sails sailing towards the Maldives.
Perhaps the Maldivians modeled the elegant curved bows of their boats from the Egyptians, and the Women, the beautifully embroidered collar pieces of their dresses.
People
Maldivians are a homogenous people - of one race, one culture, and one religion, Islam. Physically, Maldivians resemble Asian, Arab, Negroid and a Mongoloid mix.
The people are friendly and naturally "sunny and warm". The population of the Maldives is around 260,000. with a literacy rate of 98%. From the 1960's English medium Education has been introduced and is now universalized.
Political Status
Since 1965, an Independent republic with a democratically elected parliament. President is the head of the government, elected every 5 years.
President of Maldives
H. E. Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom from 1978 -
Population
214,139 (1990)
260,000 (1997 official estimate).
Population in the capital Male' was 58,000 in 1990.
Annual population increase is 3.8%
Economy
The economy was traditionally based on fishing and trading, but over the past 25 years the country has developed a highly successful, resort-based tourism industry. This has been carefully planned and regulated to protect both the environment and the culture. Independent travel is discouraged, and virtually all visitors to the Maldives are package tourists staying at one of the resorts or cruising in a licensed safari boat. Diving is a main attraction for tourists as the Maldives is recognised as one of the world's premier diving locations.
Festivals
Maldivians have great national pride. In all festival planning a feeling of family is sensed as women, men, and children share in the preparation of food, decoration, and entertainment programmes.
Most celebrations will find a blending of tradition and modern entertainment. Folk dances and music using wooden instruments may be followed by modern jazz or pop music.
People from all professions work side by side in a spirit of co-operation for these celebrations.
Holidays
Besides important religious holidays celebrated following the lunar calendar, traditional celebrations provide a festive atmosphere. Independence Day brings days of festive activities with school and government holidays.
Almost every holiday brings out the green and red national flags criss-crossed over main streets and displayed from private homes.
Festivals usually have two types of parades:
the usual marching of bands and the parade of children smartly groomed for viewing by all neighbours and sundry spectators.
Whether commemorating a marriage or circumcision, the drummers, dancers, and singers keep pace with the rhythm of traditional music. Most celebrations offer an excuse for a feast.
Gula (fried fish balls with tuna and coconut), kuli boakiba (spicy fish cakes), foni boakiba (coconut milk and rice pudding), and kiru Sarbat (sweet milk drink) are popular dishes.
The special after-dinner treat is made from bileh leaves, foah nuts, and cloves. A festival may also include a tour group of young Maldivian women and musicians, who provide a special entertainment, Bandiya Jehun: the beating of metallic water pots to the tune of an accompanying song.
The island poet may be called upon to recite Raivaru, a traditional form of poetry sung in a slow, even tune which expresses various sentiments.
Entry & Transportation
Almost all visitors to the Maldives arrive by air. Male International Airport situated in Hulhule island is just over a kilometre or about ten minutes by boat from Male, the capital.
All visitors must have a valid passport. For visitors coming from yellow fever infected areas, an international certificate of inoculation is required.
No visa is required in advance. A tourist visa of 30 days will be granted to all visitors with valid travel documents.
All Visitors who enter the Maldives should be in possession of a return air ticket and at least US$30 ,per intended day of stay.
It is advisable that all visitors have confirmed hotel reservations before arrival.
The tourist resort islands have their own transfer boats to carry their clients. Visitors with confirmed reservations are normally met on arrival at the airport and transferred by boat, helicopter or sea-plane to the resort island of their choice.
Transport and communication services provided for tourists are generally of a high standard.
Minimum standards of service and safety also apply.
There is no regular inter-island transportation system between inhabited islands. The ad hoc transportation system is serviced mainly by local boats called Dhoni or Baththeli average a speed of about 8 miles per hour.
A large number of dhonis plow the Male International Airport and Male route as ferries. Dhonis and even modern speed boats are also available for hire.
Air Maldives the national carrier, operaters regular flights to the domestic airport at Hanimaadhoo, Kadhdhoo, Kaadedhdhoo and Gan.
