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The ocean washing the Maldives is called the Indian Ocean, and they themselves are grouped into an archipelago elongated from north to south, consisting of coral atolls - ring-shaped island structures. Within these rings are lagoons. In total, this archipelago includes 1190 islands, which are grouped into 26 atolls. All atolls are divided into 19 administrative regions, and the 20th administrative unit was the capital of the state - the city of Male.

The islands are located southwest of the Hindustan peninsula, and the Indian Ocean washes the Maldives.- warm, huge and majestic, merging with the sky on the horizon with the blue of its waters, because of which the horizon line becomes almost indistinguishable. But among the huge number of islands of the archipelago, only about two hundred were inhabited. In an archipelago like the Maldives, the sea occupies 99.7% of the territory and only a negligible remaining part falls on land. In general, the Maldives rise above the water, being part of a large underwater mountain range. For thousands of years, corals have grown on the tops of seamounts, reaching up towards the sun, gradually forming reefs. As a result, ring-shaped structures grew, parts of which then appeared above the surface of the water and formed islands of atolls. And in the middle of the atoll there was a depression - a lagoon, which communicated with the ocean through a series of natural canals.

Temperature of the Indian Ocean near the Maldives

Those who are going to the Maldives should not worry about the temperature of the water in the ocean - it is always warm and suitable for swimming here. At any time of the year it is not colder than 26 degrees, which cannot but delight divers and just beachgoers. This is not surprising, because the archipelago is located very close to the equator. The water in the ocean is always clear and blue, which further enhances the pleasure of contact with it. During the monsoon season, strong currents form around many of the islands, making navigation in the sea dangerous, but the rest of the time, communication between the atolls is not difficult.

Flora and fauna of the ocean of the Maldives

The many hundreds of species of fish that live in the Indian Ocean can be divided into two categories: fish that live in calm lagoons and reefs, and those that prefer the freedom of the open ocean, but sometimes also approach the islands in search of food. Diving and snorkeling enthusiasts are attracted by a lot of things under water: exotic shapes and colors of coral, fish, shellfish, jellyfish, turtles, moray eels, sea ​​urchins and stars, dolphins, rays and sharks. cetacean mammals and sea ​​turtles they also prefer to migrate across the ocean - they are very fond of being photographed by divers.

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— Island state in the south of Asia, in the northern part indian ocean. There are more than 2000 small islands. maritime borders lie in the Indian Ocean.

The name of the country comes from the Sanskrit dwipa - "island".

General information about the Maldives

Official name: Republic of Maldives

Capital: Male

The area of ​​the land: 298 sq. km

Total population: 395 thousand people

Administrative division: The country is divided into 20 island groups.

Form of government: Republic.

Head of State: President elected for a term of 5 years.

Composition of the population: 99% are Maldivians (ethnogenesis is not completely clear), as well as Arabs and people from the African continent.

Official language: Maldivian (dhivehi). English language widespread in the capital Male and resorts.

Religion: Almost the entire population professes Sunni Islam.

Internet domain: .mv

Mains voltage: ~230 V, 50 Hz

Phone country code: +960

Climate

Tropical marine. The temperature all year round on average does not fall below +25 C even at night. average temperature is about +28 C all year round (daytime maximum - about +32 C, nighttime minimum - +25 C). Precipitation is about 2500 mm. per year, and most often in the form of short rains in the evening and at night. The water temperature is also constant - about + 24-27 C all year round.

Best weather observed during the "iruvai" period (from November-December to March-April, the season of the northeast monsoon), when the sea is calm, and the weather is sunny and dry. From May to October, during the "hulhangu" season (April to October), the weather is less predictable - the southwest monsoon can bring intermittent rains, high humidity and rough seas (however, this period is the least hot). Storms and waves are most likely in June and December.

Geography

The island state of the Maldives is located 700 km. southwest of Sri Lanka, in the equatorial waters of the Indian Ocean. Two almost parallel chains of islands, bordered by coral reefs, and lying at a relatively short distance from each other, stretch for 820 km. from North to South. In total, there are 1196 islands, forming 26 atolls, of which only 199 are inhabited and about 100 are open to the public. total area country about 90 thousand square meters. km., land - only 298 sq. km.

Flora and fauna

Vegetable world

Forests cover no more than 3% of the area of ​​the islands. Coconut palms grow on many islands, which do not suffer from soil salinization, banana groves and a dense shrub cover, mangroves in some places, and banyan, pandanus and various thorny plants are found in the depths of the islands.

Animal world

Coastal waters abound with fish. Sea turtles are found, which for a long time were intensively exterminated by the population. Their meat and fat were used for food, and their shells were used for various handicrafts. Currently, turtles are on the verge of extinction and are protected by law. Since 1996 there has been a program for the protection environment"A Million Trees" Within its framework, nurseries have been created in which seedlings are grown for further planting on the islands of the archipelago.

The traditional activities of the Maldivians are the collection of cowrie shells and the cultivation of coconut palm, which gives copra, vegetable oil and palm leaf. Crops such as rice, taro, millet, corn, sweet potato, and cassava are also cultivated. Of the industries, fish processing is developed.

Attractions

The Maldives is widely known for its resort atolls, each of which is its own unique world, surrounded by the purest coral beaches and indescribably blue sea. This is a "place at the end of the world", where there is no noise of cities and annoying signs of civilization, where there is only exotic nature and endless expanses of the ocean.

Numerous underwater coral reefs and caves stretch throughout the Maldives archipelago, lush tropical vegetation emphasizes the pristine and unique beauty of the islands, and the ancient culture local residents creates a unique entourage for a secluded holiday.

Banks and currency

Maldivian rupees (rufiyaas). One rupee is equal to 100 lari. There are banknotes in circulation in denominations of 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2 rupees. As well as coins of 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 lari. US dollars and major credit cards, so it is not necessary to exchange dollars for local currency upon arrival.

In Male, banks and exchange offices concentrated on Marine Drive Street. They are open from 8.00 to 13.30, from Sunday to Thursday (as in many other Muslim countries, Friday and Saturday are days off in the Maldives). Upon departure, the remaining rupees are allowed to be exchanged back into dollars. Currency exchange can be carried out not only in a bank, but also in a number of large stores, where a special sign hangs next to the signs of international tourist cards.

Useful information for tourists

It is forbidden to drink alcohol in public places (outside resort area). It is recommended to drink bottled water and soft drinks. Although local water is cleaned quite thoroughly (often it is desalinated sea water), it quickly becomes unusable due to high temperatures.

Traditional Islamic norms of behavior are strong in the country, but without the slightest sign of fanaticism. The restrictions are the same as in Oman. Photography is prohibited in mosques. Mosque guards usually insist on accompanying a tourist, expecting to take a fee, but in fact the mosque can be explored on your own. Nude swimming is prohibited on all islands of the archipelago, with the exception of Kuramati Island. You can bargain in the markets and in private shops, but the size of the "discount" is usually small.

Spearfishing and unauthorized fishing are prohibited (all types of sea fishing are freely organized in hotels), it is strictly forbidden to raise corals (both living and dead), shells and others from the bottom of the sea marine life. Large fines are levied for violations. The country has one of the largest markets in the region selling shells, corals and various exotic marine animals, so you can always buy these souvenirs without violating local laws.

Tipping is not officially accepted, but unofficially, if the service really deserves it, it is customary to leave a small amount to the personally serving worker (10 dollars a week for a hotel worker or 5% for a waiter). Some resorts include a service charge on the bill (usually 10%), in which case tipping is not necessary. In the case of renting a boat or boat, the amount should be discussed in advance.

The Republic of Maldives is the smallest in the world Asian country. It is a collection of islands lost in the middle of the boundless Indian Ocean. Every year, land areas are more and more submerged in water, and, according to researchers, they will soon face serious flooding.

Because of the water level in the ocean is constantly rising, which may soon lead the islands of the Maldives to disaster. If you want to visit this real paradise where time seems to have stopped - hurry up! Its pristine beauty will not leave anyone indifferent - snow-white sandy beaches, blue lagoons, evergreen tropical trees will forever remain in the soul of any traveler.

Where is the Maldives on the map? The geographical position of the state

Finding the Maldives on a world map is quite difficult. This small country is located in the Indian Ocean, south of the Hindustan Peninsula and southwest of the island of Ceylon. Its closest neighbors are India (595 km), Sri Lanka (670 km) and the Chagos Archipelago (500 km). You can see the Maldives on the map below.

The Republic of Maldives is a coral archipelago, the length of which from west to east is 130 km, and from north to south - 823 km. It consists of 1196 small islands of presumably volcanic origin. They form a double chain of 26 atolls - large coral land areas that look like a bursting ring. The largest and most significant are the South (North Niland), Aria Atoll. The distance between groups varies from 25 to 80 km.

The total area of ​​land and water reefs of the Maldives is 298 sq. km., and the total area, together with water area- 900000 sq. km. Of the more than 1,100 islands, only 202 are inhabited, more than 70 of which are first-class tourist resorts.

History reference

About early history Republic of Maldives very little information has survived. It is believed that the culture of the Maldives appeared before the 5th century BC. Fragments of pottery found during excavations suggested that settlements of the Redins were founded on the islands as early as 2000 BC. In 500 BC on the southern islands there were Buddhists who arrived from Fr. Ceylon. This fact is confirmed by an ancient Buddhist manuscript and the head of a Buddha statue dating from the 11th century. The first Chinese sailors reached the islands of the Maldives in 412. Since 1153 - since the adoption of Islam - all the main historical events recorded in the history of the Sultanate.

According to numerous testimonies of navigators, for a long time the islands were ruled by female sultanas. Europeans up to the 15th century. knew nothing about the country and did not mark the Maldives on the world map until Vasco da Gama crossed the Indian Ocean. In 1507, Lorenzo de Almeida sailed to the islands, and in 1529, the Parmentier brothers. From 1558, the Portuguese dominated the islands until a guerrilla war broke out and they were destroyed. Further, until 1760, the Maldives were under the protection of the French, and from the middle of the 17th century. - the Dutch, and then the British. In mid-1965, after mass popular uprisings, the Maldives gained independence from Great Britain. In 1968, a new constitution was adopted, and the country acquired the official name - "Republic of Maldives".

State flag

The modern version of the main state symbol of the country was adopted in July 1965. The flag of the Maldives is a red cloth, which depicts a green rectangle and a white crescent. It has a special symbolic meaning. The red color denotes the courage of the heroes who, without hesitation, defended and will continue to defend their country, sacrificing themselves and shedding blood. The green rectangle symbolizes the nature of the Maldives - coconut palms, which are the source of life for the indigenous population. The white crescent symbolizes the religiosity of the Maldivians and reflects their adherence to Islam.

Economy of the Republic of Maldives

Now the Republic of Maldives is a democratic developing state with a president at the head.

The country's economy is based on three "pillars": tourism, navigation and fishing. Thanks to the mild climate, rich underwater world and amazingly beautiful coral reefs crowds of tourists come here. In the open sea, it is carried out in lagoons and turtles are caught near the coast, corals, shells and natural pearls are mined.

Official banknotes. Currency exchange

The monetary unit of the Maldives is the rufiyaa. It consists of one hundred laari. One US dollar is approximately equal to a dozen rufiyaas. In circulation in the country there are banknotes of various denominations, including 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 rufiyaas, as well as coins - 1, 2, 5, 10, 25 and 50 lari.

You can exchange currency at any bank, airport or exchange points at the official rate. It will be difficult to make an exchange on islands remote from the capital, at a rather unfavorable rate. Basically, small bills are required for calculations, so stock up on them in sufficient quantities. On many expensive resorts accepts US dollars and euros, as well as credit cards.

Demography

The population living in the archipelago is approximately 400 thousand people. Almost all of them are descendants of immigrants from the Middle East, South, South-East Asia. The state language is called Dhivehi, it is a kind of mixture of Arabic, English and Sinhala. The writing of the local dialect is based on the Arabic-Persian script. The indigenous population of the islands professes Islam (Sunnism). It was brought by the Arabs and spread from the 12th century. And in 1968 Islam was declared the state religion.

Capital of the Republic of Maldives

Male is currently the capital of the Republic of Maldives. small town located on the adjacent islands of Vilingil and Male. Its area is only 5.8 square meters. km. The population of Male is approximately 105 thousand people. Get to the administrative, political and cultural center The Maldives can be reached by air or sea, by boats, seaplane taxis or speedboats plying between the islands.

You can see all the sights of Male by walking along it. When visiting the city, it is advisable to wear things that cover the body well from neck to knees. Almost all souvenir shops are located at the northern end of Chaandani Magu. Here you can buy Maldivian mats made of palm fiber, decorative fishing boats, canned fish and amazingly delicious seafood. In general, Male is not rich in sights, although an inquisitive tourist will like the shady Jumuri-Maidan park, National Museum in Sultans Park, the Islamic Center with the Great Friday Mosque and the Medu Ziyarat Chapel.

Climate in the Maldives

The archipelago has a tropical monsoon climate. All year round the air temperature is quite high, has a small amplitude and varies between 26°C - 32°C. At night it does not fall below 25°C. In winter - from November to March - the northeast, warm monsoons prevail. In summer - from June to August - southwestern, more humid winds prevail. It often rains a little at this time on the islands. The water temperature varies between 24°C - 27°C. In the "dry" season from November to early April, the Republic of Maldives attracts numerous tourists from all over the world. Soft, warm climate, comfortable sea temperature, lack of rain and strong winds make the islands so attractive for travelers.

It is interesting that a sufficient number of tourists visit the islands of the Maldives during the "wet" season. Despite high humidity, a large number of precipitation and raging winds, the influx of tourists does not subside. The fact is that from mid-April to early November, the cost of air tickets, accommodation and meals is significantly reduced, which attracts travelers who want to save money.

Flora and fauna

Famous throughout the world for its amazing variety of marine fauna and flora of the islands of the Maldives. The sea is full of amazing corals. Shoals of various exotic fish, turtles, jellyfish, molluscs, starfish and hedgehogs, moray eels, rays attract diving and snorkeling enthusiasts.

Predators also live in the waters of the Maldives - black-finned sharks and white-finned sharks, and huge ocean inhabitants - hammerhead sharks and whale sharks - swim here. But you can not be afraid of them, because they are non-aggressive and practically harmless to divers. To prevent accidents, as well as to preserve the unique flora and fauna in the Maldives, there are strict scuba diving restrictions. Including it is forbidden to dive to a depth of more than 30 m, it is forbidden to spend more than 60 minutes underwater, each diver must have a dive computer with him, etc. Land fauna and flora are not very diverse.

common breadfruit, coconut, banana on many islands of the maldives. Atolls - Daalu (Dhaalu) and Fafu - stand out for their lush vegetation. Exotic flowers grow here: hernandia lily, erminalia catappa, etc., there are impenetrable mangroves with huge ferns. There are no large animals in the Maldives, but you can meet a bat or an Indian flying fox. Terns, parrots, sea gulls, cormorants also live on the islands.

How to get to the archipelago?

The vast majority of tourists get to the Maldives by plane. The archipelago has international Airport named after Ibrahim Nasir. It is located on Hulule Island, 2 km. from the capital. The airport receives flights from different cities, including Moscow, Vienna, Qatar, Kuala Lumpur, etc.

On the official website of the airport, you can find all the necessary information, including seeing the time of arrival of the aircraft, choosing the right transfer for yourself, and even planning your trip. There is an ATM, a bank, a left-luggage office on the territory of the airport. You can have a snack or drink coffee in any of the cafes you like. To the left of the exit from the airport building is the pier. Ferries depart from it every 10-15 minutes to the capital of the country. The fare varies between 1-2 USD, depending on the time of day.

Great resorts. Maldives - a paradise for tourists

Vacationers are delivered to the surrounding atolls by small nimble seaplanes or boats. North and South Male, Ari, Baa, Miimu, Laviani, Haa Alifu, Faafu, Dhaalu atolls are the most beautiful resorts in the country, and each of them has its own zest.

More than 120 hotels operate in the Maldives, which can simultaneously serve about 50 thousand tourists. Basically, all hotels have 4 or 5 stars, it is extremely rare to find a hotel with a worse level of service. Also in the Maldives, you can stay in a magnificent bungalow and enjoy solitude.

Recreation and entertainment

The beaches of the archipelago are the cleanest, with pleasant white sand. The water is amazingly warm and calm. The Maldives offer a respectable vacation, lack of noise and fuss and communication with unique nature. For lovers active rest There is a developed infrastructure for sports entertainment. At the resorts you can go sailing, canoeing, skiing, surfing and, of course, diving. On the beaches of the atolls, it is forbidden to drink alcohol, collect and damage corals, spearfishing.

It should be noted that the use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited not only on the beaches, but also in any public places outside the resort area. Topless and nude swimming is also not allowed. In addition, it is forbidden to litter on the islands. Any violation of the order will result in a severe fine.

Customs in the Maldives

All travelers should familiarize themselves in advance with the list of goods that are allowed to be imported and exported from the country. All luggage must be inspected by customs officers. It is allowed to import cigarettes (200 pcs.), Perfume (125 ml), personal consumption goods into the territory of the Republic of Maldives. It is not allowed to bring alcoholic drinks, pork, sausage, drugs and pornography. An attempt to violate the law is subject to a fine of 500 USD. Any tourist should remember that the export of products made from tortoise shells, pearl oyster shells, black and red corals is strictly prohibited. You can not export from the country and items found in the sea. Be careful and enjoy your holiday!

Republic of Maldives.

The name of the country comes from the Sanskrit dwipa - "island".

Capital of the Maldives. Male.

Maldives area. 298 km2.

Population of the Maldives. 311 thousand people

Location of Maldives. The Maldives is an island state in the south, in the northern part. There are more than 2000 small islands. Maritime borders lie in the Indian Ocean.

Administrative divisions of the Maldives. The country is divided into 20 groups.

Form of government of the Maldives. Republic.

Head of State of the Maldives. President elected for a term of 5 years.

Supreme Legislature of the Maldives. Unicameral parliament (mejlis), whose term of office is 5 years.

Supreme executive body of the Maldives. Cabinet of Ministers.

Major cities of the Maldives. No.

Official language of the Maldives. Maldivian (divehi).

Religion Maldives. Almost the entire population is Sunni.

Ethnic composition of the Maldives. Indians, Sinalese, Arabs.

Currency of the Maldives. Rufiya = 100 laari.

Maldives. nautical. The temperature all year round on average does not fall below + 25 ° C even at night. The average temperature is about + 28 ° C all year round (daytime maximum - about + 32 ° C, night minimum - + 25 ° C). Precipitation is about 2500 mm per year, most often in the form of short rains in the evening and at night. also constant - about + 24-27 ° C all year round. The best weather conditions are observed during the "iruvai" period (from November-December to March-April) - the season of the northeast monsoon, when the sea is calm, but sunny and dry. From May to October, during the "hulhangu" season (April to October), the weather is less predictable - the southwest monsoon can bring intermittent rains, high and turbulent seas (however, this period is the least hot). Storms and are most likely in June and December.

flora of the maldives. Coconut palms, bananas are widespread, breadfruit is found.

Fauna of the Maldives. The fauna of the state is poor. Giant bats live on trees - they are called flying foxes. The coastal waters are home to various types of fish, including poisonous toad fish, turtles and a variety of mollusks.

Rivers and lakes of the Maldives. There are no permanent lakes, which is why there is a lack of fresh water.

Attractions Maldives. Na-Bandos - National. Nearby are small but very colorful marine reserves Banana Reef, Kami Corner, Kuda Ha, Lions Head, Makunudu Kandu, Ras Fari, Okobe Tila, H P Reef and Hans Hass Place, each of which guards one underwater attraction of Male Atoll.

Useful information for tourists

It is forbidden to drink alcohol in public places (outside the resort area). It is recommended to drink bottled water and soft drinks. Although the local water is cleaned quite thoroughly (often it is desalinated sea water), it quickly becomes unusable due to the high level. Traditional Islamic norms of behavior are strong in the country, but without the slightest sign of fanaticism. The restrictions are the same as in . Photography is prohibited in mosques. Mosque guards usually insist on accompanying a tourist, expecting to take a fee, but in fact the mosque can be explored on your own. Nude swimming is prohibited on all islands of the archipelago, with the exception of Kuramati Island. You can bargain in the markets and in private shops, but the size of the "discount" is usually small. Spearfishing and unauthorized fishing are prohibited (all types of sea fishing are freely organized in hotels), it is strictly forbidden to raise corals (both living and dead), shells and other marine life from the bottom of the sea. Large fines are levied for violations. The country has one of the largest markets in the region selling shells, corals and various exotic marine animals, so you can always buy these souvenirs without violating local laws. Tipping is not officially accepted, but unofficially, if the service really deserves it, it is customary to leave a small amount for the personal service worker (10 dollars a week for a hotel worker or 5% for a waiter) Some resorts include a payment for services on the bill (usually 10%), in this case there is no need for a tip. In the case of renting a boat or boat, the amount should be discussed in advance.

WITHOUT A VISA!

Packages and tours

about the country

In the Indian Ocean, southwest of Ceylon, almost on the very equator, there is a coral archipelago - Maldives. It consists of twenty-six coral atolls, most of which are uninhabited. They have never been part of the mainland. Just a myriad 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 does not exist at the same time, perhaps nowhere else in the world. This is one of the few places where a miracle is possible: a complete detachment from the present, immersion in a space woven from blue skies, sand the color of snow and emerald water of extraordinary transparency.

Nature and geography

The island state 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 2000 islands, forming 26 atolls and only 202 of them are inhabited. The nearest neighbors - India and Sri Lanka are located at a distance of 600 and 700 km to the north and south of the archipelago.

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

The climate of the Maldives

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

Average monthly air temperature in the capital:

Attractions Maldives

are widely known for their resorts, each of which is a unique world surrounded by the purest golden sands. This is a place "at the end 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 are interesting places for underwater research. Coral reefs protect coastal waters from predatory fish, so diving enthusiasts can not be afraid for their lives.

The attractions of the Maldives include the National Museum, Sultan Park, the Singapore Bazaar, the Islamic Center and 20 picturesque mosques in the capital.

Cuisine of the Maldives and its features

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

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

Population, language, religion

The population of the Maldives is made up mainly of Maldivians and Indians.

The official language is Divehi, which 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 is affixed free of charge upon arrival at the airport.
Israeli passport holders are not allowed to enter the country. When departing from Hulule Airport, an airport tax of USD 10 per person will be charged.

Stay mode. There are no restrictions on movement. To visit one of the islands inhabited by the indigenous population, you must obtain a special permit.

On the Maldives no Russian embassy. You can contact the Russian Embassy in Sri Lanka, Colombo. Tel. (94-1) 57-35-55, 57-49-59 (around the clock).

Currency. The official currency is the Maldivian rufiyaa. One rufiyaa contains 100 lari. In circulation there are banknotes of 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2 rufiyaas and coins of 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 lari.

Customs regulations. When passing customs control at the airport in Male, it is necessary to present all things for inspection, including hand luggage. Import prohibited alcoholic beverages, drugs, any materials of pornographic content, recorded video cassettes, weapons for spearfishing.

Upon departure from Male, by presenting the appropriate receipt, you can get back alcoholic beverages that were selected at customs upon entry.

Travel Tips

Holidays and non-working days. 1st of January - New Year, January 8-10 - Eid al-Fitr (End of the fast of Ramadan), 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 - Hurawi Day, October 28 - Martyrs' Day, November 3 - Victory Day.

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

Transport. Any Maldivian 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 species land transport. Taxis are available to get around Male. The price of one trip in any direction costs 10 rufiyaas. In Male and elsewhere major islands you can rent a car.

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

Behavior rules. Despite the fact that Islam practiced in the Maldives is softer than in most Arab countries don't forget the following:

• spearfishing and unauthorized fishing are prohibited
• it is forbidden to get corals, shells, starfish, etc. from the sea.
• nude swimming is prohibited on all islands of the archipelago.