Maldives is believed to be a destination full of heavenly beauty. You will realise this the moment you step your foot on this wonderful islands. The actual beauty of the islands is never portrayed on a picture. You need to visit here to see how much admirable the islands are. Its about 1200 islands scattered across huge distance.

Maldives is a self governed republic and very homogenous society, with one race, one language and one religion. This makes Maldives very peaceful community in terms of domestic violence and cultural problems. People tend to be very friendly and welcoming to the tourist arrival. That’s why perhaps in few decades Maldives has grown to become one of the number one destinations for tourists. For more information check the links below

Important Snap shots

Assalaam Alaikum
The time-honored Maldivian greeting, be it to a visitor or friend; it denotes the islamic culture of the people and comes with a fervent wish for peace. For centuries our shores have been a haven of peace and tranquility for travelers. Hospitality has been an inherent part of Maldivian culture and a part of island life. It has always been a land where visitors are welcomed with open arms, where people are ready to share. Today we share our immense wealth of natural beauty and cultural diversity with the rest of the world. Welcome to Maldives!

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Maldives the Sunny Side of Life
Specks of emerald green enveloped by dazzling turquise waters like scattered beads in the ocean; white powdery beaches, tall palm lean on towards the sea, crystalline white sands giving way to crystal clear waters, shades of turuise blend flawlessly with deeper hues of blue; pristine coral reefs and some of the most incredible underwater life on our planet. Rusing from deep blue of the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean are more than a thousand islands and thousands more reefs that form the Maldives.

Maldives At a Glance
Time: +5 hrs GMT, Capital: Male', No.of Islands: 1190, Inhabited Islands: 200, Resorts: 98, Population (2006): 298842, Major Industries: Tourism and Fisheries, Currency: Rufiyaa, Electicity: 240 AC, Working Hours: Goverment: 7.30 am to 2.30 pm from Sunday to Thursday, Private Sector: 8.00 am to 5.00 pm (Varies) from Saturday to Thursday, Banks: 8.00 am to 1.30 pm from Sunday to Thursday.

Geography of Maldives
The atolls of the Maldives are formed from coral structures. The atolls are part of a greater structure known as the Laccadives-Chagos Ridge, which streches over 2000 Kilometers. the islands are low lying with the highest point at aproximately eight feet above sea level. Ring-shaped reef structures form the atolls and these reefs provide the natural defense against wind and wave action on these delicate islands.

Maldives History
The early history of the Maldives is enshrined in myth and legend. Archeological records indicate that the first visitors to the Maldives stepped ashore over 5000 years ago. According to folklore the Maldives was first colonized by an Indo-Aryan race between the fourth and fifth centuries B.C.
1st Century AD: Roman manual of navigation Periplus Mari Erithraei mentions islands assumed to be Maldives
2nd Century AD: Ptolemy refers to Maldives in his geography
362 AD: Roman historian records visit of delegation to Rome bearing gifts to Emperor Julian
662 AD: Historical Chinese document records the King of Maldives sent gifts to Chinse Emperor Kao-Tsung of Tang Dynasty.
1153: Maldives convert to Islam
1558: Portugese invade Maldives
1573: Mohamed Thakurufaanu liberates Maldives from the Portuguese
1752: The Malabars invade and rule for 3 months
1887: Protectorate agreement with Greet Britain
1932: First constitution enacted
1953: The first republic
1954: Failure of the first republic
1965: Independence from British
1968: End of the monarchy, begining of the second Republic
1972: Development of the first island resort
1972: Arrival of first tourist to island resorts

Other Important Info

Weather and Climate
The Maldives has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year around and a great deal of sunshine. The warm tropical climate results in relatively minor variations in daily temperature throughout the year. The weather is determined largely by the monsoons; the Southwest mansoon from May to November and the Northeast monsoon from december to april. The hottest month on average is april and coolest, december. February is the driest with December to April being relatively dry. The Maldives is in the equatoral belt and therefore severe storms are rare.

Weather Stats 2005
Annual Rainfall: 1796.3 mm
Average Daily Sunshine: 8 hrs
Maximum Temperature: 31.1 degree C
Minimum Temperature: 25.5 degree C
Humidity Percent: 79%
To get more information on weather http://www.meteorology.gov.mv

Diving
Maldives is home to some of the most diverse marine fauna and flora in the world. Tens of thousands of reefs, a thousand recorded species of fish, over two hundred species of coral and hundreds more species of other marine life; no wonder many see this as one of the greetest dive destinations on earth

Travel to Maldives
Although geographically isolated the Maldives is easily accessible by air from anywhere in Southest Asis, Middle East and Europe. Colombo is an hour's journey away by air, from Singapore and Dubai it takes about four hours and from Europe it takes nine to eleven hours to each Male'. Male International airport is on an island that only houses the airport and related facilities. The airport located on Hulhule Island is a modern well-earuipped airport with all the facilities and services one would expect from an international airport.

What To Pack
The Maldives is warm throughout the year. Light, cotton and linen wear is ideal. Pack lots of tee shirts, beachwear, and wraparound skirts, cotton shirts and shorts. For visits to inhabited islands, where most of the streets are of compact sand, or male; where the streets are paved, sandals are easy to walk on. Some essential items include swimwear, sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat or a cap. If your travel plan includes traveling to many islands, a mosquito repellent may become handy.

Immigration Visa to Maldives
Tourists are issues a maximum of 30 day tourist visa on arrival. A valid travel document is necessary. Visa extensions are granted by the department of Immigration and Emigration in Male.

Capital Male of Maldives
Male; with a population of about 100, 000 is the commercial and political hub of the Maldives. It is home to all goverment ministries and departments, all of the larger companies, banks, communications and the key institutions that control the nation's economic and social life. Male consists of five districts or wards; four on the island of Male' a fifth on Viligili, the island to the west of Male' just 10 minutes away by boat. The Male' International airport is on Hulhule Island, a couple of miles to the noth east of Male.