Maldives
The Maldives Islands
Specks of emerald green enveloped by dazzling turquoise waters like scattered beads in the ocean; white powdery beaches, tall palms lean on towards the sea, crystalline white sands giving way to crystal clear waters, shades of turquoise blend flawlessly with deeper hues of blue; pristine coral reefs and some of the most incredible underwater life on our planet.
Rising from the 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: Malé
Total number of islands: 1,190
Inhabited Islands: 2002
Population: 300,000
Major Industries: Tourism & Fisheries
Resorts: 89+
Currency: Rufiyaa (All major currencies, credit cards and travelers cheques accepted)
Electricity: 240 AC
Access: chartered flights and scheduled flights
Visa: 30 days on arrival
Language: Dhivehi - English widely spoken
Weather and Climate: Tropical
Transport: Speedboats, Dhoni and Seaplanes
Working Hours
Banks: Sun to Thu
Government: 7.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m.
Private Sector: 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Location
The Maldives consists of 1190 islands grouped into 26 natural atolls scattered over an area of 90,000 sq. km straddling the equator between latitudes 7°6” north and 0°42” south and longitudes 72°32” and 73°46” East.
Geography
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 stretches over 2000 kilometers. The islands are low lying with the highest point at approximately 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.
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 Chinese Emperor Kao-Tsung of Tang Dynasty.
- 1153 Maldives convert to Islam
- 1558 Portuguese invade Maldives
- 1573 Mohamed Thakurufaanu liberates Maldives from the Portuguese
- 1752 The Malabars invade and rule for 3 months
- 1887 Protectorate agreement with Great Britain
- 1932 First constitution enacted
- 1965 Independence from the British
- 1953 The First Republic
- 1954 Failure of the First Republic
- 1968 End of the monarchy, beginning of the Second Republic
- 1972 Development of first island resort
- 1972 Arrival of first tourists to island resorts
Culture
Located at the crossways of the Indian Ocean shipping lanes on the main seaway around the Indian subcontinent, the Maldives has long been a meeting point for African, Arab, Malay and Indonesian mariners.
Throughout the centuries these influences have shaped the Maldivian way of life. This can be seen from the many facets of Maldivian lifestyle such as dining, music, art and craft.
Music
Bodu Beru is the most popular form of music and dance in the country, believed to have been introduced in the early 19th century by African slaves. Historians believe that Thaara, which also holds a special place in local entertainment, have been introduced from the Middle East in the seventeenth century.
Other forms of dance such as Bandiya Jehun have a strong South Asian flavor. Today western pop and Indian music is popular with the young and old.
Art & Craft
The Maldivians are skilled craftsmen. This can be seen in several of Maldivian arts and craft; the deft coral stone carvings at Hukuru Miskiiy, the intricate lacquer art, the fine mats woven by the women of Fioari in the south and the work of skilled calligraphers whose works old and new that can be viewed in mosques around the country.
Post & Communications
Telephone Services
Telephone and mobile phone services in the country are provided by Dhiraagu, the Maldives telecommunications company. GSM Mobile phone services are also provided by Dhiraagu and Wataniyya Telecoms; post and prepaid services are available. Roaming arrangements are available for customers of major mobile operators in the world.
Internet Service
There are several cyber cafés located in different areas of Malé. Internet services in the Maldives are provided by two ISPs licensed by the government.
Postage & Courier Service
The Maldives Post Limited provides postal services in addition to their express courier service EMS. Most of the international courier services are also represented in Malé.
Currency/Money Changers
The local currency is the Rufiyaa. A Rufiyaa is 100 Laari. The Rufiyaa is in denominations of 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 Rufiyaa notes, 1 and 2 Rufiya coins and 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 Laari coins. The exchange rate as of December 2004 is MRf. 12.75 against the United States Dollar. All resorts, hotels and most major shops and restaurants are authorized money changers and can accept payment in most major currencies and by credit card.
The Bank of Maldives Airport Branch located at the arrivals terminal also offers money changing services. If you are in need of Rufiyaa while in Malé, banks would be the most convenient
Banks
The Bank of Maldives is the national bank and has several branches in Male’. The Bank also has branches in some of the other major population centers such as Seenu Atoll Hithadhoo, Haa Dhaalu Atoll Kulhudhufushi and Lhaviyani Atoll Naifaru. There is also a branch of the bank at Malé International Airport.
ATMs
Most of the banks represented in Malé provide automatic teller machine (ATM) services. There are several Bank of Maldives ATMs and ATMs of other banks conveniently located at several key points in Malé, which offer regular ATM services as well as credit card services for some major credit cards.
Important Business Addresses
Foreign Investment Services Bureau
4th Floor, Ghazee Building, H. Male’
Tel: +960 332 8754
Fax: +960 332 3756
Email: info@investmaldives.org
Maldives National Chamber of
Commerce & Industry
G. Viyafaarihiyaa,
Ameenee Magu, Male’
Tel: +960 331 0234
Fax: +960 331 0233
Email: mncci@dhivehinet.net.mv
Maldives Association of Tourism Industry
H. Deens Villa, Meheli Goalhi, Male’
Tel: +960 331 8708/332 6640/332 1701
Fax: +960 332 6641
Email: mati@dhivehinet.net.mv
Maldives Tourism Promotion Board
3rd Floor, H. Aage,
12 Boduthakurufaanu Magu, Male’
Tel: +960 332 3228
Fax: +960 332 3229
Email: mtpb@visitmaldives.com
Website: www.visitmaldives.com
