The Maldives is such an ocean. Republic of Maldives. Maldives on the world map. Maldives - sea. Water sports

This small country located on 20 atolls in the equatorial part Indian Ocean. From India islamic republic separates more than 2000 km. The distance to Sri Lanka is significantly shorter: if you look at Maldives On the world map, it can be seen that the states are approximately 700 km apart from each other.

Information about the islands

The state of the Maldives is formed by almost 2000 coral islets. About 400 thousand people live here, and the dominant religion is Islam. The total area of the Republic of Maldives is 90 thousand km 2, but the land share of it accounts for no more than 300 km 2.

Interestingly, the only city and port of the country is its capital Male, located on the atoll of the same name. The remaining islands are almost uninhabited and only occasionally there are hotels on them.

The time in the Maldives is UTC +5, so when flying you should prepare in advance for a change in time zones.

Weather by month in the Maldives

The climate is determined by where exactly the Maldives is located. It belongs to the subequatorial monsoon type, so the weather is radically different in the dry and rainy seasons. Depending on the month of your trip, you will have to prepare for the following:

January. A trip to the islands this month will definitely be successful thanks to the warm, sunny and windless weather and the calm that reigns in the ocean. Although January is technically the rainy season, there is minimal precipitation, which guarantees a wonderful beach holiday and the opportunity to go diving. During the daytime, the thermometer rises to at least +24 °C, and the water temperature averages +27 °C.

February. Crowds of vacationers usually flock here at this time. The ocean continues to delight with a comfortable water temperature of +25 °C, and daytime air temperatures rarely fall below +28 °C. There are practically no waves, and the sky is perfectly blue and cloudless. Therefore, even inexperienced divers can begin to learn the intricacies of diving, and the almost complete absence of precipitation allows you to have fun on a yacht or catamaran.

March. This month is also considered quite hot and dry, and the average air and water temperatures differ little from February. The sand remains very warm, and there are practically no tropical showers. March sees plenty of native flora bloom, but be prepared for the occasional sandstorm.

April. At this time, the southwest monsoon arrives in the Maldives, bringing with it a change in weather. Storms in the ocean are rare, the heat is increasing, but rain is still an infrequent visitor here. If you cannot stand the stuffiness, you should postpone your trip: the air temperature is generally +30 °C, and the water temperature reaches +28 °C.

May. Very strong winds begin to blow, sometimes turning into hurricanes. There is significantly more precipitation: approximately half of the days in May are rainy. At the same time, the weather constantly brings surprises. The sun gives way to heavy rain and vice versa.

June. This month continues the May trend as the southwest monsoon takes over. There are very strong gusts of warm wind. In June, the Maldives receives maximum rainfall, typical for of this region, however, their number rarely exceeds 200 mm. Ocean waves sometimes reach gigantic sizes. The thermometer stays at an average of +30 °C, and the water temperature in the ocean is +27 °C.

July. At this time, the islands are not very comfortable due to frequent rains. However, they quickly end, and soon the sky partially clears and the sun peeks through the clouds. In July, approximately 160 mm of precipitation falls, and the air temperature is +31 °C. In water, the thermometer usually shows +27 °C. Thunderstorms are possible, during which it feels cool.

August. This month is considered the most changeable on the islands. In early August, the sea is quite warm and calm, winds and hurricanes practically stop. It rains relatively rarely, and the atolls are still hot. But already at the end of the month the sky becomes increasingly cloudy, it rains often, and the wind gets stronger.

September. Both day and night, the weather remains mostly warm, and the sweltering heat recedes. Humidity remains quite high, and precipitation falls up to 200 mm. Average number rainy days in September - 15-16. The rains are often accompanied by strong thunderstorms, but the ocean remains quite warm with water temperatures of approximately +27 °C.

October. The air temperature drops slightly to +27-29 °C, and the water temperature drops to +26 °C, which does not interfere with swimming at all. It rains much less often: usually no more than 100 mm of precipitation falls.

November. This month the northeast monsoon arrives in the Maldives, bringing with it warm and dry weather. Winds and rains rarely bother tourists, and the average thermometer shows +28 °C. The water warms up to +25 °C.

December. At this time of year, everything is in bloom on the islands, so they turn into a real tropical paradise. Daytime temperatures rise to +30-32 °C, and the water temperature in the ocean rarely drops below +25 °C.

How to get to the Maldives

In any guidebook, where you will find everything you wanted to know about the Maldives, it is indicated that the connection between the island state and the mainland is carried out exclusively by air. The country's only airport is located in the capital Male. You can get to it in the following ways:

Direct flight from Aeroflot from Moscow. New Airbus A-330-200 aircraft fly from the Russian capital twice a week: on Wednesdays and Saturdays. If it is important for you to know how long it takes to fly from Moscow on such a direct flight, you will have to be patient: the flight duration is approximately 9 hours.

Please note that when returning from the Maldives you will have to pay an airport tax of 10 USD - 15 USD, which is not always included in the air ticket price.

Flight with connecting companies Qatar Airways(transfer point - Doha), " Singapore Airlines» (transfer point - Singapore) or Emirates Airlines(transfer point - Dubai). The cost of tickets for airliners of these air carriers already includes an airport tax.

Connecting flight with Srilankan Airlines. To do this, you will first have to fly to Dubai or Colombo and purchase a ticket to Male at the local airport for 180 USD - 250 USD. This is the most a budget option flight for those who want to save money.

The average cost of a flight between the capitals of Russia and the Maldives ranges from 570 USD to 720 USD one way.

Maldives visa and customs clearance

Residents of Russia and the CIS countries do not need to obtain a visa to travel to the Maldives, since there is a visa-free agreement between the countries. However, given the sudden change in climate and the exotic nature of the region, it would not hurt to purchase a health insurance policy. Weekly insurance will cost approximately 25 USD - 45 USD.

It is very important to comply with the rules of customs legislation of the Republic of Maldives. They talk about the following:

You can import and export foreign currency in unlimited quantities.
Without paying a duty, 125 ml of perfume or cologne and 200 cigarettes are allowed to be imported, as well as no more than one item related to goods for personal use per passenger.
It is strictly forbidden to transport pork and meat products made from it, salami sausages, pornographic goods, narcotic substances, souvenirs made from a sea turtle shell or dark coral, as well as antiques found at the bottom of the ocean.

Be sure to note that the import and export of any alcoholic beverages in the Maldives is prohibited. Violation of this rule may result in arrest.

Cost of a holiday in the Maldives

Many Russian celebrities like Volochkova love to vacation in the Maldives. This is due to the very comfortable climate and reasonable prices for accommodation. If you are wondering how much a standard trip to the Maldives costs, please note that it depends on the following factors:

duration of the trip;
hotel category;
the island on which the hotel is located;
food and entertainment included in the price;
season.

The more services a hotel offers for vacationers (SPA, swimming pools, animation, sauna and much more), the more expensive the vacation will cost. If you are planning a trip of 7-8 days with a single or double room with half board and a minimum of entertainment, you will have to spend from 2600 USD to 5500 USD.

The wedding tour involves a romantic weekend for the newlyweds and will cost from 1750 USD to 2500 USD. The price includes room decoration, services of photographers and musicians, fruits, wine or champagne and an informal wedding ceremony. The all-inclusive tour is suitable for those who want to completely relax during their trip. Its price - from 3,500 USD to 7,000 USD for a week's stay in a 4 or 5 star hotel - includes three meals a day and free drinks throughout the entire stay.

Those looking to save money should pay attention to last-minute tours: they are usually 30% cheaper. Also at the most budget holiday in the Maldives for 8 days you will have to spend approximately 2000 USD if you book a room in an inexpensive three-star hotel without special amenities. The price includes airfare and medical insurance.

Maldives - real sunny paradise on earth where you can easily recuperate after a long-awaited vacation.

Mira, first you need to find India on it. This is not difficult - the peninsula on which this state is located is located in the south of Asia and has the outline of a triangle. From the most southern point this exotic country you need to mentally draw a line to the southwest. This is where it is located large group atolls - coral islands, which are called the Maldives.

Atolls are a closed or broken ring formed by a vent extinct volcano, that is, in the middle of such an “island” there is a lagoon filled with sea water.

The distance to India is approximately 700 km; it is worth noting that the atolls are located over a fairly large area, so the southernmost ones are 1,000 km away. The Maldives is washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean and, due to its proximity to the equator, has a unique climate with an almost constant temperature throughout the year and only two distinct seasons - dry and rainy.

Due to their volcanic origin, the islands have small height above sea level (only about two meters) and a rather sparse fauna - only a few species of mammals live here. But undersea world very diverse.

State of Maldives

All atolls located in this part of the Indian Ocean are united into a state Republic of Maldives. It is worth noting that its history began in 1965, when Britain, under whose protectorate the islands were, generously granted them independence, however, not just like that, but after violent uprisings of the population against the power of the empire.

However, much remains from the British, including the name; it is a distortion of the words in Hindi: “” - palace and “diva” - island. The capital of the state of the Republic of Maldives is the city of Male, which, by the way, is the only locality having such a status.

Maldivians are Muslims, or rather Sunnis. In the 12th century, a Muslim preacher landed on the islands, who founded a dynasty that ruled until the arrival of the Portuguese, Dutch, and subsequently the British.

How to get to the Maldives

Traveling to the Maldives will require a tourist not only to spend time and money, but also patience, because a direct flight from Moscow to the capital of Male lasts more than 8 hours. If non-stop flight is unavailable for some reason, you will have to plan a route with a connection at an intermediate airport, usually Colombo in Sri Lanka, Abu Dhabi in the UAE or Dubai in Saudi Arabia. In any case, it is worth considering that from Male to the desired island will have to get to water transport or by seaplane.

The Maldives are probably the most remote corner of Asia, but despite this, hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world fly there every year to enjoy a holiday in this exotic paradise. Be prepared that in the Maldives you will be greeted by the warm Indian Ocean with clear water (in which you will see amazing beauty corals), as well as snow-white sandy beaches, surrounded by groves of coconut palms and fruit trees.

Geography of the Maldives

The island nation of Maldives is located in the Indian Ocean about 700 km southwest of Sri Lanka and 400 km from India. The Maldives covers an area of 26 atolls. total area of this country, including all the islands (and there are more than a hundred of them) - 298 km.

There are no mountains in the Maldives. In general, the most high point Maldives does not exceed 2.4 meters. Also, there are no rivers or lakes in the Maldives.

Capital

The capital of the Maldives is Male, which is now home to more than 100 thousand people. Male was built in the Middle Ages as the residence of the Maldivian Sultan.

Official language of the Maldives

The official language of the Maldives is Dhivehi, which belongs to the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European language family.

Religion

The majority of the population of the Maldives is Sunni Muslim.

Government of the Maldives

According to the current Constitution, the Maldives is a parliamentary republic. Its head is the President, who has been elected for a 5-year term since 2008. The President appoints the Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet of Ministers.

The parliament in the Maldives is unicameral - the People's Majlis. Mejlis deputies are also elected for a 5-year term (their number may vary).

Climate and weather

The climate in the Maldives is subequatorial monsoon. There are two monsoon periods - the northeast monsoon (dry season) from November to March and the southwest monsoon (rainy season) from June to August. In other words, the dry season in the Maldives lasts from November to April (March and April are the hottest months of the year), and the wet season lasts from May to early November.

The air temperature in the Maldives ranges from +23C to +33C, and tends closer to +30C.

Air temperature in the Maldives (average):

January - +27C
- February - +28C
- March - +29C
- April - +29C
- May - +28C
- June - +28C
- July - +28C
- August - +28C
- September - +27С
- October - +27С
- November - +27C
- December - +27C

Ocean

The shores of the Maldives are washed by the Indian Ocean. The sea temperature near the Maldives ranges from +24C to +33C, so you can swim there all year round.

History of the Maldives

The Maldives were formed 65 million years ago as a result of the eruption of underwater volcanoes. The first people appeared in the Maldives 4 thousand years ago (these were sailors sailing the Indian Ocean). The Maldives were inhabited by people from Sri Lanka and India, and later by Arabs.

Around the middle of the 12th century, Islam began to spread in the Maldives.

Since the mid-16th century, Europeans (Portuguese, Dutch and English) made numerous attempts to colonize the Maldives. Eventually, in 1887, the Maldives came under British protectorate.

It was not until 1965 that the Maldives gained independence.

Culture

On the culture of the people of the Maldives big influence provided Indian culture, as well as Islam. Since Islam is the main religion in the Maldives, it is understandable that local residents celebrate all Muslim holidays (Eid al-Fitr and Kuda-Eid).

In addition, the Maldives also has national holidays - Independence Day (July 26) and Republic Day.

Kitchen

The cuisine of the Maldives was formed under the influence of Indian and Arab culinary traditions. The main foods are fish (mainly tuna), rice, seafood, vegetables, and, of course, spices (due to the proximity of Sri Lanka and India). In addition, it is impossible to imagine Maldivian cuisine without coconut.

Coconut is the main ingredient in most local desserts. Residents of the Maldives often make various sweet puddings.

The main non-alcoholic drinks are tea, to which milk and sugar are added, as well as coffee, palm juice and sweet milk.

Residents of the Maldives make a low-alcohol drink from fermented palm milk.

If you don’t like Maldivian cuisine, then any restaurant local hotel will offer a variety of international dishes.

Sights of the Maldives

The Maldives is small Island state, located on 26 atolls. The largest of them is Male, whose population exceeds 100 thousand people. It is clear that there are very few attractions in the Maldives. However, there are places in this country that are still worth visiting.

To introduce the history of the Maldives, we recommend that tourists visit National Museum Male. It contains artifacts representing all eras of the history of the Maldives. This museum is part of Royal Palace, built in the 17th century.

Check out the Hukuru Miskiy Mosque in Male. It was built in 1656. The interior of the mosque is famous for its wood carvings. One of its panels was carved in the 13th century to commemorate the introduction of Islam in the country.

Cities and resorts

Most Big city in the Maldives its capital is Male, which is now home to more than 100 thousand people.

The Republic of Maldives is located on 26 small atolls. Each atoll usually has one hotel. Please note that some hotels specialize in spa services, combining Asian and European spa programs.

The white sandy beaches of the Maldives are considered to be some of the best in the world. The Maldivian Islands are literally “drowning” in corals. Therefore, we recommend that tourists in those places where coral reefs come close to the shore swim in special sandals.

You should know that you can only be topless on the beaches of the Maldives on one island - Kuramati. Drinking alcohol on the beaches is also prohibited.

The legislation of the Maldives prohibits the collection of corals and any marine fauna.

Maybe, best beach The Maldives is located on the South Ari Atoll. We are talking about Nalaguraidhoo beach. Also check out the beaches on Banyan Tree Island, Nika and Cocoa Island.

Maldives is considered great place for diving. This is quite expected, given the presence in this region huge amount corals and amazingly beautiful underwater world.

Souvenirs/shopping

After a holiday in the Maldives, tourists usually bring home folk art products, bright local fabrics, rugs with original patterns, black coral jewelry, and stamps. Make sure that the souvenirs you buy are actually made in the Maldives, and not in Thailand or Indonesia.

Office hours

is an island state in southern Asia, in the northern Indian Ocean. There are more than 2000 small islands. Maritime boundaries lie in the Indian Ocean.

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

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.

Population composition: 99% are Maldivians (the ethnogenesis is not entirely 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

Country dialing code: +960

Climate

Tropical sea. 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 is about +32 C, night minimum is +25 C). Precipitation is about 2500 mm. per year, 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.

The best weather observed during the “Iruvai” period (from November-December to March-April, the northeast monsoon season), 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 rain, high humidity and choppy 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 700 km away. southwest of Sri Lanka, in the equatorial waters of the Indian Ocean. Two almost parallel chains of islands, fringed by coral reefs and lying at a relatively short distance from each other, stretch for 820 km. from North to South. There are 1,196 islands in total, forming 26 atolls, of which only 199 are inhabited and about 100 are open to the public. The total area of the country is about 90 thousand square meters. km., sushi - only 298 sq. km.

Flora and fauna

Vegetable world

Forests cover no more than 3% of the islands' area. On many islands there are coconut palms, which do not suffer from soil salinity, banana groves and dense shrub cover, in some places mangroves, and in the interior of the islands there are banyan trees, pandanus and various thorny plants.

Animal world

Coastal waters abound with fish. There are sea turtles, 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 crafts. Currently, turtles are on the verge of extinction and are protected by law. The Million Trees environmental protection program has been in effect since 1996. 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 collecting cowrie shells and growing coconut tree, which produces copra, vegetable oil and palm leaves. Crops such as rice, taro, millet, corn, sweet potato, and cassava are also cultivated. Among the industrial sectors, fish processing is developed.

Attractions

The Maldives is widely known for its resort atolls, each of which is its own unique world, surrounded by pristine coral beaches and an indescribably blue sea. This is “a place at the edge 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 ambience for a secluded relaxation.

Banks and currency

Maldivian rupees (rufiyaa). One rupee is equal to 100 lari. Banknotes in circulation are 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 currency are accepted everywhere. credit cards, so it is not necessary to exchange dollars for local currency upon arrival.

In Male there are banks and exchange offices concentrated on Marine Drive. They are open from 8.00 to 13.30, from Sunday to Thursday (like many other Muslim countries, the Maldives has closed days on Friday and Saturday). Upon departure, the remaining rupees can be exchanged back to dollars. Currency exchange can be carried out not only at the 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 prohibited to consume alcohol in public places (outside resort area). It is recommended to drink bottled water and soft drinks. Although local water is purified 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 tourists, hoping to charge a fee, but in fact, you can explore the mosque on your own. Nude swimming is prohibited on all islands of the archipelago, with the exception of Kuramati Island. You can bargain at markets and in private stores, but the size of the “discount” is usually small.

Underwater hunting and unauthorized fishing are prohibited (all types of sea fishing are freely organized in hotels), and it is strictly forbidden to lift corals (both living and dead), shells and other marine life from the bottom of the sea. Violations result in heavy fines. The country has one of the largest markets in the region selling shells, corals and various exotic marine animals, so you can always purchase these souvenirs without breaking local laws.

Officially, tips are not accepted, but unofficially, if the service really deserves it, it is customary to leave a small amount for the service worker personally ($10 per 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 speedboat, the amount should be discussed in advance.

The endless white sandy beaches, warm and clear sea surface, picturesque lagoons and bays in the Maldives speak for themselves, but most of all tourists are attracted by high-quality service and comfort in hotels.

Maldives on the world map

The fabulous Republic of Maldives is located near the equator in the South region.

This island state, consisting of a small number of picturesque atolls, has long become one of the most desirable holiday destinations for newlyweds.

In total, the state has about 26 atolls, one of the most significant and largest among them is the atoll called Male. It is here that the capital of the Republic of Maldives with the same name Male is located. Since ancient times, a king lived on these island territories, so many ancient masterpieces of architecture have been preserved here. This region is also home to a large part of the local population.

Republic of Maldives

The total number of islands that make up the state reaches almost 1.2 thousand. All of them are interconnected into a single double chain of atolls, and are also formed on the basis of underwater mountain range about 1000 kilometers long. Most big Island The country is called Gan. Not everyone island possessions The Republic of Maldives is inhabited by people. Hundreds of little ones paradises still waiting in the wings and shining with unprecedented and untouched beauty. Only a sixth of all Maldivian islands are inhabited. The total area of the Maldives is about 300 square kilometers, the local population barely reaches 393 thousand people.
The country's topography is flat, so you shouldn't look for massive mountains and lowlands here. Sandy and only slightly elevated above sea level. The highest peak of the Maldives archipelago is rightfully considered a point called Siena, about 2.5 meters high. It is located in the southern part of the luxurious Addu Atoll. As for fresh water sources, they are represented by groundwater and several rivers, which can only be observed after the rainy season. During particularly dry periods they disappear completely.
The flora in the Maldives is quite sparse and is represented only by some herbaceous plants, banyan trees and palm trees. The industrious local population also diligently cultivates papaya, tropical fruits, hot peppers, eggplants and many other crops. There are no forests in the Maldives, but the luxurious branches of palm trees along the beaches shelter travelers from the scorching sun and bring long-awaited coolness.
We should also talk about the peculiarities of the local animal world. Tourists simply adore these islands not only for their natural splendor, but also for the absence of dangerous wild animals and reptiles. The birds living on the islands, flying foxes and mice delight the eye, and the underwater world opens up even more mysterious and fascinating world. That is why the Maldives is a favorite place for divers from all over the world.

Flag of the Republic of Maldives

Until 1965, the Maldives were part of the territorial possessions of Great Britain (the remnants of the British Territory are located to the south of the islands), but already in July of that year the republic received its long-awaited independence and national flag. The flag of the national Maldivian flag is a deep red rectangle, in the center of which is another bright green rectangle with a snow-white crescent in the middle.

—

—

Recently, these islands have become especially popular among newlyweds. Couples in love prefer that no one disturbs them, so they choose deserted desert islands, of which there are more than enough in this country. Particular attention should be paid. Tourists face wide choose comfortable rooms in picturesque wooden bungalows right on the water or in more modern hotel complexes, but sailing lovers can even stay on a yacht so as not to be interrupted from their favorite activity.
One of the most fashionable local activities is diving. The endless expanses of the ocean and the nearby Laccadian Sea attract experienced divers from all over the world, and especially for beginners there are several professional specialized diving schools, where you can acquire all the necessary equipment and equipment.
True gourmets will certainly be delighted with traditional Maldivian cuisine with its spicy Indian sauces, abundance of fruits and all sorts of variations in the preparation of mouth-watering seafood and fish. There are no locally made alcoholic drinks in the Maldives, as they are prohibited by Islam, but tourists can enjoy imported goods in hotels.
It's hardly inexpensive, but all this luxury is worth the money. Shopping lovers should look into the souvenir shops and shops in Male, where they will be greeted by a vibrant selection of products made from coral, shells, palm wood and others traditional materials. Plus, the Maldives has fabulous cultural and historical dizzying attractions!

Have a good travel!

It might be useful to read: