What kind of country is the Maldives? Maldives Which state was the Maldives a colony of?
The Republic of Maldives is the smallest in the world asian country. It is a collection of islands lost in the middle of the endless Indian Ocean. Every year, areas of land are increasingly immersed in water and, according to researchers, they will soon face serious flooding.
Because of this, the water level in the ocean is constantly rising, which could soon lead the Maldives to disaster. If you want to visit this for 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? Geographical location of the state
The Maldives is quite difficult to find on the world map. This small country 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 supposedly volcanic origin. They form a double chain of 26 atolls - large coral land areas that look like a broken ring. The largest and most significant are the Southern (Nord Niland) and Aria Atoll. The distance between groups varies from 25 to 80 km.
The total area of land and reefs in the Maldives is 298 square meters. km., and the total territory together with the water area is 900,000 sq. km. Of the more than 1,100 islands, only 202 are inhabited, and more than 70 of them are first-class tourist resorts.
Historical background
About early history Republic of Maldives Very little information has survived. The culture of the Maldives is believed to have appeared earlier than the 5th century BC. Fragments of pottery found during excavations suggested that Redin settlements were founded on the islands as early as 2000 BC. In 500 BC. Buddhists appeared on the southern islands, arriving from Fr. Ceylon. This fact is confirmed by an ancient Buddhist manuscript and the head of a Buddha statue dating back to the 11th century. The first Chinese sailors reached the Maldives in 412. Since 1153 - since the adoption of Islam - all major historical events have been recorded in the history of the sultanate.
According to numerous testimonies from sailors, the islands were ruled by female sultanas for a long time. Europeans up to the 15th century. They 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, Lourenzo de Almeida sailed to the islands, and in 1529, the Parmentier brothers. From 1558 the Portuguese dominated the islands until guerrilla warfare began and they were destroyed. Further, until 1760, the Maldives were under the protection of the French, and from the mid-17th century. - the Dutch, and then the British. In mid-1965, after massive popular uprisings, the Maldives gained independence from Great Britain. In 1968, a new constitution was adopted, and the country gained 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 panel with a green rectangle and a white crescent. It has a special symbolic meaning. The color red represents the courage of the heroes who, without hesitation, defended and will defend their country, sacrificing themselves and shedding blood. The green rectangle symbolizes the nature of the Maldives - coconut trees, which are the source of life for the indigenous population. The white crescent symbolizes the religiosity of the Maldivians and reflects their commitment to Islam.
Economy of the Maldives
Now the Republic of Maldives is a democratic developing state with a president at its head.
The country's economy is based on three pillars: tourism, shipping 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 not far from the coast, turtles are caught, corals, shells and natural pearls are mined.
Official banknotes. Currency exchange
The currency of the Maldives is the Rufiyaa. It consists of one hundred laari. One US dollar is approximately equal to a dozen rufiyaa. There are banknotes of various denominations in circulation throughout the country, including 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 rufiyaa, as well as coins - 1, 2, 5, 10, 25 and 50 lari.
You can exchange currency at any bank, airport or exchange offices at the official rate. On islands remote from the capital, it will be difficult to make an exchange at a rather unfavorable rate. Most payments require small bills, so stock up on them in sufficient quantities. On many expensive resorts They accept 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, Southeast Asia. State language called "Dhivehi", it is a kind of mixture of Arabic, English and Sinhala languages. The local writing system is based on the Arabic-Persian script. Indigenous people 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
Currently, Male is the capital of the Republic of Maldives. small town, located on the adjacent islets of Vilingile and Male. Its area is only 5.8 square meters. km. The population of Male is approximately 105 thousand people. Get to administrative, political and cultural center The Maldives can be reached by air or sea, by boat, seaplane taxi or speedboat between the islands.
You can explore all the sights of Male by walking around it. When visiting the city, it is advisable to wear things that cover your body well from the neck to the knees. Almost all the 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 attractions, although an inquisitive tourist will enjoy the shady Jumuri Maidan park, National Museum in Sultans Park, the Islamic Center with the Good Friday Mosque and the Medu Ziyarat Chapel.
Climate in the Maldives
The archipelago is dominated by 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 drop below 25°C. In winter - from November to March - northeastern, warm monsoons predominate. In summer - from June to August - south-westerly, more humid winds prevail. It often rains lightly on the islands at this time. The water temperature varies between 24°C - 27°C. During the dry season from November to early April, the Maldives attracts numerous tourists from all over the world. The mild, warm climate, comfortable sea temperature, lack of rain and strong winds make the islands so attractive to travelers.
It is interesting that a sufficient number of tourists visit the Maldives even during the “wet” season. Despite the high humidity, large number precipitation and raging winds, the influx of vacationers does not subside. The fact is that from mid-April to early November, the cost of air tickets, accommodation and food is significantly reduced, which attracts travelers who want to save money.
Flora and fauna
The Maldives Islands are famous throughout the world for their amazing diversity of marine fauna and flora. The sea is full of amazing corals. Schools of a variety of exotic fish, turtles, jellyfish, mollusks, starfish and urchins, moray eels, stingrays, attract diving and snorkeling enthusiasts.
Predators also live in the waters of the Maldives - sharks with black fins and sharks with white fins; huge ocean inhabitants - hammerhead sharks and whale sharks - also swim here. But you don’t have to be afraid of them, since they are non-aggressive and practically harmless to divers. To prevent accidents, as well as to preserve the unique flora and fauna of the Maldives, there are strict restrictions on scuba diving. Including, it is forbidden to dive to a depth of more than 30 m, it is forbidden to spend more than 60 minutes under water, each diver must have a dive computer with him, etc. Land fauna and flora are not very diverse.
Distributed breadfruit, coconut, banana on many islands of the Maldives. The atolls - Dhaalu (Dhaalu) and Fafu - stand out for their lush vegetation. Exotic flowers grow here: water lily hernandia, catappa herminalia, etc., there are impenetrable mangroves with huge ferns. There are no large animals in the Maldives, but you can find a bat or an Indian flying fox. The islands are also inhabited by terns, parrots, sea gulls, and cormorants.
How to get to the archipelago?
The vast majority of tourists reach the Maldives by plane. The archipelago has international airport named after Ibrahim Nasir. It is located on Hulule Island, 2 km away. from the capital. The airport accepts 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 viewing flight arrival times, choosing a suitable transfer and even planning a trip. There is an ATM, a bank, and a luggage storage facility on the airport premises. 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 there is a pier. Ferries depart from here 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 on small, nimble seaplanes or boats. North and South Male, Ari, Baa, Miimu, Lhaviani, Haa Alifu, Faafu, Dhaalu atolls are the most beautiful resorts in the country, and each of them has its own zest.
There are more than 120 hotels 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 privacy.
Recreation and entertainment
The beaches of the archipelago are clean, with pleasant white sand. The water is amazingly warm and calm. The Maldives offers a respectable holiday, the absence of noise and fuss and communication with unique nature. For lovers active recreation there is a developed sports entertainment infrastructure. At the resorts you can go yachting, canoeing, skiing, surfing and, of course, diving. Drinking alcohol, collecting and damaging corals, and spearfishing are prohibited on the beaches of the atolls.
It is worth noting that the consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited not only on the beaches, but also in any public places, out resort area. Topless or nude swimming is also not permitted. In addition, littering is prohibited on the islands. Any violation of the order will result in a serious 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), and personal consumption goods into the territory of the Maldives. It is not allowed to bring alcoholic beverages, pork, sausage, drugs and pornography. For attempting to violate the law, a fine of 500 USD is imposed. Any tourist should remember that the export of products made from turtle shells, pearl oyster shells, black and red corals is strictly prohibited. Items found at sea cannot be taken out of the country either. Be careful and enjoy your holiday!
Capital- Male city
Square- 298 sq. km.
Population— 393 thousand people
Language— Maldivian
Form of government- presidential republic
Independence date (from Great Britain)— July 26, 1965
Largest cities— Male
Currency- rufiyaa
Time zone — +5
Dialing code — +960
From above they resemble a handful of opals scattered in the ocean blue; this is a divine work of art, and perhaps even diabolical, because they are very seductive. Located in the Indian Ocean 700 km southwest of , 26 atolls consisting of corals that have grown around extinct volcanoes are the Republic of Maldives. Each of the 26 atolls has natural resources- snow-white beaches, clear turquoise water and lush tropical vegetation. There are about 2 thousand islands in total, but only 200 of them are inhabited and 87 receive tourists. So there are hotels here for every taste.
Maldives- video
The Maldives are like pictures come to life, depicting a typical island paradise. Warm tropical sea and kilometers snow-white beaches, surrounded by palm trees. Just don’t look for mountains here - there are none here. The islands are completely flat, they are even considered the flattest territory in the world. Many of the islands rise above the water no more than 2 meters. The population of the Maldives speaks Dhivehi, but when entering school, at the age of three, children begin to learn Arabic. Most young people also speak English fluently. And the literacy level will give a head start to more developed countries, it reaches 99%.
Over the past few years, the Maldives has experienced a boom in foreign tourism. And this is completely understandable - the country can offer tourists any conditions: from the simplest to those that meet the most demanding tastes. Accommodation from campsites to 5 star hotels. But all the proposals have something in common - sapphire waters, golden beaches and emerald forests.
Looking at this beauty you understand - the best place in the world for romantics. The weather here is beautiful, so it is a suitable place for rest and relaxation. The beaches here are rarely crowded, so it feels like you have your own beach.
In hotels full of oriental luxury you can enjoy all the amenities and live like in a fairy tale. In the infinity pools, the water from which pours directly into the Indian Ocean, it is very easy to imagine yourself as a mermaid or inhabitant ocean depths. You can't help but relax here. With the highest level of service, all you have to do is relax and enjoy yourself. And this proves how well the Maldives is adapted for tourists.
- capital of the Republic of Maldives. Of the 400 thousand people living in the Maldives, about a third live in this city. Male is lively large city, typical of tropical islands. With numerous shops, lively bazaars and even street traffic.
Islamic Center- one of the most famous buildings the city of Male, the roof of which is crowned with a golden dome. This is the most great mosque in the Maldives - it can accommodate 5 thousand worshipers. Its beautiful wood carvings and examples of Arabic calligraphy attract many admiring tourists.
A 20-minute boat ride from Male (the capital of the Maldives) is Bandos Island. This is a small island with a perimeter of 600 meters. Each of his bungalows stands literally 3 meters from the beach.
Gan Island- most south island The Republic of Maldives is located beyond the equator. Its dimensions are 5 kilometers long and 3 kilometers wide.
If the Maldives manages to maintain its reputation as the main center of attraction for divers all over the planet, and manages to preserve everything that it has today, then it will remain such a center forever. Some will come here for relaxation, entertainment and romance, others to devote themselves to exploring the many wonders underwater world. And no one, neither nature lovers, nor fans of beaches and massages, nor those who need adrenaline, will be disappointed in the Maldives - wonderful islands at the very edge of the world.
Transport interchange of the Maldives
Transport interchange between the islands is represented by two types of communication - boats and seaplanes. Most of the islands are small enough that you can easily explore them by bicycle. The peculiarity of this type of travel here is that no matter which direction you go, you will always find yourself on the seashore.
1. First of all, you should know that in the Maldives (as in many other countries) it is prohibited to take all kinds of corals, shells, etc. from the sea. Also, it is not allowed to fish near the island, and spearfishing is completely prohibited.
2. One of the important advantages of the Maldives is that there are no mosquitoes or any other unpleasant insects or animals here.
3. When traveling to the Maldives, you should spend at least one night under open air looking at the stars. You can sleep right on the street, because the temperature at night does not drop below 24 degrees.
4. The main value of a holiday in the Maldives is the opportunity to step away from problems and stress.
5. If you decide to go on vacation to the island of Gan, be prepared for the fact that the island cuisine may greatly disappoint you. The thing is that almost no vegetables grow on the island and the hotel chefs have to cook from those products that are delivered here by plane. Often, these are products that are stored for a long time, and therefore lack exquisite taste.
6. Before traveling to the Maldives, it is recommended to get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B. To avoid unwanted situations, it is better to take out insurance.
Republic of Maldives.
The name of the country comes from the Sanskrit dwipa - “island”.
Capital of the Maldives. Male.
Area of the Maldives. 298 km2.
Population of the Maldives. 311 thousand people
Location of Maldives. Maldives - island state in the south, in the northern part. There are more than 2000 small islands. Maritime boundaries lie in the Indian Ocean.
Administrative divisions of the Maldives. The country is divided into 20 groups.
Form of government of Maldives. Republic.
Head of State of Maldives. President, elected for a term of 5 years.
Highest legislative body of the Maldives. A unicameral parliament (Majlis), whose term of office is 5 years.
Highest executive body of the Maldives. Cabinet of Ministers.
Major cities of the Maldives. No.
Official language of the Maldives. Maldivian (Dhivehi).
Religion of Maldives. Almost the entire population is Sunni.
Ethnic composition of the Maldives. Indians, Sinales, Arabs.
Currency of the Maldives. Rufiyaa = 100 laari.
Maldives. nautical. 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, nighttime minimum is + 25 °C). Precipitation falls 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 northeast monsoon season, when the sea is calm, sunny and dry. From May to October, during the hulhangu season (April to October), the weather is less predictable - the southwest monsoon can bring short periods of rain, high and choppy seas (however, this period is the least hot). Storms are most likely in June and December.
Flora of the Maldives. Coconut palms, bananas, and breadfruit are common.
Fauna of the Maldives. Animal world the state is poor. Giant bats live in the trees - they are called flying foxes. Found in coastal waters various types fish, including poisonous toadfish, turtles and various shellfish.
Rivers and lakes of the Maldives. There are no permanent lakes, which is why there is a lack of fresh water.
Sights of the Maldives. Na-Bandos - National. Nearby are the small but very colorful marine reserves of Banana Reef, Kami Corner, Kuda Ha, Lions Head, Makunudu Kandu, Ras Fari, Okobe Thila, HP Reef and Hans Hass Place, each of which it protects one underwater attraction of Male Atoll.
Useful information for tourists
Consumption of alcohol in public places (outside the resort area) is prohibited. It is recommended to drink bottled water and soft drinks. Although local water is purified quite thoroughly (often it is desalinated sea water), but due to its high temperature it quickly becomes unusable. 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 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); it is strictly forbidden to lift corals (both living and dead), shells and other sea creatures. Violations result in heavy fines. The country has one of the most large markets in the region selling shells, corals and various exotic marine animals, so you can always purchase these souvenirs without violating local laws. Officially, tipping is not accepted, but unofficially, if the service really deserves it, it is customary to leave a small amount for the service employee personally ($10 per week for a hotel employee or 5% for a waiter). Some resorts include a service fee in the bill (usually 10%), in which case no need to tip. In the case of renting a boat or speedboat, the amount should be discussed in advance.
The Maldives is a small Asian island state. The territory of the republic consists of a chain of small coral islands, 80% of which are still uninhabited. Let's find out how many islands there are in the Maldives and find out the names of at least the largest among them.
Territorial structure of the Maldives: islands and their number
How many islands are there in the Maldives?
Among the 1,192 islands that are part of one of the 20 atolls, only 202 islands are inhabited, which is 1/6 of the entire land territory of the republic. Tourists and guests of the country are allowed into only half of them.
Islands of the Maldives and their names
We will not list and describe all the islands of the Maldives and their names, since their number exceeds 1000.
Let's take a closer look at the most significant and large islands Maldives. The name of these islands dates back to ancient times. They are part of atolls.
So, let's get acquainted with the 9 largest and most significant islands and atolls of the Maldives:
North and South Male Atolls- these are atolls consisting of more than 100 islands of various sizes (50 northern and 30 southern). The country's capital, the beautiful city of Male, is located in North Male. Of the 80 islands of 2 atolls, only 11 are inhabited, 44 are excellent high-level resorts, and the remaining 25 are rented or uninhabited;
Gunn- an island located on the southern atoll of Siena (Addu). This island was once one of the English colonies. Its streets still retain the stiffness of that time. In the clean coastal waters of the island you can dive, exploring the rich underwater world;
Ari Atoll- includes more than 30 islands, of which 18 are inhabited, and 26 are luxurious exotic resorts. This is simply ideal for lovers of underwater tourism. There are 4 marine reserves on the islands of the atoll: Maya Thila, Oramis Thila, Fish Head and Kudara Thila;
Baa Atoll- consists of 51 islands, of which only 10 are inhabited by people, and 5 are resorts;
Velawathu is an island that is part of the Dhaalu Atoll (Daalu). Locals They used to call it “Turtle Island”. This island is simply beautiful, because in a small land area they manage to accommodate various types of green spaces, magnificent palm trees whose tops reach into the sky and magnificent untouched sandy beaches. This place is simply a paradise for lovers;
Filiteo (Filiheeo)- the only one of all the islands of Fafu Atoll that has become a resort. In addition to it, the atoll includes 15 inhabited and the same number of wild islands. The island has very lush and rich vegetation, which, combined with snow-white beach sand and warm ocean waters makes this place unforgettable;
Lhaviani Atoll- located north of North Male, truly heaven on earth. It consists of 63 islands, most of which are beach area. Within its borders there are several beautiful barrier reefs with richest life underwater inhabitants. This is a wonderful place for scuba diving enthusiasts;
Kuramati is one of the islands of the Maldives, famous for the fact that three hotels are located on its territory, which is unusual for this republic. The combination of lush vegetation and pristine beaches makes this place unique.
A geographical miracle and an independent state, located in the equatorial waters of the Indian Ocean, 700 km southwest of the island of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), is a chain of 2 dozen atolls, which, in turn, consist of 1192 coral islands, of which about 200 inhabited. There are about 110 resort islands and new ones open every year.
The area of the Maldives archipelago is more than 90 thousand square kilometers, but the land area is only 298 square kilometers. km.
The time difference from Moscow is +1 hour in summer and +2 hours in winter.
The capital of the Republic of Maldives is a city in which about 2/3 of the total population lives, located on the island of the same name, part of the Kaafu Atoll, sometimes also called Male Atoll
I will not go into details of the history and political system of the Maldives; you can read all this on Wikipedia if you want. The basic information you will need on your trip is also collected here.
Map of the Maldives archipelago with atolls
All 1192 islands are shown on the map and it is quite difficult to understand this diversity; it is more convenient to navigate by the names of the atolls.
What is this card for? Firstly, so that you can imagine the location relative to the international airport and possible transfer options. And when independent travel it was easier to plan the route. Personally, I don't need one detailed map it was very difficult to navigate. Moreover, the geographical division of the archipelago and the administrative division are quite different.
You can also use Google map
The most popular tourist atolls:
- Kaafu (or Male Atoll)
- Alifu Alifu (or North Ari Atoll)
- Alifu Dhaalu (or South Ari Atoll)
- Baa Atoll,
- Lhaviyani Atoll
They are popular due to their short distance from (until January 1, 2017, the airport was called “Ibrahim Nasir International Airport”)
IMHO: The convenience and short transfer time within the Kaafu Atoll and to the South and North Ari Atolls has become a big disadvantage over time. At all inhabited islands They built guest houses and now there is no privacy there that distinguishes a holiday in the Maldives from other countries; the corals have died from the scooters flying over them.
Weather in the Maldives
The Maldives archipelago is located on both sides of the equator, so the climate there is equatorial-tropical. Air temperature all year round is 30+/- 3 degrees, water temperature is 28+/-2 degrees. But nevertheless, there is seasonality due to the monsoons, although not clearly expressed.
High season from December to March. At this time, the northeastern monsoons blow, as a rule, the weather is dry and sunny, there are practically no winds, and the amount of precipitation is minimal.
Low season from May to October. The southwest monsoon brings short-term rains, the air temperature rarely rises above 30 degrees, but the heat is felt more intensely due to high humidity. IN summer months There are waves and storms - this must be taken into account when planning
IMHO: I’ve been there twice in September. I really wanted to see the rain that the weather forecast promised. Failed. But in the low season, hotels reduce the cost of living by almost 2 times; for the summer, air tickets can be bought much cheaper. So the answer to the question: “When is the best time to go to the Maldives?” very ambiguous.
If you really can’t wait to tell your fortune on the coffee grounds what the weather will be like during your trip, you can use the archive of weather forecasts on Gismeteo. Just keep in mind that the length of the Maldives archipelago from north to south is 820 km, so the sun in Male can easily turn into torrential rain even on, not to mention Haa Atoll.
Language and religion.
Despite the fact that freedom of religious belief is enshrined for citizens of the Republic of Maldives in the Constitution of the country, the vast majority of the country's citizens are Sunnis, i.e. adherents of the largest and most traditional Islamic movement.
The import of alcohol into the Maldives is strictly prohibited for religious reasons. And, if previously alcoholic beverages found in your luggage were simply confiscated for storage, absolutely free of charge, now they will simply be confiscated ( I’ll find out more about these changes in November, when I go myself again, so far I personally had to deposit and pick up before departure).
The official language of the Maldives is Dhivehi. Does this mean anything to you? Me too. The main thing is that education there is excellent and the majority of the population speaks English quite well, even residents of remote local islands. Not to mention the hotel islands, where even Russian-speaking staff are often found.
What you need to know when traveling to the Maldives
- One of the main attractive features of the Maldives is the fine white sand, which is very treacherous. Of course, a huge plus is that it reflects the sun's rays and does not heat up. But this quality, plus the equatorial location of the archipelago, threatens you with instant sunburn, even in cloudy weather. Take with you sun cream with a protection factor of at least 50.
2. The national currency is the Maldivian rufiyaa. The official exchange rate is $1 = 15.47 rufiyaa. Banks exchange at this rate; sometimes in stores they can give change even at the rate of 1:15.5. But usually everywhere they count at the rate of 1:15.
How many dollars to exchange for rufiyaa?
If you are going to a resort, not at all. In hotels you can pay by card or dollars. If you are going to a local island, 50 dollars will be enough for small purchases in stores. If you plan to eat in a cafe outside the guest houses, change 10 dollars per day.
Hoteliers on local islands They mostly accept dollars. But it’s more profitable to pay in a cafe local currency. You can exchange dollars for rufiyaa in Male or at your hotelier. It is convenient and profitable to do this at the bank, at the airport (to the left of the exit from the terminal).
Weekends and holidays
The day off in the Maldives is Friday. On Friday there are no ferries, banks are closed and exchange offices, in summer many shops are closed. Be sure to take this into account when purchasing air tickets.
Religious holidays occur in Muslim lunar calendar for different dates. Local residents widely celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan - Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, Islamic New Year, national holidays: National Day of the Maldives Republic on June 4-5, Independence Day on July 26, Victory Day on November 3, Victims Day on November 9, Republic Day on November 11-12. Celebrating Christmas and New Year is more of a tribute to tourists.
Visa and customs
Visa to visit the Maldives archipelago not required for Russian citizens. 2019 deadline visa-free stay for Russians in the Maldives extended to 90 days.
