How many islands are there in the Maldives. Maldives (country)
Capital- Male city
Square- 298 sq. km.
Population- 393 thousand people
Language- Maldivian
Form of government- presidential republic
Independence date (from UK)- July 26, 1965
Largest cities- Male
Currency- rufiyaa
Timezone — +5
Telephone code — +960
From above, they resemble a handful of opals scattered in ocean blue, this is a divine work of art, and, perhaps, devilish, because they are very seductive. Located in the Indian Ocean, 700 km southwest of, 26 atolls made up of coral that grow around extinct volcanoes Is the Republic of Maldives. Each of the 26 atolls has natural resources- 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 for every taste.
Maldives - video
The Maldives are like animated pictures depicting a typical island paradise. Warm tropical sea and kilometers white beaches surrounded by palm trees. Just don't look for mountains here - they are not here. The islands are completely flat, even considered the flattest territory in the world. Many of the islands are no more than 2 meters above the water. The population of the Maldives speaks Dhivehi, but entering school at the age of three, children begin to learn Arabic. Most young people are also fluent in English. And the literacy level will give odds 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 campgrounds 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 is fine here, so this appropriate place for rest and relaxation. The local beaches are rarely crowded, so it seems like you have your own beach.
In hotels full of oriental luxury, you can enjoy all the comforts and live like a fairy tale. In endless pools, water from which flows directly into Indian Ocean, it is very easy to imagine yourself as a mermaid or an inhabitant of the ocean depths. It is impossible not to rest here. With the highest level of service, all that remains is to relax and have fun. And this proves how well the Maldives is adapted for tourists.
- the capital of the Republic of Maldives... Of the 400 thousand people living in the Maldives, about a third live in this city. Male - lively Big City typical of tropical islands. With many shops, bustling bazaars and even traffic.
Islamic Center- one of the most famous buildings in the city of Male, the roof of which is crowned with a golden dome. This is the largest mosque in the Maldives - it can accommodate 5 thousand worshipers. Her beautiful wood carvings and examples of Arabic calligraphy attract many admiring tourists.
A 20-minute boat ride from Male (capital Maldives) located Bandos island... It is a small island with a perimeter of 600 meters. Each of its bungalows is literally 3 meters from the beach.
Gan Island- the southernmost island of the Maldives, located beyond the equator. Its dimensions are 5 kilometers long and 3 kilometers wide.
If the Maldives manages to preserve their reputation as the main center of attraction for divers of the entire planet, and manages to preserve everything that they have today, then they will remain such a center forever. Someone will come here for relaxation, entertainment and romance, someone to devote themselves to exploring the many wonders of the underwater world. And no one, neither nature lovers, nor fans of beaches and massages, nor those who need adrenaline, will not be disappointed in the Maldives - wonderful islands at the very end of the world.
Traffic junction of the Maldives
The 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 safely travel around them by bike. The peculiarity of this type of travel here lies in the fact that in whatever 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 forbidden to get all kinds of corals, shells and the like 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 nasty insects and animals.
3. During a trip to the Maldives, at least one night should be spent under open air looking at the stars. You can sleep right outside, because the temperature at night does not drop below 24 degrees.
4. The main value of a vacation in the Maldives is the ability to move 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 can greatly disappoint you. The thing is, almost no vegetables grow on the island and the hotel's 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 are devoid of exquisite taste.
6. Before traveling to the Maldives, it is recommended to get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B. To avoid undesirable situations, it is better to take out insurance.
In the Indian approx. Form the territory of the state of Maldives ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary
In the Indian Ocean. Form the territory of the state of the Maldives. * * * MALDIV ISLANDS MALDIV ISLANDS, in the Indian approx. Form the territory of the state of Maldives ... encyclopedic Dictionary
Coordinates: 3 ° 47'00 ″ s. NS. 72 ° 58'00 ″ E d. / 3.783333 ° N NS. 72.966667 ° E etc ... Wikipedia
In the Indian Ocean, to southwest from the island of Sri Lanka. 26 atolls and St. 1190 small islands, bordered by reefs, including 200 inhabited. Pl. 298 km². Numerous beaches. The climate is monsoon. Average month. temperatures 24–30 ° C. Precipitation approx. 2500 mm per year. ... ... Geographical encyclopedia
Archipelago coral islands in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Indian subcontinent. On M. about. the state of the Maldives is located. Male port ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia
- (Maldive Islands), Republic of Maldives state on the islands of the Maldives arch. in the Indian Ocean, b. Brit, colony. The first post office was opened in 1906 and Ceylon stamps with the "Maldives" overprint came into circulation. After 3 years, issue ... Big philatelic dictionary
IX.12. Maldives- ⇑ IX. SOUTH ASIA ... Rulers of the World
This article is missing links to sources of information. Information must be verifiable, otherwise it can be questioned and removed. You can ... Wikipedia
English. Mascarene Islands fr. Mascareignes port. Ilhas Mascarenhas ... Wikipedia
Water area ... Wikipedia
Books
- Underwater kingdom. Red Sea, Maldives, Malaysia, Caribbean Sea, Angelo Moggetta, Andrea Ferrari, Antonella Ferrari. Whimsical reefs and coral platforms high cliffs falling right into the abyss of turquoise water, picturesque straits where life unknown to us is in full swing - so you want to dive into this underwater ...
- Underwater kingdom Red Sea Maldives, Moggetta A., Ferrari A. Bizarre reefs and coral platforms, high cliffs falling right into the abyss of turquoise water, picturesque straits - so you want to dive into this underwater paradise, admire its unearthly ...
The Republic of Maldives is nothing more than a group of atolls - rings that span sea lagoons. The archipelago is located south of India, and the sea of the Maldives is the majestic and vast Indian Ocean, which here merges with the sky, making the horizon almost invisible.
Paradise vacation
Which sea washes the Maldives? This question is one of the first to be asked by the lucky owners of tours to luxury Maldivian resorts. The Indian Ocean is the third largest among the world's oceans and it was its waters that made beach vacation the islands are so amazing and memorable. The main visitors to the local resorts can be roughly divided into three groups:
- Newlyweds who decide to spend their honeymoon like a king. The sea of the Maldives, the white sand of the beaches and the bright sun, complete with magnificent hotels and the opportunity to retire for two on the whole island, are weighty arguments in favor of choosing this particular tourist destination.
- Divers for whom the first and only place is the rich underwater world of the Indian Ocean in the Maldives. Other aspects are of little concern to them, and diving at the local resorts is possible in any season.
- Fans of high quality rest and perfect service, for whom the price does not matter.
Ocean of dreams
The Indian Ocean in the Maldives region can be called ideal. It has a beautiful color, the water is clean and transparent, the underwater world is striking in its variety, and the water temperature makes bathing pleasant and comfortable. The thermometer in its waters at the local resorts does not drop below +26 degrees throughout the year, from which both beach goers and divers are delighted.
The question of what seas in the Maldives is usually puzzled by those who like to go out on yachts. In the archipelago, there is even an opportunity to stay on a yacht, and its rent will not exceed the cost of a good room in the local hotel. This type of recreation allows you to see many new islands and get a real ocean of impressions.
The Indian Ocean is rich in a wide variety of fauna. Here you can find not only sea turtles and dolphins, but even blue whales and sperm whales. In the Maldives region, the ocean waters are inhabited by plankton, some of which can glow at night, making the waves especially picturesque. There are no dangerous animals on land on the islands, and whale sharks, which can swim to the shores for enough near distance, feed only on plankton and do not pose a threat to swimmers.
The 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, land areas are becoming more submerged in water and, according to the researchers, they will soon face serious flooding.
Because of the water level in the ocean is constantly rising, which could soon lead the islands of the Maldives to disaster. If you want to visit this one 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 map? Geographical position of the state
It is difficult to find the Maldives on the world map. This small country is located in the Indian Ocean, south of the Indian subcontinent 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 with a length of 130 km from west to east and 823 km from north to south. It consists of 1,196 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 Southern (Nord Nyland), Aria-atoll. The distance between groups varies from 25 to 80 km.
The total land area and offshore reefs of the Maldives is 298 sq. km., and the total area together with the water area is 900,000 sq. km. Of the more than 1,100 islands, only 202 are inhabited, with more than 70 of them being first-class tourist resorts.
Historical reference
Very little information has survived about the early history of the Maldives. It is believed that the culture of the Maldives originated 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. on southern islands appeared Buddhists who arrived from about. 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 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 of sailors, for a long time the islands were ruled by female sultans. 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 Lourenzo de Almeida sailed to the islands, and in 1529 the Parmentier brothers. From 1558 the Portuguese ruled the islands until a partisan 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 massive popular uprisings, the Maldives gained independence from Great Britain. In 1968, a new constitution was adopted, and the country acquired official name- "Republic of Maldives".
State flag
The modern version of the main state symbol of the country was adopted in July 1965. The Maldives flag is a red cloth with a green rectangle and a white crescent. It has a special symbolic meaning. The red color denotes the courage of the heroes who have defended and will defend their country without hesitation, 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
The Republic of Maldives is now a democratic developing state with a president at its 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. On the high seas, it is carried out in lagoons and near the coast, turtles are caught, 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 rufis. There are banknotes of various denominations in circulation in the country, 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 offices at the official exchange rate. On the islets remote from the capital, it will be difficult to make an exchange, at a rather unfavorable rate. Basically, small bills are required for settlements, so stock up on them in sufficient quantity. On many expensive resorts accept US dollars and euros for payment, as well as credit cards.
Demography
The population of 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 Sinhalese languages. The local language is written in the Arabic-Persian script. Indigenous population the islands are Muslim (Sunni). 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, it is the capital of the Republic of Maldives Male - a small town located on the adjacent islands of Vilingile 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 accessed by air or sea, boats, seaplane taxis or speedboats plying between the islands.
You can see all the sights of Male by walking along it on foot. When visiting the city, it is advisable to wear things that cover the body well from neck to knees. Almost all gift shops are located at the northern end of Chaandani Magu. Here you can buy Maldivian palm fiber mats, decorative fishing boats, canned fish and 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. It does not drop below 25 ° C at night. In winter - from November to March - northeastern, warm monsoons prevail. In summer - from June to August - south-westerly, wetter winds prevail. It often rains on the islands at this time. The water temperature ranges from 24 ° C to 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, absence of rains and strong winds make the islands so attractive for travelers.
It is interesting that during the "wet" season the Maldives is visited by a sufficient number of tourists. Despite the high humidity, a large amount 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 all over the world for their amazing variety of marine fauna and flora of the Maldives. The sea is full of amazing corals. Shoals of various exotic fish, turtles, jellyfish, molluscs, starfish and hedgehogs, 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, and 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 and to preserve the unique flora and fauna, the Maldives has 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 under water, every diver must have a dive computer with him, etc. Terrestrial fauna and flora are not very diverse.
Breadfruit, coconut, banana plants are widespread on many islands in the Maldives. The atolls of Dhaalu (Dhaalu) and Fafu stand out for their lush vegetation. Exotic flowers grow here: Ernandia jug-leaved, Erminalia catappa, 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. Terns, parrots, sea gulls, cormorants also live on the islands.
How to get to the archipelago?
The vast majority of tourists travel to 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 get acquainted with all the necessary information, including viewing the arrival time of aircraft, choosing a suitable transfer for yourself and even planning a trip. There is an ATM, a bank and 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. There is a pier to the left of the exit from the airport building. Ferries leave 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 brought to the surrounding atolls by small nimble seaplanes or boats. North and South Male, Ari, Baa, Miimu, Laviani, Haa Alifu, Faafu, Daalu atolls are the most beautiful resorts in the country, and each of them has its own flavor.
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 the worst level of service. Also in the Maldives, you can live in a magnificent bungalow and enjoy the privacy.
Recreation and entertainment
The beaches of the archipelago are the cleanest, with pleasant white sand. The water is amazingly warm and calm. The Maldives offers a respectable vacation, lack of hustle and bustle and communication with unique nature... For lovers active rest there is a developed infrastructure of sports entertainment. In 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 should be noted that the use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited not only on the beaches, but also in any public places, outside resort area... Bathing topless and nude is also not permitted. In addition, littering is prohibited 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 examined by customs officers. It is allowed to import cigarettes (200 pcs.), Perfume (125 ml), personal goods into the territory of the Maldives. It is not allowed to bring alcoholic beverages, pork, sausage, drugs and pornography. An attempt to violate the law is punishable by a fine of 500 USD. Any tourist should remember that the export of products made from turtle shells, pearl oyster shells, black and red corals is strictly prohibited. You can not take out of the country and items found in the sea. Be attentive and enjoy your stay!
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 not inhabited. 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 1192 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 in 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 the atolls.
So let's get to know the 9 largest and most significant islands and atolls in 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 capital of the country is located in North Male - a beautiful city Male. Of the 80 islands of 2 atolls, only 11 are inhabited, 44 are wonderful resorts high level, and the remaining 25 are rented or uninhabited;
Gunn Is an island located in 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 clear coastal waters of the island, you can go diving, exploring the rich underwater world;
Ari atoll- includes more than 30 islands, of which 18 are inhabited, and 26 are luxury exotic resorts. It's just perfect for snorkeling enthusiasts. There are 4 marine reserves on the islands of the atoll: Maya-Tila, Oramis-Tila, Fish-Head and Kudara-Tila;
Baa Atoll- consists of 51 islands, of which only 10 are inhabited by people, and 5 are resorts;
Velawatu Is an island that is part of the Dhaalu (Daalu) atoll. Locals used to call it "Turtle Island". This island is simply beautiful, because on a small land area, various types of green spaces, magnificent palm trees, the tops of which rest against the sky, and magnificent unspoiled sandy beaches have been able to accommodate. This place is just a paradise for lovers;
Filitaeo (Filiheeo)- the only one of all the islands of the Fafu Atoll, which has become a resort. In addition to it, the atoll includes 15 inhabited and the same number of wild islands. The island is very lush and rich in vegetation, which, combined with 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 make up the beach area. Within its limits are some of the most beautiful barrier reefs with the richest life of underwater inhabitants. This is a great place for scuba diving enthusiasts;
Kuramachi- this is one of the islands of the Maldives, known for the fact that three hotels are located on its territory at once, which is unusual for this republic. The combination of lush vegetation and unspoilt beaches makes this place unique.
