We’ve been seeing more and more people heading to the Maldives and wanted to do a little investigating…why are they such a hot destination? Actually…where they are they? So…

The Independent Republic of Maldives, also known as the Maldive Islands, has always been in the top list destinations for beach enthusiasts. This unique archipelago offers hundreds of lush islands, surrounded by the clear bluest water and lined with the whitest sandy beaches that attract a lot of tourists and travelers.

Geography

Maldives is located in the Indian Ocean, about 500 kilometers from Sri Lanka and India. This unique nation consists of a double chain of twenty-six atolls that group 1,192 coral islands, oriented north-south, and lying between the Chagos Archipelago and Minicoy Island. The archipelago is spread over roughly 90,000 square kilometers, thus it is considered as one of the world’s most dispersed countries. Maldives is the lowest country in the world, with a maximum natural ground level of only 2.4 meters, with the average being only 1.5 meters above sea level.

History

Portugese dominated the country in the Sixteenth century and carried the status oof a British Protectorate from year 1887 to 1965. However, Maldives has been an independent archipelago for at least twenty-five centuries.

The People

The population of the Maldive Islands is a little more than quarter of a million, sharing a common language known as Dhivehi and an Islamic religion. The people unite as one solid and peaceful society. Maldivians are in general not race-bias, probably because of the visitors from diverse nationalities that inhabit the country for centuries.

Climate

Maldives has a tropical climate with no major seasonal differences. Southwest monsoon brings most of the rain around the months of June and July, but tropical rain showers can occur at no particular time. The skies are typically clear and the sun shows up and shines brightly.

Go see:

• Bluetribe Diving & Excursions Centre – It is located in the breathtaking island of Moofushi, Maldives, situated close to the western barrier reef, at mid Ari Atoll. This part of the Indian Ocean has the most famous dive spots of the Maldive Islands. From the center, divers can be taken within an hour by boat, to the 37 marvelous dive sites and snorkeling spots. Bluetribe provides travelers with the best service for fishing trips, cruises, whale shark sightings, manta rays snorkels and dives, private and romantic excursions and dolphin adventure excursions.
• Banana Reef – It is the very first dive site discovered in the Maldive islands, which does as deep as 5 to 30 meters. The corals in this part of the North Male Atoll are abundant and colorful, thus attracting a vast variety of fish, including banner fish, oriental sweetlips and squirrelfish.
• Hukuru Miskiiy (Old Friday Mosque) – It is the oldest mosque in Maldive Islands, dating from the late 1650s. The holy place was built on the foundations of an earlier temple. It is strangely shaped squat minaret in front, resembling a giant wedding cake. At first glance, it looks a bit rough because of its corrugated iron roof. But looking at it closely, white coral walls will be noticed and some lovely carved patterns are revealed. The interior is popular for its lacquer work and woodcarvings. Everyone is welcome to go inside and be fascinated, but keep in mind that the place is still used for religious activities so proper decorum is expected.
• The resorts! So many resorts, like the Adaaran Club Rannalhi, are stunning. Nestled in the sea itself, we want to go just to spend a night at a middle-of-the-ocean bungalow.

Indeed, Maldives is really a paradise on earth where you can leave the hustle and bustle of the city life and get close to the nature.