A country of more than a thousand islands spread over 90,000 square kilometers of the Indian Ocean. Uniquely charming, endowed with a dreamlike beauty unknown elsewhere in the world; the Maldives welcomes u to enjoy its natural splendor and charm, and the hospitality of its people. This is home to just about 300,000 islanders, yet welcomes twice as many to its shores every year. The Maldives has welcomed visitors with open arms for centuries. Some opted to stay, while some wrote about the mysteries and intricacies of life on these tiny islands. Unlike the adventurers and mariners of the past, today the Maldives is easily accessible from anywhere in the world. We wish you a pleasant stay in the Maldives.

For  most holidaymakers, great sunny days with deep blue skies, clear lagoons with pleasing shades of blue, moonlit nights, the soothing sound of little waves lapping the soft white sands, the ruffle of palms and powdery white beaches are the basic ingredients in greater abundance than the Maldives.

Although the Maldives is well known by travelers and holidaymakers today, its long history is not known to most. The Maldives has gone through immense changes and has been affected by geopolitical changes and upheavals that have swept throughout the last two millennia.

Geography

Few countries have a landscape as remarkable as that of the Maldives is an archipelago  of 1190 islands that straddle the equator, about 650km southwest

Of Sri Lanka. The islands are scattered in a chainlike formation extending
820km from the north to south and130 km at its widest point the islands from ring –shaped formations or atolls, 26 in all some with a single island while others with over 200 islands in them Huvadhoo Atoll in the south is the second largest atoll in the world.

The Maldives lie between latitude 70 6’ 30” N to Oo 42’ 30” S and Longitudes 72o 32’ and 30” E to 73o 46’ 15” E.

Weather

The Maldives has tropical climate with warm temperatures and a great deal of sunshine throughout the year the weather in the Maldives is largely is large determined by the monsoons; the south –west monsoon from May to November and the north-east monsoon from December to April; While the south-west monsoon brings rain stronger winds and often cloudy skies, the north –east brings the driest period and calm seas with clear blue skies

Culture

Maldivian culture when seen through its music and dance and its art and craft reveal the journey it has taken through time; one sees the obvious influences of south Asian culture, elements of Malaysian and Indonesian culture, east Africa and Arab culture as well at most celebrations in Maldives you will find a blending of tradition and modern entertainment; folk dances music using drums and wooden instruments may be followed by modern jazz or pop music

People & Language

Evidence suggests that Maldives has been populated and thriving as early as the 4th century BC it is evident that first settlers were and indo Aryan race from India and historical records show that although small in numbers people have migrated from Arabia and eastern Africa an anthropological survey carried out at the end of the 19th century showed the Maldivian inhabitants had traits that revealed ancestral linkages with peoples from all corners of the Indian Ocean Today, The Maldivian are a mixed race with a population of about 285000.

Travelers to Maldives have commented on the Maldivian people as a kind and hospitable people, a peaceable race and as a people who are kind to visitors and travelers.
Dhivehi is the language of the Maldives The language has undergone changes as a result of contact with the outside world throughout the centuries, blending with and absorbing new influences as it evolved given the wide dispersion of the islands, it is not surprising that the vocabulary and pronunciation vary from atoll to atoll, which is especially significant in the southernmost atolls.

Currency

The currency of the Maldives is the Rufiyaa, which is equivalent to a 100laarees. The Rufiyaa is presented in the following denominations

Rf. 500
Rf. 100
Rf. 50
Rf. 20
Rf. 10
Rf. 5

And coins of Rf. 2, Rf. 1, 50 laree, 25 laree, 5 laree, 2 laree, 1 laree

Male’ International Airport

Male’ International Airport is the only international airport in the country and has been fully fledged international airport for nearly a quarter of a century. The airport is on the island of Hulhule, a couple of kilometers from the capital Male`. The seaplane terminals are also on the island. Ferries boats operate at 15 minute intervals between Male` and the airport.

Free 30 days visa upon arrival for all visitors entering the Republic of Maldives should fulfill the following requirement for the grant of an entry permit into the country .-Possession of a valid international travel document issued by the Government of a Sovereign State.-Possession of a valid return air ticket to a destination where the passenger has permission to enter, together with necessary visas for the onward journey to the next destination.-Possession of minimum of US$30.00 per person per day or confirmed hotel reservation for the intended period of stay in the Maldives.

Immigration and customs

Immigration procedures at the airport are quiet simple. Tourists are given a 30 –day visa on arrival .For extensions you will be required to apply to the department of Immigration and Emigration in Male’.

Regulations prohibit the import of pornographic materials, narcotic drugs and firearms. Please note that passengers are not allowed to import alcoholic beverages into the country.

Transfer to resorts

If u have pre-booked your holiday on a resort or a safari vessel it is most likely that you would have booked your transfer as well. Transfers to resorts are by seaplane or by boat. The jetties on the west of the airport island provide access to the resort transfer vessels. If you are flying by seaplane buses at the terminal would take you to the seaplane terminals on the eastern side of the island.