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Maldives
The Maldives Islands
Paradise awaits you... If your idea of paradise is a pristine
tropical island with swaying palm trees and pure white beaches
surrounded by crystalline lagoons of varying shades of blue
– then the Maldives Islands will definitely fit the
bill.
Indeed, it is not without reason that the Maldives Islands
has been described as ‘(the) flower of the Indies’
by Marco Polo and ‘one of the wonders of the world’
by Ibn Batuta.
It is no wonder that a large percentage of tourists who come
to the Maldives Islands are repeat visitors – people
who came once and fell so in love with the place that they
simple had to come again. The beauty of Maldives is indeed
addictive. Once you sample the heady mixture of secluded serenity,
thrilling water sports activities, soothing spas, relaxing
beaches all wrapped in the luxurious comfort of modern amenities
– you are bound to want the experience again.
Sunny, unique and unspoiled, the islands of Maldives offers
you sunshine, no matter what time of the year you decide to
visit the Maldives – islands that are truly heaven on
Earth.
Maldives
Atolls
Maldives Islands is an archipelago comprising 1,190 low-lying
coral islands scattered across the equator, in groups of 26
naturally occurring atolls which are divided into 20 for administrative
purposes.
The atolls of Maldives are in fact part of a greater structure
known as the Laccadives-Chagos Ridge, which stretches over
2000 kilometres. The islands of Maldives are very low lying
with the highest point at approximately 8 feet above sea level.
'Faru' or ring-shaped reef structures form the atolls and
these provide natural defense against wind and wave action,
on the delicate Maldives islands.
An indication of the perfection of Maldives atoll structure
is the fact that the word ‘atoll’ in the English
Language – meaning ‘ring-shaped coral reef enclosing
a lagoon’, is a borrowing from the Maldivian language
‘Dhivehi’.
Of the more than 2000 tropical islands that make the paradise
that is Maldives, only about 200 are inhabited. Of the remaining
islands about a 100 have been developed into exotic resort
islands that offer tourists their own hideaway – hidden
away from all the hectic hustle and bustle of city life.
The capital of Maldives – Malé, the seat of government
and the centre of trade, commerce, business, health and education,
is located in the middle of the atoll chain, a small island
buzzing with the sounds and activities of more than 150,000
people which is more than one third of the population. Malé
is perhaps the smallest urban capital in the whole world.
Where is Maldives
The Maldives lies between latitudes 4 degree 17 North and
longitudes 73 degree 50 East – a position where there
is an abundance of sun all throughout the year, every year.
The Maldives has always been a popular destination for travelers,
especially seafarers because of its prime position en route
to many trade destinations.
The total area of 90,000 square kilometers over which the
islands of Maldives are spread, consists of sparkling sun-kissed
beaches, palm-fringed islands, crystalline lagoons studded
with multi-coloured corals and warm, azure seas with exotic
marine life – a mesmerizing mixture that remains the
same throughout the year, continue to enthrall visitors from
far and wide.
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