Overseas Travel Bureau

Overview

'The Island Kingdom'

For a long time, the Republic of the Maldives was one of the best-kept secrets in the world; a beautiful string of low-lying coral islands in the Indian Ocean, a paradise for watersports enthusiasts and sunseekers alike. Now the tourism potential of the country has developed significantly: the islands have become an increasingly popular long-haul destination.

However, the Maldives is somewhat divided between being an idyllic tourist destination, and being a country with indigenous peoplewho rarely intermix with the tourists. The Dhivehin, as the islanders are called, are a mixed people of Aryan, Negroid, Sinhalese, Dravidian and Arab descent. The mix reveals their history: the islands were under Muslim control from the 12th century, then Portuguese rule from 1518, a dependency of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) in 1645, then a British Protectorate with an elected sultan as head of state in 1887. The islands achieved full independence as a Sultanatein 1965. Three years later, the Republic of the Maldive Islands established Ibrahim Nasir as president, who was succeeded by Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in 1978, who has been the dominant figure in the islands’ politics since then.

Somehow it is difficult to think about the Maldives’ history when relaxing on one of the country’s 26 natural atolls. The resort islands offer nautical delights from night-fishing trips, windsurfing and scuba-diving. Many islands embrace enormous lagoons, where bright blue-green water laps gently. Indeed, photos of the Maldivian sea look doctored: it is only when you travel there that you discover the sea really is that luminous, enchanting colour.

Yet, even in paradise, trouble can bubble beneath the surface. It is precisely because the Maldives are so low-lying (80% of the territory is less than 1m/3.3ft above sea level), so transparent and perfect for snorkelling, that their very existence is especially threatened by global warming. They are also particularly vulnerable to natural catastrophe, as shown in the devastating tsunami on 26 December 2004: of the Maldives’ 199 inhabited islands, 20 were totally destroyed.

These factors need to be seriously discussed by the international community in future years. Otherwise, paradise really might be lost.

General Information

Area
298 sq km (115 sq miles).

Population
338,000 (UN estimate 2005).

Population Density
1,134 per sq km.

Capital
Malé. Population: 70,000 (2005).

Government
Republic since 1965. Gained independence from the UK in 1965.

Language
The national language is Dhivehi. English is widely used as a business language in government offices and the commercial sector. Other languages are widely used within tourist areas.

Religion
The indigenous population is almost entirely Sunni Muslim.

Time
GMT + 5.

Climate
The Maldives have a hot tropical climate. There are two monsoons, the southwest from May to October and the northeast from November to April. Generally the southwest brings more wind and rain in June and July. The temperature rarely falls below 25°C (77°F).

Required Clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens throughout the year. Light waterproofs are advised during the rainy season.

Social Conventions
Dress is informal, but locals who are Muslim will be offended by nudity or scanty clothing in public places, and the government rigidly enforces these standards. Bikinis and other scanty beachwear are not acceptable in Malé or on any other inhabited island; they should be restricted to resort islands only. When entering a mosque, the legs and the body, but not the neck and the face, should be covered. Handshaking is the most common form of greeting. The indigenous population not involved in the tourist trade lives in isolated island communities maintaining almost total privacy. A large number of locals smoke, but smoking and eating during Ramadan is discouraged.

Electricity
230 volts AC, 50Hz. Round-pin plugs are used, although square-pin plugs are now becoming more common.

Head of State
President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom since 1978.

Passport/Visa's

Passports
Passport valid for six months required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas
1. Tourist visas for 30 days will be issued on arrival only and are free of charge to all visitors in possession of valid travel documents.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the high commission/embassy for visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Visa Note
Foreign visitors who enter the Maldives must be in possession of return or onward tickets and a minimum of US$30 (£16) per person per day or confirmed hotel reservation for the intended period of stay in the Maldives.

Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist visas can be extended for a minimum of three months for a fee of MVR750 (£45).

Validity
30 days. Can be extended by three months to one year.

Aplications to:
Visas are issued on arrival at the immigration desk at Maldives International Airport.

Working Days Required
Visa extensions can be requested on arrival at Maldives International Airport, and will be issued immediately provided nationals are holding valid travel documents.

Money

Currency
Maldivian Rufiya (MVR) = 100 laari. Notes are in denominations of MVR500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of MVR2 and 1, and 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 laari.

Currency Exchance
Major currencies can be exchanged at banks, tourist resort islands, hotels and leading shops. Payments in hotels can be made in most hard currencies (particularly US Dollars) in cash, traveller’s cheques or credit cards.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs
Most major island resorts, local and souvenir shops will accept American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa. Arrangements vary from island to island. There are ATMs at a few places on the Capital Island.

Traveller's Cheques
These are generally accepted in Sterling and US Dollars. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in US Dollars.

Banking Hours
Sun-Thurs 0800-1330.

Entertainment

Food and Drink
Malé, the capital, has a few simple restaurants which serve local and international food. On the other islands, there are a few restaurants in addition to those run by the resorts. Cuisine is international, with all foodstuffs other than seafood imported. There are no bars, except in the resorts, where there is a good range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink available, reflecting the demands of the visitors.

Things to know: All bars are situated in tourist resorts (no alcohol is available on Malé). All accept cash, but normally add orders onto the total bill. Locals do not drink at all. During the month of Ramadan, visitors are not allowed to drink alcohol in public except in the tourist resorts.

National specialties:
• Seafood is widely available, such as tuna, grouper, octopus, jobfish and swordfish.
•Kavaabu (deep fried snacks made from rice, tuna, coconut, lentils, and spices).
• Curries, such as chicken or beef, are widely available. Curry leaves are added to a lot of Maldavian dishes.

National drinks:
• The Maldive Lady (a powerful and delicious cocktail, whose composition varies from bar to bar and island to island).

Tipping: This is officially discouraged.

Nightlife
There is little or no organised nightlife, although most resorts have informal discos around the bar areas, sometimes featuring live bands playing either traditional or Western music. Beach parties and barbecues are also popular. On some evenings, many resorts have cultural shows and some show films.

Shopping
Local purchases include sea shells (only when bought in official shops; they may not be removed from the beach or from the sea), lacquered wooden boxes and reed mats.

Note: There are strict prohibitions against the export of coral and turtle-shell.

Shopping hours: Sat-Thurs 0830-2300, Fri 1330-2300. Shops officially shut for 15 minutes five times a day in deference to Muslim prayer times; however, this rule is not always strictly adhered to in the tourist areas away from the capital

Packages

destination detail

Maldives