The
Republic of
Maldives is a small nation of around 2,
70,000 people. The country comprises some 1192 tiny islands stretched out
across the equator in a vertical strip, of which 200 are inhabited today.
Traditionally a fishing and trading people, the Maldivians have a history,
culture and language all of their own.
The
idea of developing
Maldives’
unspoilt, palm- fringed tropical islands with dazzling white beaches and
brilliant turquoise lagoons as a tourist destination began in 1972. Eighty
Seven resorts of various standards and tastes have since been built, each on
its own uninhabited island and surrounded by one of the best preserved marine
environments anywhere in the world.
Tourism
development is very well planned and regulated with great attention paid to its
sensitive nature. The environmental policy of ecological sustainable tourism
development is regarded as an example to the world. As a result, the tourism
industry has been enormously successful.
Recent
years have been characterized by modernization and a very high rate of economic
growth, most notably in Male, the capital city which is fully open to visitors.
Some island communities close to tourist resorts are accessible for short
visits.
Resort
Island, specially built for tourists,
are all-inclusive, each coming as a self-sufficient entity in terms of
facilities offered and the abounding natural beauty. A few hotels and guest houses
are available in Male.
HISTORY
The
existence of the Maldives was well known from around 2000 BC and it was
situated in the then trading routes of several ancient maritime’s such as
Egyptians, Romans, Mesopotamia’s and Indus Valley traders. The people of this
time who lived in the
Maldives
were known as Redin- a legendary sun-worshipping people.
The
second wave of settlers probably arrived from
Sri
Lanka and southern
India around 500 BC and were
Buddhists. The conversion to Islam took place in the mid - 12th century under
the influence of Arab traders and the country has remained Muslim ever since.
In
the sixteenth century, there was a short occupation by the Portuguese. When the
British took possession of
Ceylon
in 1796, the
Maldives
maintained good relations with them, although neither the Dutch not the British
established a colonial administration. When
Ceylon
gained independence in 1948, a defence pact was signed which gave the British
control of foreign affairs but not the right to interfere internally, and also
facilities on
Gan
Island, Addu Atoll in the
south of the country, for the British forces to defend the islands and the
Commonwealth. In 1965, when the
Maldives
became a member of the United nations and
Britain
ceased to be responsible for their defence,
Britain recognized the islands as a
completely sovereign and independent state.
GEOGRAPHY
Charles
Darwin was the first to put forward the theory that atolls can develop from
coral growth that has built up around the edges of a submerged volcanic peak.
The
Maldives is part of a
submerged volcanic mountain range which extends from the
Lakshadweep
Islands near
India to well
south of the equator. Over hundreds of thousands of years, corals buildup sinks
back into the ocean. Coral are a living colony of polyps, tiny tentacled
creatures that feed on plankton. These polyps excrete limestone skeletons which
build up as rock-like aggregation and new polyps attach themselves in
successive layers to the skeletions. Thus only the outer layer of a coral is
alive.
ENTRY
INTO THE
MALDIVES
Most
visitors to the
Maldives
travel by air. On arrival at
Male
International
Airport,
visitors receive a one month tourist visa free of charge. All visitors arriving
from a yellow fever infested area require a certificate of inoculation. ( Note:
It is illegal for visitors to bring in any illicit drugs, alcohol, pornography,
pork, firearm and dangerous animals.)
Prices
in resorts are in US dollars, although all major forms of currency and credit
cards are accepted.
MAIN
ATTRACTIONS
A
very friendly and hospitable people; ideal weather all the year round, except for
the two monsoon periods experienced in June, July, November and December when
ir gets a bit soggy; An easy -going simple lifestyle; Crystal clear waters in
azure lagoons; Snow-white beaches of coral sands; Breathtaking underwater
beauty with colourful corals and exotic marine life; The combination of all
these and more makes the Maldives a unique destination for tourists.
BEACH
RESORT
ISLANDS
A
beach resort is a world of its own. It is a self- contained island ringed with
shallow clear turquoise water, which in turn is surrounded by a coral reef
teeming with marine life. Most of the rooms are situated a few meters away from
the beach under the shade of tall coconut palms. Some resorts do have
over-water bungalows too.
Every
resort has a fully- equipped diving school with PADI or other internationally
certified instructors. Water sports such as windsurfing, catamaran sailing,
water-skiing , banana riding are widely available. The archipelago with its
open high seas and windy ambience produces enough waves to challenge the highs
of every diehard surfer.
No
matter which resort you stay at, you have access to international telephone and
facsimile services, also Internet facilities in some resorts. Some of the high
class resorts offer international convention facilities as well.
Not
to miss, is a full-day excursion to different islands where barbecue lunch is
usually served in the shade of coconut palms just off the beach. Equally
enjoyable is a snorkelling trip to nearby reefs where multi -coloured fishes
are in abundance. That is not the end! A fishing trip at night will be an
unforgettable memory.