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Republic of Maldives -

The Republic of Maldives is located in the Indian Ocean. Dhivehi is the main language spoken, but English, Arabic, and Hindi are also used.

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Atolls -

The Maldives is a country of islands. There are around 1,200 islands that are all grouped into atolls, which is just a cluster of islands. The Maldives is the lowest country in the world, with its highest point at only 6 feet (1.8 meters)!

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Coral reefs -

The Maldives is home to an incredible 187 varieties of coral, which support an incredibly rich aquatic ecosystem. The water is so blue that getting a good look at nature is easy.

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"Money Isles" -

Around 2nd century CE, the Maldives was known as the "Money Isles" because it was full of cowrie shells. Cowrie shells were the local currency back then, so the beaches were literally strewn with money.

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Colonialism -

Nevertheless, the Maldives were not rich for long after the shells ran out. The islands were a convenient trading stop for larger powers. They have passed through Portuguese, Dutch, and British hands. Independence was only gained in 1965.

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Fishing and tourism -

Nowadays Maldivians heavily rely on fishing and luxury tourism for their income, but it used to only be fishing. The fish in the Maldives is deliciously fresh. You can see all the beautiful blue boats on a trip to Malé, the capital city.

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Religion -

It is good to bear in mind that the majority of Maldivians are Muslims. It is encouraged to cover up your skin in public, and alcoholic beverages cannot be brought into the country. However, these rules do not apply to the resorts.

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Tropical monsoon climate -

It is rarely cold in the Maldives, but everyone gets a bit chilly if you're soaked to the bone. The wet season runs from May to October, when it is often cloudy with large downpours. Going in the dry season is highly recommended.

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The first resort -

In 1972, the Maldives took its first step to becoming a luxury destination with Kurumba Resort. Celebrities started going to the natural haven and brought with them a demand for more resorts.

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The St. Regis Vommuli Resort -

There are around 130 resorts in the Maldives, but the St. Regis Resort is considered one of the most opulent. Every resort has "water villas," which are houses on stilts where you can wake up to crystal blue water.

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Luxury rooms -

Every resort has its own style, but generally the standard of design and luxury is very high. This room is from the Four Seasons Resort on Kuda Huraa. It costs around US$800 per night.

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Who goes there? -

It's no surprise that the Maldives is frequented by the rich and famous. It's often used for weddings and honeymoons. Recently, stars such as Taylor Swift, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Madonna have been spotted here.

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What can you do? -

There are a plethora of nature and water activities to do in the Maldives. Here, it is all about the natural beauty of Earth rather than cultural activities.

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Surfing -

There couldn't be a more heavenly place to learn to surf. The waves are relatively gentle, the water is warm, and the sand is soft.

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Diving -

For those underwater enthusiasts, the Maldives provides one of the richest arrays of sea life in the world. The best diving instructors work in the Maldives, where there are some 1,100 different species of fish. For those not quite ready for diving, there is also epic snorkeling. Most resorts provide a guide to show you the greatest spots.

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Sealife -

The Maldives is also home to five different sea turtle species. In July and August, the turtle eggs that have been laid on the beaches hatch. Thousands of mini turtles wobble into the sea. It is not a sight to be missed!

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Reef manta rays -

You will find the largest population of reef manta rays in the world here. Many refer to them as the "devilfish" because of their malevolent horns. You will find them congregating around the Baa Atoll on the eastern side of the Maldives.

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Echinoderms -

These beautiful starfish adorn the Maldivian coral reefs. Along with sea cucumbers, sand dollars, and the like, the Maldives has over 80 types of echinoderms to ogle at.

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Mollusks -

This funky friend is a kind of mollusk that resides on coral reefs. It is one of 400 different types that live in the Maldives. Each one is more colorful than the last.

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Dolphins and sharks -

A sunset can't get better than this. The Maldives is host to some 20 different kinds of sharks and dolphins. In some resorts you can even swim with them. And if you're very lucky, you will see an albino dolphin–they appear magically pink in the water!

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Spas -

There are world-renowned spas in the Maldives that sometimes take up whole islands. The sand and Sri Lankan-inspired spa techniques are tremendously relaxing and restorative.

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Cuisine -

Much of the local food is similar to Sri Lankan cuisine. There are many vegetable and fish curries made with coconut milk. However, the resorts fly in some of the best chefs in the world, so there is no shortage of choice. Japanese cuisine is especially well done because of the fresh fish.

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Special dining experiences -

Eating in the Maldives is especially pleasurable because you can have special dining arrangements such as eating on a deck on the ocean, eating by the pool, or, on the beach. If this isn't luxury, we don't know what is!

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Malé -

The capital city is a sight to behold not in terms of beauty, but because of the ingeniousness with which they have constructed a city on a sand island. When you fly into the Maldives, you will almost certainly land here. It's worth taking a peek around.

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Hukuru Miskiiy -

While you're in Malé, take a look here. There are very few buildings that have survived time because of the constant flooding and unstable land. However, this UNESCO site, known as the "Old Friday Mosque," is one of the oldest and most ornate.

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Malé fish market -

The fishing industry is thriving in the Maldives, and there is no better place to see the spread than at the market. Here you'll find locals selling freshly-caught tuna, wahoo, and barracuda.

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Coral bleaching -

Finally, it should not be forgotten that the Maldives is in environmental peril. The low land level means it is particularly prone to flooding. Also, rising ocean temperatures have been killing the coral reefs. So when you go, make sure you are supporting an eco-friendly resort to keep this beautiful place alive!

Sources: (The Maldives Expert)(Travel and Leisure)(Britannica)

See also: The world's best snorkeling destinations

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