The Maldives is a tropical paradise made up of 1190 coral islands forming 26 atolls. Only 202 islands are inhabited, and 87 are private resorts. The country’s economy is driven by tourism and fishing. The Maldives is environmentally conscious and is known for its pristine waters and coral reefs.
The country of Maldives has been called “the last paradise on earth” due to its stunning tropical beauty that seems untouched by modern man. It is made up of 1190 coral islands which form archipelagos made up of 26 atolls. Atolls are rings of islands that form lagoons, and this is what sets the Maldives apart from other tropical islands. Located on the equator, southwest of the Indian Ocean country of Sri Lanka, it is a destination for the discerning and typically wealthy traveler.
The string of islands that make up the Maldives stretches over 500 miles (820 km) from its southern tip to its northern tip and is no wider than 80 miles (130 km). Of the 1190 islands, only 202 are inhabited and another 87 are private resort islands. The average temperature throughout the year is 84-90°C (29-32°F), and the best time to visit is during the dry season, which runs from December to April.
The Maldives were first settled around 3,000 years ago. While it is not known exactly who the first settlers were, it is generally known that the Giraavaru tribe is the oldest tribe on the islands. The Aryans, originally from Sri Lanka and India most likely arrived in the area around 1500. Its culture and people have been influenced by the fact that the country sits directly on historic trade routes and its goods have been found in all over the world, dating back to antiquity. On December 16, 1887, the Maldives became a British protectorate at the hands of the Sultan of the Maldives.
On July 26, 1965, the Maldives became an independent nation. It became a republic in 1968 when Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasu was chosen as the first president. It remains a democratic republic and belongs to several international organizations such as the United Nations. The Maldives are extremely environmentally conscious, due to the fragile nature of the islands, coral reefs and lagoons. Its motto is “Independent Maldives, Clean Maldives” and many of its government programs focus on maintaining its natural beauty. The Maldives has also taken part in many international environmental conferences and summits.
The Maldives economy continues to grow at a rapid pace thanks to the booming tourism trade which accounts for around 20% of the country’s GDP, followed by fishing. Visitors will find the Maldives easy to navigate: although the official language is Dhivehi, English is widely spoken by many Maldivians. The inhabited parts of the country are all accessible from the country’s capital, Malé. Most tourists come to snorkel or scuba dive the pristine waters and coral reefs, and many more come for its out-of-the-way exclusivity.
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