The Maldives, typically represented as a string of pearls, is an incredible Asian tourist destination. Natural beauty abounds across the country. Its unspoiled islands, palm trees, beautiful beaches, lagoons, and coral gardens all captivate people seeking peace and solitude. More than 1,150 islands make up the nation. There are 26 atolls that cover these islands. Many islands are uninhabited, while others are privately owned resort islands. The country stretches 509 miles (820 km) from north to south, and 74 miles (120 km) from east to west. Water bodies make up about 99 per cent of all of the country’s area.
Around 500 BC, the Maldives is said to have seen the first human arrival on its shores.
However, permanent colonisation began in the Maldives about 500 BC, when people from the subcontinent arrived. The Maldives’ first residents are said to have been Hindus and Buddhists. The Arab traders brought Islam in around 12th century and it is now the state religion. There are several fascinating anecdotes of the conversion of a Buddhist nation to a Muslim nation.
The Maldives were subjected to a number of raids by the Portuguese at the start of the 16th century. The Maldives agreed in the 17th century to be protected by the Dutch, who ruled Sri Lanka at the time. After the Sultan signed an agreement with the British in 1887, the kingdom became a British colony. On July 26, 1965, the country was granted independent status, and on November 11, 1968, it was changed from monarchy to republic.
Male, a small island in the middle of the atoll series, is the country’s capital. A population of roughly 75000 people is enough to keep this metropolis buzzing all day. The country’s overall population is estimated to be approximately 375,000 people, comprising of different groups including Sinhalese, Dravidian, Arab, Australasian, and African. Dhivehi is the country’s official language. It is a member of the Indo-European family of languages. In various parts of the country, English is also widely spoken.
Main Destinations
- Male’
- North and South Male’ Atolls
- Ari Atoll
- Northern Atolls
- Southern Atolls
