Introduction to Maldives

The Maldives is located in the Indian Ocean, about 500 Km from the southern tip of both India and Sri Lanka. It is the ideal exotic tropical island paradise. Independent since 1965, and a republic since 1968, the Maldives is a member of the United Nations, the commonwealth and the non-aligned movement. It maintains a very cordial relationship with the international community.

Under the leadership of President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the country is a champion of global peace and preservation of the environment. The population of the country currently stands at 2005 est about 300,000. A common language (Dhivehi) and religion (Islam) unite the people into a cohesive, peaceful society. The country has been inhabited for at least 25 centuries.

The Maldives comprises of about 1190 islands grouped into atolls protected by surrounding coral reefs, which attracts various species of marine life. Coconut palms and tropical plants grow in abundance on most islands. The Maldives straddles the equator and has a tropical climate. The southwest monsoon brings the most of the rain, mostly around June and July. Normally, the skies are clear during the north east monsoon. As of the early 1970’s tourism has burgeoned in the Maldives. Surfers, divers, beach buffs, game fisherman and the sea lovers find the Maldives ideal.

The Maldives has increasingly become extremely accessible, especially by air. Scheduled and charter flights operate on a regular basis from points of origin in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Visitors are issued thirty-day tourist visa on arrival. Apart from normal customs and port Health formalities, nothing stands on the way of the inbound guest and tropical holiday