Maldives.
Turquoise water, fine sand and atolls – the Maldives stand for calm and underwater worlds.
Turquoise water, fine sand and atolls – the Maldives stand for calm and underwater worlds.
Snorkelling and diving straight from the bungalow make many stays unforgettable.
Background
History.
A Buddhist period from about the 5th century CE is archaeologically attested; conversion to Islam is dated to 1153 (tradition of the first Muslim sultan).
Brief Portuguese presence in 1558, then indirect Dutch influence; in 1887 a British protectorate over the sultan. Independence on 26 July 1965, republic in 1968.
The 2004 tsunami devastated many low islands; since then much reclamation and tourism islands with strict zoning.
Must-sees
Top 10.
1. House-reef snorkelling (sharks/rays only with a guide and rules).
2. Bioluminescent beaches (Vaadhoo and others, moon- and plankton-dependent).
3. Maldivian cultural centre in Malé: boatbuilding and everyday life.
4. Hukuru Miskiiy (Friday Mosque, 1656) in Malé with coral-stone carving.
5. Dive sites: Banana Reef, Manta Point (check season).
6. Island-hopping by speedboat or domestic flight plus seaplane.
7. Sandbanks at low tide for photos – watch the current.
8. Thoddoo: agricultural island with melon farms (guest-island tours).
9. Addu Atoll: historic British radar site, bike tours.
10. Check sustainability (solar, desalination, the resort’s waste management).
Gallery
Impressions.
Stay
Hotels in Maldives.
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