General information about the Maldives

Official name Republic of Maldives. Capital male. Male International Airport is located on the island Hulule, at a distance of 1 km (10 min ride on a traditional boat «dhoni») from the capital of Maldives - Male. Geography Maldives - 1192 coral islands, located on the south-west of Ceylon, and for ease of administration are grouped into 19 atolls. The total area of 298 square Maldives. km. The main feature of the Maldives - a unique flat relief: there are no hills or rivers, none of the islands do not rise above the water is higher than three meters. More than 99,66% of the territory of that state is under water. Each island is one of the tops of gigantic volcanic mountains, whose foundation rests on the bottom of the Indian Ocean. The length of a coral archipelago is: 820 km from north to south and 120 km from east to west. Population In the Maldives total 339.3 thousand people: Maldivians (Sinhalese, Indians) - 90%, Arabs - 9%. Climate A tropical warm, smooth due to proximity to the equator, without significant fluctuations in temperature throughout the year. The best weather conditions from November to mid April (northeast monsoon): the sea is calm, the weather is sunny and dry. Since the end of April to November the weather is less predictable. South-west monsoon may bring short-term rainfall, high humidity and turbulent sea. However, in this period, the least hot. Storms and waves is particularly likely in June. The average daytime maximum +31 C. The average overnight minimum of 26 C. Water temperature is +24-27 C year round. main religion - Sunni Islam. time difference with Kiev is plus 2 hours in the summer, plus 3 hours in the winter. Language Maldivian (Dhivehi), English. Mobile Communications Owners of mobile phones operating in the standard GSM 900/1800, can use them in the Maldives. Currency Rufiyaa (Maldives rupee) = 100 GEL, 1 USD = 12 rufy. Visa Tourist visa for a period of 30 days to be marked free on arrival at the airport. Customs is forbidden to import pornography and erotica (magazines, video cassettes). If you bring liquor (even if it is bought in Duty Free), then it confiscated and returned to you on departure. Transfer Depending on the remoteness of the islands resorts hotels provide tourist shuttle boats Dhoni, speed boats, seaplanes, as well as local airplanes, which carry tourists to the most remote corners of the country.