This is the perfect place for beach holiday, where the most beautiful white beaches with fine coral sand are located. The Maldives is the dream of many people dreaming of quiet blue lagoons and beautiful green palm trees that can take travelers to a fabulous blissful paradise for even a few days.

There are practically no cars here, and it is always quiet and calm. In part and because of this, the Maldives is considered one of the most best places for relax.

Where are the Maldives located on the world map?

Coordinates of the Maldives: 3 ° 28´36´´N, 72 ° 50´12´´E.
The Maldives are located almost at the equator itself, and therefore it is always warm here, and the temperature is kept within + 28-30 ° C.
The archipelago stretches from north to south for 820 km and from west to east for 120 km. And due to the fact that these are just coral formations without mountains and volcanoes, the Maldives rise above the sea by no more than 3 meters. In the future, this threatens the complete destruction of the islands, where the most luxurious hotels in the world are located, due to the constant rise in sea levels. It is possible that the Maldives could disappear within 30 years.

Maldives on world map

Finding the place where the islands are located is not so easy. The Maldives is a very small archipelago lost in Indian Ocean southwest of India and Sri Lanka by 700 km. The Maldives archipelago is located on 19 coral atolls with more than 1000 islands. But they are far from all inhabited, only 88 of them are considered to be resort ones. There are islands for the indigenous people of the Maldives, but this is not the most tourist placewhere visitors never look. And there are small uninhabited islands, which can be reached by renting a yacht.

The islands are located far from other states, having no land borders with any country. The Maldives, washed by the Indian Ocean, have only a sea border:

• with Sri Lanka;
• and India.

Popular resort islands in the Maldives

Most the best beaches located on the atolls, which are the most visited resort islands:

• Daalu - Diving island was chosen by fans of diving;


• Ari- the island attracts with its gorgeous variety of flora and fauna, where turtle bays are located. Here wealthy tourists who come to the Maldives can go water skiing, go to sea \u200b\u200bfishing or just relax in an expensive hotel on a secluded beach;


• Faafu - a paradise for those who strive for a comfortable stay. There are many restaurants and spa centers here;


• Male is the capital of the Maldives. The area of \u200b\u200bthe city, which occupies the entire island, is only 2 km², but even this tiny site has a lot to see. For example, the old mosque "Good Friday" Presidential palace, the national museum and various colorful markets. True, there is no entertainment other than walking along the embankment and streets here.

The islands are also distinguished by the fact that there are not many accommodation options. Hotels in the Maldives have the following peculiarity: there is usually only one villa on one island, where the best and most comfortable rooms are located. But we must remember that the Maldives is an expensive paradise. And you can stay not only in the hotel rooms, but in various coastal bungalows with thatched roofs and glass bottom.

The islands are located far from other states, having no land borders with any country. The Maldives, washed by the Indian Ocean, have only a maritime border with Sri Lanka and India. Get to these paradise islands not so easy, and therefore the rest in the Maldives remains for many people a very expensive and unrealizable dream.

Many people dream of white sand, closed lagoons and wonderful hotels... Its secluded location makes this paradise a romantic getaway to some of the most secluded corners of the planet. Lovers dream of spending a few unforgettable moments here, escape from the hustle and bustle of megacities to a quiet, serene rest. And a wedding in the Maldives is the ultimate dream for many brides.

- the dream of all beach, sand and water lovers. This place amazes with its tranquility, beauty and privacy. Tourists from this country spend their days on the beach feeling silky white sandlooking at the clear blue water.

Despite the diversity of the animal world, there are no dangerous, poisonous animals in the country.

The Maldives has an excellent climate - temperatures all year round vary from + 17 ° C to + 32 ° C. This strange thing cannot be imagined without coconuts, fish and rice, as well as various types of spices. In each institution, tourists are offered national dishes such as “hikimas”, “rihaukuru”, “kuli borkiba” pies. And many hotels offer entertainment such as giving tourists the opportunity to catch their own dinner! Peace of mind and harmony in this place is provided. Often they say about the Maldives: This is heaven on earth!

Maldives on world map

Shown below interactive map Maldives in Russian from Google. You can move the map to the right and left, up and down with the mouse, as well as change the scale of the map with the "+" and "-" icons, which are located at the bottom right of the map, or with the mouse wheel. In order to find out where the Maldives are located on the world map, use the same method to further reduce the scale of the map.

In addition to the map with the names of objects, you can look at the Maldives from the satellite, if you click on the "Show satellite map»In the lower left corner of the map.

Another map of Maldives is shown below. You can print it and take it with you on the road.

You were presented with the most basic and detailed maps of the Maldives, which you can always use to find the object of interest to you or for any other purposes. Enjoy your travels!

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Where are the Maldives on the world map and the Indian Ocean

We often hear that the most best rest Is a vacation on the islands. And you know, those who had a rest on the islands will definitely confirm this. There are beautiful, gorgeous beaches, far from the "big" land, there is no noise, fresh air… There are a lot of advantages and advantages, but there are few islands. Some of the most beloved and most visited are the Maldives. On the world map, you need to look for them in the Indian Ocean, south of India. The capital of the atolls is Male, and the population does not exceed half a million inhabitants.

Geography: where are the Maldives

As we have already written, the Maldives is located in the Indian Ocean. Sri Lanka is about 700 kilometers away. About the same to the shores of India.
The Maldives is a chain of 26 atolls, and they, in turn, consist of 1192 coral islands. Surprisingly, the Maldives is the lowest located state! The most high point is located at an altitude of about 2.4 meters above sea level. That is, in fact, any average wave can easily flood the entire state.
The capital of the islands is the city of Male. This is generally the only city on islands. Most of the inhabitants of the archipelago live here.

As we said, the closest neighbors are Sri Lanka and India. And then only a huge endless ocean! There are almost five thousand kilometers to the coast of Africa, and even more to Australia, about seven thousand kilometers.

Climate and weather

Thanks to its geographic location, it's hot in the Maldives all year round... The air temperature ranges from +24 to +30 degrees, depending on the month. The lowest temperature is recorded in winter, when the air can cool down to +17 at night, and the highest temperature is in May, and it is equal to +32 degrees.
The dry season lasts from November to March and the rainy season lasts from June to August.

Undersea world

The underwater world off the coast of the Maldives is very diverse. Why, this is the Indian Ocean!
Coral reefs are home to over 1,100 species of fish. There are five species of sea turtles, 21 species of whales and dolphins, and many, many other marine inhabitants.
No wonder this place is so loved by diving enthusiasts. Any diving off the coast of the Maldives is always a beautiful adventure and incredible views. A lot of interesting and scientific videos are filmed here. Expeditions take place here all the time. If you are going here on vacation, then at least once, but it is worth diving under the water with scuba diving.

Tourism accounts for a third of the island's economy, accounting for 28% of the country's total GDP
- the state sells its products for $ 125 million, and buys other products for $ 1.2 billion
- most of the export is fish. This product accounts for about 70% of all sales
- any island of the Maldives can be crossed on foot for two hours
- many of the islands of the archipelago are uninhabited

The Maldives is a scattering of picturesque atolls in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Everything here disposes to bliss: kilometers of secluded beaches, upscale hotels and very beautiful nature... Everything about the Maldives: diving and surfing, photos, prices, weather and tours.

• Last Minute Tours to the Maldives
• Tours for May all over the world

The Maldives, the famous "residents" of the equatorial waters of the Indian Ocean, are rightfully considered one of the best exotic destinations. There are 1,190 islands (or rather, atolls) and all of them are like a selection: with blue lagoons, sandy beaches and unique vegetation. There is everything for relaxation: peace and quiet, beautiful nature, rich underwater world. And also something without which any dignity of any resort immediately fades in the eyes modern tourists - good hotels and a high level of service.

Prices, I must say, in the Maldives are also quite "at the level": travelers here can afford holidays, whose income level is defined by marketers as "above average". Having laid out a significant amount for the trip, the following categories of vacationers will be 100% satisfied with the vacation. Maniac divers who dive three times a day. This is the most problem-free subspecies of tourists: they will still be delighted, diving like ducklings from morning to night. Happy married (or outside) couples who do not need anyone except each other. They can find a hotel with the appropriate setting - there are plenty of them on the islands. And, of course, seekers of an absolutely relaxed holiday in the setting of a tropical paradise.

Moscow time difference

2 hours

• with Kaliningrad

• with Samara

• with Yekaterinburg

• with Omsk

• with Krasnoyarsk

• with Irkutsk

• with Yakutsk

• with Vladivostok

• with Severo-Kurilsk

• with Kamchatka

History and legend

According to legend, once life in the Maldives was not at all as cloudless as glossy catalogs suggest. Sea genie Rannamaari, for trouble local residents settled in their territorial waters, demanded regular human sacrifice every full moon, and exclusively in the form of virgins from the island of Male. The poor fellows were taken to a certain temple, and in the morning they were found dead.

But not all the carnival for the cat: once a traveler from the distant Maghreb, Abdul-Barakat ul-Barbari, arrived at the atoll. The stranger took pity on the girls (for whom the compatriots apparently did not care) and on the full moon he sat down in the temple in the place of the victim. He read the Koran all night, and in the morning it turned out that the genie had escaped, unable to bear the power of the holy book. So the women were saved, and the Maldivians, with joy, converted to Islam - therefore, now there are mosques everywhere, a ban on the import of alcohol and no topless (presumably, they are afraid that the genie might return). However, this did not affect the amazing nature of the archipelago - and therefore its attractiveness for tourists.

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Climate

The climate of the Maldives is warm and humid. Air temperature during the day is about +30 ° C, at night +26 ° C, water +26 ° C. Due to its close proximity to the equator, seasonal changes associated with monsoons are almost imperceptible. During the southwest monsoon (May to October) it rains more often and the weather is more windy. The northeast monsoon season (November to February) is considered less humid.

Maldives maps

Visa and customs

Police: 119, Fire Department: 118, ambulance: 102.

Beaches in the Maldives

In the Maldives, all roads lead to the beach: fine white sand, perfectly blue waves, tall palm trees - everywhere you look, pictures from advertising posters come to life everywhere. The coast is wide, spacious almost everywhere, equipped with amenities and umbrellas, saving from the scorching sun. Most of the beaches are owned by hotels, and the plots accountable to modest "three rubles" are not much inferior in terms of grooming and comfort to luxury five-star zones.

It is strictly forbidden to sunbathe topless and drink alcohol on Maldivian beaches.

In the list famous beaches archipelago - Naladu and Banyan Three on Male 'atoll, San and Nika on Ari atoll. Turtles nest on the shores of Laviani, dolphins splash off the coast of Maafushi. Wealthy audiences relax on the islands of Hadahaa (Gaafu Alif Atoll), Kunfunadu (Baa Atoll) and Veligandu (Ari Atoll). There is an equipped beach even in the capital: of course, it is not as spectacular as recreation areas on luxury resortsbut quite suitable for surfing and sunbathing. And the most vivid impressions will be given by night swimming on the "luminous" beach: underwater microorganisms and luminescent algae on the coast of Vaadu (South Male) shimmer in the dark with blue lights, creating the effect of a starry sky descending to the earth.

Diving in the Maldives

Maldives ... how much of this word has merged for the heart of a diver: a comfortable water temperature (+ 27 ° C at a depth of 40 m), and excellent visibility up to 30 m and, of course, professional dive centers. The disadvantages of the direction include strong currents outside the reefs. Best season for scuba diving in the archipelago - the period from January to April, when the weather is sunny and the water is clear. Giraavaru Island Resort in the North Atoll has over 20 sites known to divers from all over the world.

For beginners, diving on the reefs is ideal, either on the inner slopes or inside the atoll. Advanced divers will be interested in the outer surface of the reef (there are amazing oceanic fish in caves with ledges and terraces), but do not forget about the strong currents and breaking waves. The underwater coral slides are very interesting - their tops are at a depth of 5 to 25 m, and the base is up to 40 m.

In addition, there are several interesting wrecks in the Maldives, for example, the cargo ship "Victoria" with the remains of goods brought to the islands, or the steamer "Chaika", which sank at the end of the 19th century - its hull was completely split in two. Some popular sites: national reserve Embudu with a stunningly diverse underwater world, Felivaru and Halaveli wrecks (you can see giant stingrays here), Maaya reef, a cozy channel between the reefs of Fushi, teeming with many inhabitants, a secluded dive site of Rakido, Guraidhoo protected marine area, "shark" site of Miyaru ...

Read more about local diving in the article by our permanent expert, charming Veronica Birman, "Diving without lyrics - 13. Soul of the Maldives".

Surfing

Riding the board on the waves is a relatively recent entertainment in the Maldives: only in the late 80s. the first surfers came here. Today, the islands are considered one of the most popular surfing spots in the world: they are never crowded here (the number of people going out to sea is regulated by a special service), and the waves are just a sight for sore eyes: high, stable, ideal shape. Lohifushi Island regularly hosts the prestigious O'Neill Deep Blue Open international tournament.

There are 7 popular surfing spots in the Maldives, including Sultans, Pasta Point (with the exclusive right to “rent” waves by the Atoll Adventures club) and the so-called “Police Island”. The most wonderful surfing is from June to September, the height of local waves is from 1 to 2.5 m.

You can also practice surfing in the capital Male: there is a sandy bottom, and there is no risk of cutting yourself on corals at low tide. True, the landscapes are not as picturesque as in the atoll resorts.

Wedding in the Maldives

Entertainment and attractions

All the main beauties of the Maldives are located below sea level, there are no special attractions on land. There is the unremarkable capital of Male (excursion from 40 USD), many similar uninhabited islands where people like to have picnics (from 35 USD), as well as a kind of "action" - fishing excursion. Perhaps the only remarkable surface excursion is the "Photo-flight", a flight over the islands by seaplane. It costs a lot: for 15-20 minutes in the air, you will have to pay about 150-250 USD. Other popular excursions are a yacht cruise (from USD 80-90) or a submarine dive (USD 45-50).

Do you know how an atoll differs from “just an island”? Just in case, we give a certificate: the atoll is coral island in the form of a continuous or burst ring surrounding the lagoon. If you look from under the water, the atoll will most likely turn out to be a long-extinct volcano, on the slopes of which a coral reef once began to grow - yes, it grew so much that it gradually appeared on the surface. But the top of the volcano, on the contrary, collapsed over the centuries and sank under water. You know the rest: people came from somewhere on the formed ring, built hotels with restaurants and spas, and opened diving centers.

If the soul still requires a cultural program, we recommend visiting National Museum on the territory of the picturesque Sultan Park, the Islamic Center under the golden dome and the Presidential Palace in Male. The country's oldest Old Friday Mosque with a unique minaret (1656) and the tomb of Mohammed Takurufanu, a legend of national resistance, are also located here. There are ruins on Ari atoll buddhist temple 90 BC e., on the island of Matirah (Haa-Alif atoll) - a mausoleum with a sacred tomb, a place of pilgrimage for Muslims.

Holidays and events

Major holidays in the Maldives are patriotic and religious in nature. The most magnificent celebrations take place on Independence Day, July 26: the islanders have fun in honor of the long-awaited exit from the protectorate of Britain and the declaration of sovereignty. On the first day of the month of Rabi al-Awal, Nation Day is celebrated in honor of the liberation from the Portuguese invaders by the troops of Mohammed Takurufanu. On the 12th day of the same month, the birth of the Prophet Muhammad is celebrated.

The end of the holy Ramadan marks Eid al-Adha: three days of plentiful meals, visits and other entertainments. Eid al-Adha begins 70 days later with traditional divine services and sacrifices. November 3 - Victory Day in honor of the coup d'état averted in 1988. In the first month of the Muslim calendar, Muharram, religious celebrations are held to mark the Islamic New Year.

December 10 is one of the most colorful local holidays: Fisherman's Day with festivities and noisy fairs. Adored by foreign tourists New Year (January 1) and Christmas (December 25) arrange bright celebrations in hotels and on city streets: the degree of fun depends only on the thickness of the wallet.

Tourists who decide to enjoy exoticism, romance, serene happiness, bird trills, the scent of tropical flowers, think about where they are. Best time for visiting the islands: the beginning of winter - the beginning of spring, which cannot be said about May-October, when tropical rains "attack" the Maldives. Despite them, the tourist flow here does not decrease, because the air here is always warmed up to at least + 28-30˚C.

Maldives: where are these tropical islands?

The location of the Maldives (capital - Male) is South Asia. They are located in the Indian Ocean, on 20 atolls (Kaafu, Haa-Alif, Raa, Meemu, Baa, Dhaalu, Vaavu, Thaa and others), consisting of more than 1000 islets of coral origin, which are not all inhabited (88 of them are resort places, and 200 - the local population lives) and slightly rose above sea level. The highest point of the Maldives archipelago is 2.4 m (Addu atoll).

The area of \u200b\u200bthe Maldives is 90,000 sq. Km (of which about 300 sq. Km are occupied by land). Of the closest neighbors of the Maldives, and stand out, the distance to which is 670 km and 600 km, respectively.

How to get to the Maldives?

Russians can use a direct flight -: on board the Airbus A330-200, owned by Aeroflot, they will spend 9 hours. Those interested can make a transfer at the airport, or (connecting takes at least 3-5 hours) - you can familiarize yourself with the options for connecting flights on the website of Srilankan Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways... For those who live in, it is advisable to fly to the Maldives, making a stop, for example, at (Malaysia Airlines + Air Astana).

It is worth considering that if the airport tax was not included in the ticket price, leaving the country will have to pay $ 10.

Holidays in the Maldives

On the South Male Atoll, the Kanduma resort stands out, delighting surfers with good waves in May-September. Diving in this atoll can be done on the sites Guraidhoo corner (there are eagles, tuna, barracuda, grays and sharks with white fins), Kandooma Thila (famous for grottoes, as well as various underwater inhabitants who have chosen part of the reef in the west) and others.

Those who decide to go scuba diving in the Ari atoll will meet moray eels, parrot fish, reef shark, and napoleon fish.

North Male Atoll is interesting for its capital, where you can admire the Muliage Palace, see the Medu Ziyarat Chapel, the old Friday Mosque and the Hukuru Mosque, and spend time in Sultans Park.

Baa Atoll attracts divers who are invited to check in at Reethi Beach Resort (dolphins splash next to the hotel).

Those who want to watch exotic birds come to Addu Atoll, which arrive to winter on the local lake in October-March. Another interesting place - the island of Gan, whose guests prefer to make water safaris, engage in night and morning fishing, as well as windsurfing. As for the divers, interesting underwater inhabitants and the British Loyalty tanker, located at a depth of 30 meters, are waiting for them on the Addu Atoll.

Maldives beaches

• Artificial Beach: water activities and swimming conditions are available here, as well as street dancers and musicians give their "concerts".
• Conrad Rangali Beach: Those who come to this beach, swim in clear water and bask on the white sand, surrounded by tropical greenery.
• Cocoa Island Beach: there you can stay in one of the villas located by the ocean, and enjoy a carefree vacation, snorkeling and diving.

Souvenirs from the Maldives

In the Maldives, you should buy souvenirs in the form of coconut sausage, national dresses with embroidery decorating the neck, woven mats, shark jaws, coconut oil, black lacquered boxes, multi-colored seashells, miniature fishing boats.