The Republic of Maldives, often known as the Maldives Islands, is an autonomous island republic located in the north-central Indian Ocean. It is made up of a series of roughly 1,200 tiny coral islands and sandbanks, of which about 200 are inhabited and organised into clusters or atolls. The Maldives is a prominent tropical holiday destination that has been recognized by the international tourism sector. To top it all off, it’s a fascinating destination to visit, with its distinct history, culture, and traditions. These are some of the most intriguing facts about the Maldives that you should know, and after reading you will definitely want to visit the Maldives, the heaven on earth.
19 Amazing Facts About Maldives
1. The Maldives is the flattest nation in the world
Yeah, it is an incredible and astounding truth that the Maldives is the flattest country in the world, with an average altitude of 1.8 metres above sea level. The next closest country to the Maldives is Qatar, which has an elevation of 28 metres above sea level. It’s only 26.2 metres longer. Thus, the Maldives is truly incredibly flat. The highest point in the entire country is 2.3 metres, which is located at a point in Villing island.
2. Maldives’ Indian Connection
Another fascinating truth about the Maldives is that it was created by an Indian ruler who was exiled. As a punishment, an Indian ruler was dispatched from the kingdom of Kalinga to run over the Maldives islands at approximately 270 BC. Sri Soorudasaruna Adeettiya is supposed to have been the first monarch of the island, which was then known as Dheeva Maari, and to have started the Maldives’ Adeetta Dynasty.
3. Maldives Has a Unique Weekend
Saturday and Sunday are considered weekends in most countries. The Maldives, unlike its western counterparts, considers Friday and Saturday to be weekends rather than Saturday and Sunday. As a result, don’t be surprised to find people working on Sundays in the Maldives. On Fridays, individuals in Muslim nations go to mosques to worship. For Muslims, Friday is considered an auspicious day.
4. The Maldivian Flag
The Maldives flag consists of a green rectangle in the centre with a crescent moon on it, encircled by a red rectangle. The crimson commemorates the sacrifice of those who fought and died in defence of the country, the green represents peace and prosperity, and the crescent moon represents Islam.
5. Maldives is always overcast
The weather in the Maldives is typically overcast. The Maldives’ weather is influenced by two seasons: the winter north-eastern monsoon; November to March and the wet southwestern summer monsoon season; June to August. What do you think? The Maldives usually has rains that’s what comes with living so close to the equator.
6. Maldives beaches are white
Because Maldives beaches are constructed of coralline rather than quartz, the sand in the Maldives is white rather than yellow like other sand. This is a one-of-a-kind sand colour that is also extremely rare, accounting for only 5% of all beaches worldwide.
7. The Maldives is a conservative country
Being a totally Muslim country, visiting visitors are required to follow some of its practices. Several of these limitations apply to the intake of alcohol, meat, and nudity. Nudity and topless sunbathing are also prohibited in the Maldives, even on your resort’s private beach. Alcohol is only permitted in hotels and resorts and is forbidden everywhere else. Bringing it off the resort’s premises is likewise prohibited. According to Muslim beliefs, all alcohol and eating ports are prohibited.
8. The Maldives is regarded as the safest tourist destination
You’ll be inspired to travel to the Maldives after reading this amazing fact about the country. Because all of its islands are distinct from one another and small and controllable, the Maldives is recognized as one of the safest tourist destinations in the world. The locals are quite modest and courteous, and there are no safety concerns.
9. Maldives is sinking as a result of its height
It is shocking and saddening to know this fact that the Maldives is swiftly submerging into the ocean as a result of its far below-average height as well as other causes including rising sea levels and accelerating land erosion. While strict rules are in place to prevent it, the island will be totally submerged by 2030 if the sinking continues at the current rate.
10. The value of the coconut tree
There is a solid reason why the coconut tree is one of the emblems chosen to represent the Maldives. Coconuts are grown. It is widely planted across the island country and offers beach shade in addition to being an excellent source of wood that is sturdy enough to be used to construct local boats or dhonis.
11. Turtle variety in Maldives
The Maldives is a rather diverse country in terms of biology. There are five different types of sea turtles that may be found there, including the loggerhead, leatherback, green, and hawksbill. Visitors are thrilled to see these stunning turtles. People may take special journeys to visit these turtles, and the scene is breathtaking.
12. Adult Maldivians are 98% literate
Maldives claims a 98% adult literacy rate, a 100% enrollment rate in elementary schools, and a 99% graduation rate. Being proud of something is important since, in 1978, just 70% were. The Maldives government has worked on many programmes with UNICEF to raise the educational standards for its children; it is estimated that 35% of the country’s population is under the age of 18.
13. The Maldives’ currency
Cowry shells, which are still present in the Maldives, were once used as money. This earlier currency was recognised by the locals, and images of them are also found on coins and notes of contemporary money.
14. Incredible under life water experience
The underwater world in the Maldives is an incredible experience, teeming with life. A year-round tourist destination, the Maldives are well known for their rich underwater biodiversity. The coral reefs of the Maldives are home to 10–12 species of dolphins and whales among the thousands of kinds of tiny fish. If you haven’t seen the stunning underwater life of the Maldives, your vacation there will be lacking.
15. Smallest Muslim nation in the world
The Maldives’ constitution outlaws the practice of any other religion save Islam. As a result, the Maldives’ population is entirely Muslim, and as of 2008, a person who is not Muslim cannot be a citizen of the country. Worry not; despite the lack of public respect for different faiths, travellers are free to practise their beliefs in private without interference.
16. Maldives has a strict constitutional policy
Only Muslims are permitted to declare themselves citizens of the Maldives, according to the country’s strict constitution. Every other religion but Islam is prohibited. Maldives has a rigid constitution as a result.
17. Maldives land of atolls and islands
This is one of the remarkable natural circumstances that the Maldives enjoy. It’s just wonderful. The Maldives includes 26 atolls and 1190 islands, of which nearly 200 are inhabited and 110 are solely for tourists and luxury. Thus, crossing the seas is a common occurrence in this country.
18. A Cabinet Meeting Underwater
In 2009, the president of Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed arranged a conference of all cabinet ministers near the sea bed, so as to raise consciousness about the risks the seas of the globe are experiencing, and how people are meddling with freshwater supplies. Isn’t it an astounding fact?
19. Equatorial sunshine in the Maldives
You must protect your skin from the sun in the Maldives. Because of its proximity to the equator, the Maldives receives sunlight at almost a 90-degree angle. Carry and apply sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher. If you do not use then you will have to face the consequences of skin irritation and other skin issues.
The Maldives is an incredible spot to visit. This heaven must be seen on Earth at least once in a lifetime because the Maldives is so distinct from other places. These Maldives facts just scratch the surface of the genuine culture and heritage of this lovely island nation; the rest must be experienced. This 298-square-kilometre country with 1000 islands is not only one of the safest but also one of the most beautiful. So, what are you waiting for? Just pack and move to the Maldives.