MALDIVE ISLANDS

The Republic of Maldives is an archipelago consisting of more than thousand coral islands located in the Indian Ocean south of India and near the equator.

The whole archipelago covers a total area of 300 square km.

About four hundred thousand inhabitants live on the Maldive Islands.

Male. The hustle and bustle of the city is divided into four quarters. A few tourists decide to stay here, they normally come for a one-day tour.

Male.

International Airport Male - Male.

"The islands playing with the sea", as they were defined by captain Costau, have an ancient history which has been denied for decades but which has been brought about again with surprising new elements by the findings of huge engraved stones. The engravings are symbols of the sun similar to those of the Maya; the first settlements date back in fact before the Buddhists. It is said that the first colonizers where the Redin, a sun-worshipping population. Such theories are supported by the position of some Maldivian mosques, which are not oriented, like all the others, towards Mecca, but towards South and the sun. During the second century AD Arab traders recorded visits to the archipelago spreading the Koran religion. Since their settlement on the Maldive Islands the Arabs remained for 84 sultanates, during this period only the Portuguese were able to depose them for 15 years. On the 26th of July 1965 Maldives finally become independent also from England, whose protectorate lasted for several years.

On the 26th and 27th of July they celebrate the Independence anniversary.

The Maldives are a Presidential Republic. The today president is Mr. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who has been re-elected for six legislative periods.

On the Maldive Islands the official language is Dhivehi, a language from Sanskritic origin. Many Maldivian people speak English and on the islands it is not unusual to hear the inhabitants speaking the language of the tourists, so it will be possible to meet Italian-speaking people.

The official religion is Sunni Muslim which is practised by the whole Maldivian population.

The difference is four hours ahead. When in Italy the Daylight Saving Time is in use, the difference is three hours. It is not unusual to find islands with a DST different from the others, it is therefore advisable to always ask which time zone is adopted by the atoll you are staying on.

For tourism purposes Italian citizens are only required to have a three-month valid passport, a round-trip ticket and a confirmed hotel booking. The visa is compulsory and can be required directly at the arrival airport; it lasts for thirty days. Its validity can be prolonged by paying a tax. To reach those islands which do not belong to the tourism route, the Inter Atoll Travel Permit is required. This is a special permit granted to people invited by an island inhabitant.

The Maldivian unit of currency is the Rufiyaa.

CHECK THE CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE

The main international credit cards are accepted in hotels, shops and restaurants.

No vaccination is required to enter the Maldive archipelago. Before departure it is nevertheless advisable to underwrite an Accident and Health Insurance policy.

Maldive Islands, characterized by a monsoon climate, have rainy summers and dry winters, with temperatures varying from 25° to 32°. Two monsoons reach the islands during the year: the one coming from north-east determining the dry season from November to April and the one with south-west origins which makes Maldives rainy from May to October.

CHECK THE WEATHER FORECASTS IN REAL TIME

The voltage is 220v, the plugs are European style but it is advisable to have also universal adaptors because the villages could have plugs of different kind.

To call Italy from the Maldives is very easy: dial 0039, then the Italian area code - including zero for fixed net numbers - and the number you wish to call (for example: to call a fixed net telephone number in Rome just dial 0039 06 68... ; to call a mobile phone number dial 0039 338 84...). To call the Maldives from Italy, dial the international code 00960, followed by the number you wish to call. The GSM network works perfectly in the whole country (there could be some problems on the farthest islands), therefore our mobile phones may be used here. As phone tariffs vary according to the service provider, it is advisable to get informed about costs before the departure, in order to avoid unpleasant surprises at home.
The internet is not a problem: it is possible to check e-mails in one of the several internet points of the capital city or in the structures where you are staying, which in the last years offer this service even directly in your room.

There are no restrictions to take pictures or make amateur videos for private use. Remember anyway that this is a Muslim country and it is not respectful to take pictures without permission: it is advisable to politely ask local people for their permission before taking pictures of them, in particular for women.

If you want to take home a souvenir, choose the typical local products. All islands are rich in local handicrafts such as coloured boxes, fabrics, shells, carpets and gold or silver jewels. On the different atolls and in the capital city it is possible to buy electronic devices, cameras, movie cameras and any import goods, such as Batik pictures.

Simple but delicious. On a base of rice and fish, above all tuna, the Maldivian cuisine mixes these two ingredients with products offered by the nature, i.e. vegetables, eggs, bananas and coconut. Typical dishes are Garudhiya, Rihaakuru, Kandu Kukulhu. On all islands the international cuisine is used, above all French and, obviously, Italian.

The Maldivian music and dance are characterized by the multi-ethnic contamination. It is possible to hear typical African rhythms accompanied by drums or more melodious sounds deriving from India. Also Arabian-like interpretation are present.

Being mainly organized tours taking tourists to the atolls, the nightlife is organized in the tourist villages, where it is possible to have fun with the shows organized by the entertainment staff.

Different tradition events take place on each single island, even though they can not be defined as real "Maldivian Folklore", as the country has Muslim origins. A part from the religious feasts, it is possible to take part to:
- Handicraft fair - Male - November.
- Huravee, feast remembering the independence from India - on all Maldivian islands.

Even though the Maldives are a Muslim archipelago, it is possible to be present during some ancient shaman rites to drive away the Devil. During drought periods, (unfortunate and unpropitious periods because of epidemics), the Maldivian inhabitants of the Kulhudhuffushi island normally perform the Kadhaa Maali dance after a walk lasting three days. The elderly people of the island, after saying the evening prayer, walk around the island in the dark for three consecutive nights in order to drive away the malignant spirits, called Maali.

1) Kuda, for wonderful dives admiring the wonderful reef and a very deep canyon.
2) Chickens, where waves are high and fast.
3) Cokes, with the highest waves of the hole archipelago.
4) Kudadhoo, one of the most charming places where to dive swimming among batfishes and where to see the famous black coral.
5) Twin Peaks, where the waves are really difficult to ride.

- Water - It is advisable not to drink water from the tap and beverages with ice.

- Nature - It is forbidden to take corals home and to tear them away from the atolls.

- Transports - Moving from one island to the other is easy; you just have to rent a speedboat (not so cheap) or a motor boat (cheaper). To reach the atoll of the capital city it is possible to use of the typical local boats, the Dhoni. For those who have chosen the seaplane as a means of transport, it is advisable to check the time of the last flight of the day to compare it with the arrival time of your flight, in order to avoid to spend a night in Male.

by Martinengo
Via F.lli Ruffini, 9 - Milan (Italy)
Phone: 0039 02 8903 2599
Fax: 0039 02 463 532
E-mail: martinengo@martinengo.it
www.visitmaldives.com

Italy has no Embassy at the Maldives. The responsible Embassy is in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
55 Jawatta Road - Colombo - Sri Lanka
Phone: 0094 1 588 388/2588 388/2508 418
Fax: 0094 1 7471 2272/2588 622

Honorary Consulate of Italy in Male:
Opera Building, - Male
Phone and Fax: 00960 334 2071
E-mail: honoconsital@dhivehinet.net.mv