Maldives - Maldive

Maldives
Location
Coat of arms and flag
Capital	Bad
Government	presidential republic
Currency	Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR)
Surface	298 km²
Inhabitants	341.356 (2014 census)
Tongue	Dhivehi
Religion	Islam (100%) (2015)
Electricity	220V / 50Hz (European and British plug)
Prefix	960
TLD	.mv
Time zone	UTC 5
Website	Maldives Tourist Board

Maldives is an island state ofIndian Ocean south-southwest ofIndia.

To know

The Maldivian state is made up of 20 atolls divided into as many administrative districts in addition to the capital Malé. The northernmost atoll is Haa Alif while the southernmost one is Seenu. The smallest atoll is that of Gnayivani formed by a single island, the largest that of Kaafu with 107 islands. The administration of each atoll is given to a governor (Atholhu Veriyaa) directly appointed by the president of the republic.

It should be remembered that recent climate changes with the consequence of the overheating of the seas and oceans have produced serious damage to the Maldivian coral reef. Especially in the superficial part (the one where snorkeling is usually practiced) the bleaching effect of corals is often total. Only those who dive have the opportunity to still be amazed by the magnificent colors of the coral reef. This phenomenon affects, more or less, almost all Maldivian atolls. The fish fauna, on the other hand, remains almost intact. It must also be said that rising sea levels have forced numerous resorts to build concrete barriers to protect yourself from the waves and the inevitable erosion. It is therefore recommended to always inquire well at your agency, or at the structure on which you want to book, if there are natural beaches or if the access to the sea occurs by crossing the aforementioned concrete protection barriers.

Geographical notes

There are almost 1,200 coral islands that make up this archipelago (of which about 200 are inhabited) 735 km from the Sri Lanka and positioned largely near the Equator.

The islands are located both inside the atolls and along the ocean barrier that delimits the atoll separating it from the deep ocean waters and protecting the inland waters from storm surges. Oceanic barriers are interrupted by channels called passes (kandu in dhivehi) that allow the exchange of the internal waters of the atoll, however causing strong currents in and out, especially during the tides. In addition to that, almost all of the islands are surrounded by their own coral reef which encloses a lagoon.

The islands are formed by a base of white sand resulting from the erosion of coral reefs by the sea, but also of some fish species (such as parrotfish or titan triggerfish).

The maximum elevation is 2 m a.s.l., there are no freshwater springs and only in the larger islands is it possible to dig wells to collect the filtered water from the sand layers. Freshwater lakes are found on the island of Fua Mulaku.

When to go

The climate of the Maldives is monsoonal in character. The dry monsoon starts from December to April and is characterized by light and infrequent rains.

The humid monsoon, from May to November, brings more frequent torrential rains that can last a few hours and sometimes days.

As it is located in the tropical equatorial belt, the Maldives are normally not subject to hurricanes.

The average temperatures oscillate between 26 ° (min) and 31 ° C (max) all year round in the intermediate areas between the north and the south of the archipelago, with very low daily and night temperature variations everywhere.

The hottest month is April, although the driest and sunniest are February and March; moreover, the constant presence of the monsoon breeze attenuates the sensation of heat and mugginess, making the climate, outside of very rainy periods, certainly appreciable despite the decidedly high average relative humidity (but constant throughout the day, therefore around 75 % -80% both at night and during the day). The water temperature fluctuates between 28-29 ° C in the extra-lagoon waters and 30-32 ° C in the lagoons.

The maximum rainfall occurs in the months between May and December, while in February and March they are very low; January and April are transitional months, with rainfall varying from year to year. At the change of the monsoon (mid-May and late November) violent showers or thunderstorms are often produced, with constant intense winds or gusts that can last several days.

Background

According to the archaeological finds it is believed that the archipelago was uninhabited until 1500 BC. The current population descends from Buddhist peoples who migrated fromSouthern India and give it Sri Lanka around the 4th and 5th centuries

As the Arabs began to frequently traverse the trade routes to Southeast Asia, the Maldives became an important stopover point. Traders, who frequented the trade routes to the Southeast Asia, exerted a strong cultural influence on the local population, who gradually converted to Islam starting from the 11th century. In 1153 the Maldives became a sultanate.

In the 16th century, the first Europeans to conquer the archipelago were the Portuguese, who created a settlement there in 1558. These were, however, driven out in 1573 by the Devehi led by Muhammad Thakurufar Al-Azam. The sultanate then remained independent until 1887, when it was declared a protectorate British. Independence from the United Kingdom was sanctioned on July 26, 1965; in 1968, the sultanate became a presidential republic.

Spoken languages

The official language of the islands is the divehi, which has many affinities with the Arabic language and therefore like Arabic is written from right to left.On the islands where there are resorts, English is widespread and, particularly on those covered by the major Italian tour operators, also the Italian.

Culture and traditions

The Maldivian population is believed to be of origin Indiana or Arab, later mixed with migratory waves from theNorth Africa and give it Sri Lanka.

The only religion practiced in the Maldives is Sunni Islam. There is no freedom of worship in the country, in 2008 a constitutional amendment denied non-Muslims the right to obtain Maldivian citizenship.

The Islam practiced in the Maldives has particular characteristics due to the fact that it has come into contact with both the ancient local traditions and with the customs and lifestyles of the many Western tourists who visit the islands. Women, for example, in the capital use to walk even without a headscarf, while in the more isolated villages, girls after puberty use to cover their entire body with the exception of the face.

In the Maldivian code there is no crime of sexual violence.

Suggested readings

• Carnovale, Marco: "Journey to the Maldives" (2012).
• Battuta, Ibn: Maldives and Ceylon (Colombo: Royal Asiatic Society, 1882, reprinted in Delhi by Asian Educational Society, 1999).
• Eibl-Eibesfeldt, Irenaeus: Land of a Thousand Atolls (English translation, London: McGibbon and Kee, 1965).
• Hockly, T. W .: The Two Thousand Isles, (London: Witherby, 1935).
• Jones, Steve: Coral - a Pessimist in Paradise (London: Little, Brown, 2007).
• Pyrard de Laval, François: Voyages, various editions available in French and English.
• Heyerdahl, Thor: The Maldive Mystery (London: George Allen and Unwin, 1986).
• Grover, Verinder / Ed.): Maldives: Goverment and Politics (New Delhi: Deep and Deep Publications, 2002).
• Romero-frias, Xavier: Folk Tales of the Maldives (2012)

Territories and tourist destinations

      Lhaviyani (Miladhunmadulu Uthuruburi) - Capital: Naifaru - 52 islands, 5 inhabited (Hinnavaru, Naifaru, Kurendhoo, Olhuvelifushi, Maafilaafushi) - Population: 11252 ca.

      Raa (Maalhosmadulu Uthuruburi) - Capital: Ungoofaaru - 88 islands, 14 inhabited (Alifushi, Vaadhoo, Rashgetheemu, Angolhetheemu, Ungoofaaru, Maakurathu, Rasmaadhoo, Innamaadhoo, Maduvvaree, Inguraidhoo, Fainu, Meedhoo, Kinolhas, Hulhudhuffaaru: 15450 - Population: ca.

      Baa (Maalhosmadulu Dhekunuburi) - Capital: Eydhafushi - 75 islands, 13 inhabited (Kudarikilu, Kamadhoo, Kendhoo, Kihaadhoo, Dhonfan, Dharavandhoo, Maalhos, Eydhafushi, Thulhaadhoo, Hithaadhoo, Fulhadhoo, Fehendhoo, Goidhoo) - Population: 12031 ca.

      Kaafu (North and South Male Atoll) - It houses the capital Bad and the airport, as well as most of the Maldivian resorts. Capital: Thulusdhoo - 107 islands, 9 inhabited (Kaashidhoo, Gaafaru, Dhiffushi, Thulusdhoo, Huraa, Himmafushi, Gulhi, Maafushi, Guraidhoo) - Population: 10059 ca.

      Alifu (Ari) - West of Kaafu, is the second most popular group.

      Vaavu (Felidhu) - Capital: Felidhoo - 19 islands, 5 inhabited (Fulidhoo, Thinadhoo, Felidhoo, Keyodhoo, Rakeedhoo) - Population: 2171

      Meemu (Mulak) - Capital: Muli - 33 islands, 8 inhabited (Raimmandhoo, Veyvah, Mulah, Muli, Naalaafushi, Kolhufushi, Dhiggaru, Maduvvaree) - Population: ca.

      Faafu (Nilandhe Atholhu Uthuruburi) - Capital: Nilandhoo - 23 islands, 5 inhabited (Feeali, Bileddhoo, Magoodhoo, Dharanboodhoo, Nilandhoo) - Population: 4730 ca.

      Dhaalu (Nilandhe Atholhu Dhekunuburi) - Capital: Kudahuvadhoo - 56 islands, 7 inhabited (Meedhoo, Bandidhoo, Rinbudhoo, Hulhudheli, Vaanee, Maaenboodhoo, Kudahuvadhoo) - Population: 6767ca.

      Seenu Atoll (Addu) - The southernmost atoll of the archipelago straddling the equatorial line, the second largest in terms of population and home to the Gan International Airport. Capital: Hithadhoo - 23 islands, 6 inhabited (Meedhoo, Hithadhoo, Maradhoo, Feydhoo, Maradhoo-Feydhoo, Hulhudhoo) - Population: 29020 ca.

Urban centers

Other destinations

In addition to the main islands, here are other atolls of the Maldives.

How to get

Entry requirements

To enter the Republic of Maldives no prior visa is required; the visa on arrival is guaranteed for a maximum period of 30 days (extendable for a further 60 at the price of 700 rufiyaa) to all foreigners, except citizens of Brunei (which can remain for a maximum of 15 days) and India (which are entirely visa-free for a stay of up to 90 days), upon their arrival at designated ports of entry, subject to immigration requirements. The passport must expire at least 6 months after the date of arrival in the country.

Upon leaving the country, you will have to pay 10 Dollars / Euro as a boarding tax.

By plane

The only quick way to reach the archipelago is by air. By now, any international airport has flights to the Maldives. From the European continent the journey has an average duration of about 11 hours and sometimes includes a stopover on the Arabian or Indian peninsula.Hulhulé International Airport, located in the atoll of the same name, is currently the only port of the archipelago capable of accommodating commercial and tourist aircraft, including large ones.Curiosity, unknown to many, has it that on the island of Hulhulé, the same that hosts the international airport, there is also a hotel with 80 rooms. In addition to the normal runway airport, Malé airport also has an external seaplane base from where direct seaplanes and from other atolls and islands take off and land. The companies that land in Hololhule are:

• Aeroflot from Russia
• Air Seychelles from Seychelles
• Austrian Airlines from Austria
• Condor Airlines from Germany
• Emirates Airlines from the UAE
• Air India from India
• Kuwait Airways from Kuwait
• Malaysia Airlines from Malaysia
• Singapore Airlines from Singapore
• Sri Lanka Airlines from Sri Lanka
• Qatar Airways from Qatar
• Blue Panorama from Italy
• Edelweiss Air from Switzerland
• Monarch Airways From United Kingdom

On boat

There are no ferries to Sri Lanka or India and freighters do not normally accept passengers.

How to get around

In the Maldives, the local villages far from the tourist resorts have remained almost totally alien to contact with the outside world and, although many have been connected to the national telephone network for some years and widely use radio and TV, they have very rare relationships with other social realities. . For this reason, the Maldivian government restricts access to these islands to those who have been expressly invited by the inhabitants. L'Inter-Atoll Travel Permit it is issued by the Ministry of the Interior exclusively upon the invitation of a resident of the island on which you intend to stay. Travelers who are lucky enough to stay in the islands inhabited by the local population will have to be particularly careful about their clothing and behavior, in order to avoid embarrassing the host people, but also to ensure that the attitude of the Maldivian authorities does not become even more uncompromising in the future. In general, therefore, the least demanding and safest way to move between the islands is to stay at the resort and take advantage of the excursions it promotes.

By plane

There are two main private companies that operate internal flights between the islands of the archipelago. There Transmaldivian and the Maldiavian Air Taxi. Both companies operate with 16/18 passenger DeHavilland seaplanes.

Below are the domestic airports of the Maldives:

• Male International^{[link not working]}
• Gan^{[link not working]}: The date on which Gan Airport was opened for the first flight operation has not yet been found in the flight logs. Born mainly as a British base, it was officially inaugurated in May 1962 by a flight of the Royal Air Force of Great Britain (RAF). The track built on Gan by the British is 2,656m. The airport is currently undergoing a period of renewal and is preparing to become the second international airport of the Maldivian state.
• Hanimaadhoo^{[link not working]}: It is the northernmost airport in the country. The runway was recently renovated to be able to more comfortably accommodate aircraft with more than fifty seats. This choice was made due to the continuous increase in the influx of tourists in the area and its growing popularity. The airport was inaugurated on October 28, 1990. The first flight to land was an Air Maldives freighter. The runway at Hanimaadhoo Airport is 1,212 m long.
• Kaadedhhoo^{[link not working]}: The airport was opened on 11 December 1993 with the main purpose of facilitating connections to the island area of ​​the Huvadhoo atoll. The atoll, which is the largest of the entire archipelago, was connected before the construction of the port only by sea and, especially in coincidence of bad weather, often made travel difficult. Technically, this airport offers the best development opportunities for future expansion.

By car

On the few viable roads, most of which are located in Bad, vehicles must travel in the left lane.

On boat

The most common local means of transport is the 'dhoni', a traditional boat to which a diesel engine is often added. To reach the more distant atolls, larger boats are used, the 'see'.

What see

• The Maldives is one of the lowest countries in the world and its geography can be considered as something to visit in itself.
• Diving is a popular activity and there is a whole world to discover under the water: coral reefs, many colorful fish and other animal species that live in the sea.
• In the capital Bad there are a couple of interesting museums and mosques.

What to do

Diving

Powderblue Surgeonfish, one of the most common reef fish in the Maldives

In addition to transforming the surroundings of an overwater bungalow into your own abode during a honeymoon, the main activity in the Maldives is scuba diving. The atolls are all coral reefs hundreds of kilometers away from any large land mass, which means that the clarity of the water is excellent and underwater life is abundant. In the Maldives, therefore, you can find manta rays, sharks and even some wrecks.

While the diving is very good by world standards, it is also in close proximity to Bad, the visibility and the possibility of encountering large pelagic fish increases as the outer atolls approach. Many divers opt for live-aboard, which can actually be much cheaper than paying the high resort fees. The currents vary considerably, but generally little within the atolls, although some powerful currents are found on the sides facing the open sea. The water in the Maldives is warm all year round and a 3mm or Lycra wetsuit is more than enough. While diving itself is possible throughout the year, rain, wind and waves are more common during the southwest monsoon season (June-August). The best time for diving is from January to April, when the sea is calm, the sun is shining and the visibility can reach 30m. Decompression chambers can be found on Bandos a Kaafu (15 minutes from Male), Kuredu in the atoll Lhaviyani and to Kuramathi on Alifu.

The only downside to diving in the Maldives is that it is quite expensive by Asian standards. Prices vary greatly from location to location, with specialty dive resorts offering better prices, but in general, it will cost around USD 50 for a single boat dive with your own equipment and or USD 75 without. Beware of supplements: you may be charged extra for use of the boat, guided dives, larger tanks, etc. On the other hand, safety standards are usually very high, with well-maintained gear and strict compliance with the protocol (controlled diving, maximum depth, use of computers, etc.) is the rule rather than the exception.

surf

From May to October it is possible to practice the best surfing. The most suitable places for the practice of this sport are:

• Chickens - Villingilimathi Huraa (Kuda Villingili), uninhabited island. East Barrier of the North Male Atoll
• Cokes - Thulusdhoo, main atoll. East barrier of the North Male Atoll
• Lhohi - East barrier of the North Male Atoll
• Piddlies, Ninjas - East Barrier of the North Male Atoll
• Sultans, Tari Village Resort (Kanu Huraa) - East barrier of the North Male Atoll
• Honkey's, Thamburudhoo (uninhabited island) - East barrier of the North Male Atoll
• Tomb Stones, Thamburudhoo (uninhabited island), near Sultans. East Barrier of the North Male Atoll
• Malé Island Point, Full Moon Beach Resort, Furana Fushi Island - East Barrier of the North Male Atoll
• Gurus, Malé, the capital - Malé's East Barrier, southern tip of the North Malé Atoll
• Twin Peaks, Miyaru Faru near Gulhi Island, inhabited island - East Barrier of South Male Atoll
• Quarters, Gulhigaathuhuraa, uninhabited island connected to the Palm Tree Island Resort - East Barrier of the South Male Atoll
• Kate's, Boduhuraa, uninhabited island near Palm Tree Island Resort - East Barrier of South Male Atoll
• Natives, Kandooma Resort - East barrier of the North Male Atoll
• Riptides, Guraidhoo, inhabited island. East barrier of the South Male Atoll

Study opportunities

The education system, despite having many problems such as the low literacy of the students in the language English (the teaching medium for most subjects), is freely available to all Maldivians.

There is a university in the Maldives (Maldives National University) which opened on February 15, 2011, the university was formerly known as the Maldives College of Higher Education, which was established in 1999, as part of a restructuring and streamlining of all state colleges in the Maldives. It operates under the auspices of the Department of Higher Education and Training (MCHE) and is the only public degree issuing institution on the island. The school offers a wide range of degrees, diplomas, and certificates, with a focus on engineering, health sciences, education, tourism, and management. The average enrollment in MCHE is approximately 4,000 students for long-term programs (i.e., more than one academic year) and approximately 2,000 in short-term courses (less than one academic year).

Job opportunities

Getting a job in the Maldives can be difficult. It's not the kind of place you can go and start looking for work. Locations generally employ a mix of local and international staff, so it is necessary to approach the human resources of the resorts. There is a good mix of jobs, but a lot of the roles are based on diving (divemasters, instructors, photographers, etc.).

Most resorts are mostly frequented by one or two nationalities, so look for those that match your language ability here. Aside from that, experience always helps; especially for diving instructors, as the Maldives are well known for their strong currents which will take you straight into the Indian Ocean.

Typically if you get a job at a resort, they will take care of obtaining your work permit by paying for your flight, room and board. Due to their insular isolation, they really don't have much of a choice.

All foreign workers must undergo a series of medical tests before they can start working in Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital. This includes a blood sample (lots of tests including HIV, x-rays, etc.). It's quick and easy, but they're very uncommunicative about what they're doing.

Currency and purchases

The national currency is the Rufiyaa of the Maldives (MVR), divided into 100 laaris. US Dollars and Euros accepted without any problems. You will only have to pay attention to the exchange rate applied which varies from atoll to atoll if not from island to island.

Below are the links to know the current exchange rate with the main world currencies:

Ribudhoo Island is famous for its renowned thileyrun (gold and silver workers).

• Fattaru Bai: the traditional necklace decorated with intricate designs.
• Ulhabai: gold and silver bracelets.
• Kanfathu Mudhi: fine gold or silver earrings.
• Fattaru: the traditional silver chain worn around the waist by women and children.
• Kunaaviun: the traditional handmade Maldivian carpet. Mainly produced in the southern atolls, particularly in the Huvadho atoll. Gadhdhoo Island, in this atoll, is known for the quality of its kunaa.
• Saanthiviun: it is a carpet made with pandanus leaves and is substantially different from the kunaavium.
• Objects in madrepora: boxes and objects carved with traditional and modern designs. Today the madrepora is replaced by other types of stone as the local authorities have prohibited the removal of coral from the sea.
• Rukufathi: thin strips obtained from the cut of the palm leaf, intertwined and used for a wide range of objects. Rakufathi is a predominantly male art and Bilehfahi Island in Shaviyani Atoll is famous for its craftsmen.
• Lacquer objects: large bowls decorated and used to serve food to guests, boxes, vases and jewelry. Maldivians used lacquer (laa) in many forms of craftsmanship. Nowadays, this form of craftsmanship is carried out exclusively by the inhabitants of the island of Thulhaadoo in the Baa Atoll, who have passed it down from generation to generation.
• Feyliviun: The feyli is the traditional black sarong with two white bands, worn by Maldivian men and women.

Everything else on sale remains of mere import and not of Maldivian origin. T-shirts, T-Shorts, colorful sarongs, objects in shells, coral and coral are usually all Chinese imports. The gold and silver, not naturally present on the atolls, are of Indian origin as well as the cotton used to weave local fabrics.

Cost of living

In general, the cost of the drinks is in line with European standards. Fruit, vegetables and fish have the most affordable prices while you will often be asked for even more than € 2.00 for 30 cl of bottled mineral water. Water is certainly the proportionately most expensive commodity that can be purchased on the atolls. In the markets present on the capital or on the much more modest ones located on the fishermen's islands it is possible and advisable to negotiate the price of the chosen good. In the shops of the resorts, purchases, as well as prohibitive, are intractable. Always make sure you have everything in your suitcase before setting out on a trip to the Maldives. You could find yourself, for example, buying a mask, snorkel and fin kit (of very low quality) even for over € 50.00 when its commercial value is around € 12.00.

At the table

Like any famous tourist destination around the world, the Maldives are equipped to cook all European and foreign dishes. In many Italian resorts an excellent pizza and spaghetti cooked al dente and seasoned with Sicilian tomatoes and Parmesan cheese, lasagna Bolognese and excellent tortellini will be served. Usually a themed evening will be offered with local food that is often not local at all but Indian (the staff working on many resorts are of Indian origin). The dishes listed below can usually be tasted in the capital or on the atolls inhabited by the locals.

A typical Maldives meal: masroshi desserts, mas riha fish curry, papadhu, grilled fish, rice and sweet black tea.

• Chichandaa satans: plate made from snakeskin.
• Cutlus: fried tuna meatballs.
• Dhan'di Aluvi Kan'dhi: dish based on rice, cassava and coconut.
• Dhon Huni Havaadhu: curry paste with yellow coconut.
• Fihunumas: dish based on tuna steaks and curry.
• Geri Riha: dish based on beef, curry, coriander and coconut.
• Hanaakuri Rehi: dish based on sprats (fish like sardines) and coconut.
• Huni Havaadhu: coconut curry paste.
• Kaliyaa Birinjee: dish based on rice, ginger and onions.
• Kandumahu Mussanmaa: tuna-based dumplings.
• Kukulhu Bis Riha: dish based on potatoes, coconut and curry.
• Ilhoamahu Kirugarudhiya: dish based on dried tuna and cardamom.
• Lonumirus Havaadhu: spicy curry powder
• Mahu Bis Riha: dish based on tuna offal.
• Masbaiy: rice and tuna based dish.
• Raiymahu Riha: soup based on snapper.
• Thelulimas: tuna-based frying.

Drinks

Fruit juices and coconut milk preparations are the only national drinks. In fact, the Maldives, being a Muslim state, prohibits the production and consumption of alcoholic beverages. In resorts or on cruise boats, on the other hand, it is possible to consume a wide range of alcoholic drinks and sugary carbonated drinks.

Tourist infrastructure

The Maldives has a long-standing history of hosting tourist accommodation in dedicated islands, which meant they could only stay in full-service resorts, where the cost of one night's accommodation started at around USD 200 and then skyrocketed, and the overwhelming majority of visitors continue to opt for these accommodations. However, the brief democratic flourishing under Mohammed Nasheed's rule has seen all the islands open to tourism since 2008, with hotels for backpackers starting at USD 30 per night now blooming on inhabited islands around the country. archipelago.

Resort

Most resorts cover an entire island (1500m² to 250m²), which means the beach / guest ratio is one of the best in the world, and it's hard to imagine a struggle to find your own piece of private beach. to relax. Many have a "no shoes" policy and with such soft sand it's easy to love this idea.

The range of locations is impressive and most people will find one they like. In general, however, they can be grouped into three bands:

• Diving resort - Designed primarily for divers. Specially equipped for those who want to spend most of their time underwater, land facilities are limited, but the reef is usually excellent. They are often found in the farthest parts of the archipelago.
• Resorts - Designed primarily for families. These are large and have a full range of amenities (restaurants, nurseries, etc.), but they don't have extreme luxury and have less privacy. Most of these are located Kaafu, with easy access from Bad.
• Luxury resort - Designed primarily for honeymooners and jet-setters. The ideal place if you want designer furniture, gourmet cuisine and a plasma television in a villa on the water, reachable only by rowboat, and are willing to pay big bucks for that privilege.

Bungalow sopraelevato a Thulhagiri, Kaafu.

Un classico delle Maldive è il bungalow sopraelevato, costruito su palafitte direttamente sopra una laguna. Nonostante il loro aspetto favoloso e accattivante, hanno i loro lati negativi:

• Sono di solito compattati insieme (spesso condividendo una parete), il che significa poca privacy.
• Soprattutto con la bassa marea, il livello dell'acqua può essere troppo bassa per consentire il nuoto o snorkeling.
• Le strutture del resort possono essere ad una certa distanza dal bungalow.
• Lo sciabordio delle onde è abbastanza romantico in una giornata tranquilla, ma può rendere quasi impossibile dormire quando una tempesta infuria.

Questi fattori variano da località a località, quindi ricercate con attenzione. Sebbene una valida sistemazione di questo tipo vale sicuramente la pena di essere provata almeno una volta, i visitatori abituali delle Maldive preferiscono un bungalow con una spiaggia privata.

Quando si sceglie dove andare, si deve considerare con attenzione i tempi e costi di trasporto per l'aeroporto: le località più lontane in genere richiedono un trasferimento in un costoso idrovolante e potrebbe essere necessario pernottare in aeroporto lungo la strada. D'altro canto, più lontano si è da Malé e più tranquilla sarà l'isola e oltre ad avere verosimilmente dei fondali migliori.

Molte località, in particolare quelle per l'immersione orientata ai più piccoli, si rivolgono in gran parte ad una singola nazionalità, dando vita a resort Italians, Dutch, tedeschi, etc. Quindi, sebbene quasi tutti accetteranno ospiti di qualsiasi nazionalità, avendo un po' personale che parla English, si rischia di essere tagliati fuori da qualsiasi intrattenimento serale e avere problemi ad esempio con le immersioni se non si parla la lingua locale.

Pensions

Ormai ci sono molti alberghi sulle isole abitate. The island of Maafushi è popolare tra i turisti in cerca di sistemazioni senza problemi di questo genere. Prezzi di fascia bassa si aggirano intorno a 25/35 euro.

Altri esempi includono: Equator Village su Seenu Atoll (Addu), una ex base RAF convertita in un hotel di 78 camere. Il costo è di circa 100/150 USD/notte tutto compreso (alcool incluso). Un'altra posizione unica è la Keyodhoo Guest House, questa struttura si trova sulla cima di un centro ricreativo costruito dagli Australians dopo lo tsunami (20 USD/notte). La maggior parte dei viaggiatori di questi luoghi sono subacquei per immersioni o viaggiatori in cerca di avventura. Altre pensioni e B&B si possono trovare anche sugli atolli Vaavu, Dhaalu, Kaafu, Malé Nord e Sud; ma solo alcuni di questi hanno la loro piscina. Assicuratevi di chiedere se il bikini è consentito sulla spiaggia locale (a causa dell'islam potrebbe essere proibito in alcuni punti). Lo spostamento tra spiaggia e locanda è solitamente breve, ma siate sicuri di vestire in modo appropriato in linea ai costumi locali.

Case private in villaggio

Sempre più viaggiatori indipendenti e di chi cerca un'esperienza culturale, possono considerare di affittare camere nei villaggi. Ciò richiederà sia l'attraversare a piedi il villaggio e chiedere in giro, se siete particolarmente sicuri delle vostre abilità sociali, o chiedendo a Malé se qualcuno può mettervi in contatto con i propri amici o parenti su un'isola remota per un'informale permanenza in famiglia. I prezzi possono partire da 15 € a notte per una camera funzionale e pulita.

Events and parties

Safety

Dal 10 ottobre 2004 a Malé non è più in vigore il coprifuoco che era stato decretato a seguito di una manifestazione di protesta, degenerata in episodi di violenza. Tale provvedimento si estendeva peraltro all'unico isolotto della capitale e non interessava né le varie isole dove si trovano i resorts turistici né l'aeroporto, situato su un'isola separata dalla capitale.

Durante la visita alle isole abitate dai locali bisogna indossare abiti che coprano spalle e gambe.

Alle Maldive sono vietate le immersioni al di sotto dei trenta metri di profondità ed è assolutamente vietata la pesca subacquea. Non bisogna mai sottovalutare le correnti marine.

Una legge di recente introduzione punisce anche il semplice possesso di minime quantità di sostanze stupefacenti per uso personale, che viene equiparato al traffico di narcotici. Le pene sono severissime e comportano anche l'ergastolo.

Nelle zone frequentate dai turisti non vi sono malattie endemiche ed in linea di massima vengono adottate nelle grandi strutture alberghiere le normali misure igieniche.

Dal 6.2.2007 è opportuno evitare eventuali manifestazioni o dimostrazioni di piazza che potrebbero essere organizzate nella capitale Malé e che potrebbero provocare disordini. Gli attentati avvenuti in vari paesi del mondo esortano inoltre a mantenere elevata la soglia di attenzione in considerazione di un possibile rischio di atti di natura terroristica, ai danni di istituzioni o strutture occidentali.

Health situation

Per l'ingresso nel Paese non è richiesta alcuna vaccinazione; l'unica precauzione richiesta dal governo maldiviano è quella che si effettua a bordo degli aeromobili in fase di atterraggio, ovvero quella di spruzzare all'interno del velivolo un battericida/funghicida spray (innocuo per i passeggeri e dal profumo solitamente gradevole) atto a prevenire possibili contaminazioni batteriche o micotiche sull'arcipelago.

Visto la posizione dell'arcipelago, ossia proprio sul raggio equatoriale, è assolutamente consigliabile portare con sé creme solari ad altissimo fattore di protezione ed impermeabili all'acqua. Un FP 40 è il minimo consigliabile per le pelli dei turisti europei, anche se abituate al sole, mentre per le parti delicate, o per le pelli molto chiare, lo schermo totale è quasi d'obbligo. Si raccomanda di prestare attenzione alle giornate nuvolose: l'irradiazione solare, anche se non si vede, c'è comunque e pochi minuti trascorsi all'esterno senza protezione possono rovinare una vacanza aspettata da mesi e pagata lautamente; un FP 20, durante le giornate di cielo coperto, è il minimo consigliabile.

Va, poi, assolutamente raccomandato l'uso di scarpe protettive durante i bagni in mare: spesso e volentieri i coralli rimangono sommersi dalla sabbia ed un taglio su queste formazioni viventi, oltreché doloroso, rischia di essere altamente infettivo. Un buon disinfettante è sempre disponibile presso i resort ma conviene comunque portarsene uno al seguito.

Paradiso dello snorkeling, a chi lo pratica, va consigliato di indossare una maglietta scura durante le lunghe nuotate attorno al reef, in quanto la rifrazione dell'acqua e l'esposizione diretta della schiena al sole possono favorire fastidiose e dolorose scottature.

È frequente l'otite dovuta a batteri che si trovano in grande quantità nel plancton dell'acqua del mare; onde evitare tale infezione, è consigliabile un'accurata pulizia delle orecchie con acqua dolce dopo ogni bagno.

L'acqua dei rubinetti dei resort è prodotta solitamente da un dissalatore o dal recupero e filtraggio delle acque piovane che si infiltrano nel sottosuolo dell'isola: è tecnicamente potabile ma dal sapore sottilmente salmastro; ci si può tranquillamente lavare i denti o sciogliere una aspirina senza tanti timori.

Respect the customs

I controlli doganali sono molto severi: è tassativamente vietato introdurre alcolici, carni ed insaccati di maiale, pubblicazioni pornografiche o anche semplici riviste con nudi, statue di divinità o immagini sacre e droghe. I fucili per la pesca subacquea vengono requisiti e restituiti al momento della partenza. È vietata l'esportazione di corallo, carapaci di tartaruga, conchiglie e stelle marine.

La severità del governo maldiviano va rispettata ed osservata sia per riuscire a ri-creare un turismo civico e civile sia anche per preservare la labile integrità di questo paradiso. Evitiamo quindi di portarci a casa le solite ed inservibili bottigliette ricolme di sabbia per noi o per l'amica che fa collezione. Vale lo stesso per le conchiglie o i frammenti di coralli trovati sulla spiaggia. Va ricordato che proprio questi frammenti, sbriciolandosi, danno origine alle magnifiche spiagge maldiviane. Conviene, nel caso si facesse acquisti nella capitale o sugli shop delle varie isole, verificare sempre il tipo di prodotto acquistato e, nel caso di dubbi, conservare lo scontrino fiscale che proverà l'origine del vostro acquisto.Queste trasgressioni, per noi furbe e leggere, possono, in molti casi costare una salatissima multa e, nelle situazioni più gravi, l'arresto immediato. La polizia doganale maldiviana non scherza ne tantomeno è disposta a chiuder' occhio.

Un'altra cattiva e radicata abitudine dei turisti è quella di servirsi delle banane e dei cocchi che crescono e cadono spontaneamente sulle varie isole. Qualsiasi cosa che vedete e toccate alle Maldive appartiene ai maldiviani: vale per i cocchi e le banane. È buona regola e buona educazione chiedere quindi di poter raccogliere qualche banana o se è possibile mangiare il cocco anche se trovato a terra.

L'arcipelago delle Maldive è di religione islamica e di osservazione sunnita. I precetti coranici sono rigorosamente e fedelmente osservati su tutte le isole, resorts compresi. Quando il muezzin, per cinque volte al giorno, chiama alla preghiera, si ferma tutto per quindici minuti, dai negozi agli uffici, tutti sospendono le loro attività. Alla popolazione è vietato bere e distribuire alcol: nei vari resorts noterete infatti che i barman sono di origine indiana o cingalese.Alle amanti del topless va ricordato che, seppur gli abitanti chiudano spesso un occhio, il mostrare i seni è offensivo e condannabile nella cultura islamica. Detto questo, e se la voglia di togliersi il reggiseno sarà irrefrenabile comunque, è consigliabile dar sfogo a tal desiderio in punti molto riparati dell'atollo su cui soggiornerete lontano da possibili sguardi. Nessuno chiederà alle donne di indossare un costume da bagno che lasci scoperti solo volto e caviglie ma l'uso di mini bikini e perizomi va comunque limitato e non ostentato pubblicamente. Il nudismo, non è consentito su nessun atollo. I viaggiatori omosessuali devono limitare le loro esternazioni pubbliche in quanto l'omosessualità è condannata dalla religione islamica.Va ricordato inoltre che non è possibile il libero accesso sulle isole senza il permesso della popolazione locale. Chi è sorpreso ad approdare su un'isola deserta senza alcun tipo di permesso, governativo o locale che sia, rischia una multa salatissima oltreché l'immediato rimpatrio e, nei casi più gravi, l'arresto.

How to keep in touch

Post office

Funzionano bene. L'ufficio postale di Malé resta aperto dalle 7.30 alle 18. Nei resorts si può consegnare la posta alla reception che si incaricherà di spedirla oppure trattenerla per spedirla dall'ufficio postale presente all'aeroporto di Malé.

Telephony

Due sono le compagnie telefoniche operanti sul territorio maldiviano: la Dhivehi Raajjeyge Gulhun Private Ltd (DHIMOBILE) and the Ooredoo. Entrambe coprono pressoché l'intero territorio sia con rete GSM che UMTS. Mentre la prima si limita al 3G, la seconda offre anche la possibilità di connettersi a 4G. Sono entrambe attualmente in accordi di roaming internazionale con Vodafone, Tim, Wind e 3 sulla rete GSM 900/1800.

Una SIM card prepagata della DHIMOBILE con 1GB di traffico incluso costa 30 USD (32 USD tasse (aprile 2015)

Il metodo più conveniente per telefonare può essere quello di farlo nelle cabine pubbliche presenti nella capitale o nei villaggi non turistici. Le cabine funzionano in moneta locale oppure con schede telefoniche acquistabili sulla capitale. Anche l'acquisto di una SIM voce locale è una buona opzione (dipende da quali numeri si deve chiamare e quante telefonate bisogna fare).

Internet

Ogni resorts è dotato solitamente di un internet point.

Other projects

• Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Maldives
• Commons contains images or other files on Maldives
• Wikinews contains current news on Maldives
  

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States with limited recognition:  State of Palestine ·  Taiwan

Only physically Asian states^[1]:  Armenia ·  Azerbaijan^[2] ·  Cyprus ·  Georgia^[2] ·  Kazakhstan ·  Russia ·  Turkey

States de facto independent:  Abkhazia^[2] ·  Artsakh ·  Northern Cyprus ·  South Ossetia^[2]

Addictions Australian:  Cocos and Keeling Islands ·  Christmas Island

Addictions British: UKAkrotiri and Dhekelia^[3] · British Indian Ocean Territory

Partially Asian states:  Egypt (Sinai) ·  Greece (North Aegean Islands, Dodecanese) ·  Russia (Asian Russia)  Turkey (Asian Turkey)

1. ↑States generally considered to be European from an anthropic point of view
2. ↑ ^2,02,12,22,3It was considered physically wholly Asian only by some geographical conventions
3. ↑Physically Asian state or dependency but generally considered European from an anthropic point of view