| location | |
 | |
| flag | |
 | |
| Short dates | |
| Capital | Times |
|---|---|
| Form of government | republic |
| currency | Rufiyaa (MVR) |
| surface | 300 km² |
| population | 407000 (2016) |
| languages | Dhivehi |
| Religions | Islam |
| power grid | 220 V / 50 Hz (British plug) |
| Phone code | 960 |
| Internet TLD | .mv |
| Time zone | CET 4h |
The Maldives are a group of islands in Asia, in front of the southern tip India located.
Regions
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Dynamic cards
The archipelago consists of 19 Atolls with 1192 islands. Not all, but primarily special tourist islands may be visited, otherwise a permit must be applied for in the capital.
The country can be divided into
- Times with its northern and southern atolls
- Northern Maldives Atolls with Fuvammulah as an important town (approx. 8000 inhabitants)
- Southern Maldives Atolls
Cities
The only city is the capital Times on the island of the same name.
Larger towns are:
- Hithadhoo
- Kulhudhuffushi
- Thinadhoo
background
The Maldives are among the poorest countries in the world, although some industries, especially tourism, are growing strongly. Islam is the state religion in the Maldives. Obtaining citizenship is therefore only possible if you profess Islam. Religious freedom, as well as tolerance against people of different faith or non-believers, is not given in the Maldives! The islands with the tourist hotels are an exception. Western standards generally apply here.
As sea levels rise, the atolls will be uninhabitable by the end of the century.
Tourist islands have been designated since the 1970s. For a long time, other islands in the archipelago, apart from Malé, were only allowed to be visited with government approval, which is only given for good reason. This has been handled more loosely for several years. It can be seen as an infrastructure measure to meet the needs of the 2004 tsunami to help affected places bounce back. Some “local islands” can also be visited by tourists. B. on prison island 1 Maafushi
getting there
Entry requirements
Citizens of all nations can stay in the Maldives for 30 days. Proof of accommodation must be provided at the airport upon entry. A booked return trip and proof of sufficient funds of 100 US $ 50 per day may be required. The monthly arrival numbers are well over 100,000.
- Customs regulations
Allowances: 200 cigarettes or 250 g tobacco or 50 cigars. No alcohol!
Live pigs, pornography and "religious material that is contrary to Islam" are not allowed to be imported.
By plane
Most tourists come by plane. The international 1 Ibrahim Nasir International Airport
(IATA: MLE) covers the entire island of Hulule. There are direct flights from numerous European cities. It takes about 9½ hours from Frankfurt. Behind the airport there is an artificially raised island with several accommodations and the Airport Beach.
Since summer 2018, the airport island of Hulhulé with Malé and Hulhumalé have been via the Sinamale Bridge connected. The use of the small ferries to the main island, which is overpriced for tourists, has since been avoided.
For long-term travelers in Asia, the best way to arrive is from Colombo or from the south Indian Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) with Spice Air or Sri Lankan (in both cases Sept. 2017 approx. US $ 100). It should be noted that return or onward tickets may be requested when entering the Maldives.
A further journey from Malé to the respective holiday island is possible by seaplane or speedboat. Better resorts arrange transfers. Maldivian offers connections to Gan in the Addu Atoll with propeller planes several times a day, the flight time is seventy minutes. Other domestic destinations are Hanimaadhoo, Kaadedhdhoo and Kadhdhoo. Villa Air Fly me started with a connection after 2 Maamigili in the South Ari Atoll. You don't fly to any more 3 Gan.
By boat
The ferries from Sri Lanka were discontinued years ago.
mobility
On foot. There is no public transport on the islands, apart from three bus routes on the main island. Taxis run regardless of the route at a flat rate of Rs 20 (surcharge after midnight).
You can take a ferry to other islands in the Malé Atoll from the 2 Ferry Jetties on the north shore of the island. It should be noted that Dhonis at certain times or when full departure, the general price applies (“Don't pay the ferryman, until he gets you to the other side”). Happy to be in the Dhonis organizes "special trips" with a foreigner boarding an empty boat without being asked, at which "charter prices" are then demanded for a full boat at the end. The 3 Vilingili Ferry Terminal also serves other routes. Right next to it is the tsunami memorial.
language
The national language is Divehi (a Sinhalese dialect). The script is of Arabic origin and is called Thaana. English is spoken very often in the capital Malé - English is predominantly spoken on the holiday islands. However, it is also not uncommon to find employees who have a basic knowledge of French, German or even Japanese.
to buy
Currency is the Rufiyah. A return is not possible. Dollar cash is also used in the tourist resorts, and menus are often only priced in these. Usually the evening before departure is billed by credit card. The euro is now also accepted in some shops.
- Opening times
Frequently 15-30 minutes interrupted during prayer times.
- Banks: 8.30 a.m.-1.30 p.m., Sun-Thu Exchange rate: US $ 1 = 15.3 Rs., € 18.4 (Sept. 2017). ATMs are only numerous on the main island.
- Authorities: 7.30 a.m.-2.30 p.m., Sun-Thu
- Shops: 8 am-6pm, Sun-Thu
- Restaurants are closed for lunch on Friday. (There are also restrictions in Ramadan).
There is a ban on alcohol outside the resorts. Cash prices on these islands can be high; US $ 5 for a small beer or US $ 130 for a bottle of vodka is not uncommon. You can basically buy anything on Malé itself, on the larger tourist islands there are usually electronics retailers and jewelers as well as the obligatory souvenir shops. You will rarely find bargains, as practically all goods are imported.
There is a tendency to ask fancy prices from tourists, but unlike in India, not to be traded. Price requests of US $ 10 for a 1½ liter water bottle occur. Be particularly careful with jewelry and souvenirs made of corals or animal materials: It is absolutely recommended to find out about the import regulations of your home country or possible transit countries beforehand, because of the export of corals, mussels from the Maldives or the import into other countries there are some restrictions due to the Washington Convention on the Protection of Species. Violations can result in high fines or even imprisonment.
kitchen
The cuisine in the Maldives is Asian style. Fish and rice can often be expected on the menu. The food in the hotels is prepared quite hygienically. There are also some specialties in the Maldives ... Let yourself be surprised ...
Coffee drinkers have to make do with the Indian version of powder coffee from a well-known Swiss company, there is no such thing as coffee beans.
- Kandu Kukulhu, also known as tuna curry, is a traditional Maldivian dish and literally means "chicken of the sea". Tuna fillets are rolled with curry paste, tied with a strip of coconut leaf and cooked in coconut milk. The curry is usually prepared overnight. It is then served with rice or roshi (flat bread).
- Mas huni is a typical Maldivian breakfast consisting of tuna, onion, coconut and chilli. All ingredients are finely chopped and mixed with the grated meat of the coconut. This dish is usually eaten with freshly baked roshi flatbread and sweetened hot tea.
Kandu Kulkulhu (far right) with rice, chapati and salad
Mas huni with roshi
nightlife
Except for the bars on the tourist islands, none.
accommodation
A room in a “guest house” is rarely available for less than US $ 40. Ordinary meals cost US $ 8-15.
As a rule, it will be cheaper to book a package deal in Europe than to contact a resort directly. In 2017, 4 * systems charge between € 320 and € 1450 per night. It should be noted that you are bound to one island, trips to other tourist islands require the permission of the manager there. Such excursions by boat cost (without everything) US $ 25-125.
The accommodations on the islands in the Maldives are very luxurious and quite beautiful. However, they are quite expensive in terms of price, so that a trip can be very expensive.
- in Malé
The main island is almost the only one on which foreigners are allowed to stay without a special permit, there is then a certain selection of accommodation.
Work
Most jobs in the Maldives are in the tourism sector, but usually only for Muslim guest workers from Bangladesh or Pakistan. Of these, there were 63,000 in 2016. If you want to work there, you definitely have to be prepared for low wages and long working hours. Accommodation is often in rooms with up to 20 residents, some of whom may even speak German, some even no English.
public holidays
Holidays with fixed dates are Jan 1st: New Years Day, May 1st: Labor Day, July 26th: Independence Day, Nov 3rd: Victory Day, Nov 11: “Republic Day “And Nov. 19: National Day.
In addition, there are the Muslim holidays calculated according to the moon: beginning (April 12, 2021) and end (May 12, 2021) of Ramadan, breaking the fast (May 13, 2021), festival of sacrifice (July 19, 2021), birthday of the prophet (May 19, 2021). October 2021), Islamic New Year (August 10, 2021) as well as the day of the adoption of the Koran faith in the Maldives.
Safety and rules of conduct
Fire department: ☎ 118
Police: ☎ 119
Ambulance: ☎ 102
Although there have been repeated protests and unrest in the recent past, especially in the capital Malé, the Maldives are generally considered to be very safe for tourists, especially since tourism is one of the Maldives' main sources of income.
Despite the fact that Islam is the state religion in the Maldives, western standards regarding tolerance, human rights and freedom of religion apply on the islands with hotel complexes. However, you should avoid provocative clothing (such as bikinis, especially in the capital Malé or other local islands)[1]) or to display provocative behavior towards the Islamic religion in any way, as this can otherwise lead to considerable problems!
The practice of Christianity is forbidden in public! It is also not advisable to talk to the locals about religion or Christianity, as this could possibly be interpreted as Christian proselytizing, which is strictly forbidden in the Maldives![2] Entering mosques is forbidden to non-Muslims, in the main mosque they are tolerated outside of prayer times.
Photography is prohibited in the presidential palace and military facilities.
health
Vaccination recommendations for the Maldives can be found on Tropeninstitut.de.
climate
Due to its location in the mostly calm Indian Ocean, the Maldives have a very constant hot, tropical climate. Temperatures rarely drop below 25 degrees Celsius, even at night.
The weather is characterized by two monsoons: the southwest monsoon from May to October and the northeast monsoon from November to April. This is the most favorable time for surfers. The southwest monsoons usually bring wind and more intense rainfall in June and July. The months of November to April are considered the best time to travel; the high season is around Christmas. Divers have the best visibility from January to April.
| Jan | Feb | March | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mean highest air temperature in ° C | 30 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | O | 30.4 |
| Average water temperature in ° C | 27 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | O | 28 |
| Rainy days in the month | 4 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 12 | Σ | 131 |
Practical advice
- post
The Maldivian Post works reliably. There is a post office in the airport.
- 2 Main post, 26 Boduthakurufaanu Magu. Open: Sun.-Thu. 9.00-19.00.
Stamps and postcards are sold on the tourists, and delivery is also taken care of.
- Internet
Most resorts charge high fees for internet use.
Many guest houses on the main island, on the other hand, offer free WiFi.
- Cellular
The Maldives have two cellular providers Dhiraagu as ooredoo, whose prepaid credit is valid for 60 days. Both providers have a 4G LTE network (as of 2018) Due to the difficult geographical conditions of the Maldives with over 1000 islands, unfortunately no precise statement can be made about network coverage, but one can assume that both the capital Malé and all islands with tourist hotels are supplied by the mobile phone providers.
Furthermore, it is basically possible in the individual hotels to make calls via the landline network and to transmit fax messages. If you want or have to be permanently available by mobile phone, it may be advisable to use a satellite phone (e.g. Iridium or Thuraya); in this case too, the costs should be determined beforehand, as mobile satellite telecommunications are generally relatively expensive .
literature
There are several travel guides in German-speaking bookstores that deal specifically with the archipelago.
- Saudulla, Irsham; Maps of Maldives: the complete guide to the atolls & islands of Maldives; 2016 (Water Solutions); ISBN 9789991554105 ; [Atlas]
