Maldives
Maldives
Capital city description
Malé, the capital of Maldives, is both a city and an island, combining cosmopolitan style with laid-back islander roots. Candy-colored skyscrapers dominate the spectacular skyline, artificial beaches beckon visitors to the turquoise waters, and historical sites await exploration. The islet is only 1.7 kilometers long and one kilometer wide, but more than 100,000 people call it home. It is the world’s densest city, making it easy to explore on foot. You can walk around the entire island in about an hour, and nearly all the sights are conveniently concentrated on the north shore.
Climate
The climate of Maldives is primarily dry and sunny the whole year. The Maldives is located at the equator and experiences two climate changes, northeast monsoon and southwest monsoon. In both climates, the temperate varies a little between 28 degrees and 32 to the maximum. The environment of the Northeast monsoon extends from January to March. It usually rains for a few hours a day during climate change, and the sea becomes rough. After about a week, the Maldives climate becomes normal.
- Dry season: November to April
- Rainy season: May to October
Languages spoken
The official and national language of Maldives is Dhivehi (or Divehi), which is also known as Maldivian. One of the most widely spoken languages in the Maldives is English, majorly due to the widespread tourism that the country is dependent upon. Since the Islamic religion dominates the Maldives, the Arabic language is also spoken by a large majority.
Fun/Fascinating Facts
- The Maldives is that it was founded by an Indian prince who was sent to exile. Sri Soorudasaruna Adeettiya is the first king of the island, which was then called Dheeva Maari, and established the Adeetta Dynasty in the Maldives.
- In 2009, the president of Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, organized the meeting of all cabinet ministers at the sea bed to raise awareness about the dangers the oceans of the world are facing and how humans are interfering in freshwater resources.
- The Maldives is close to the equator; the sun’s rays shine almost directly down on you, striking at a 90° angle.
- Two seasons dominate the Maldives’ weather: the winter northeastern monsoon season and the rainy southwestern summer monsoon season.
- The country of Maldives does not recognize Saturday and Sunday as the weekend, but Friday and Saturday.
Unique Customs/Traditions
- The Maldivians are skillful craftsmen. They are amazingly skilled at wood carving and lacquer work, making beautiful and elaborate designs that are astounding. The country's women also make beautiful woven mats made from dyed and woven into beautiful intricate patterns.
- Old Hindi songs remain very popular and are an inspiration for many Maldivian songs. The traditional dances of Maldives also draw strong push from the Northern Indian classical dance form of Kathak.
- Maldivians are pretty conservative and wear traditional dress. Males wear a sarong and white cotton shirt, while females dress a traditional libaa, a long dress with gold and silver thread. Guests must also be fully clothed while swimming at the beaches on the mainland unless swimming at a designated bikini beach.
- Music and dance are an essential part of Maldive's culture and are heavily influenced by their nations. One of the most notable Maldives performances is the "Bodu Beru." The dance is performed by large groups of 15 to 20 men and features a range of drummers, dancers, and singers.
Popular universities
| Name | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| Maldives National University | The Maldives National University is a non-profit public higher education institution established in the small city of Malé. Established in 2011 and officially recognized by the Ministry of Education of the Maldives, The Maldives National University (MNU) is a coeducational Maldivian higher education institution. The Maldives National University (MNU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees in several areas of study. | |
| Cyryx College | Cyryx College is a private college in the Malé City of Maldives. Established in 1993, Cyryx College is the longest private college in the Maldives. Cyryx College offers certificates, diplomas, and degrees in Information Technology, Management, and Multimedia. Cyryx College operates its academic activities on three campuses: the Maafannu campus houses the School of Information Technology, the Machangolhi campus houses the School of Business, and the Galolhu campus houses the School of Multimedia Arts and Design. | |
| Mandhu College | Mandhu College is a private college located in the Maldives. Mandhu College collaborates with some prominent universities in UK and Australia. Mandhu College is accredited by the Maldives Qualifications Authority. Mandhu College offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. | |
| Maldives Polytechnic | Maldives Polytechnic is a Maldivian government-funded training institute. Maldives Polytechnic was established for offering technical and vocational education in several areas of study. | |
Festivals & Events
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Ramadan
Date: April
Ramadan begins on the ninth month of the Islamic or the Lunar calendar, during which the Muslims observe fasting, prayer, reflection, and charity for 30 days. Muslim is a predominant population in the Maldives; the government offices work only between 9 am to 1.30 pm. Most of the private workplaces close by 3 pm. Ramadan is one of the best times to visit the Maldives, as you get to taste many cultural foods that are exclusive to this festival. Meantime, resorts and hotels are not affected by the holy month.
Eid-ul Fitr ( Kuda Eid)
Date: May
Eid-ul Fitr, also identified as Kuda Eid, signifies the end of Ramadan and is the 1st day of the month of Shawaal (the 10th month) in the Islamic Calendar. Eid-ul Fitr is a cardinal festival in Islam and is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the Maldives. Kuda Eid commends the locating of the new moon.
People in the Maldives celebrate the day mostly with their family and relatives. A significant activity during this Eid is to donate (fitr zakaath) in charity to the poor and the needy. The celebration starts with a morning prayer followed by participating in a sermon at the mosque. Then, the people visit friends and relatives and dine together. The festivities continue for three consecutive days, and people also engage in traditional festive games.
Eid Ul Adha
Date: July (10th day of Thul Hijjah according to the Muslim calendar)
Eid Ul Adha festival of Maldives is one of the major religious festivals of Maldivians known as the Festival of the Sacrifice in the Islamic faith and Muslims worldwide. It is celebrated on the 10th day of Thul Hijjah, according to the Muslim calendar. The Maldives Eid Ul Adha festival typically occurs about 70 days after the month of Ramadan.
The Maldives Eid Ul Adha festival also signifies the end of Hajj or the pilgrimage trip to Mecca by millions of Muslim worshippers. It is a four-day holiday that is observed by offering special prayers, sacrificing animals, and eating out with friends and family.
Prophet Mohammad's Birthday
Date: October (12th day in the month of Rabee-ul-Awwal, according to the Islamic Calendar)
Prophet Mohammad's Birthday in the Maldives is yet another important festival day in the Maldivian calendar celebrated with great splendor and presentation. It happens on the 12th day in the month of Rabee-ul-Awwal, according to the Islamic Calendar. This festival is of great religious importance. People of Maldives visit each other on this day. Some exclusive delicacies are prepared to make the day a special one
The National Day
Date: 27th September
Maldives national day is a significant day, as it commemorates the victory of Muhammad Thakurufaanu over the Portuguese in the year 1573. National Day is marked primarily through numerous parades held throughout the Maldives, the main one being in the capital city of Male. These are massively military parades, very ceremonial, and political speeches and flag-raising ceremonies often accompany them.
Based on the Islamic calendar, the National Day of Maldives occurs on the 1st of Rabee ul Awwal, the third month.
Independence Day
Date: 26th July
One of the most important days in the Maldives, Independence Day, has a lot of significance; on this day, this country gained freedom from the clutches of Britishers. It happens on the 26th of July. In the year 1887, Maldives became a British Protectorate. During that time, the Britishers conceded that they wouldn't interfere in the internal affairs of Maldives.
The top highlights of the Independence Day of Maldives consist of the parades by the National Security Services and the National Cadet Corps. It is followed by several performances by school children dressed in colorful costumes.
Attractions / Top Sights
Diving Bluetribe Moofushi
When to visit: Between December and April
Bluetribe Diving is located on the enchanting island of Moofushi; It is centrally located on the west side of Ari Atoll, an area among the best in the Maldives, and is one of the few places in the world for whale shark sightings, especially during the northeast monsoon.
Blue tribe Diving guides a dive trip out of its headquarters at Constance Moofushi Resort on the island of Moofushi. With experienced dive guides and 37 fantastic dive locations, Ari Atoll provides a diversity of amazing corals and unparalleled stonefish and scorpionfish. Visitors can dive with white point reef sharks, gray reef sharks, tuna, eagle rays, and manta rays.
Maldivian Surf Club
When to visit: March to November
Located on the island of Gan and centered in the Laamu Atoll, the Maldivian Surf Club gives tourists the chance to surf some of the most fabulous breaks in the world. The club conducts predominantly out of the Reveries Diving Village, though they run their activities with plenty of other native resorts and guest houses on the island. The transit tourists and boards to 10 different less crowded surf breaks – Laamu Hithadhoo, Laamu Maabaidhoo, and Laamu Olhuveli, to mention a few. The southwest monsoon produces strong swells in this region, providing surfers with perfect rolling left breaks.
Malé
When to visit: Between December and April
Malé, the capital island of the Maldives, is one of the best tourist spots in the Maldives. This island is densely populated and full of tall, panoramic structures and historical mosques. Here tourists will see the National Museum, Sultan Park, and the primitive Artificial Beach. Malé is the best instance of present Maldivian life. With plenty of restaurants, stores, and bustling markets, surely visitors will enjoy it.
Velaa Private Island
When to visit: October to November
Velaa Private Island, a stunning retreat in the Noonu Atoll, is 187 kilometers north of Malé. Velaa provides pleasant accommodations, including the Sunrise Water Pool Villa, Beach Pool Villa, Beach Pool House, and Ocean Pool House.
Visitors can explore the turquoise ocean and its limitless calmness at the Spa Bungalow or maintain their golf skills strong in paradise at the Jose Maria Olazabal planned practice spot. Tourists can also savor lots of water activities, including jet-skiing, wakeboarding, and stand-up paddleboarding.