MALDIVES

Capital:
Male. Population: 104,403 (2008).

National characteristics:
1 Jan New Year's Day.
26 Feb National Day.
9 Mar Mawlid al-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet).
29 Mar The Day Maldives Embraced Islam.
26-27 Jul Independence Day.
22 Aug Ramadan begins.
21 Sep Eid al-Fitr (Ramadan ends).
3 Nov Victory Day.
26 Nov Hajj Day.
11 Nov Republic Day.
28 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
18 Dec Islamic New Year.

National characteristics:

The majority of the indigenous population does not mix with the tourist visitors, with the exception of those involved with tourism in the resorts and Male. Dress is informal, but locals who are Muslim will be offended by nudity or scanty clothing in public places, and the government rigidly enforces these standards. Bikinis and other scanty beachwear are not acceptable in Male or on any other inhabited island; they should be restricted to resort islands only. When entering a mosque, the legs and the body, but not the neck and the face, should be covered. Handshaking is the most common form of greeting. The indigenous population not involved in the tourist trade lives in isolated island communities maintaining almost total privacy. A large number of locals smoke, but smoking and eating during Ramadan is discouraged.

Geographic sketch:

The Republic of Maldives consists of about 1,190 low-lying coral islands, of which only 200 are inhabited. Most of the inhabited islands are covered by lush tropical vegetation and palm trees, while the numerous uninhabited islands, some of which are mere sand spits or coral tips, are covered in shrubs.

Each island is surrounded by a reef enclosing a shallow lagoon. Hundreds of these islands together with other coral growth form an atoll, surrounding a lagoon. All the islands are low-lying, none more than 2m (7ft) above sea level

Climate:

The Maldives have a hot tropical climate. There are two monsoons, the southwest from May to October and the northeast from November to April. Generally the southwest brings more wind and rain in June and July. The temperature rarely falls below 25°C (77°F).
Required Clothing
Lightweight cottons and linens throughout the year. Light waterproofs are advised during the rainy season.

Population:

The population of Maldives in 2003 was estimated by the United Nations at 318,000, which placed it as number 167 in population among the 193 nations of the world. In that year approximately 4% of the population was over 65 years of age, with another 41% of the population under 15 years of age. There were 105 males for every 100 females in the country in 2003. According to the UN, the annual population growth rate for 2000–2005 is2.98%, with the projected population for the year 2015 at 447,000. The population density in 2002 was 937 per sq km (2,426 per sq mi).

Language:
The national language is Dhivehi. English is widely used as a business language in government offices and the commercial sector. Other languages are widely used within tourist areas.

Religion:
The indigenous population is entirely Sunni Muslim, and the group practice of other religions is illegal.

Currency:

Maldivian Rufiya (MVR; symbol MRf) = 100 laari. Notes are in denominations of MRf500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of MRf2 and 1, and 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 laari.

Currency Exchange:

Major currencies can be exchanged at banks, tourist resort islands, hotels and leading shops. Payments in hotels can be made in most hard currencies (particularly US Dollars) in cash, traveller's cheques or credit cards.

Shops:
Male is the commercial hub of the Maldives in addition to being the capital city. Varieties of consumer goods are imported to Maldives and are sold in Male. Electronic items, beauty products, perfumes, chocolates and cosmetics are available from shops in different parts of Male. Garments are mainly found in shops in Majeedhee Magu and Chandhanee Magu, two well-known streets of Male. Garments are mainly imported from Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Dubai. The shopping area of Chandhanee Magu is known as Singapore Baazaar, named after the shops that used to be there, with products imported from Singapore in 1960s and 1970s. Today, the area is flooded with souvenir shops. Nevertheless, one can still find varieties of other products in this area.

Food:
The resorts offer diverse international cuisine including oriental, Middle Eastern, Indian and continental ones. The hotels and restaurants in Male serve the customers with western and eastern specialities. Few of the guesthouses offer food.

The cafes in Male (locally known as hotaa) is an ideal place to experience local tastes. Maldivian food is spicy but milder than the food found in some neighbouring countries. Sweet, sour, hot and spicy food is found. Hedhikaa is the short eats popular in many cafes. Hot and spicy savouries are made of smoked fish, grated coconut, lime juice, onion and chilli. They include bajiyaa (pastry stuffed with fish), kulhi boakibaa (fishcake), keemia (fish rolls) and gulha (fishballs) and masroshi (small pancake stuffed with fish). The sweet items are made from flour, sugar, and essence. They include foniboakiba (cake made of flour), githeyo boakiba (made of flour, onions, and butter), and huni hakuru folhi (made of grated coconut, sugar and flour). A cup of black tea (kalhu sai) is the usual option to wash down the short eats.

Alcoholic beverages and pork are prohibited by Law and only found in tourist resorts and liveaboards for tourist consumption.

Transportation:
The Maldives being an island nation, water transport is the most popular mode. Dhoani, the locally made wooden boats are primarily used for transport. Speedboats are also used to cater for the tourism industry. Speedboats can be hired as well. Male and some other islands offer taxi services. The taxis have a fixed fee and the normal fare for a taxi in Male is MRF 15. Most islands are small enough for a brisk walk to cover the island.

Communications:
Telephone Country code: 960. Mobile Telephone Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage is excellent throughout the islands. Handsets can be hired by the day. Internet The Internet can be accessed from most areas of the Maldives. Male, the capital, has a lack of internet cafes, but Wi-Fi is available in many cafes. Almost all resorts have Internet connections, though these are rarely free.

Tips:
Tipping is not compulsory in the Maldives as 10% service charge is added to everything - but given the low salaries earned by the staff and the level of service generally offered as being excellent it is a nice gesture to help the staff of resorts to earn some extra money - It is also not entirely certain that the 10% service charge is passed onto the islands staff.

Credit Cards:

Most major island resorts, local and souvenir shops will accept American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa. Arrangements vary from island to island. There are ATMs widely available in Male.

Urgent numbers:
102 - Ambulance
118 - Fire Department