Maldives map Yandex. Maldives on the map
"Maldives" - the name of these islands alone sounds like some kind of marvelous music, and in the minds of everyone, an image of a serene paradise beach. But it seems that many of us are not very clear about where exactly Maldives is located on the world map. Let me close this little gap quickly :)
Maldives are located in the Indian Ocean very close to the equator. Almost at the equator. The easiest way to find them on the map is like this:
- India (Hindostan peninsula) - slightly lower and to the right (i.e. closer to the equator and east) -
- the large island of Sri Lanka - and now to the left (west) -
- Maldives!
The Maldives are located 700 kilometers west of Sri Lanka. The Maldives is an archipelago that consists of more than twenty atolls. An atoll in the case of the Maldives is a group of small islands of coral origin that form a ring. The islands most likely have a volcanic "history": they suggest that once there were ancient volcanoes, overgrown with coral reefs, and then they were gradually flooded by water indian ocean.
The coral islands that form the atolls are perfectly visible from the plane: intricate outlines, spots of turquoise lagoons on the blue surface of the ocean.
There are no large, large islands in the Maldives archipelago. Even the airport had to be built on a separate island: on the island of Male, where the capital of the republic is located, it did not fit;) Even the most major islands have a length of no more than two kilometers.
The position of the Maldives on the world map near the equator determines, of course, the climate. It is soft and warm here, a real tropical one. Although the sun in the Maldives is very hot, there is no unbearable 40-degree heat. The usual temperature is +28. On clear days, the sun can be a few degrees hotter. But hardly more than +33. Add to this the fresh breath of the ocean. You may not even feel the heat - but sunburn on the skin is a must if you do not use sun protection products! The tropical sun is dangerous, you can easily get burned in the water. You will sunbathe even under clouds in cloudy weather and in the shade under palm trees.
The air and water temperature practically does not change throughout the year. The Maldives has a high (approximately from October to April) and low seasons (from May to September), they differ in that it sometimes rains during the low season, and the sea can be rough. Tour operator websites claim that severe storms and tsunamis are extremely rare in the Maldives. However, for example, the island of Villivaru is now closed to the public, because the hotel that was there was destroyed by the tsunami in 2004. Of course, this is not a reason to refuse a trip, but if you are going fishing or diving in the open ocean, check the weather forecast in advance .
There are no mountains in the Maldives, no hills, no boulders and large stones, in fact there is not even soil here (that fertile layer of dark color that we are used to), there is only sand. The highest point in the Maldives is 2.4 meters. If global warming is really coming, if the glaciers are really melting and the water level in the oceans is rising, then the Maldives will disappear from the world map. And perhaps it will happen in a few decades.
The Maldives is something truly extraordinary and unforgettable! It's worth visiting at least once in your life! Of course it is Paradise islands, beautiful landscapes, water of absolutely delightful shades, palm trees gracefully bending towards the water, soft white sand, but perhaps the most important wonders are hidden under water - this is the amazing underwater living world of the Indian Ocean! And now you can definitely find the Maldives on the map, right?)
You may also be interested in: How to have a cheap holiday in the Maldives | Dangers in the Maldives | Alcohol in the Maldives | Photo Maldives - islands and beaches
The Republic of Maldives is the smallest Asian country in the world. It is a collection of islands lost in the middle of the boundless Indian Ocean. Every year, land areas are more and more submerged in water, and, according to researchers, they will soon face serious flooding.
Because of the water level in the ocean is constantly rising, which may soon lead the islands of the Maldives to disaster. If you want to visit this real paradise where time seems to have stopped - hurry up! Its pristine beauty will not leave anyone indifferent - snow-white sandy beaches, blue lagoons, evergreen tropical trees will forever remain in the soul of any traveler.
Where is the Maldives on the map? The geographical position of the state
Finding the Maldives on a world map is quite difficult. This small country is located in the Indian Ocean, south of the Hindustan Peninsula and southwest of the island of Ceylon. Its closest neighbors are India (595 km), Sri Lanka (670 km) and the Chagos Archipelago (500 km). You can see the Maldives on the map below.
The Republic of Maldives is a coral archipelago, the length of which from west to east is 130 km, and from north to south - 823 km. It consists of 1196 small islands of presumably volcanic origin. They form a double chain of 26 atolls - large coral land areas that look like a bursting ring. The largest and most significant are the South (North Niland), Aria Atoll. The distance between groups varies from 25 to 80 km.
The total area of land and water reefs of the Maldives is 298 sq. km., and the total area, together with the water area, is 900,000 sq. km. Of the more than 1,100 islands, only 202 are inhabited, more than 70 of which are first-class tourist resorts.
Historical reference
Very little information has been preserved about the early history of the Republic of Maldives. It is believed that the culture of the Maldives appeared before the 5th century BC. Fragments of pottery found during excavations suggested that settlements of the Redins were founded on the islands as early as 2000 BC. In 500 BC on southern islands there were Buddhists who arrived from Fr. Ceylon. This fact is confirmed by an ancient Buddhist manuscript and the head of a Buddha statue dating from the 11th century. The first Chinese sailors reached the islands of the Maldives in 412. From 1153 - from the moment of the adoption of Islam - all major historical events were recorded in the history of the Sultanate.
According to numerous testimonies of navigators, for a long time the islands were ruled by female sultanas. Europeans up to the 15th century. knew nothing about the country and did not mark the Maldives on the world map until Vasco da Gama crossed the Indian Ocean. In 1507, Lorenzo de Almeida sailed to the islands, and in 1529, the Parmentier brothers. From 1558, the Portuguese dominated the islands until a guerrilla war broke out and they were destroyed. Further, until 1760, the Maldives were under the protection of the French, and from the middle of the 17th century. - the Dutch, and then the British. In mid-1965, after mass popular uprisings, the Maldives gained independence from Great Britain. In 1968, a new constitution was adopted, and the country acquired official name- Republic of Maldives.
State flag
The modern version of the main state symbol of the country was adopted in July 1965. The flag of the Maldives is a red cloth, which depicts a green rectangle and a white crescent. It has a special symbolic meaning. The red color denotes the courage of the heroes who, without hesitation, defended and will continue to defend their country, sacrificing themselves and shedding blood. The green rectangle symbolizes the nature of the Maldives - coconut palms, which are the source of life for the indigenous population. The white crescent symbolizes the religiosity of the Maldivians and reflects their adherence to Islam.
Economy of the Republic of Maldives
Now the Republic of Maldives is a democratic developing state with a president at the head.
The country's economy is based on three "pillars": tourism, navigation and fishing. Thanks to the mild climate, rich underwater world and amazingly beautiful coral reefs crowds of tourists come here. In the open sea, it is carried out in lagoons and turtles are caught near the coast, corals, shells and natural pearls are mined.
Official banknotes. Currency exchange
The monetary unit of the Maldives is the rufiyaa. It consists of one hundred laari. One US dollar is approximately equal to a dozen rufiyaas. In circulation in the country there are banknotes of various denominations, including 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 rufiyaas, as well as coins - 1, 2, 5, 10, 25 and 50 lari.
You can exchange currency at any bank, airport or exchange points at the official rate. It will be difficult to make an exchange on islands remote from the capital, at a rather unfavorable rate. Basically, small bills are required for calculations, so stock up on them in sufficient quantities. On many expensive resorts accepts US dollars and euros, as well as credit cards.
Demography
The population living in the archipelago is approximately 400 thousand people. Almost all of them are descendants of immigrants from the Middle East, South, South-East Asia. Official language called "dhivehi", it is a kind of mixture of Arabic, English and Sinhala. The writing of the local dialect is based on the Arabic-Persian script. Indigenous people Islands profess Islam (Sunnism). It was brought by the Arabs and spread from the 12th century. And in 1968 Islam was declared the state religion.
Capital of the Republic of Maldives
Currently, Male is the capital of the Republic of Maldives, a small city located on the adjacent islands of Vilingile and Male. Its area is only 5.8 square meters. km. The population of Male is approximately 105 thousand people. Get to the administrative, political and cultural center The Maldives can be reached by air or sea, by boats, seaplane taxis or speedboats plying between the islands.
You can see all the sights of Male by walking along it. When visiting the city, it is advisable to wear things that cover the body well from neck to knees. Almost all souvenir shops are located at the northern end of Chaandani Magu. Here you can buy Maldivian mats made of palm fiber, decorative fishing boats, canned fish and amazingly delicious seafood. In general, Male is not rich in sights, although an inquisitive tourist will like the shady Jumuri-Maidan park, National Museum in Sultans Park, the Islamic Center with the Great Friday Mosque and the Medu Ziyarat Chapel.
Climate in the Maldives
The archipelago has a tropical monsoon climate. All year round the air temperature is quite high, has a small amplitude and varies between 26°C - 32°C. At night it does not fall below 25°C. In winter - from November to March - the northeast, warm monsoons prevail. In summer - from June to August - southwestern, more humid winds prevail. It often rains a little at this time on the islands. The water temperature varies between 24°C - 27°C. In the "dry" season from November to early April, the Republic of Maldives attracts numerous tourists from all over the world. Mild, warm climate, comfortable sea temperature, lack of rain and strong winds makes the islands so attractive to travelers.
It is interesting that a sufficient number of tourists visit the islands of the Maldives during the "wet" season. Despite the high humidity, a large amount of precipitation and raging winds, the influx of tourists does not subside. The fact is that from mid-April to early November, the cost of air tickets, accommodation and meals is significantly reduced, which attracts travelers who want to save money.
Flora and fauna
Famous throughout the world for its amazing variety of marine fauna and flora of the islands of the Maldives. The sea is full of amazing corals. Schools of various exotic fish, turtles, jellyfish, mollusks, sea stars and hedgehogs, moray eels, stingrays, attract diving and snorkeling enthusiasts.
Predators also live in the waters of the Maldives - sharks with black fins and sharks with white fins, and huge ocean inhabitants - hammerhead sharks and whale sharks - swim here. But you can not be afraid of them, because they are non-aggressive and practically harmless to divers. To prevent accidents, as well as to preserve the unique flora and fauna in the Maldives, there are strict scuba diving restrictions. Including it is forbidden to dive to a depth of more than 30 m, it is forbidden to spend more than 60 minutes underwater, each diver must have a dive computer with him, etc. Land fauna and flora are not very diverse.
Breadfruit, coconut, banana are common on many islands of the Maldives. Atolls - Daalu (Dhaalu) and Fafu - stand out for their lush vegetation. Exotic flowers grow here: hernandia lily, erminalia catappa, etc., there are impenetrable mangroves with huge ferns. There are no large animals in the Maldives, but you can meet bat Or the Indian flying fox. Terns, parrots, sea gulls, cormorants also live on the islands.
How to get to the archipelago?
The vast majority of tourists get to the Maldives by plane. The archipelago has international Airport named after Ibrahim Nasir. It is located on Hulule Island, 2 km. from the capital. The airport receives flights from different cities, including Moscow, Vienna, Qatar, Kuala Lumpur, etc.
On the official website of the airport, you can find all the necessary information, including seeing the time of arrival of the aircraft, choosing the right transfer for yourself, and even planning a trip. There is an ATM, a bank, a left-luggage office on the territory of the airport. You can have a snack or drink coffee in any of the cafes you like. To the left of the exit from the airport building is the pier. Ferries depart from it every 10-15 minutes to the capital of the country. The fare varies between 1-2 USD, depending on the time of day.
Great resorts. Maldives - a paradise for tourists
Vacationers are delivered to the surrounding atolls by small nimble seaplanes or boats. North and South Male, Ari, Baa, Miimu, Laviani, Haa Alifu, Faafu, Dhaalu atolls are the most beautiful resorts in the country, and each of them has its own zest.
More than 120 hotels operate in the Maldives, which can simultaneously serve about 50 thousand tourists. Basically, all hotels have 4 or 5 stars, it is extremely rare to find a hotel with a worse level of service. Also in the Maldives, you can stay in a magnificent bungalow and enjoy solitude.
Recreation and entertainment
The beaches of the archipelago are the cleanest, with pleasant white sand. The water is amazingly warm and calm. Maldives offer respectable rest, lack of hustle and bustle and communion with unique nature. For lovers active rest available developed infrastructure sports entertainment. At the resorts you can go sailing, canoeing, skiing, surfing and, of course, diving. On the beaches of the atolls, it is forbidden to drink alcohol, collect and damage corals, spearfishing.
It is worth noting that the use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited not only on the beaches, but also in any public places, outside resort area. Topless and nude swimming is also not allowed. In addition, it is forbidden to litter on the islands. Any violation of the order will result in a severe fine.
Customs in the Maldives
All travelers should familiarize themselves in advance with the list of goods that are allowed to be imported and exported from the country. All luggage must be inspected by customs officers. It is allowed to import cigarettes (200 pcs.), Perfume (125 ml), personal consumption goods into the territory of the Republic of Maldives. It is not allowed to bring alcoholic drinks, pork, sausage, drugs and pornography. An attempt to violate the law is subject to a fine of 500 USD. Any tourist should remember that the export of products made from tortoise shells, pearl oyster shells, black and red corals is strictly prohibited. You can not export from the country and items found in the sea. Be careful and enjoy your holiday!
Detailed map of the Maldives in Russian. Map of roads, cities and regions on the map of Maldives. Show on map Maldives.
Where is the Maldives located on the world map?
The Maldives, or the Republic of Maldives, is located in the equatorial waters of the Indian Ocean between the continents of Asia and Africa, about 700 kilometers southwest of the island of Sri Lanka and the Hindustan Peninsula, on which India is located. The archipelago consists of about a thousand islands stretching for almost 1000 kilometers. Holidays here are famous for privacy, tranquility and first-class service. The country is famous for its white sandy beaches, picturesque nature, wealth underwater world Indian Ocean.
Interactive map of Maldives with islands
The islands that make up the republic are a group of atolls, which consist of numerous islets. Almost every island in the Maldives belongs to some kind of hotel, so the rest here takes place in an atmosphere of a unique sense of solitude and peace. The most famous atolls: Kaafu Atoll, or North Male (27 resort and 8 fishing islands), Kaafu Atoll, or South Male (19 resort islands and 3 inhabited local residents), as well as the Vaavu, Meemu, Seenu, Faavu Atolls.
Geographic location of the Maldives
The islands are located in the vastness of the Indian Ocean and stretch for a thousand kilometers north of the equator. The Maldives is the lowest located state in the world. The islands rise only slightly above sea level: their highest point on the southern Addu Atoll is only 2.4 meters. Geographical coordinates Maldives: 3°28′36″ N sh. and 72°50′12″ E. d.
Territory of the Maldives
The land territory of the republic occupies 298 square kilometers - the 210th place in the world. However, if we take into account the maritime spaces, then the total territory of the state will be about 90,000 square kilometers, of which 97% is the water surface.
Regions and Atolls of the Maldives
Administratively, the Maldives is divided into twenty island groups (atolls) and the capital atoll, the city of Male. These atolls are included in eight regions, formed according to geographical location. So, among them there are the Far North, Northern, Central and some other regions.
This small country is located on 20 atolls in the equatorial Indian Ocean. More than 2000 km separates the Islamic Republic from India. The distance to Sri Lanka is much less: if you look at the Maldives on the world map, you can see that the states are about 700 km apart from each other.
Island Information
The state of Maldives is formed by almost 2000 coral islands. About 400 thousand people live here, and Islam is the dominant religion. The total area of the Republic of Maldives is 90 thousand km 2, however, no more than 300 km 2 fall on the share of land from it.
Interestingly, the only city and port of the country is its capital, Male, located on the atoll of the same name. The remaining islets are almost uninhabited and only occasionally there are hotels on them.
The time in the Maldives is UTC +5, so when flying, you should prepare in advance for changing time zones.
Monthly weather in the Maldives
Climate features are determined by the location of the Maldives. It belongs to the subequatorial monsoon type, so the weather is drastically different in the dry and rainy seasons. Depending on the month of the trip, you have to prepare for the following:
January. A trip to the islands this month will definitely be successful due to the warm, sunny and calm weather and the calm that reigns in the ocean. Although technically January is the rainy season, there is a minimum of precipitation, which guarantees a wonderful beach holiday and diving opportunities. In the daytime, the thermometer rises to at least +24 °C, and the water temperature averages +27 °C.
February. At this time, crowds of tourists usually flock here. The ocean continues to delight with a comfortable water temperature of +25 °C, and the daytime air temperature rarely drops below +28 °C. There are practically no waves, and the sky is perfectly blue and cloudless. Therefore, even inexperienced divers can start learning the tricks of diving, and the almost complete absence of precipitation allows you to ride a yacht or a catamaran to your heart's content.
March. This month is also considered to be quite hot and dry, and the average air and water temperatures differ little from February. The sand stays very warm, and tropical showers practically does not happen. In March, many local flora bloom, but be prepared for occasional sandstorms.
April. At this time, the southwest monsoon comes to the Maldives, bringing with it a change in weather. Storms in the ocean are rare, the heat intensifies, but the rains here are still infrequent guests. If you cannot stand stuffiness, it is worth postponing the trip: the air temperature is mostly +30 °C, and the water temperature reaches +28 °C.
May. Very strong winds begin to blow, sometimes turning into hurricanes. There is much more precipitation: about half of the days in May are rainy. At the same time, the weather constantly surprises. The sun is replaced by heavy rain and vice versa.
June. This month continues the May trend as the southwest monsoon takes over. There are very strong gusts of warm wind. In June, the maximum precipitation typical for this region falls in the Maldives, but their amount rarely exceeds 200 mm. Ocean waves sometimes reach gigantic proportions. The thermometer stays at an average of +30 °C, and the water temperature in the ocean is +27 °C.
July. At this time, the islands are not very comfortable due to frequent rains. However, they quickly end, and soon the sky is partially cleared and the sun peeps through the clouds. In July, approximately 160 mm of precipitation falls, and the air temperature is +31 °C. In water, the thermometer usually shows +27 ° C. Thunderstorms are possible during which coolness is felt.
August. This month is considered the most changeable on the islands. In early August, the sea is quite warm and calm, winds and hurricanes practically stop. It rains relatively infrequently, and the atolls are still hot. But already at the end of the month, the sky becomes more and more covered with clouds, it often rains, and the wind intensifies.
September. Both day and night, the weather is predominantly warm, and the exhausting heat recedes. Remains quite high humidity, and precipitation falls up to 200 mm. Average number rainy days in September - 15-16. Rains are often accompanied by severe thunderstorms, but the ocean remains quite warm with water temperatures around +27 °C.
October. The air temperature drops slightly to +27-29 °C, and the water temperature drops to +26 °C, which does not interfere with swimming at all. It rains much less often: usually no more than 100 mm of precipitation falls.
November. This month, the northeast monsoon arrives in the Maldives, bringing with it warm and dry weather. Winds and rains rarely bother tourists, and the thermometer on average shows +28 ° С. Water warms up to +25 °С.
December. At this time of the year, everything blooms on the islands, so that they turn into a real tropical paradise. Daytime temperatures increase up to +30-32 °С, and the water temperature in the ocean rarely drops below +25 °С.
How to get to the Maldives
In any guidebook, where you will find everything you wanted to know about the Maldives, it is indicated that the connection island nation with the mainland is carried out exclusively by air. The country's only airport is located in the capital Male. You can get to it in the following ways:
Direct flight of Aeroflot from Moscow. New Airbus A-330-200 aircraft take off from the Russian capital twice a week: on Wednesdays and Saturdays. If it is important for you to know how long it takes to fly from Moscow on such a direct flight, you will have to be patient: the flight duration is approximately 9 hours.
Please note that when returning from the Maldives, you will have to pay an airport tax of 10 USD - 15 USD, which is not always included in the airfare.
Flight with connecting companies Qatar Airways(transfer point - Doha), Singapore Airlines (transfer point - Singapore) or Emirates Airlines (transfer point - Dubai). The cost of tickets for airliners of these air carriers already includes the airport tax.
On a Srilankan Airlines connecting flight. To do this, you will first have to fly to Dubai or Colombo and purchase at local airport ticket to Male for 180 USD - 250 USD. This is the most a budget option flights for those who want to save money.
The average cost of a flight between the capitals of Russia and the Maldives ranges from 570 USD to 720 USD one way.
Visa to the Maldives and customs clearance
There is no need for residents of Russia and the CIS countries to obtain a visa to travel to the Maldives, since there is a visa-free agreement between the countries. However, given the dramatic change in climate and the exotic nature of the region, it does not hurt to purchase a medical insurance policy. Weekly insurance will cost about 25 USD - 45 USD.
It is very important to comply with the rules of the customs legislation of the Republic of Maldives. They talk about the following:
- You can import and export foreign currency in unlimited quantities.
- 125 ml of perfume or cologne and 200 cigarettes, as well as no more than one personal item per passenger, are allowed without payment of duty.
- It is strictly forbidden to transport with you pork and meat products from it, salami sausages, pornographic goods, drugs, souvenirs from the shell of a sea turtle or dark coral, as well as antiques found at the bottom of the ocean.
Be sure to note that the import and export of any alcoholic beverages in the Maldives is prohibited. Violation of this rule may result in arrest.
The cost of holidays in the Maldives
Many Russian celebrities such as Volochkova are very fond of relaxing in the Maldives. This is due to the very comfortable climate and reasonable prices for accommodation. If you are wondering how much a standard ticket to the Maldives costs, please note that it depends on the following factors:
- duration of the trip;
- hotel category;
- the island on which the hotel is located;
- food and entertainment included in the price;
- season.
The more services the hotel offers for vacationers (SPA, swimming pools, animation, sauna and much more), the more expensive the rest will be. If you are planning a trip for 7-8 days with booking a single or double room with half board and a minimum of entertainment, you will have to spend from 2600 USD to 5500 USD.
The wedding tour involves a romantic weekend for the newlyweds and will cost from 1750 USD to 2500 USD. The price includes decoration of the room, services of photographers and musicians, fruit, wine or champagne and a solemn wedding ceremony of an informal nature. An all-inclusive tour is suitable for those who want to completely relax during their trip. Its price - from 3500 USD to 7000 USD for a weekly stay in a 4 or 5 star hotel - includes three meals a day and free drinks throughout the stay.
Those who want to save money should pay attention to last-minute tours: they are usually 30% cheaper. Also on the most budget holiday in the Maldives for 8 days you will have to spend about 2000 USD if you book a room in an inexpensive three-star hotel without special amenities. The price includes airfare and medical insurance.
The Maldives is a real sunny paradise on earth, where you can easily recuperate after a long-awaited vacation.
- the dream of all lovers of the beach, sand and water. This place impresses with its tranquility, beauty, solitude. Tourists of this country spend their days on the beach, feeling the silky White sand looking at the transparent blue water.
Despite the diversity of the animal world, there are no dangerous, poisonous animals in the country.
The Maldives has an excellent climate - the temperature varies from +17 °C to +32 °C all year round. This country cannot be imagined without coconuts, fish and rice, as well as various types of spices. In each institution, tourists are offered national dishes, such as hikimas, rihaukuru, coolie borkiba pies. And many hotels offer such entertainment as letting tourists catch their own dinner! Peace of mind and harmony in this place is guaranteed. Often they say about the Maldives: This is heaven on earth!
Maldives on the world map
Shown below interactive map Maldives in Russian from Google. You can move the map left and right, up and down with the mouse, and change the scale of the map using the "+" and "-" icons located at the bottom right of the map or using the mouse wheel. In order to find out where the Maldives are located on the world map, zoom out the map even further in the same way.
In addition to a map with the names of objects, you can look at the Maldives from a satellite if you click on the switch "Show satellite map» in the lower left corner of the map.
Below is another map of the Maldives. You can print it out and take it with you on the go.
You were presented with the most basic and detailed maps Maldives, which you can always use to search for the object of interest to you or for any other purpose. Happy travels!