The Maldives is among the most common tropical vacation destinations, as well as one of the most well-known in the global tourist community. To top it off, it’s a fascinating destination to visit, with its distinct history, culture, and traditions. The following are some of the most fascinating facts about the Maldives:
1. An underwater cabinet meeting
Yes, you read that correctly. In 2009, President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives convened a conference of all cabinet ministers on the seabed to raise awareness about the risks that the world’s seas face, as well as how humans are interfering with freshwater resources.
2. World’s flattest country.
With an average elevation of 1.8 meters above sea level, the Maldives is without a doubt the world’s flattest country. Qatar, with an average height of 28 meters, is the closest contender to this claim. That’s an extra 26.2 meters! The Maldives are completely flat. In fact, the maximum height in the country is on Villingili Island, at a height of 2.3 meters.
3. Maldives has a Strict Constitution
Only Muslims are entitled to call themselves Maldivians, according to the national constitution. Aside from Islam, no other religion is permitted.
4. The Indian Connection of Maldives
Another interesting thing to note about the Maldives is that it was founded by an Indian ruler who had been exiled from his homeland. As a punishment, an Indian ruler was sent from the kingdom of Kalinga to run over the Maldives islands approximately 270 BC. Sri Soorudasaruna Adeetya is supposed to have founded the Adeeta Dynasty in the Maldives and was the first monarch of the island, which was then known as Dheeva Maari.
5. Maldives has a Different Weekend
The Maldives, unlike its western equivalents, does not consider Saturday and Sunday to be weekends, but rather Friday and Saturday. So, if you see individuals working on a Sunday, don’t be shocked.
6. Maldives Base Religion
Despite being founded by an Indian king, the Maldives embraced Islam in 1153 A.D., and it is now the country’s dominant religion. This also includes adhering to Islamic laws. For example, with the exception of resorts and clubs, no alcohol is permitted.
7. Maldivian Flag
A green rectangle with a full moon in the center is surrounded by a red rectangle in the Maldivian flag. The crimson commemorates the sacrifice of those who have given their lives in defence of the country, the green indicates peace and prosperity, and the crescent moon symbolises Islam.
8. White Beaches of Maldives
The Maldives’ coastlines have white sand rather than yellow. It’s because the sand on the beaches is coralline rather than quartz, as is the case with other types of sand. This type of sand is also extremely rare, accounting for only 5% of all beaches on the planet.
9. It is Mostly Cloudy in Maldives
The Maldives’ weather is influenced by two monsoon seasons: the winter northeastern monsoon and the rainy southwestern monsoon season. What’s more, guess what?In the Maldives, it usually rains; I assume that’s what goes with being so close to the equator.
10. Maldives is Safest By Popular Opinion
Now, here’s an interesting fact about the Maldives which will make you want to visit this lovely island: the Maldives is regarded as one of the safest tourism attractions, owing to its islands’ isolation from one another while being tiny and manageable.
11. Maldives in Sinking
Maldives is fast falling into the ocean due to its below-average height and other causes such as sea level rise and growing soil degradation. To avoid this, strict rules are in place, but if the current rate of sinking continues, the island will be fully buried by 2030.
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12. Islands and Atolls Everywhere
The Maldives are made up of 26 atolls and 1190 islands, with about 200 of them inhabited and 110 reserved for tourist and luxury. As a result, crossing the ocean is a common occurrence in this country.
13. Maldivian Currency
Cowry shells were once used as payment in the Maldives, and they can still be found there today. This earlier currency has been recognised by the locals and is also depicted on modern currency notes and coins.
14. The Coconut Tree
The coconut tree is one of the Maldives’ icons, and there’s a good reason for it. Coconut is widely produced in the island nation, providing shade on the beaches as well as a good source of wood for making traditional dhonis or boats.
15. Maldives Dhonis
These are ancient Maldivian boats, which are today used not just for fishing but also for transport on the sea. The ancient Arabic sail dhow, which was extensively employed as a nautical ship in the Persian Gulf around the 11th century, is thought to have influenced the shape of these boats.
16. Equatorial Sunlight in Maldives
Due to its proximity to the equator, the Maldives gets sunlight practically at a 90-degree angle. Always carry and apply Sunblock with an SPF of 50 or higher.
These Maldives facts just scrape the surface of this incredible island nation’s actual culture and tradition; the rest must be experienced. This country, with its 298 square kilometers and 1000 islands, is not only one of the safest, but also one of the most beautiful. So, what do you have to lose?
17. Glowing Beach on Vaadhoo Island
To spice up your usual beach days, go to Vaadhoo Island’s “Sea of Stars.”Under the moonlight, the sea waters appear to glow magnificently.
This phenomenon is known as bioluminescence, and it is a defense mechanism used by free-floating microscopic planktons in the water when they are attacked by fish.Because of the sea’s bioluminescence, the water looks blue and sparkling.. The water is completely safe to play with because the blue light released is cool and produces no heat.
18. In the Maldives, you can go surfing.
Although surfing is one of the most popular watersports, not every ocean-facing terrain is suitable for it. The Maldives is one of the most popular surfing spots in the world, with massive waves that curl up at the perfect time to provide that Instagram-worthy time frame to surf.
The Maldives, which is known as one of the top surfing spots in the world, has a favorable geographical position that allows for year-round surfing, particularly in and around Male Atoll, Central Atoll, and Southern Atolls.