GENERAL
Official name of the state
Republic of Maldives.
Capital
Times.
Geography
As a country located in Asia according to aceinland, the Maldives are located 500 km southwest of the southern tip of India and consist of 1190 flat coral islands, of which only 200 are inhabited. Most of the inhabited islands have lush, tropical vegetation. Low bushes grow on the uninhabited islands, some of which are just sand or coral banks. All islands are surrounded by reefs that enclose the shallow lagoons. Hundreds of these islands, together with other coral beds, form an atoll that surrounds a large lagoon. None of the islands are higher than 2 m above sea level. There are currently around 100 islands developed for tourism.
Government
Presidential republic (in the Commonwealth) since 1968. Constitution of 1968, last amended in 1998. New constitution ratified in 2008. Unicameral Parliament (Majlis) with 50 members. Under the new constitution, the president is directly elected every 5 years (limited to 2 terms of office). The 1200 islands are administratively divided into 20 atolls and a capital district, and each atoll is administered by an atoll chief appointed by the president. Independent since 1965 (former British protectorate).
Head of state
Abdulla Yameen, since November 2013.
Head of government
Abdulla Yameen, since November 2013.
Electricity
230V, 50 Hz; Adapter required.
Time zone
Maldives Time: CET +6
ECONOMY
Business etiquette
The islands have to import almost everything and are therefore of interest to business people. Most business is done in the morning.
Business hours: Sun-Thu 7.30 a.m.-2.30 p.m.
Economy
State Trading Organization (Chamber of Commerce)
STO Building, Boduthakurufaanu, Maafannu, MV-Malé 20345
Tel: 334 43 33.
Internet: www.stomaldives.com
Business contacts
State Trading Organization (Chamber of Commerce)
STO Building, Boduthakurufaanu, Maafannu, MV-Malé 20345
Tel: 334 43 33.
Internet: www.stomaldives.com
COMMUNICATION
Phone
International direct dialing.
Cellphone
GSM 900. Network operator is Dhiraagu, the telecommunications company of the Maldives (Internet: www.dhiraagu.com.mv). Mobile phones can be rented on site on a daily basis.
Internet
There is an internet café in the capital, Malé, and almost all hotels and resorts have email. Internet provider is Dhiraagu (Internet: www.dhiraagu.com.mv).
Post Office
Airmail to Europe takes about a week. Post office opening times: Sa-Thu 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
SHOP
Overview
Black coral rings and shells (which must be bought in authorized shops and may not be collected on the beach or taken from the sea), lacquered wooden boxes and reed mats. The export of corals that have not been processed into pieces of jewelry is strictly prohibited.
Shop opening times: Sa-Thu 8.30 a.m.-11 p.m., Fr 1.30 p.m.-11 p.m. Shops close five times a day for a quarter of an hour during Islamic prayer hours, except on the holiday islands, where shops are usually open all day and often in the evening.
NIGHTLIFE
Introduction
There is little or no organized night life, but the islands mostly host disco nights in the bars, often with live bands playing local or western music. Beach and BBQ parties are also very popular. Videos are shown on some evenings.
CULINARY
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels
There are five hotels in the Maldives and a large number of guest houses on Malé. Most visitors, however, reside on the vacation islands where resort accommodation is available. Further information is available from the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI), 3rd Floor, Gadhamoo Building, MV-Malé (Tel: 332 66 40 ‘, Internet: Website: http://www.matimaldives.com/V1/).
CULTURE
Religion
Sunni Muslims.
Social rules of conduct
The government insists on appropriate clothing. Swimwear belongs on the beach without exception. Outside the resorts, one should make sure that one is dressed according to the local customs. Shake hands to greet you.
Many locals smoke, however, during Ramadan, people generally only smoke and eat after sunset.
Tipping is officially not welcome.
CLIMATE
Best travel time
Hot, tropical climate. There are two monsoons, the southwest monsoon from May to October and the northeast monsoon from November to April. The southwest monsoons usually bring wind and rain in June and July. Temperatures rarely drop below 25 ° C at night. The best vacation time is between November and April.
COUNTRY DATA
Area code +960 Area (square km) 298 Population 393 253 Population density (per square km) 1320 Population in 2015 Member of the EU No main emergency number 102
