Maldives Overview

Maldives Overview

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

Maldives Overview

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

About the author