General Information

Geography : It is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean with 26 islands comprising 1,190 islands. each island It is a circular coral reef. Protected from waves and wind, there are only 200 inhabited islands and 80 resort islands.

Area : The islands are scattered on an area of 90,000 square kilometers, of which 99% are marine, 820 kilometers long from north to south, and 130 kilometers wide.

Climate : Hot and humid with an average temperature of 27 degrees Celsius in the monsoon area. There is a northeast monsoon. November - April and the southwest monsoon during May - October.

Capital City : Malé is home to government and government offices. It is a center of trade, business, education, with about 150,000 residents.

Meaning of country : Madives means island of Male, dives means island.

Population : 393,988 people (Jul 2013)

Nationality : South Indians, Sinhalese and Arabs

Religion : Islam is the national religion. Maldives people practice Sunni Islam. Religious activities of other religions are prohibited. Failure to do so will result in penalties.

Language : Dhivehi is an Indo-Arayan language family similar to Sinhalese. But the Arabic-like characters are written from right to left. The English language is commonly used.

Independence Day : July 26, 1966 (It's the day the Maldives were freed from being a British protectorate)

Time : 2 hours slower than Thailand.

Driving : Keep on the left like Thailand.

Electrical System : 240 V uses a three-prong plug.

Unit of Money : Rufia (RF)

Education System : Use the English education system.

Hospital : The major hospitals in Malé
              - Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital is a government hospital.
              - ADK Hospital is the largest private hospital.

There are 4 international airports

1) Ibrahim Nasir International Airport on the central island of Hulhule.

2) Hanimaadhoo International Airport on Hanimaadhoo Island. In the north, near India, is where the private plane landed.

3) Villa International Airport on Maamigili Island where the private plane landed.

4) Gan International Airport on Gan Island, Addu Islands, opened in August 2013.