Maldives at a glance

The National Flag

The national flag is a green rectangle with a white crescent in the centre surrounded by a red border. The green rectangle denotes life, progress and prosperity. The crescent represents the Islamic faith of the country and the red border, the sacrifices made by national heroes in their fight for independence and national sovereignty. 

Full name

Republic of Maldives

Area

298 sq kms (1,190 Islands)

Archipelago

Length:823 km, Width: 130 km

No. of administrative atolls

20

Largest atoll

Huvadhu atoll (Gaafu Alifu and Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll)

Smallest atoll

Gnaviyani atoll

National Emblem

The coconut palm on the national emblem represents the livelihood of the nation and the crescent and star supported by two national flags signify the Islamic faith and of the State and its authority. The traditional title of the State reads Ad-Dawlat Ul-Mahaldeebiyya meaning the State of the Maldives.

Population

320,000 (2011 estimate)

Religion

Islam

Language

Dhivehi is the national language. English is widely spoken in business sectors.

Literacy rate

98.2%

Life expectancy

76 years (men), 79 years (women)

GNI per capita

US $6,530 (2011 estimate)

Internet domain

.mv

International dialling code

+960

National flower

Finifenmaa or Pink rose (Rosa polyantha)

National tree

Dhivehi ruh or Coconut palm

Capital

Male’ (1.77 sq km)

Time difference

The Maldives is 5 hours ahead of GMT. Some resorts set clocks to their own time.

Weather

The Maldives has a tropical climate with warm temperatures and a great deal of sunshine throughout the year. The weather in the Maldives is largely determined by the monsoons; the south-west monsoon form May to November and the north-east monsoon from December to April. While the south-west monsoon brings rain, stronger winds and often cloudy skies, the north-east brings the driest periods and calm seas with clear blue skies.

Temperature

30.4 C (Meam Max)

25.4 C (Mean Min)

Airports

Main Airport is Ibrahim Nasir International (Male') Airport on Hulhule island, two kilometers from capital Male'. Gan International Airport has opened recently for international flights, and there are 7 more domestic airports in the country. 

Currency

The currency of the Maldives is the Rufiya, which is equivalent to a 100 laari. The Rufiya is presented in the following denominations;

Rufiyaa: 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 

coins 2, 1, Laari: 50, 25, 10, 5, 1. The Maldivian currency has gone through several changes over the centuries.

US$ is the main currency used in the resorts. However all major currencies are accepted. 

Credit cards

All major credit cards are accepted at resorts, and in big shops and restaurants in Male’.

Maldivian Souvenirs

There is a wide variety of souvenirs available in the souvenir shops dotting in the main shopping area of Male’, the resort souvenir shops and the shops on inhabited islands that you may get the chance to visit on island hopping or other excursions.