The Maldives is a tiny coral island chain underlying turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.70 islands turned into tourist resorts.The indigenous population of Maldives is fishing, which brings lucrative economy.Crops pineapples, pomegranates and sweet potatoes.Centuries ago, Buddhist kings, ruling the Maldives, was Muslim.Since then, the country preaching Islam.Tourists who come here to rest, to be mindful of that.

The Maldives bans alcohol in public places and swimming in the nude.Also, by going to walk into the city, better wear trousers or skirt and shirt.Walking in shorts and T-shirts may be open unpredictable reactions.If such rules are not frightened, and the visit is not cancelled, tourists will be fascinating sea emerald color, snow-white beaches, coconut palms and compelling beauty of tropical islands.Incidentally, this simply a haven for those who seek to paint from civilization.In the Maldives, there are no newspapers or television.You can sit all day and sun-bathe and there is no cigarette.

The only town, which is the city-Male, the capital of the State.In Male large number of shops, souvenir shops and several markets.Prices are ridiculous and no fee.Usually, buying T-shirts, scarves, shells, akuli teeth, handmade rugs, wooden figurines and jewelry with corals.The museums display ancient Buddhist sculptures and coral compositions.Rather!Ostrova-to coral.But corals produce very categorically forbidden.This is a national asset and it is good if someone otdelaetsya just fine.

For fans something unusual there krabi Racing, in the style tarakanih.Crazy spectators sit, stand, shout, and are selected for the crab.Underwater World Maldives is one of the best.It supports nearly 1,000 species of fish and countless other marine life.Submarine Valley, coral reefs lying at the bottom of fantastic beauty and size bowls are a diver feel Ihtiandrom.The islands are underwater diving school for those who have not learned to scuba dive.Experienced instructors eyes do not discharge to newcomers to help them settle in unusually beautiful waters.In any hotel, you can order the Marine walk from the sea, and soon, and a cruise around the islands with stops for relaxation.Picking rybu-parus, xyfias, blue or black marlin, tuna, or a shark (and many here), is soon to go to barbecues where fish cleaned and cook dinner.
Sports are very popular in the Maldives.Volleyball, basketball, flights to hydroplanes razomnut your pits.Who wants to spend just one person, let poletaet by helicopter.The hotels provide such trips.

All hotels constructed in the national style.It can be cottages, bungalows, huts, like Robinson Crusoe.Here, in the hotels, several restaurants with a variety of cuisine.There are swimming pools, bars, in the evening to go to local dances.In some islands bungalows are on pilings over the water.Overcast exotic.

Kitchen in the Maldives, as everywhere : local and European.The local food worth trying Rolls roasted fish or fish, baked with the pasta.And fish pie.And fish cocktail.And kebab from barrakudy.Although one of the tuna.Fish restaurants offer svezhevylovlennuyu but refuse to accept and cook your catch.After dining well drink Raa-drink milk from perebrodivshego palm.The taste is something like cakes, sweet and pleasant.Those who get in the holiday eat one fish, even rice and spices, well there are restaurants with European menu.But even there, do not forget to order dessert national Maldivian coconut sweets-white wand.The more you try not anywhere.

Territory

Maldives is located in the Indian Ocean, southwest of India and Sri Lanka, the capital city, Male.There are 1,190 islands that make up 26 atolls extending perpendicular to the equator double chain.The length from north to south, 820 km from west to east 120 km.About 107,500 sq km of territory is water.Indigenous people living on 199 islands, about 90 islands turned into tourist resorts.

Climate

Tropical warm, smooth because of the proximity of the equator, without significant fluctuations in temperature during the year.Best weather conditions from November to the end of April (northeast monsoon) : seas calm, the weather is sunny and dry.From May to October, the weather less predictable.Southwest monsoon rains may bring short-term, high humidity and turbulent sea.However, during this period the least hot.Storms and waves are likely in June.The average daily maximum was 30.4 oS.The average minimum night-25.4 oS.The temperature-24-27oS year round.

People

230 thousandpeople

Time

The time difference with Moscow : plus 1 hour in the summer, plus 2 hours in the winter.

Language

The official language is Dhivehi Maldives.But other resorts and circulated English

Religion

Muslim

National Features

While the Maldives has a relatively liberal state, visitors should carefully observe the laws.The Maldives bans alcohol in a public place (out of the resort area).Violation of the law could face imprisonment.Do not try to get in touch with the local women!To walk on Male encouraged to dress in accordance with Islamic ideas of morality : long trousers or skirt, shirt or blouse.The normal form of greeting Maldivians-hand handshake, officially zdorovayutsya "salami u", the word "kihenen" welcome each other in informal settings.The casual and simple existence in harmony with nature is the Maldivian way of life.Particularly striking local hospitality.This feature is transmitted by Maldivians from generation to generation.Maldives is a place where tourists always welcome guest.

IMPORTANT! ! !
In accordance with the laws of the Maldives Republic and the rules laid down in hotels strictly prohibited : destroy pluck living and the dead corals in the ocean and near the coast, damage bowls and raise them to the surface.All of these actions are prohibited by law!A violation fines.Catch fish off the islands.For this purpose, the hotels are organized fishing, as usual, and the major nepromyslovuyu fish; Categorically prohibited submarine hunting.Leaving empty banks, bottles of tin, glass and plastic and other debris on the islands.Use garbage containers destined for this.The visit to the capital, and small islands, where residents live in beach clothes.encouraged to wear things that cover the body from shoulder to knee.Nudism and Topless (topless) is prohibited by law.A violation fines.

Money

The official currency is the Maldive rufiya.Exchange rates approximately 12 rufiyaa per 1 USD.The hotels take credit cards for payment cents.Banks are open on weekdays from 9.00 to 13.00 15.00.But almost universally accepted for dollars and major credit cards.It is not necessarily to exchange for the arrival of dollars for local currency.

Mail and phone

The country code : 960.

Shopping, gifts, souvenirs

Shark jaw-favorite tourist souvenirs.In Male, you can buy handicrafts, light summer clothing.

Kitchen

Traditional dishes of rice and curry.Most local dishes very acute, are all kinds of local spices.Some meat dishes are sweet.In most restaurants, hotels offer meals as local, and European cuisine.The Maldives is a country with a hot climate, do not have a suspect in the field.

Transportation

Almost all tourists visiting the island, come here on the aircraft.Hotels offer tourists transfers by boat dhoni (speed 7 knots per hour), high-speed boats, helicopters and aeroplanes water, which brought tourists to the most remote corners of the country.Resting on the island, you can rent a dhoni (speed of 8 miles per hour) or speed boat.Anyone can cross the Maldives Islands for 1.5 to 2 hours.Bicycles and motorcycles are among the most popular forms of surface transportation.The movement Male operate taxis.In Male Male and the other major islands can rent a car.

Visa

Tourist visa affixed on a passport on arrival free, valid for 30 days from the date of entry.

Customs regulations

When the customs at the airport in the city of Male, it must be remembered that in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Maldives is prohibited : the importation of any alcoholic beverages, drugs, weapons for underwater hunting, pornographic material, recorded for viewing videos of films, etc. allowed to carry only sealed cartridge.

The embassy of Russia

The nearest consulate in Russia Sri Lanka : 574959

Tips

Do not recommend drinking tap water, use water from plastic bottles bought in a shop or suggested in the minibar.Be careful in the early days in the sun.Try to be more first time in the shadows.Use the tools that protect your skin from deflagration.Wear a hat.If you had an accident, call for service insurance company to inform their insurance case.The visit to the Maldives inoculations are required.Recommended take antimalarial pills.Acceptable any light clothing of your choice (best option-cotton fabrics).Even hotels as "Deluxe" when visiting most restaurants are not required to wear trousers, suit or tie.The beach is recommended normal beach wear.When visiting fishing villages and tourists to the capital Male, respecting Muslim traditions, wear modest clothing.Visitors are encouraged to bring with them all the necessary medicines, as well as other resorts do not have pharmacies kiosks.But you can always get medical help, if needed.Drinking alcohol in public places (outside the resort area) is strictly forbidden.

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