Maldives Geography

The Maldives is situated in the South West of Sri Lanka, on the equator. The numerous coral reef islands, 1,190 in total, form an archipelago of 26 natural atolls ( groups of neighbouring coral islands). These 26 atolls are organised into 19 administrative atolls with the capital island of Male' established as an entity of its own forming the twentieth division. Seen from air, the atolls and the islands form breathtakingly beautiful patterns against the blue depths of the Indian Ocean.

The atolls of the Maldives are formed from coral structures. The atolls are part of a greater structure known as the Laccadives-Chagos Ridge, which stretches over 2000 kilometers. The islands are low lying with the highest point at approximately eight feet above sea level. Ring-shaped reef structures form the atolls and these reefs provide the natural defense against wind and wave action on these delicate islands.

Introduction to Maldives

The Maldives comprises of about 1190 islands grouped into atolls protected by surrounding coral reefs, which attracts various species of marine life. Coconut palms and tropical plants grow in abundance on most islands. The Maldives straddles the equator and has a tropical climate. The southwest monsoon brings the most of the rain, mostly around June and July. Normally, the skies are clear during the north east monsoon. As of the early 1970’s tourism has burgeoned in the Maldives. Surfers, divers, beach buffs, game fisherman and the sea lovers find the Maldives ideal.

The Maldives has increasingly become extremely accessible, especially by air. Scheduled and charter flights operate on a regular basis from points of origin in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Visitors are issued thirty-day tourist visa on arrival. Apart from normal customs and port Health formalities, nothing stands on the way of the inbound guest and tropical holiday