Amazing Facts About Maldives
- Male’ is one of the smallest capital cities in the world with an area of 2.24 sq. miles and 8 feet above sea level. It is 1% land and 99 % sea.
- It is the smallest Muslim nation in the World.
- Atoll comes from the dhivehi word ‘atholhu’.
- All the luxury island resorts are located on their own island and self-sufficient with their own power generators and purified water.
- 98 % of the population are literate. English is widely spoken and learned as a second language at a young age.
- The Maldives is one of the most desirable diving and honeymoon destinations in the world.
- Cowry shells found on the beach in thousands were once used as money to trade with merchant ships passing through the country.
- Every single part of the coconut tree is used in daily life.
- The Dhoni (traditional Maldivian boat) is built without using any drawings. The skill is passed on by the elders of the island.
- The equator passes through the southern atolls of Huvadhu Atoll and Fuamulaku.
- The Maldives is at the crossroads of old trading routes, as a result, civilization mix can be seen in the people’s faces. According to historians, Maldives has been populated as early as the 4th century BC. It is known that the early migrants and traders were from Arabia, eastern Africa, South East Asia and the Indian subcontinent.
- Maliku Island (Minicoy) used to be part of Maldives. It is now under the Indian union territory of Lakshadweep. Since 1956, direct travel between Maldives and Maliku has been restricted by the Indian Government.
- The first underwater cabinet meeting in the world was held in 2009. It was held to raise awareness of rising sea levels due to climate change. The declaration signed during the meeting was presented at the UN climate talks in Copenhagen.
- The first underwater discotheque was opened at Niyama Maldives island resort by Per AQUUM.
- The first underwater restaurant in the world was opened at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island in Alif Dhaal Atoll. It is located 5 meters below sea level and is named Ithaa which means ‘mother of pearl’ in the Dhivehi Language.
- The world’s smallest mountain at 5.1 meters, Mount Villingili is located at Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa. It is officially the highest point in the Maldives.
- Fairmount Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi has the longest pool in Maldives with a length of 656 ft and stretches across the island.
- Trans Maldivian Airways ( TMA ) is the largest and most experienced air transfer operator in the Maldives. It also boasts the world’s largest seaplane fleet with 57 twin otter aircrafts.
- Meaning of the National Flag – the crescent moon stands for Islam, the green section represents peace and prosperity, and the red background symbolizes the bloodshed by Maldivian heroes.
- The Maldives is one of the safest travel destinations on the planet.
- Maldivians take their weekend break on Friday and Saturday, unlike other countries of the world
