Maldives
Maldives Country Facts
The Maldives Islands are an independent Republic of over 1,200 Coral
Islands scattered across the blue waters of the Indian Ocean some 650
km South West of Sri Lanka. Its palm fringed islands, sparkling white
beaches, turquoise lagoons, clear warm waters and captivating coral
reefs abundant with varieties of marine flora and fauna draw pleasure
seekers and sports enthusiasts alike.
A haven for
water-sports enthusiasts, Maldives offers fantastic facilities for
scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, windsurfing and fishing. Island
hopping provides an excellent diversion for those requiring a more
leisurely break, and wishing to view the many facets of this tropical
paradise. The flight time between Sri Lanka and Maldives is
approximately 45 minutes.
The origin of the Maldivians is
lost in antiquity but history reveals that the islands have been
populated for over 3,000 years ago. Early settlers were travellers on
the Silk Route and from the Indus Valley Civilization. Inherently warm,
friendly and hospitable by nature, it is easy to feel comfortable and
relaxed with a Maldivian.
A proud history and rich culture
evolved from the first settlers who were from various parts of the
world travelling the seas in ancient times. The Maldives has been a
melting pot of different cultures as people from different parts of the
world came here and settled down. Some of the local music and dance for
instance resemble African influences, with handbeating of drums and
songs in a language that is not known to any but certainly represents
that of East African countries. As one would expect there is a great
South Asian influence in some of the music and dancing and especially
in the traditional food of the Maldivians. However many of the South
Asian customs especially with regard to women - for instance the Sub
Continent's tradition of secluding women from public view - are not
tenets of life here. In fact women play a major role in society - not
surprising considering the fact men spend the whole day out at sea
fishing.
