Where Is Maldives? Details You Need To Know about The Paradise Islands

TheIndonesia.id - Whether for a solo trip, honeymoon, or family vacation, the Maldives is mostly on people's bucket lists. Among tourists, the beauty of Maldives is undebatable. Located in southwest India, the nation has stunning natural beauty, especially its white sandy beaches and glassy blue sea.

Not only the picturesque on the surface, but the Maldives also has a beautiful underwater world studded with spots for snorkeling and diving.

It's no exaggeration if the Maldives is a dream tourist destination for tourists all over the world, especially for couples who want to go on a honeymoon. The archipelagic nation was ranked the third-best honeymoon destination in the world, according to U.S. News.

Here are some facts about the Maldives you have to know before visiting the nation.

Where Is The Maldives?

The Maldives is officially known as the Republic of Maldives or Maldive Islands. The independent nation is located in the north-central Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka and India. Maldives is an archipelagic country, meaning the country has many archipelagos or collections of islands.

According to Britannica, the Maldives consists of approximately 1,200 small coral islands and sandbanks, grouped in clusters or atolls. Out of them, only 200 islands are currently inhabited and a select few are utilized for agriculture, industry, and resorts. Malé, one of the central islands, is the capital of Maldives and is one of the most populated cities in the country.

Maldives is visited by at least 900 thousand tourists every year. They earn a lot of foreign exchange from tourism. Maldives' success in managing tourism has made the country's per capita income very high. 

The Flattest and Lowest Country in the World

Maldives is recorded in the Guinness World Record as the lowest and flattest country in the world, with a maximum height of 2.4 meters above sea level.

This country has a serious problem related to the issue of global warming and climate change. Due to rapid climate change, the Maldives is predicted to be sinking.

The population is 100% Muslim 

Once occupied by the Portuguese and the British, the Maldives was then captured by a Muslim leader named Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al-Auzam who has led the country since 1573.

Initially, the Maldives was a sultanate under British guardianship until it finally became independent on July 26, 1965, and turned into a Republic.

The people of Maldives are 100 percent Muslim, with an area of only 297.8 square kilometers. It is no exaggeration to call the Maldives the smallest Muslim country in the world.

Bikinis are not allowed on the beach

As a country that enforces Islamic law, the Maldives government prohibits the use of bikinis on public beaches for women. Bikinis are only allowed on privately owned beaches, designated beaches, and hotels. If you break the rules, get ready to go to jail.

The Sun once reported that a woman was arrested by security officers for wearing a bikini on a public beach and was caught drinking alcohol. The woman was immediately arrested and put on trial.

Maldives' economy depends on the tourism sector. The local government separates public beaches and special beaches for tourists for local residents and foreign tourists.