last edited Dec 11, 2019
Overview of the Maldives
Location Map of Maldives
Maldives
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Quick Overview
The Maldives is an archipelago of 1,200 islands, 200 of which are inhabited, located southwest of the Indian subcontinent. The islands are grouped into 26 atolls and three isolated islands.
Key Facts
- Type of place: country.
- Location: 1,200 islands (200 inhabited) south of India.
- Latitude/longitude: 3°15' N, 73°00' E.
- Local time:
- Capital: Malé
- Nature of the state: Islamic republic.
- Official language: Maldivian.
- Currency: rufiyaa.
- Population: 392,473 inhabitants (2018).
- Area: 298 km².
- Density: 1,317 inhabitants/km².
- Highest point: Wilingili Island (2.30 m).
- Lowest point: sea level.
- Coastline:
- Driving:
Tourism
A dream holiday, diving, and honeymoon destination with stunning postcard-perfect beaches on idyllic atolls. Behind this scenery, however, lies a dictatorship with a repressive regime.
Nearly 1.5 million people visit the Maldives each year (1.484 million in 2018), primarily for honeymoons or diving trips. Around a third of tourists come from China, followed by Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, India, Russia, and France (42,000 visitors in 2015).
Travel Essentials
- Destination: for beginner travelers.
- By air: France-Male.
- Entry requirements: passport + return/onward ticket + sufficient funds.
- Currency to bring: euros.
- Exchange rate:
- Daily "backpacker" budget: $100 USD + $50 USD/day on-site is the minimum required by authorities.
- Best for accommodation: "resort islands" mandatory and/or hotels in Malé (only).
- Best for getting around:
- Risks:
- Best period for climate/crowds/prices:
- Interests (out of ): Nature / ; Adventure ; Culture ; Relaxation-holidays
Useful Addresses
Socio-Economic Statistics
- "Quality of life": 101/188 (rank in 2018)
- GDP per capita: $19,200 USD (2017)
- Average monthly income: ()
- Inflation: +2.3% (2017)
- "Official" unemployment: 2.9% (2017)
- Population below poverty line: 15% (2012)
- Life expectancy: 76 years (2018)
- Migration rate per 1,000 inhabitants: -12.7 (2017)
- Population growth: -0.06% (2018)
- Literacy rate: 99.3% (2015)
- Urban population: 39.8% (2018)
- Press freedom: 120/180 (rank in 2018)
- Political regime: ()
Sources: World Bank, Human Development Indicators, RSF, The Economist, The World Factbook