“The Maldives is God’s paradise on Earth” is an immortal phrase from the great traveler Ibn Battuta describing the Maldives after his journey around the world.
The Maldives, one of the most beautiful places on Earth, is located in South Asia in the middle of the Indian Ocean. The original population is around 400,000 people, and the number of islands in the Maldives reaches 1,200, with some inhabited and others uninhabited due to unfavorable conditions. These islands are characterized by their proximity to the equator, as they are located in the northeast of the Earth, experiencing a tropical climate due to their proximity to the equator. This climate has two seasons: a dry season, with northeast monsoon winds blowing between January and March, and a wet season, with southwest monsoon winds blowing between mid-May and November, bringing heavy rainfall. The Maldives’ climate is influenced by both seasons, with a mild atmosphere and cool sea breezes even on hot days due to being surrounded by water from all sides. This unique location, right on the equator, makes the Maldives bright with sunshine throughout the year.
As the Maldives welcomes tourists from all over the world due to its wide reputation, you can find a variety of restaurants offering international cuisine in the Maldives. However, traditional Maldivian food is worth trying, primarily based on fresh fish cooked with coconut milk and spicy spices. Maldivian cuisine truly has its unique flavor that is hard to find in any other country.
The capital of the Maldives is Malé, which is one of the most important cultural and historical destinations in the Maldives. Tourists always visit it as it contains the most important historical tourist landmarks that captivate the attention and hearts of visitors. Some of these landmarks include:
1. The Islamic Center with its magnificent golden dome that attracts the attention of tourists. It is a large mosque that can accommodate a large number of worshippers, estimated to be in the thousands. The Islamic Center consists of three floors, and on the ground floor, there is the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, large meeting halls, and an Islamic library. It was named after the national hero of the country, “Sultan Mohamed Thakurufaanu Al Auzam.”
2. The Friday Mosque, built using carved coral stones, is surrounded by several graves dating back to the seventeenth century, belonging to the kings and sultans who ruled the Maldives and their families.
3. The shrine, known as “Mazaar” by the people of the Maldives, is the tomb of the Moroccan Islamic scholar Abu al-Barakat Yusuf al-Barbari, who played a significant role in introducing Islam to the Maldives.
4. Sultan Park, with its republican memorial monument symbolizing independence, is considered the best public space for locals and tourists in the capital. It features large trees, colorful flowers, and used to include royal palaces.
5. The National Museum, that houses a rich collection of artifacts and relics dating back to the pre-Islamic period, including items associated with the Maldivian monarchs. Additionally, the museum displays a collection of craftwork and artwork that tourists can purchase.
As for the tourist resorts, we need numerous pages to describe their splendor and beauty. The resorts offer visitors comfort and enjoyment with views of the azure ocean and gentle turquoise waters. The beaches feature either white sands in some resorts or golden sands in others, making every spot along the shores suitable for relaxation under the sun. The clear and pure waters are ideal for swimming, water skiing, and diving – a popular sport in the Maldives. Divers can witness a wealth of tropical fish swimming through coral reefs, such as barracudas and parrotfish. Visitors may also observe a diverse range of colorful crustaceans and underwater plants. Manta rays and white sharks can be spotted away from the reefs on some islands. Diving at shipwrecks and debris in the Maldives is also available, providing the opportunity to explore sunken ships.
Living in the resorts suits individuals who prefer tranquility, comfort, and the enjoyment of breathtaking nature. You feel like you are in a distant home, with plenty of entertainment, features, and services provided by the resorts for their visitors.
In the end, the Maldives is considered one of the top tourist destinations globally, ranking among the most visited countries. This is due to its tourist and geographical attractions, making it a significant destination for travelers. Truly, the Maldives is paradise on Earth.
