For most holidaymakers, great sunny days with deep blue skies, clear lagoons with pleasing shades of blue, moonlit nights, the soothing sound of little waves lapping the soft white sands, the ruffle of palms and powdery white beaches are the basic ingredients for the perfect tropical holiday. Few places offer these ingredients in greater abundance than the Maldives.

Although the Maldives is well known by travelers and holidaymakers today, its long history is not known to most. The Maldives has gone through immense changes and has been affected by geopolitical changes and upheavals that have swept through the world throughout the last two millennia.

Maldives at a glance
Official name of the country; Republic of Maldives
Area; 90,000 sq Km
Total number of administrative atolls; 20
Capital; Male'(1.77 sq Km)
International Airport; Male' International Airport
Literacy rate; 98.2%
Electricity; 220-240 volts
Maldives standard time; +5 hrs GMT
Language; Dhivehi(English is widely spoken)
Currency; Rufiya ( Rf. 1 = 100 laaree)
Exchange rate; US$ 1 = Rf. 12.75
Number of islands; 1192
No. of inhabited islands; 199
No. of Resort islands; 87
Population; 285,066
International dialling code; +960
International domain; .mv