Introduction :
Maldives is a small island nation located in the Indian Ocean and is the lowest country in the planet with the lowest natural highest point at 2.4 metres. Maldives measures 298 square km in area with a population of around 328, 000 people making it one of the least population country in the world. Maldives is renowed world wide for its beautiful beaches and crystal clear waters and rare underwater beauty boosting an abundance of marine life.
Aerial view of the capital island of Male
Image attribution to Shahee @ Wiki
Sheds built just on top of the sea bed
Image attribution to Nevit @ Wiki
Resorts in Kuramathi Island
Image attribution to worldwide-souvenirs @ Flickr
Tiny creature crawling at the beach
Image attribution to worldwide-souvenirs @ Flickr
Resort built on land
Image attribution to worldwide-souvenirs @ Flickr
History :
The name Maldives is believed to have been derived from Sanskrit in Tamil. The earliest written existence of Maldives in history was marked by the visit of the Sinhalese people when exiled Magadha Prince Vijaya and his party of hundred landed in the region around 500 BC. The first settlers in the country were the Dravidian people as early as 300 B.C living off the coast as fisherman. Buddhism was introduced to the Maldives when Emperor Asoka’s empire extended to the region and was the dominant region until the 12th century. Maldives became a British protected state in 1887 after signing a contract with the British Governor of Ceylon with self governing rights in exchange for an annual tribute. Maldives gain independence as a republic country in 1968 after a voting of 40/44 in favour of a republic. In recent years global warming have cause glaciers to melt rapidly resulting in a sea level rise, with an average of inches in sea levels rising in the past 100 years, there is a risk of Maldives sinking and disappearing on the surface within the next 100 years. So visit this magnificent place while it still exists!
Beautiful and perfect Maldiven beach on a good day
Image attribution to KingKurt22 @ Wiki
Fishes can be seen directly from above with the crystal clear waters
Image attribution to Nevit @ Wiki
Rosa Old Blush is the national flower in Maldives
Image attribution to A.Barra @ Wiki
Sunset scenery in Maldives
Image attribution to JSB @ Flickr
Getting there :
The main international airport in Maldives is the Male International Airport (MLE) and is located on Hulhule Island nearby the capital island of Male serving major flights all over the world.