Where are the Maldives? Details you need to know about the destination island

Whether a family vacation, honeymoon or a solo adventure, visiting the Maldives is on most people’s bucket list.

Picture-perfect waters, sandy beaches and exotic villas all come to mind while imagining the Maldives. The scenic beauty of the Maldives can be experienced to its fullest extent only in person.

Scuba diving and snorkeling are some of the most recommended activities to explore the island nation’s deep waters. The Maldives is also a great place for honeymooners who seek seclusion and privacy – it was ranked the third-best honeymoon destination in the world, according to U.S. News.

Here’s your fact sheet about Maldives.

Where are the Maldives?

Officially known as the Republic of Maldives or Maldive Islands, the independent nation of islands is located in the north-central Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka and India. Maldives is an archipelagic state, meaning it is a country with one or more archipelagos or collection of islands.

According to Britannica, the Maldives consist 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 as resorts. Malé, one of the central islands, is the capital of Maldives and is one of the most populated city in the country.

Maldive Islands are low-lying islands, just six feet above the sea level. Built on top of the crowns of a submerged, ancient volcano, the islands are made of coral atolls or reefs which are ring-shaped around a body of water. These reefs act as barriers for the islands during monsoons.

What is the currency in the Maldives?

The Maldivian Rufiyaa is the currency in the Maldives. One MVR is further divided into 100 Laari.

The currency exchange rate shows that one U.S. dollar equals to 15.36 MVR as of November 2022.

However, there’s no need to exchange your money if you’re planning to visit the Maldives. U.S. dollars are an accepted form of currency in the country along with Euros.

Is it safe to travel to the Maldives?

According to the U.S. Department of State, the Maldives has a moderate crime rate. But crime at resort islands, where most tourists and foreigners usually visit, is said to be rare.

Petty crime such as stealing valuables is more common. The State Department also reports that drug use is on the rise among young Maldivians and the penalty for drug use is severe.

It is important to note that the Maldives is a Muslim country, according to Visit Maldives, and therefore, important to pay attention to their norms and religious laws. For example, some local islands might not permit bikinis and bathing suits unless labeled as a “Bikini Beach” or otherwise. Local islands might also prohibit pork and alcohol consumption which might be otherwise allowed on resort islands.