Location: South Asia, Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India
Capital: Male
Tourist Attractions: The island nation of Maldives offers a heady mix of tourist attractions. The Banana Reef, famous for its dramatic cliffs, caves and brilliant coral growths is a world-renowned spot for diving and snorkeling. Fish Head, with its multi-level ledges and a prolific sea life that includes gray reef sharks is another famous dive site along with the Wreck of the Maldive Victory. The mosque of Hukuru Miskiiy, having excellent lacquer work and elaborate woodcarvings, and as the National Museum that has exhibits once belonging to local sultans, like beautiful fabric, weapons, pre-historic Islamic carvings etc, are the other popular destinations. While in Maldives, don’t miss out on the island of Kudahuvadhoo, containing mysterious ruins of Buddhist temples and fine masonry of the old mosques and the resort at Seenu.
Access: The international airport at Male, which is the only entry point in Maldives, receives flights from Sri Lanka, India, U.A.E, Malaysia and a host of other countries.
Climate: The climate in Maldives is tropical in nature; hot and humid. It has two distinct monsoon periods. The northeast monsoon, from December to March, is pleasant enough with dry and slightly cooler months but the southwest monsoon period from May to November witness heavy rain, storms and very little sunshine.