MALDIVES
GEOGRAPHY & LOCATION
Republic of the Maldives is a sovereign archipelagic nation positioned in the Indian Ocean. Notably the South Asian Island nation has no counterpart in the entire world in terms of its unique geography and topography.
The Maldives comprises of 26 natural atolls consisting of dual island chains. Incidentally the Maldivian language has the distinct pleasure of contributing to the English word “atoll”, which was derived from the Maldivian word “atholhu”.
There are channels of various sizes between the atolls used for navigation. For efficient administrative functioning, the 26 natural atolls are categorised into 20 administrative divisions. Particularly the island nation is located in a strategic area with access to major international sea routes in the Indian Ocean.
The Maldives, located on top of a vast underwater mountain range have around 1190 islands and sandbanks. The pearl string like islands covers a land area of no less than 298 km2. All the islands are encircled by a lagoon blessed with crystal clear water. These islands are protected by a reef structure, housing one of the most exclusive and spectacular underwater life.
Republic of the Maldives is a sovereign archipelagic nation positioned in the Indian Ocean. Notably the South Asian Island nation has no counterpart in the entire world in terms of its unique geography and topography.
The Maldives comprises of 26 natural atolls consisting of dual island chains. Incidentally the Maldivian language has the distinct pleasure of contributing to the English word “atoll”, which was derived from the Maldivian word “atholhu”.
There are channels of various sizes between the atolls used for navigation. For efficient administrative functioning, the 26 natural atolls are categorised into 20 administrative divisions. Particularly the island nation is located in a strategic area with access to major international sea routes in the Indian Ocean.
The Maldives, located on top of a vast underwater mountain range have around 1190 islands and sandbanks. The pearl string like islands covers a land area of no less than 298 km2. All the islands are encircled by a lagoon blessed with crystal clear water. These islands are protected by a reef structure, housing one of the most exclusive and spectacular underwater life.
PEOPLE
Maldivians are esteemed around the World for their hospitality and affability towards their guests. Currently the population of the Maldives is 341,256. Additionally close to 60000 registered foreigners reside in the country.
Maldivians share a similar cultural heritage, history, ancestry, homeland, language and religion. These common factors are the reason for the unity and harmony prevailing in the alluring islands.
Maldivian ancestral roots can be traced back to Sinhala’s of Sri Lanka, Marathi’s and Guajarati’s of India, Arabs, Malays and Northern African dispositions. Accordingly, Maldivians emerged from a mixed race, which has enriched the culture and history of the country.
Presently Maldivians are adherents of the Sunni School of Islam. Maldivians embraced Islam in 1153 AD and since then the religion has played a key role in shaping the Maldivian society. Some of the famous landmarks in the country have been greatly influenced by Islamic architecture.
Before converting to Islam, the Maldivians were known to practice Buddhism and ancient paganism. Ancient Buddhist ruins are preserved in the country and antique Buddhist artefacts are displayed in the National Museum in Male’.
Traditionally whenever guests visit a local island, the islanders will welcome them by serving a fresh coconut drink. This tradition has continued to this day and do not be surprised if your resort offers a beautifully decorated coconut drink when you reach your destination!
Maldivians are esteemed around the World for their hospitality and affability towards their guests. Currently the population of the Maldives is 341,256. Additionally close to 60000 registered foreigners reside in the country.
Maldivians share a similar cultural heritage, history, ancestry, homeland, language and religion. These common factors are the reason for the unity and harmony prevailing in the alluring islands.
Maldivian ancestral roots can be traced back to Sinhala’s of Sri Lanka, Marathi’s and Guajarati’s of India, Arabs, Malays and Northern African dispositions. Accordingly, Maldivians emerged from a mixed race, which has enriched the culture and history of the country.
Presently Maldivians are adherents of the Sunni School of Islam. Maldivians embraced Islam in 1153 AD and since then the religion has played a key role in shaping the Maldivian society. Some of the famous landmarks in the country have been greatly influenced by Islamic architecture.
Before converting to Islam, the Maldivians were known to practice Buddhism and ancient paganism. Ancient Buddhist ruins are preserved in the country and antique Buddhist artefacts are displayed in the National Museum in Male’.
Traditionally whenever guests visit a local island, the islanders will welcome them by serving a fresh coconut drink. This tradition has continued to this day and do not be surprised if your resort offers a beautifully decorated coconut drink when you reach your destination!
CULTURE
The customs and social behavior of the Maldivians have been greatly influenced by the Indians, Sri Lankans, Arabs and North Africans who visited the Maldives while traversing through the trading routes of the central Indian Ocean. The Maldivian culture is rich and vibrant due to the infusion of various other cultural elements.
Though Maldives was culturally influenced by other traditions, Maldivians have built and preserved an exclusive cultural identity.
Accordingly the Maldivians converse using a language of their own; In 1153 AD Maldivians converted to Islam and the religion has transformed and introduced new fundamentals to the Maldivian culture.
The customs and social behavior of the Maldivians have been greatly influenced by the Indians, Sri Lankans, Arabs and North Africans who visited the Maldives while traversing through the trading routes of the central Indian Ocean. The Maldivian culture is rich and vibrant due to the infusion of various other cultural elements.
Though Maldives was culturally influenced by other traditions, Maldivians have built and preserved an exclusive cultural identity.
Accordingly the Maldivians converse using a language of their own; In 1153 AD Maldivians converted to Islam and the religion has transformed and introduced new fundamentals to the Maldivian culture.
HULHUMALE`
Hulhumalé is being developed as a modern Smart city with a focus on youth and providing opportunities with the necessary infrastructure to encourage the creative entrepreneurship of the youth of the nation.
In mid 1990s, the idea of creating an artificial island from an existing lagoon and transforming it into a futuristic urban city which would accommodate the excessive population of the central region was born. And the Hulhulé-Farukolhufushi region became the crux of this ambitious vision.
1997
The Phase I of Hulhumalé reclamation, consisting of 188 hectares, began on 16th October 1997 and was completed by June 2002. Primary developments in terms of the required physical and social infrastructure and residential developments were completed in 2004.
2002
The first settlement of Hulhumalé was officially inaugurated on the 12th of May 2004 with a resident population of just over 1,000.
2004
At the end of 2013, Hulhumalé Phase I has reached a population of 30,000, which is the halfway mark of the target population of 60,000 to be achieved at the culmination of Phase I by the year 2020. With this in mind Phase II of Hulhumalé, consisting of 240 hectares, is targeted to be launched in late 2014, catering to a total population of 100,000.
The initial vision of Hulhumalé has broadened to accommodate the growth of Hulhumalé and now envisions the establishment of higher standards in the quality of living in the Maldives. Hulhumalé Phase I and II will be a harmonious combination of residential, commercial and industrial components acting as a catalyst to entice broad based investments in the fields of commerce, education, health, recreation, tourism, fisheries and a number of other related areas by both foreign and local parties.
Youth City
Hulhumalé ‘The City of Hope’ is being developed as a modern Smart city with a focus on youth and providing opportunities with the necessary infrastructure to encourage the creative entrepreneurship of the youth of the nation. ‘Youth City’ developments focus around the Knowledge Park, IT Park etc. planned for the Phase 2 of Hulhumalé. The city, with its upcoming fiber optic network, is designed to incorporate the aspects of a ‘Gigabit Community’ to provide the required ICT Backbone to achieve the speeds to cater for the regional market.
Hulhumalé is being developed as a modern Smart city with a focus on youth and providing opportunities with the necessary infrastructure to encourage the creative entrepreneurship of the youth of the nation.
In mid 1990s, the idea of creating an artificial island from an existing lagoon and transforming it into a futuristic urban city which would accommodate the excessive population of the central region was born. And the Hulhulé-Farukolhufushi region became the crux of this ambitious vision.
1997
The Phase I of Hulhumalé reclamation, consisting of 188 hectares, began on 16th October 1997 and was completed by June 2002. Primary developments in terms of the required physical and social infrastructure and residential developments were completed in 2004.
2002
The first settlement of Hulhumalé was officially inaugurated on the 12th of May 2004 with a resident population of just over 1,000.
2004
At the end of 2013, Hulhumalé Phase I has reached a population of 30,000, which is the halfway mark of the target population of 60,000 to be achieved at the culmination of Phase I by the year 2020. With this in mind Phase II of Hulhumalé, consisting of 240 hectares, is targeted to be launched in late 2014, catering to a total population of 100,000.
The initial vision of Hulhumalé has broadened to accommodate the growth of Hulhumalé and now envisions the establishment of higher standards in the quality of living in the Maldives. Hulhumalé Phase I and II will be a harmonious combination of residential, commercial and industrial components acting as a catalyst to entice broad based investments in the fields of commerce, education, health, recreation, tourism, fisheries and a number of other related areas by both foreign and local parties.
Youth City
Hulhumalé ‘The City of Hope’ is being developed as a modern Smart city with a focus on youth and providing opportunities with the necessary infrastructure to encourage the creative entrepreneurship of the youth of the nation. ‘Youth City’ developments focus around the Knowledge Park, IT Park etc. planned for the Phase 2 of Hulhumalé. The city, with its upcoming fiber optic network, is designed to incorporate the aspects of a ‘Gigabit Community’ to provide the required ICT Backbone to achieve the speeds to cater for the regional market.