Loads of Atolls and reefs, pristine crystal clear water, and great surfing: you'll need a boat though!

1190 islands are spread over 26 atolls, ringlike coral formations enclosing a lagoon, which gives the Maldives its unique paradise-like appearance.

They stretch for about 820 km from North to South, 130 km at the widest point and do not exceed a length of 4.5 miles or an altitude of 6 feet above sea level.

No more than 200 islands are inhabited, the rest includes the 87 tourist resorts and uninhabited islands, some of which are used for drying fish or other agricultural activities. Not only does it consist of the most beautiful tropical islands, but 99% of its 90.000 km² is covered by the sea.

Location: Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India
Geographic coordinates: 3° 15' N, 73° 0' E
Coastline km: 644 km km
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)
Terrain: flat, with white sandy beaches
Elevation: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Wilingili island in the Addu Atoll 2.4 m
Natural hazards: low level of islands makes them very sensitive to sea level rise
Currency: rufiyaa (MVR)
Population: 349,106 (July 2005 est.)
Languages: Maldivian Dhivehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials
Capital: Male
Divisions: 19 atolls (atholhu, singular and plural) and the capital city*; Alifu, Baa, Dhaalu, Faafu, Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani, Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Lhaviyani, Maale* (Male), Meemu, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Vaavu

More details

	Seasons
	Jan/Feb	Mar/Apr	May/Jun	Jul/Aug	Sep/Oct	Nov/Dec
Best Surfing Season
Typical Swell Size
Surf Equipment	Boardshorts	Boardshorts	Boardshorts	Boardshorts	Boardshorts	Boardshorts
Water temp.	27°C 81°F	29°C 84°F	28°C 82°F	27°C 81°F	28°C 82°F	28°C 82°F
Air temp.	27°C 81°F	29°C 84°F	28°C 82°F	27°C 81°F	27°C 81°F	27°C 81°F
Climate

Seasonal swell & wind variations

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