Maldives

About the Country
With altitude Maldives, like a flock of huge jellyfish. A republic in 1192 coral islands, located off the coast of India and Sri Lanka
 
Capital: Male.
Climate: Tropical warm and smooth because of the proximity of the equator, with no significant temperature variations during the year. The best weather conditions from November to the end of April (northeast monsoon): the sea is calm, the weather is sunny and dry. From May to October the weather is less predictable. South-west monsoon can bring intermittent rain, high humidity, and rough sea. However, during this period the least hot. In total, about 2700 sunny hours. Storms and waves are most likely in June. Water temperature - +24-27 C all year round. The average air temperature in January - 26 February - 26 March - 28 April - 30 May - 30 June - 28 July - 27 Aug - 26 Sep - 27 Oct - 28 Nov - 27 Dec - 26.

Currency: The local currency - Rufiyaa is 100 GEL. Boating has notes of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 Rufiyaa, and coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 25 and 50 GEL. Universally accepted U.S. dollars and major credit cards ("American Express", "Visa", "Master card", "diners Club", "JCB" and "Euro Card"), so be sure to exchange on arrival dollars for local currency .
  
Time: Ahead of Moscow for 1 hour in the summer, and at 2:00 - in the winter.

Exchange: In Male banks and exchange offices are concentrated in the street Marine Drive. They are open from 8.00 to 13.30, Sunday to Thursday (as in many other Muslim countries, the Maldives holidays are Friday and Saturday). When leaving the remaining rufii allowed to change back into dollars. Currency exchange can be carried out not only in the bank, but also in a number of large retail stores, on which hangs a special mark next to the signs of the international tourist cards.

Language: The official language - dihevi (close to singalkomu). In Tourcenter speak in English.

Customs rules: The import or export of foreign and local currency no limits. It is strictly forbidden to transport alcoholic beverages in any amount, even bought in stores Duty free, sausage, salami, weapons for underwater hunting, pornographic publications and drugs. Prohibited the export of turtle shells and corals, except for decorative products.
  
Electricity: Voltage - 220 B.

Embassy: Embassy of Maldives in Russia: the interests of the state is the Embassy of Sri Lanka: Moscow, Shchepkina, 24. Phone: 288-16-20, 288-14-63, 288-16-51. Days of receiving the documents: Monday - Friday from 9.00 to 17.00. The Russian Embassy in the Maldives: Embassy of the Russian Federation, 62 Sir Ernest de Silva Mawatha, Colombo-7, Sri-Lanka. Phone: (8-10-941) 57-4959, 57-3555 (8-10-941) 57-4957, 68-6864 (bargaining representative)

Geography: The Maldivian archipelago - is 2000 coral islands in the vast expanses of the Indian Ocean 685 km west of Sri Lanka, and crosses the equator. Total area - 90 square kilometers, stretches from north to south - 820 km from east to west - 120 km. Of 1,190 islands united into 26 atolls, only 199 are inhabited and 74 islands are developed tourist resorts.

Population: The population (estimated for 1995) amounted to 248,000 people, the average population density of about 832 persons per sq. km Average SMS, male life expectancy is 61 years, women - 64. The bulk of the population are Maldivians (Sinhalese, Indians) - 90%, Arabs - 9%. Lives on the islands a few dozen Europeans. Most populated atolls - is Male, and Suvadiva Siladumati. The population of the Maldives is engaged in fish promyslom.Zdorove: Vaccination against hepatitis A is required.
Public holidays: January 1 (New Year), January 8-10 (Eid al-Fitr - the end of Ramadan), March 15-18 (Eid al-Kebir - Day of Sacrifice), April 6 (Islamic New Year), 4-5 June (National Day), June 15 (Mouloud - The Prophet's Birthday), 26-27 July (Independence Day), November 11-12 (Republic Day), September 1 (Day Huravi), 28 October (Day of Martyrs), November 3 (Victory Day).
  
Religion: Nearly 800 years ago the Buddhist kings of Maldives under the influence of Arab merchants accepted Islam, which to this day remains the main religion.

National characteristics: Although the Maldives as an Islamic state is relatively liberal, guests of the country must carefully observe the laws. In the Maldives banned drinking in public places (outside the resort), swimming naked (as well as "topless") in all the islands of the archipelago, fishing close to the shore, it is forbidden to catch and tear the living or dead coral in the ocean or in the vicinity of beach (fine - $ 500). Violation of the laws of the country could face a prison sentence. Do not attempt to make contact with local women! To walk on Male dress is recommended in accordance with Islamic notions of morality: long pants or skirt, shirt or blouse. The usual form of greeting Maldivians - shaking hands, formally greeting "salaam alaikum," the word "kihenen" greet each other in an informal setting. Carefree and simple existence in harmony with nature - this is the Maldivian way of life. Maldivians artistic complement the natural beauty of exotic coral islands.

Visas: Tourists arriving for up to 30 days, a visa is required, a visa stamped in their passport upon arrival free of charge, valid for 30 days from the date of entry. Russian citizens can visit the Maldives without a visa, upon presentation of passport control passport, a return ticket to the specified date of departure, vouchers for travel services and a minimum amount of U.S. $ 25 for each day of stay. On departure fee of $ 10.

Hotels: In the Maldives, there is no "star" hotel classification, the following classification of hotel: Deluxe, Superior, Standard, which roughly corresponds to the European classification of 5, 4 and 3-star hotel. Special classification introduced by the specificity of local hotels, located on a small island with limited infrastructure, which offers bungalows and cottages of no more than 2 storeys. When choosing a hotel are advised to read the specific list of services provided by some hotel.
Shopping: The capital Male - paradise for shopping. The most common souvenirs - T-shirts, scarves, sarongs, postcards, shells, handicrafts made of wood and coral, mats, shark jaws, coconut oil, etc.
  
Communication: For local and international calls are recommended to buy phone cards Dhiraagu. Local call to a telephone area can cost Rufiyaa 0.25 per minute, and between different areas - from 0.55 to 3 Rufiyaa per minute. International calls are expensive, especially in the resorts.

Tipping is usually 10% of the total bill.

Shipping: Almost all tourists visiting the island, come here by air. Male International Airport is located on the island Hulule, at a distance of 1 km (10 minutes drive to the National Boat "dhoni") from the capital of the Maldives - Male. On the islands there is no regular transport. Airline "Air Maldives" makes regular flights only a few distant islands. Hotels provide travelers shuttle boat dhoni (speed of 7 knots per hour), high-speed boats, helicopters or airplanes water, which bring tourists to the most remote corners of the country. Resting on one of the islands, you can always rent a dhoni (speed of 8 miles per hour) or a high-speed boat.
Any Maldivian island can be crossed in 1.5 - 2 hours. Bicycles and motorcycles the most popular forms of land transport. For movement on Male working taxi. The price of a trip in either direction costs 10 Rufiyaa. In Male and other major islands you can rent a car.