History of Mauritius

After a brief Dutch settlement, French immigrants who came in 1715 named the island Île de France and established the first road and harbor infrastructure, as well as the sugar industry, under the leadership of Gov. Mahe de Labourdonnais. Blacks from Africa and Madagascar came as slaves to work in the sugarcane fields. In 1810, the British captured the island and in 1814, by the Treaty of Paris, it was ceded to Great Britain along with its dependencies.


Indian immigration, which followed the abolition of slavery in 1835, rapidly changed the fabric of Mauritian society, and the country flourished with the increased cultivation of sugarcane. The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 heralded the decline of Mauritius as a port of call for ships rounding the southern tip of Africa, bound for South and East Asia. The economic instability of the price of sugar, the main crop, in the first half of the 20th century brought civil unrest, then economic, administrative, and political reforms. Mauritius became independent on March 12, 1968.

The effects of Cyclone Claudette in 1979 and of falling world sugar prices in the early 1980s led the government to initiate a vigorous program of agricultural diversification and develop the processing of imported goods for the export market. The country formally broke ties with the British Crown in March 1992, becoming a republic within the Commonwealth.

In addition to sugarcane, textile production and tourism are the leading industries. Primary education is free, and Mauritius boasts one of the highest literacy rates in sub-Saharan Africa.

With a complicated ethnic mix—about 30% of the population is of African descent and the remainder is mostly of Indian descent, both Hindu and Muslim—political allegiances are organized according to class and ethnicity.

In Feb. 2002, Mauritius went through four presidents in succession. Two resigned within days of each other, each after refusing to sign a controversial anti-terrorism law that severely curtailed the rights of suspects. The law, supported by the prime minister, was ultimately signed by a third, interim president. At the end of February, a fourth president, Karl Offman, was elected by parliament.

In Oct. 2003, Paul Berenger, a white Mauritian of French ancestry, became the first non-Hindu prime minister in the history of Mauritius. Berenger and the previous prime minister, Anerood Jugnauth, formed a coalition during Sept. 2000 elections. Under their agreement, Jugnauth served as prime minister for three years and Berenger assumed the prime ministership for the remaining two years of the term. Jugnauth then became president in 2003, and in July 2005, Navin Ramgoolam, prime minister from 1995 to 2000, again assumed that office.

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Republic of Mauritius

President: Anerood Jugnauth (2003)

Prime Minister: Navin Ramgoolam (2005)

Land area: 714 sq mi (1,849 sq km);
total area: 788 sq mi (2,040 sq km)

Population (2007 est.): 1,250,882 (growth rate: 0.8%); birth rate: 15.3/1000; infant mortality rate: 14.1/1000; life expectancy: 72.9; density per sq mi: 1,752

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Port Louis, 577,200 (metro. area), 143,800 (city proper)

Monetary unit: Mauritian rupee

Languages: English less than 1% (official), Creole 81%, Bojpoori 12%, French 3% (2000)

Ethnicity/race: Indo-Mauritian 68%, Creole 27%, Sino-Mauritian 3%, Franco-Mauritian 2%

Religions: Hindu 48%, Roman Catholic 24%, other Christian 8%, Islam 17% (2000)

Literacy rate: 86% (2003 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $14.9 billion; per capita $ $11,900 . Real growth rate: 5.6%. Inflation: 8.8%. Unemployment: 8.8%. Arable land: 49%. Agriculture: sugarcane, tea, corn, potatoes, bananas, pulses; cattle, goats; fish. Labor force: 552,700; construction and industry 30%, services 25%, agriculture and fishing 9%, trade, restaurants, hotels 22%, transportation and communication 7%, finance 6% (2007). Industries: food processing (largely sugar milling), textiles, clothing, chemicals, metal products, transport equipment, nonelectrical machinery, tourism. Natural resources: arable land, fish. Exports: $2.475 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): clothing and textiles, sugar, cut flowers, molasses. Imports: $3.627 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): manufactured goods, capital equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals. Major trading partners: UK, UAE, France, U.S., Madagascar, South Africa, China, India (2006).
Member of Commonwealth of Nations

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 357,300 (2006); mobile cellular: 772,400 (2006). Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 9, shortwave 0 (2002). Radios: 420,000 (1997). Television broadcast stations: 2 (plus several repeaters) (1997). Televisions: 258,000 (1997). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 9,792 (2007). Internet users: 182,000 (2006).

Transportation: Railways: 0 km. Highways: total: 2,020 km; paved: 2,020 km (including 75 km of expressways) (2005). Ports and harbors: Port Louis. Airports: 5 (2007).

International disputes: Mauritius claims the Chagos Archipelago (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory), and its former inhabitants, who reside chiefly in Mauritius, but were granted UK citizenship and the right to repatriation in 2001; claims French-administered Tromelin Island.

text taken from infoplease

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Seychelles

Capital (and largest city) Victoria
4°37′S, 55°27′E
Official languages English, French, Seychellois Creole
Demonym Seychellois
Government Republic
- President James Michel
Independence from the United Kingdom
- Date 29 June 1976
Area
- Total 451 km² (197th)
176 sq mi
- Water (%) negligible
Population
- 2005 estimate 80,699 (205th)
- Density 178/km² (60th)
458/sq mi
GDP (PPP) 2006 estimate
- Total $1404 million (165th)
- Per capita $19794 (39th)
HDI (2007) ▲ 0.843 (high) (50th)
Currency Seychellois rupee (SCR)
Time zone SCT (UTC+4)
- Summer (DST) not observed (UTC+4)
Internet TLD .sc
Calling code +248


Seychelles, officially the Republic of Seychelles, is an archipelago nation of 155 islands in the Indian Ocean, some 1,500 kilometres (930 mi) east of mainland Africa, northeast of the island of Madagascar. Other nearby island countries and territories include Zanzibar to the west, Mauritius and Réunion to the south, Comoros and Mayotte to the southwest, and the Suvadives of the Maldives to the northeast. Seychelles has the smallest population of any sovereign state of Africa.


History

Colonial Governor of the Seychelles inspecting police guard of honour in 1972
Main article: History of Seychelles

While Austronesian seafarers or Arab traders may have been the first to visit the uninhabited Seychelles, the first recorded sighting of them took place in 1502, by the Portuguese Admiral Vasco da Gama, who passed through the Amirantes and named them after himself (islands of the Admiral). The first recorded landing and first written account was by the crew of the English East Indiaman Ascension in 1609. As a transit point for trading between Africa and Asia, they were occasionally used by pirates until the French began to take control of the islands starting in 1756 when a Stone of Possession was laid by Captain Nicholas Morphey. The islands were named after Jean Moreau de Séchelles, Louis XV’s Minister of Finance. [1]

The British contested control over the islands with the French between 1794 and 1812. Jean Baptiste Queau de Quincy, French administrator of Seychelles during the years of war with the United Kingdom, declined to resist when armed enemy warships arrived. Instead, he successfully negotiated the status of capitulation to Britain, which gave the settlers a privileged position of neutrality.

Britain eventually assumed full control upon the surrender of Mauritius in 1812 and this was formalised in 1814 at the Treaty of Paris. The Seychelles became a crown colony separate from Mauritius in 1903 and independence was granted in 1976, as a republic within the Commonwealth. In 1977, a coup d'état ousted the first president of the republic, James Mancham, replacing him with France Albert René. The 1979 constitution declared a socialist one-party state, which lasted until 1991. The first draft of a new constitution failed to receive the requisite 60 percent of voters in 1992, but in 1993 an amended version was approved.


Politics

State House, Victoria - the seat of the President
Main article: Politics of Seychelles

The Seychelles president, who is both head of state and head of government, is elected by popular vote for a five-year term of office. The previous president, France Albert René, first came to power in a coup d'état in 1977, one year after independence. He was democratically elected after the constitutional reforms of 1992. He stood down in 2004 in favour of his vice-president, James Michel, who was re-elected in 2006. The cabinet is presided over and appointed by the president, subject to the approval of a majority of the legislature.

The unicameral Seychellois parliament, the National Assembly or Assemblée Nationale, consists of 34 members, of whom 25 are elected directly by popular vote, while the remaining 9 seats are appointed proportionally according to the percentage of votes received by each party. All members serve five-year terms.

Politics is a topic of hot debate in the country - The main rival parties are the Seychelles Peolple's Progressive Front (SPPF) and the Seychelles National Party (SNP). Since the inception of politics in the early sixties, politics has been integral part of the seychellois lives. The opinios differs between a socialist and liberal democrat ideology.

The Seychelles are part of the Indian Ocean Commission(IOC), SADEC and Commonwealth organisation.


Administrative divisions
Main article: Districts of Seychelles

The famous clock tower in the centre of Victoria, capital of Seychelles.

Seychelles is divided into twenty-five administrative regions, called districts:Anse aux Pins
Anse Boileau
Anse Etoile
Anse Royale
Au Cap
Baie Lazare
Baie Sainte Anne Beau Vallon
Bel Air
Bel Ombre
Cascade
Glacis
Grand' Anse (Mahe)
Grand' Anse (Praslin) La Digue
English River
Les Mamelles
Mont Buxton
Mont Fleuri
Plaisance
Pointe La Rue Port Glaud
Roche Caiman
Saint Louis
Takamaka





Geography
Main article: Geography of Seychelles

Beau Vallon Beach

An island nation, Seychelles is located in the Indian Ocean northeast of Madagascar and about 1,600 km (1,000 miles) east of Kenya. The number of islands in the archipelago is often given as 115 but the Constitution of the Republic of Seychelles lists 155. The islands as per the Constitution are divided into various groups as follows.

There are 42 granitic islands, in descending order of size: Mahé, Praslin, Silhouette, La Digue, Curieuse, Félicité, Frégate, St. Anne, North, Cerf, Marianne, Grand Sœur,Thérèse, Aride, Conception,Petite Sœur, Cousin, Cousine, Long, Récif, Round (Praslin), Anonyme, Mamelles, Moyenne, Ile aux Vaches Marines, L'Islette, Beacon (Ile Sèche), Cachée, Cocos, Round (Mahé), L'Ilot Frégate, Booby, Chauve Souris (Mahé),Chauve Souris (Praslin), Ile La Fouche, Hodoul, L'Ilot, Rat, Souris, St. Pierre (Praslin),Zavé, Harrison Rocks (Grand Rocher).

There are two coral sand cays north of the granitics: Denis, Bird.

There are two coral islands south of the granitics: Coëtivy, Platte.

There are 29 coral islands in the Amirantes group, west of the granitics: Desroches, Poivre Atoll , Alphonse, D'Arros, St. Joseph Atoll (comprising 14 islands: St. Joseph Ile aux Fouquets, Ressource, Petit Carcassaye, Grand Carcassaye, Benjamin, Bancs Ferrari, Chiens, Pélicans, Vars, Ile Paul, Banc de Sable, Banc aux Cocos and Ile aux Poules), Marie Louise, Desnoeufs, African Banks (comprising 2 islands: African Banks and South Island), Rémire, St. François, Boudeuse, Etoile, Bijoutier.

There are 13 coral islands in the Farquhar Group, south-south west of the Amirantes: Farquhar Atoll (comprising 10 islands: Bancs de Sable Déposés Ile aux Goëlettes Lapins Ile du Milieu North Manaha South Manaha Middle Manaha North Island and South Island), Providence Atoll (comprising two islands: Providence and Bancs Providence) and St Pierre.

Berjaja Mahé Beach

There are 67 raised coral islands in the Aldabra Group, west of the Farquhar Group: Aldabra Atoll (comprising 46 islands: Grande Terre, Picard, Polymnie, Malabar, Ile Michel, Ile Esprit, Ile aux Moustiques, Ilot Parc, Ilot Emile, Ilot Yangue, Ilot Magnan, Ile Lanier, Champignon des Os, Euphrate, Grand Mentor, Grand Ilot, Gros Ilot Gionnet, Gros Ilot Sésame, Heron Rock, Hide Island, Ile aux Aigrettes, Ile aux Cèdres, Iles Chalands, Ile Fangame, Ile Héron, Ile Michel, Ile Squacco, Ile Sylvestre, Ile Verte, Ilot Déder, Ilot du Sud, Ilot du Milieu, Ilot du Nord, Ilot Dubois, Ilot Macoa, Ilot Marquoix, Ilots Niçois, Ilot Salade, Middle Row Island, Noddy Rock, North Row Island, Petit Mentor, Petit Mentor Endans, Petits Ilots, Pink Rock and Table Ronde), Assumption, Astove and Cosmoledo Atoll (comprising 19 islands: Menai, Ile du Nord (West North), Ile Nord-Est (East North), Ile du Trou, Goëlettes, Grand Polyte, Petit Polyte, Grand Ile (Wizard), Pagode, Ile du Sud-Ouest (South), Ile aux Moustiques, Ile Baleine, Ile aux Chauve-Souris, Ile aux Macaques, Ile aux Rats, Ile du Nord-Ouest, Ile Observation, Ile Sud-Est and Ilot la Croix).

Economy
Main article: Economy of Seychelles

Since independence in 1976, per capita output has expanded to roughly seven times the old near-subsistence level. Growth has been led by the tourist sector, which employs about 30% of the labour force and provides more than 70% of hard currency earnings, and by tuna fishing. In recent years the government has encouraged foreign investment in order to upgrade hotels and other services. These incentives have given rise to an enormous amount of investment in real estate projects and new (mostly 5 star) resort properties. Hilton, Four Seasons and Banyan Tree are all new entrants to Seychelles. Development projects projected in the hundreds of millions of dollars each are in the beginning stages for Emirates Airlines, Qatar Airlines, Raffles, Shangri-La, etc. Other private developments such as Ile Aurore, Per Aquam and Eden Island are projected at over $2 billion.

At the same time, the government has moved to reduce the dependence on tourism by promoting the development of farming, fishing, small-scale manufacturing and most recently the offshore sector. The vulnerability of the tourist sector was illustrated by the sharp drop in 1991-1992 due largely to the country's significantly overvalued exchange rate, the Gulf War and once again following the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. Other issues facing the government are the curbing of the budget deficit, including the containment of social welfare costs, and further privatisation of public enterprises. The government has a pervasive presence in economic activity, with public enterprises active in petroleum product distribution, insurance (has now been privatized), banking (is being privatized very soon), imports of basic products (now being privatized), telecommunications (4 private ISP/telecom companies), and a wide range of other businesses. Beginning at the turn of the millennium the Seychelles Petroleum Company (SEPEC) started to develop the first fleet of modern Petroleum double-hull tankers (five vessels), which was completed by late 2007/early 2008 with the possibility to build more in the near future. The Seychelles President claims that this has opened the door to a new industry for his country and encourage economic growth by further removing over-reliance on traditional trades like fisheries and tourism which is now falling rapidly as the country's main income but nevertheless, has experienced significant growth in recent years.

Growth slowed in 1998–2001, due to sluggish tourist and tuna sectors. Also, tight controls on exchange rates and the scarcity of foreign exchange have impaired short-term economic prospects. The black market value of the Seychellois rupee is anywhere from two thirds to one half the official exchange rate. The next few years were also a bit slow due to the worldwide economic downturn and the fear of flying brought on by September 11, 2001. More recently though, tourism has roared back at a record pace setting successive records in 2006 and again in 2007 for number of visitors. The increased availability of flights to and from the archipelego due in part to new entrants Emirates and Qatar airlines is also beginning to show. New 5 star properties and the devaluation of the currency by nearly 33% by the Seychelles Government is having a positive influence on the tourism sector as well.

Both at official exchange rates and at purchasing power parity (PPP), Seychelles remains the second-richest territory in Africa in terms of GDP per capita (US$8,551 at real exchange rates and US$13,887 at PPP as of 2005),[2] behind Réunion (US$19,233 at real exchange rates).[3] Because of economic contraction (the economy declined by about 2% in 2004 and 2005 and lost another 1.4% in 2006 according to the IMF) the country was moving downwards in terms of per capita income; however, the economy came roaring back in 2007 growing by 5.3% due in part to the record tourism numbers, but also the booming building and offshore industries which also continue to set records.

It is important to note that Seychelles is, per capita, the most highly indebted country in the world according to the World Bank, with total public debt around 122.8% of GDP. Approximately two thirds of this debt is owed domestically, with the balance due to multi laterals, bi laterals, and commercial banks. Current external debt is estimated at 35.5% according to the IMF (2007). The country is in arrears to most of its international creditors and has had to resort to pledged commercial debt to continue to be able to borrow. This high debt burden is a direct consequence of the overvalued exchange rate — in essence, the country is living beyond its means, and financing its lifestyle by borrowing domestically and internationally.

New detailed studies and exploration shows that the Seychelles potentially have large off-shore petroleum reservoirs which is yet to be discovered. Drills have proven the presence of:

1. Oil-prone Source Rocks containing Type II kerogen in coaly deltaic shales of the Middle Jurassic and in marine shales of the Upper Jurassic;

2. Mixed source rocks bearing Type II/III kerogen in deltaic marine shales of the Lower Cretaceous that are II correlative of oil-generating shales in Somalia;

3. Gas-prone sources containing Type I kerogen in Upper Triassic fluvial shales and Paleocene marine shales, the latter being correlative of oil and gas generating source rocks of the Deep Continental Shelf trend of the Bombay High Oil Province offshore west India;

4. Evidence of hydrocarbon generation and migration with well shows, such as 0.7 ml benzene in DST-1 of Reith Bank-1, 10,010 ppm of 99.8% n-C4 headspace gas coincident with as small fault in the same well and 20% petrol vapours at an immature level of volcanics in Owen Bank A-1;

5. Clastic reservoirs with measured porosities up to 22% in the Early-Middle Jurassic; and

6. Sealing lithologies both locally in syn-rift, and regionally in post-rift sequences. An extensive seismic dataset, plus a variety of remote sensing data have been collected which bolster the well data by confirming the presence of:

7. A variety of trapping styles, dominated by tilted fault blocks, stratigraphic pinchouts and reefs;

8. Multiple heating events, with the principal event post-dating trap formation; and

9. Hydrocarbon generation and migration with the presence of: a) numerous DHIs on seismic, including gas chimneys, flat spots, bright spots, phase changes and chemosynthetic reefs; b) gas sniffer anomalies, involving ethane/iso-butane in the southeast and propane/normal butane/total hydrocarbon in the north and northeast; c) UV fluorescence anomalies, especially over the wells and in the southeast; and d) 4 types of beach-stranded tar that correlate to the local source rock stratigraphy.

In addition to the now booming tourism and building/real estate markets, Seychelles has renewed its commitment to developing its financial services sector. Government officials and industry participants believe this could overtake the tourism industry as the chief pillar of the economy by 2017. Indeed, the popularity of Seychelles in the offshore world is growing immensely with the sector setting records each of the last 4 years in a row. The recent passage of a revised Mutual Fund Act 2007, Securities Act 2007 and Insurance Act 2007 are meant to be the catalysts to move Seychelles from just another offshore jurisdiction to a full fledged Offshore Financial Center (OFC).

The Seychelles International Business Authority (SIBA) is charged with overseeing the quickly growing offshore industry. Seychelles is home to a number of offshore incorporation specialists including firms like Sterling Offshore Ltd., a Seychelles based firm of legal and business consultants specialising in offshore company formation, mutual funds, hedge funds and captive insurance.

Seychelles is the smallest nation in the world issuing its own currency (i.e., not pegged to a foreign currency and not shared with any other country).


Demographics
Main article: Demographics of Seychelles
See also: Indo-Seychellois, Sino-Seychellois, Seychellois Creole People, Seychellois Creole, and Franco-Seychellois

Victoria, Seychelles.

As the islands of the Seychelles had no indigenous population, the current Seychellois are composed of people who have immigrated to the island. The largest ethnic groups are those of French, African, Indian, and Chinese descent. French and English are official languages along with Seychellois Creole, which is primarily based upon French. Most Seychellois are Christians; the Roman Catholic Church is the predominant denomination.


Culture
Main articles: Culture of Seychelles and Music of Seychelles

The folk music of the islands incorporates multiple influences in a syncretic fashion, including English contredanse, polka and mazurka, French folk and pop, sega from Mauritius and Réunion, taarab, soukous and other pan-African genres, and Polynesian, Indian and Arcadian music. A complex form of percussion music called contombley is popular, as is Moutya, a fusion of native folk rhythms with Kenyan benga developed by Patrick Victor.

As of 1992, some ninety percent of the population was Roman Catholic and approximately seven percent Anglican. Although clergy and civil authorities disapprove, many Seychellois see little inconsistency between their orthodox religious observance and belief in magic, witchcraft, and sorcery.


Flora and Fauna

Palm spider, Seychelles.

In common with many fragile island ecosysytems, the early human history of Seychelles saw the loss of biodiversity including the disappearance of most of the giant tortoises from the granitic islands, felling of coastal and mid-level forests and extinction of species such as the chestnut flanked white eye, the Seychelles Parakeet and the saltwater crocodile. However, extinctions were far fewer than on other islands such as Mauritius or Hawaii, partly due to a shorter period of human occupation (since 1770). The Seychelles today is known for success stories in protecting its flora and fauna.

Arguably the first scientific study of Seychelles was that of the Marion Dufresne expedition in 1768, two years prior to settlement. Dufresne instructed Duchemin, captain of the vessel La Digue, to ...especially give the greatest attention to the study and prospects of all the species of inland productions such as trees, bushes, plants, herbs, quadruped animals, birds, insects, freshwater fish, stones, soil, minerals. Nothing is unimportant. You must not avoid giving details and descriptions- everything is worthy of attention. Their observations remain an intriguing window on Seychelles prior to human interference.

Subsequent to settlement, Fairfax Moresby’s hydrographic survey in 1822, was the first scientific study in the islands, while early collectors included those of Pervillé, Wright and Mobius during the early to mid nineteenth century. The first major avian collector was Newton in 1865 followed by Lantz in 1877, both in the granitics. Abbott collected in the granitics in 1890 and in the Aldabra group in 1893. Voeltzkow also made general natural history collections on Aldabra in 1895.

In 1882, Coppinger made extensive collections and observations. Several expeditions followed, most significant of which was the Percy Sladen Expedition aboard Sealark in 1905, when Gardiner made extensive collections in the granitics and outer islands. His collections for some islands remain the only records available into the 21st century.

Studies subsequent to Gardiner were sparse up to the 1950s, though some residents of Seychelles made valuable contributions, notably Dupont, Thomasset, Baty and Vesey Fitzgerald. Visiting oceanographic expeditions also made some collections. In the 1950s, Smith conducted a major study of marine fish, while Cousteau also visited in 1954 aboard Calypso. Legrand collected Lepidoptera in the 1950s, while the Bristol University expedition of 1964-65 focussed on birds and insects.

The contribution of Royal Society to the knowledge of Aldabra from 1966 is legendary and work on Aldabra continued under the custodianship of Seychelles Islands Foundation In more modern times, International Council for Bird Preservation (ICBP, now BirdLife International) conducted a great deal of research on Cousin Island. In the second half of the 1980s and during the 1990s, many reports and published papers for the granitics were the result of work conducted on Aride Island first by Royal Society for Nature Conservation (now Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts) and then by the local NGO Island Conservation Society, summarized in Annual Reports from 1987 to the present. Extensive scientific research is carried out since the 1990s and much of this is published in Seychelles in the scientific journal Phelsuma (published by Nature Protection Trust of Seychelles.

Vallée de Mai

Although many of the conservation laws date back to British colonial days, the Seychelles government has strictly protected the natural heritage of the islands for many years. Flagship species, the Seychelles Magpie Robin and the Seychelles Warbler, have been spectacularly rescued from the brink of extinction by BirdLife International, Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts, Island Conservation Society, Nature Seychelles, private islands (Fregate and Denis) and the Government of Seychelles. These birds, once restricted to one island each, have been translocated to many others. Seychelles has 12 endemic bird species. These are the Aldabra Drongo, Seychelles Magpie Robin, Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher, Seychelles Fody, Seychelles Scops-owl, Seychelles White-eye, Seychelles Swiftlet, Seychelles Kestrel, Seychelles Blue Pigeon Seychelles Bulbul, Seychelles Warbler and Seychelles Sunbird.

Seychelles is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites run by the Seychelles Islands Foundation. They are the atoll of Aldabra, which is the world's largest raised coral atoll and also the Vallée de Mai on Praslin island, billed as the original site of the Garden of Eden. The Cousin Island Special Reserve, purchased by Royal Society for Nature Conservation in 1968 and managed by Nature Seychelles, is an internationally-known bird and marine sanctuary which has won several awards for conservation and ecotourism. Seychelles has six national marine parks including the St. Anne National Marine Park located adjacent to the capital, Port Victoria which are managed by the government parastatal, Marine Parks Authority. Much of the land territory (about 40%) and a substantial part of the coastal sea around Seychelles are protected as National Parks, including Marine Parks, and Reserves.

Coco de Mer (Praslin)

A World Bank/Environment Facility project in 1999 and a project for rat eradication has led to a programme of restoration of private islands by the government, Nature Seychelles and private island owners. These islands include Fregate, Denis and Cousine. The management of these islands now employ full time conservation officers and fund conservation programmes. The island restoration program has now been taken to the outer islands by the Island Conservation Society, with the first Island Conservation Centre opened at Alphonse Atoll in 2007. Island Conservation Society has also implemented other conservation programmes on islands including Conception, North Island, Cosmoledo Atoll and Farquhar Atoll.

The granitic islands of Seychelles are home to about 75 endemic plant species, with a further 25 or so species in the Aldabra group. Particularly well-known is the Coco de mer, a species of palm that grows only on the islands of Praslin and neighbouring Curieuse. Sometimes nicknamed the 'love nut' because of its suggestive shape, the coco-de-mer is the world's largest seed. The jellyfish tree is to be found in only a few locations today. This strange and ancient plant has resisted all efforts to propagate it. Other unique plant species include the Wrights Gardenia found only on Aride Island Special Reserve.

Giant Tortoise (Dipsochelys hololissa)

The giant tortoises from Aldabra now populate many of the islands of the Seychelles. The Aldabra population is the largest in the world. These unique reptiles can be found even in captive herds. It has been reported that the granitic islands of Seychelles supported distinct species of Seychelles giant tortoises, the status of the different populations is currently unclear.

Seychelles hosts some of the largest seabird colonies in the world. Islands such as Bird, Aride Island, Cousin, Aldabra and Cosmoledo host many species of seabirds including the sooty tern, fairy tern, white-tailed tropicbird, noddies and frigatebirds. Aride Island has more species of seabird and greater numbers than the other 40 granite islands combined including the world's largest colony of Audubon's Shearwater and Lesser Noddy.

The marine life around the islands, especially the more remote coral islands, can be spectacular. More than 1000 species of fish have been recorded. Since the use of spearguns and dynamite for fishing was banned through efforts of local conservationists in the 1960s, the wildlife is unafraid of snorkelers and divers. Coral bleaching in 1998 has unfortunately damaged most reefs, but some reefs show healthy recovery (e.g. Silhouette Island. The reefs comprise a vast selection of soft corals and hard corals alike. There is great diving and snorkeling opportunity. The taking of marine turtles was completely stopped in 1994, turtle populations are now recovering on several protected islands, most notably Cousin Island, Aride Island, Silhouette Island and Aldabra. However, they continue to decline at unprotected sites. The use of gill nets for shark fishing as well as the practice of shark finning are now banned.

text taken from wikipedia

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What you can do on Maldives?...

Maldives, the country of 1190 islands is the dream holiday destination for its amazing white beaches and enchanting scenery.

It is located in the Indian Ocean and is about 500 Kms from the southern tips of Sri Lanka and India. It has its own history, language, culture and traditions but influenced by British, Arab, Indian and Sri Lankan cultures.

When to Go: The climate of Maldives is tropical – hot, humid and dry. The islands get rain from July to August due to southwest monsoon and from November to March due to northeast monsoon. December to April is the best time to visit Maldives.

Getting There: The-Maldives is easily accessible through air from major cities throughout the world. Male, the capital of Maldives has the International airport. There are regular flights from Maldives to Colombo, Thiruvananthapuram, Dubai and Kualalampur. Male airport is only 1 Km away from the main city and can be reached by boats or seaplanes.
Where to Stay: When you are in-Maldives you don’t need to worry about your accommodation since it provides a wide range of hotels and resorts to make your holidays more joyful. Not only it offers luxurious star categorized hotels and resorts, but also it offers cost effective hotels and lodges for your budget accommodation. The hotels provide well-furnished rooms along with most of the comforts at your feet.

Things to Do: Maldives is a paradise for adventures and sports lovers. Go for Waterskiing Jet skiing, Windsurfing, Water surfing, Snorkeling, Sailing, and Parasailing or enjoy beach volleyball and basketball – It is the heaven to enjoy any adventurous activity.

You can visit the National Museum and wander around the Sultan Park located near the museum. You can also check out the Hukuru Miski, the oldest mosque in the Maldives. Go shopping at the Singapore Bazaar, a collection of stores selling local Maldivian products as well as imported items.










Maldives Blog - 2007
Our Maldives blog is a kind of journal with short messages to let you know about new additions, updates and changes to our web site. Special and useful information will also appear here.

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Flights to Maldives mean long direct travel to Male International Airport, Flights to Maldives from UK, Rome, sydney, paris, poland, panama, spain, london, moscow, tokyo, budapest

Vacation in Maldives - Your guide to plan your Vacation in Maldives
Vacation in Maldives is a wonderful decision to be taken, but you just have to get things started to have a wonderful holiday experience.

Airlines to the Maldives - Find the List of Airlines to the Maldives
Finding Airlines to the Maldives? The Maldives has various airlines running from all parts of the world, Here are some of the most famous airlines to the Maldives.
The Maldives islands have everything for you.
Maldives Islands are hedonists haven that helps you to forget all your woes and worries. Once you are there, do island hopping and plunge deep into the solitude of the Maldive Islands.

Luxury Maldives Resorts. The examples of some major Luxury Maldives Resorts
Luxury Maldives Resorts create an unforgettable holiday experience for you as you reside amidst the natural splendor coupled with unique hospitality of the resort staffs.

The Maldives Holidays - Enjoy your holidays in maldives.
Maldives Holidays... Retreat into the embrace of solitary nature; enjoy the warmth of water and scenic beauty of beautiful islands - that’s Maldives holidays in a nutshell.

Enjoy your Holidays in Maldives
Holidays in Maldives will let you forget all the woes and worries of your life and make your holidays in maldives remarkable.

Find out why Maldives hotels are unique from others - Maldives Hotels.
Maldives hotels promise you with most comfortable and convenient stay in Maldive

Where is Maldives - Do you want to know Where is Maldives Located?
Where is Maldives - That was the question we were asked a lot, that's why we have created this article - Where is Maldives Located.
Make your Maldives honeymoon unforgettable
Maldives honeymoon offers absolute joy and unforgettable memories of your honeymoon days that you will, henceforth, cherish for whole life.

Maldives resorts are stunning and fulfill ones idea of a perfect holiday .
Maldives resorts are the best for diving and hosting an array of sea activities and maldives resorts are blessed with exclusive features for the lovers of sun, sand and the sea.

The Maldives Maps
Maldives Maps... - Maldives located in the southern Asia, near the southern tip of India and Srilanka, Maldives maps feature a group of atolls in the Indian Ocean.

Weddings in the Maldives is a simply excellent idea. Weddings in the Maldives
Weddings in the Maldives are so unique that it will simply sweep you off your feet and give you an experience. Weddings in the Maldives can be simply splendid and luxurious.
Maldives Resorts - Where to Stay in Maldives? - Maldives Resorts List
Maldives Resorts create an unforgettable holiday experience for you as you reside amidst the natural splendor coupled with unique hospitality of the Maldives resort staffs.

Romantic Maldives Vacation...Start Planning Excellent Maldives Vacation!
Plan a great Maldives Vacation! Tips and advice on a vacation in Maldives and Maldives sights and accommodation.

Cruising in Maldives, Unique way to Experience Maldives - Cruising in Maldives
Cruising in Maldives offer you to explore the sparkling waters and enjoy complete escape to sea.

Maldives Surfing - Best time to Surf & Where to Surf - Maldives Surfing Guide
Maldives surfing redefines the concept of luxury surfing vacation. Emblematic of high-end serenity, Maldives surfing trips are simply unique as they offer double facility of enjoying the surfing tours

Holidays to Maldives - Top romantic holidays to Maldives
Holidays to Maldives provide a wonderful time to all tourists visiting the islands. Holidays to Maldives take you to explore an archipelago of 1190 islands. Maldives is a dream destination for all.

Maldives Tours - Your essential guide to maldives tours
Maldives tours provide you with a sensuous pleasure of a different kind. Maldives tours take all the tourists to enjoy and explore the heavenly and romantic getaways – to the Maldives islands.
The Maldive RSS & XML
Maldive Island and Holidays is the RSS feed for holidays-in-maldives.com It provides, BRAND NEW pages, as well as UPDATES.
The Maldives Tour Operators
Maldives tour operators assist you to explore the charming secrets of Maldivian islands.

Lily Beach Maldives - The perfect destination for honeymooners
Lily Beach Maldives is a four-star holiday destination; a resort that combines simplicity with sophistication, relaxation with excitement and luxury with fun.

The Maldives Vacation Packages
There are numbers of Maldives Vacation Packages and here some most popular packages such as Honeymoon, Surfing, Diving, and Cruise.

The Maldives - Sun Island Maldives
Guide to Sun Island Maldives, how to get there, things to do and accommodation facilities.

Paradise Island Maldives...Experience the Paradise on Earth, The Maldives.
The Maldives, Paradise Island Maldives is one of the dream destinations that are really idyllic for enjoying Maldives holidays.

The Hilton hotel Maldives offering sophisticated barefoot luxury...
The Hilton hotel Maldives, in the South Ari Atoll, is situated on the confluence of two islands, Rangalifinolhu Island and Rangali Island.

Customs in Maldives
Customs in Maldives came into effective operation since Maldives customs services joined the World Customs Organization on 8th September 1995, with Mr. Manikfan leading as the Minister of the state.

Fishing in the Maldives is a much more authentic experience.
Fishing in Maldives...Most resorts in Maldives organise regular day or night fishing in the Maldives trips. About a dozen people go out in a dhone for two or three hours with handline each...

Visa for Maldives - Your Guide to Visa for Maldives
Find out how to get Visa for Maldives, how to get Maldives visa extension and the visa requirements to Maldives.
The Maldives Laguna Beach - South Male Atoll, Maldives
Maldives Laguna Beach is a stylish and well-established island, and its Laguna Beach Resort Maldives is known as the new generation resort, located at the northern tip of the South Male Atoll.

Forecast for Male Maldives
Forecast for Male Maldives - Read more about the Forecast for Male Maldives before planning to trip Male.

List of Resorts in Maldives
Here you can find Diving, Family, and Honeymoon Resorts to Luxury Resorts in Maldives.

Maldives Travel and Tourism - Your Guide to Maldives Travel and Tourism
Maldives Travel and Tourism - Visit the Maldives to experience the best hospitality and services of the Maldives. Maldives travel and tourism have recently flourished to such an extent that Maldives

South Ari Atoll, Maldives- White Sands Maldives an Ideal Honeymoon Destination
Visit the famous White Sands Maldives and feel the rustic touch that is usually long forgotten by all.

Read about climate in Maldives before planning Maldives holidays.
Climate in Maldives - The Maldives, situated on the equatorial belt has abundance of sunshine and a warm climate in maldives throughout the year.

The Bandos Island Maldives North Male Atoll
Visit Bandos Island Maldives to feel the touch of both oriental and occidental feelings. Meet both your business and personal ends under the friendly ambience of Bandos Island Maldives.

Maldives Accommodation - Find Comfort & Luxury Maldives Accommodations
Maldives Accommodation with their array of resorts & hotels helps you to bask in comfort and luxury while you are visiting Maldives. Accommodations are truly tourist friendly as tourism is the pillar

Kuredu Maldives is a full-fledged tourist destination with resorts, restaurants.
Kuredu Maldives will entertain you with varied beach activities, winds surfing, Dhoni sailing and enamor you with Kuredu Maldives serenity.

Holiday Island Maldives - Enjoy your vacation at Holiday Island Maldives
Visit Holiday Island Maldives to have a rocking holiday that you ever had in your lifetime. Holiday Island Maldives is like a tropical paradise on earth, with sprawling sandy beaches.

Asia Maldives. Planning Romantic Vacation? Visit Asia Maldives
Asia Maldives - the land of sun, sea and sand. Asia Maldives is located right on the equator, southwest to Sri Lanka.

Fun Island Maldives Resort - Hotel - South Male Atoll - Fun Island
Visit Fun Island Maldives to experience an unforgettable holiday you can only imagine of in your dreams.

Taj Exotica Maldives Emboodhu Finolhu Island in South Male Atoll
Taj Exotica Maldives displays a perfect blend of beauty, tradition and serenity. So visit Taj Exotica Maldives to enjoy the blend of comfortable living and ultimate luxury.

Meedhupparu Island Maldives -The Meedhupparu island has an excellent beach...
Visit Meedhupparu Island Maldives to experience the most exhilarating holiday in the Maldives.

The Meedhupparu Maldives Isand and Resort - Raa Atoll
Meedhupparu Maldives is characterized by its stunning tropical beauty and the expansive stretches of beaches.

Maldives Liveaboard - A Unique Way to Experience the Maldives in Liveaboards
Cruise smoothly in Maldives liveaboard to enjoy the translucent warm sea and unique tropical ambience.

Palm Beach Maldives Resort Island. Palm Beach Maldives known as Madhiriguraidhoo
Trip to Palm Beach Maldives to experience the best of nature and feel relaxed at the end of the entire holiday. Read Palm beach Maldives reviews contributed by visitors.
Laguna Maldives Activities, Accommodation, Dining - Laguna Maldives Beach Resort
Laguna Maldives a resort of both elegance and relaxed atmosphere - Laguna Maldives is large enough to find quiet seclusion and small enough to share with loved ones.

Maldives Clothing - Read about the Maldives Clothing before visiting Maldives.
Maldives Clothing - Casual clothing is most normal for Maldives culture, so when you visit Maldives for a refreshing holiday, cater to Maldives clothing principles for a simply splendid vacation.

Velidhu Island Maldives, Attractions, Restaurants. Velidhu Island Maldives
Visit Velidhu Island Maldives to add that extra touch of excitement to your holidays in the Maldives.

Read about Climate in Male Maldives to discover the lifestyle of Male Maldives
Climate in Male Maldives - Visit Maldives during the Easters in November to experience the best climate in Male Maldives.

Rangali Island: Hilton Maldives provides you with an experience of a lifetime.
Hilton Maldives - Planning a romantic gateway in Maldives, Find out more about Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa, including dining, accommodation, reviews and much more.

Soneva Fushi Maldives Resort & Six Senses Spa - Soneva Fushi Maldives Hotel
Soneva Fushi Maldives provides a wonderful hideaway to honeymoon couples, so pack your bags to visit Soneva Fushi Maldives and enjoy a splendid Maldives holiday.

Visit Velavaru Maldives and experience the best Holidays. Velavaru Maldives
Velavaru Maldives is a faraway island tucked away in some imaginative land. Velavaru Maldives is studded with palm trees, golden beaches, and translucent lagoon with waters glittering in the tropical

Maldives Resorts Safari..Experience the purified world in Maldives Resort Safari
The splendid Maldives Resorts Safari cruises offering a lifetime holiday to you. Maldives Resorts Safari offers you to enjoy one of the most delightful cruising that you can only dream of.

Visit Dhonveli Maldives to enjoy holiday of a lifetime. Dhonveli Maldives Beach
Dhonveli Maldives - Exotic Maldivian Architecture Blended With Tropical Beauty. Visit Dhonveli Maldives to enjoy your holidays in the Maldives.

Summer Island Maldives - North Male Atoll - Summer Island Maldives Reviews
Visit Summer Island Maldives to enjoy your holidays in the Maldives. You simply feel at home when you are in Summer Island Maldives.

Lohifushi Maldives located in North Male Atoll. Lohifushi Maldives Resort Review
Lohifushi Maldives - Visit the self-contained tropical island paradise of Lohifushi Maldives to feel rejuvenated and refreshed for life again.

Maldives Romantic - Where you can enjoy honeymoon in Maldives Romantic Ressorts.
Maldives Romantic Resorts presents the ideal holidays for honeymoon couples who want to discover each other even better.

Komandoo Maldives - Lhaviyani Atoll Maldives - Komandoo Maldives Island Resort
Komandoo Maldives is a wonderful paradise island tucked away in the remote corner of Maldives.

Kam Hotel Maldivesis in the heart of the Male city. Kam Hotel Maldives Guide
Kam Hotel Maldives - Situated on the main island of Male, Kam Hotel Maldives is a gem amongst the major hotels of Maldives.

Trip Helengeli Maldives to have memorable experience. Helengeli Maldives
Helengeli Maldives - The beautiful scenic beauty along with warm hospitality in the Helengeli Maldives Island resort attracts all tourists to enjoy the best holiday of their lifetime.

Meerufenfushi Maldives is the best holiday destination. Meerufenfushi Maldives
Meerufenfushi Maldives is a tropical island paradise with beautiful beaches, palm fringed walkways.
Ellaidhoo Maldives - North Ari Atoll, Maldives - Ellaidhoo Maldives Tourist
Visit Ellaidhoo to cherish the memories of a serene holiday for a lifetime. Ellaidhoo Maldives is a magnificent coral island with sugary white beaches, lush green vegetation, and warm seas.

The Republic of Maldives weather information.
Maldives weather generally remains warm with a pleasant sky and excess of sunshine. The maximum mean monthly temperature is 31° while the minimum temperature is 25°.

The Maldives Travel Planning Guide
Maldives Travel Guide - Get some tips on when to go, what to see, where to go, how to get there and things to do while Maldives travel.

Surfing Maldives Guide
Surfing Maldives... The tropical warmth of the crystal water and the wonderful water sports make Maldives the best surfing destination.

South Ari Atoll Maldives Travel. Trip South Ari Atoll Maldives to feel the magic
South Ari Atoll Maldives provides a perfect vision of paradisal beauty where tropical splendor of Maldives.

Getting Married in the Maldives - Planning to Getting Married in the Maldives
Getting married in the Maldives is a simply excellent idea. Just as the wedding bells sweetly tinkle on your ears, getting married in the Maldives will appear like a dream come true experience for you

Meerufenfushi Island Resort Maldives - Kaafu Atoll - Meerufenfushi Maldives
Meerufenfushi Maldives, Whether you are an activity-alcoholic or lover of peace, Meerufenfushi Island Resort Maldives with its shady palm walkways and sandy beaches promises you with almost everything

Vilu Reef Maldives Beach & Spa Resort - Vilu Reef Maldives
Visit Vilu Reef Maldives to get transported to a haven of unsurpassed splendor. Yes Vilu Reef Maldives is a beautiful paradise that promises long stretches of sugary white beaches.

Visit Banyan Tree Maldives in Vabbinfaru Island - Banyan Tree Maldives
The Banyan Tree Maldives, set in the heart of North Male Atoll. Banyan Tree Maldives surrounded with crystal clear blue lagoons, multi colored coral reefs and powdery golden sands on all sides.

When is the Best time to Visit Maldives? That’s a question we were asked a lot.
The best time to visit Maldives is almost all the year round.

Visit Meeru Maldives Island Resort - Meeru Maldives Village
Meeru Maldives - If you want a perfect holiday time then nothing can be better than Meeru Maldives, far away from the madding crowd.

Visit aboard Rania Maldives to experience the feel of a wonderful holiday.
Rania Maldives experience offers you with a lifetime opportunity of enjoying a perfect Maldivian holiday. The Rania Maldives is a luxury yacht that cruises through the translucent blue waters of india

Everything about the Maldives - Holidays in Maldives
Read more about the Maldives, its history, culture, people, weather and much more at Holidays in the Maldives

Club Med Maldives - North Male Atoll, Farukolhufushi Island - Club Med Maldives
Club Med Maldives offers you a couple of unique resorts called Club Med Kani and Club Med Faru. Visit Club Med Maldives to enjoy the best of many worlds.

South Male Atoll, Maldives...Club Rannalhi Maldives Resort Hotel
Club Rannalhi Maldives, situated on a mythical land - Maldives, is a resort that portrays a bona fide Water wonderland coupled with unique hospitality and exquisite services.

Tourism in Maldives - Read more about the Tourism in Maldives
Tourism in Maldives Guide - If you want to run your imagination beyond the blue seas and lush green meadows, then tourism in Maldives can fulfill all your dreams.

Honeymoon in Maldives - Excellect Romantic Gateway...
The Maldives, Honeymoon in Maldives provides you with an experience of a lifetime.
Fihalhohi Maldives - South Male' Atoll - Fihalhohi Maldives Resort Island
Fihalhohi Maldives is the perfect antidote to your fatigued mind and soul. If you are a romantic at heart then Fihalhohi Maldives is the place for you. You need not worry if you are not.

Maldives Club Med - North Male Atoll - The Maldives Club Med
A stunning vision of natural and undiluted beauty, Maldives club Med is as exquisite as it is unforgettable. Maldives Club Med set in the archipelago of the Maldives in Indian Ocean, southwest side.

Nika Maldives - Ari Atoll, Maldives - Nika Island Maldives
Nika Maldives is set in the enchanting coral island of Kudafolhudhoo of North Ari Atoll, The island of Nika Maldives is an epitome of simplicity and luxury that is plainly manifested through its...
Royal Island Maldives - The Best of Royal Island Maldives
Royal Island Maldives offers unique accommodation, exquisite hospitality and beautiful natural scenery. Royal Island Maldives, an island with the blend of tropical green vegetation and crystal water..

Travel to Maldives to have a wonderful experience. Travel to Maldives Guide
Travel to Maldives is a pleasant experience as it promises you with a lifetime holiday. So travel to Maldives to enjoy peace and activity at tandem, shop till you drop and enjoy nightlife.

Kuramathi Maldives - Kuramathi Cottage, Village, and Kuramathi Blue Lagoon
Visit Kuramathi Maldives to experience the best of holidays in Maldives. Kuramathi Maldives hosts a number of resorts, which are frothed with paradisal beauty.

Coco Palm Maldives - Enjoy your holidays in Coco Palm
Coco Palm Maldives is a resort, which promises you a safe passage into a haven of serenity and relaxation.

Filitheyo Maldives Attractions - Faafu Atoll - Visit the Filitheyo Maldives
Filitheyo Maldives is exquisitely beautiful with its white stretches of powdery soft sands, and the filitheyo maldives abundant green vegetation swaying in the cool breeze.

Trip Four Seasons Maldives - Kuda Huraa - Four Seasons Maldives Resort Island
Visit Four Seasons Maldives to have a simply amazing holiday that you had, hitherto, only dreamed of. Four Seasons Maldives Resort Island Reviews -

The Full Moon Maldives...Experience the Maldivian charm at full moon maldives
Full Moon Maldives is in itself a flower in full bloom and looks exotic under morning sun and tranquil full moon.

Angaga Maldives has something for everyone. Have fun in Angaga Maldives
Visit Angaga Maldives to experience a rejuvenating vacation. Angaga Maldives is splendid with its fine-grained sandy beaches, palm walkways, translucent blue lagoons and lush natural vegetation.

Angsana Maldives is an island where fun is everlasting. Angsana Maldives Resort
Trip Angsana Maldives to feel rejuvenated in mind and body. Angsana encompassed by the sparkling blue lagoon with colorful marine population will seduce your senses and transport you to your very....

Asdu Sun Island Maldives - North Male Atoll - Asdu Sun Island Maldives
Visit Asdu Sun Island Maldives to look out for peaceful and tranquil holiday experience. Asdu Sun Island Maldives is 5-star hotel set amidst the pristine beauty of a tiny island called Sun Island.

Bandos Maldives Island Resort - North Male Atoll
The coral fringed island of Bandos Maldives with its natural and traditional feeling makes you feel special at all times. Visit Bandos Maldives to feel relaxed and cool during your Maldives holidays.
Baros Maldives presents you with the essence of Maldives in a holiday package.
Baros Maldives - Expansive beaches, natures bounty, revitalizing activities and sensitive hospitality will surely draw you to Baros Maldives along with hundreds of other tourists around the globe.

Biyadoo Maldives - Kaafu Atoll in South Male Atoll - Biyadoo Maldives Island
Biyadoo Maldives offers a simply slendid holiday to people who aspire for tranquil and serene experiences. Biyadoo Maldives displays a magnificent wonder.

Maldives Diving Guide - Holidays in Maldives
The Maldives Diving... Maldives has become the best diving destination in the whole world.

Activities in Maldives - You can find various Activities in the Maldives
The different activities in Maldives include Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Surfing, Fishing, Sailing, etc.
The Airport Maldives - Read more about the Airport Maldives
Airport Maldives is situated at Huhule Island, also known as Airport Island. Maldives airport is one of the fastest growing airports in this region.

Top Accommodation in the Maldives - Luxury & Cheap Accommodation in the Maldives
You will fine the accommodation in the Maldives aptly positioned to give you a fantastic experience. Accommodation in the Maldives offers the ultimate in fashionable beach getaways.

Visit Baros Island Maldives to enjoy vacation. Baros Island Maldives
Haven of Peace and Tranquility - Baros Island Maldives is ringed by a circle of glittering, unspoiled sands gently sloping into the clear turquoise waters.

Banyan Tree Resort Maldives Vabbinfaru - Banyan Tree Resort Maldives Guide
Banyan tree resort Maldives is located in Vabbinfaru Island Maldives. The Banyan tree resort Maldives has perfectly utilized this quirk of nature with its outstanding snorkeling, sailing, and canoeing

Baros Resort Maldives - North Male Atoll - Baros Resort Maldives Reviews
Baros Resort Maldives is a magnificent romantic hideaway for the tourists, as the Baros Resort Maldives is surrounded with abundant vegetation and is immersed in serene tranquility.

Kuramathi Blue Lagoon Maldives - Resort Blue Lagoon Maldives Reveiws
The Kuramathi Blue Lagoon Maldives is the embodiment of tranquility and seclusion that you dream about when you think of the Maldives Islands.

Bolifushi Island Resort Maldives - Hotel Bolifushi Island Resort Maldives
The Bolifushi Island Resort Maldives is located in the South Male' atoll. All famous diving sites are situated near the Bolifushi Island Resort Maldives.

About Culture of Maldives - Read more about Culture of the Maldives
Colorful and diverse, the culture of Maldives wraps you in a pleasing mist of traditional color and charm of the sea.

About Destination Maldives - Are you planning Destination Maldives Islands?
Destination Maldives delivers on what it promises. but the Destination Maldives is one of the few places that not only delivers on the promise from the very moment you step out on the airport tarmac

The Maldives Climate - Read more about Maldives Climate before visiting
The Maldives climate is quite mild. Two main seasons dominate the Maldives climate: the dry time of year linked with the winter northeast monsoon, and the rainy season

Eriyadu Island Resort Maldives -Male Atoll- Eriyadu Island Resort Maldives
Eriyadu island resort Maldives creates a memorable holiday experience for you live in the midst of unique hospitality. In the center of the Indian Ocean, lies the Eriyadu island resort Maldives.

Anantara Resort Maldives -South Male Atoll- Anantara Resort Maldives Guide
Anantara Resort Maldives offers you the ultimate Maldives experience that you have probably only dreamt about! Anantara Resort Maldives is a tranquil tropical island set in the South Male Atoll.

Honeymoon Maldives Information - Enjoy your Honeymoon in Maldives Islands
The Honeymoon Maldives Guide - The pearl scattered beaches and breathtaking view of the azure sea is complete only when your love is with you, Enjoy your honeymoon in Maldives islands.

Liveaboards Maldives - Your Guide to the Maldives Liveaboards
Liveaboards Maldives Information - Maldives, with its warm tropical climate, gorgeous landscapes, and crystal clear water, are making the Maldives Republic an ideal place for divers and honeymooners.

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All about Maldives

Brief Introduction

The Republic of Maldives - in local, Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa is the official long name
Maldives - in local, Dhivehi Raajje’ is the conventional short name

The historical finding from the Maldives archipelago shows that there was civilization as early as BC.


People and Language

The origin of the first settlers in the Maldives is unknown. However an anthropological survey of the Maldives which was carried out at the end of the 19th century showed that at that time there were inhabitants in the Maldives who were descendants of people from the Indian subcontinent, Arabian peninsula, Africa, Indonesia and Malaysia and the main tribes of Maldivian's are Singhalese, Dravidian, Arab and African.

Dhivehi is the local language which is believed as an indigenous language spoken only in the Maldives. Maldivian language is said to be derived from Sanskrit and a mix of Arab and Singhalese.
The people of the Maldives are a descendent of and early race


Location and Area

Maldives located in the northern part of the Indian Ocean is 7° 6’ 35” by 0° 42’ 24” S and 72° 33’ 19” and 73 46’ 13 E
The area 118000 sq km of which land is 298 sq. km. (115 sq. mi.)
There are around 1200 islands in the country (Unable to obtain exact figure as islands form and deform) among 200 are inhabited.
The closest neighbors of Maldives are India (595 km) to the north, Sri Lanka (670 km) to the northeast and the Chagos group of islands (550 km) directly to the south.
The islands are formed in 26 natural atolls and for administrative purposes they are divided into 20 atolls


Weather and Climate

Sub-Tropical, there are two season in Maldives. The monsoon periods;
Iruvai, the northeast monsoon from November to April is the hot season dry and humid
Hulhangu, the southwest monsoon from May to September is the rainy season with more occasional winds and storms
Temperature varies from 26'C - 29'C through out the year


Arts, Tunes and Culture

The Arts, Tunes and culture of Maldives is based on the ancient tribal descendents.

The famous 'Bodu Beru' has been a local traditional dance short of music with an early tribal taste. The word 'Bodu Beru' means big drum in local language. These drums are made of coconut trunk, hollowed and shaped with a smaller dimension at one end than the other. Skins used on these drums are made from cleaned, shaved and dried goat skin which has no smell at all and easy to tune.
A group may consist of 4 to 6 drummers and 2 to 4 singers and 2 to 4 dancers. An observer would say that the Bodu Beru dance is a tribal dance and the patterns change towards the last quarter of the songs.

Another form of dance was performed by playing a tune and a beat using a metal or copper urn type of pot in local language know as 'Bandiyaa' in general these are the items used to have water at residence on the islands. Even today these Bandiyaa's are used to have water at houses used as jars. The Bandiyaa are made in India and used widely in India.
A group would have 8 to 10 members who are dancers and singers and performed in two rows facing each other.

'Thaara' is another form of drum played widely in the early days. Even today these drums and performance are done on occasions.
This amazing drum is related to an Arabic instrument and these drums would look more like a modern day snare drum with and open bottom, thin in depth and smaller in dimension.

On early sultanates and presidential parades these Thaara, Bodu Beru and Trumpets were played and performed. Even today there are groups who perform Bodu Beru, Bandiyaa and Thaara. These are used as percussions on some local music tracks.

Very local and original tunes from Maldivian were gathered and recorded by the famous Zero Degree Atoll, the Dhoni album was the first, one and only till today of this type made of local ambience, percussions and sounds from the island life and modern instruments.
The album would take you on a smooth sail through the atolls and island of Maldives.
The soundtrack was recorded for a second time on CD in France and holds a record of most performed arts of the modern Maldivian tunes.

Maldives culture is mixed as much as Maldivian's. Arab, African, Indian, Singhalese and Indonesian influence are all within the culture.



Religion

100% Muslim.
Historical finding shows that Buddhism was practiced before conversion.


Education

Arabic and English Medium
Secondary and Advance level


Government

Republic
President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom since 11 November 1978 and serving the 6th term
Monarchy and Sultanate was practiced before Republic

Upon Conversion in 1153 AD, the Maldives was declared a Sultanate and the ruling monarch adopted the name of al Sultan Muhammad Ibn Abdullah Siri Bavanaadittiya Mahaa Radhun, popularly known as Dharumavantha Rasgefaanu
- website of Maldives Information Ministry -

Moroccan traveler and historian Mohammad Abdullah Ibn-Battuta, visited the country in 1343 AD., and served as the Chief Justice, for four years.
- website of Maldives Information Ministry -

At the time of Ibn Battuta’s visit, the country was carrying on a flourishing trade in cowry and other sea shells, tortoise shells, dried fish, copra, coir rope and ambergris to Ceylon (Sri Lanka), Arabia, India, China and the Persian Gulf. Sultana Khadheeja Rehendhi Kambaidhi Kilege, the reigning monarch, was one of the most colorful personalities to grace the country’s throne. She died in 1380, having ruled the country for a total of twenty nine years, in three separate reigns.
- website of Maldives Information Ministry -



Economy, Resources and Industry

Maldives economy depends on the limited resources. Tourism and fisheries are the two main resources generating foreign currency

Boat building: Ferry boats, fishing vessels
Fishing: Industrial fisheries, pole and line, dried fish, salt fish, frozen fish, canned fish, live fish
Shipping: National shipping line, private shipping lines, container terminals, bunkering, cruise ships, luxury and pleasure vessels
Tourism: Guest houses, resorts, cruise vessels, tours
Agriculture: Coconuts, sweet potato, pumpkin, chilies, cucumber, lettuce, drumstick, mango, papaya, banana, lime, stone apple

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