Infos A-Z

Alcohol
  • Locals are not allowed to drink alcohol as the Maldives are 100% Moslem.
  • Tourist resorts, hotels, cruisers and many safari boats do have a alcohol license for its foreign guests.
  • However, be aware that the import of alcohol is strictly forbidden.
Boats transfers
  • The transfers to those resorts located close to the International Airport Hulule are mostly done by Dhoni (local traditional boat). The speed is between 5 and 7 knots, which is rather slow.
  • Many resorts do have "speed boats" - they vary from very fast boats to small cruisers.
Citizens
  • 253.298 inhabitants (counting 1995)
  • 260,000 inhabitants (official guess 1997)
  • Residents in the capital Male: 70.000 (1999)
  • Approximately 850 people per sq. km
  • Population growth: 3 % per year.
  • Official Language is Dhivehi, a special from of Singhalese with elements of Urudu, Latin and Arabic. (See also small language guide)
  • Commercial language is English
  • The script is Thaana, with a touch of the Arabic script.
  • Ethnic shown, the Maldivians are a mixture of Singhalese, Arabs and Blacks.
  • Birth-rate: 30 per 1000 inhabitants (1994)
  • Child mortality: 30 per 1000 births (1994)
  • Mortality rate: 5 per 1000 inhabitants (1994)
  • Average age: 15,2 years (1994) (No printing mistake!)
  • Life expectancy: 69,12 years (1994)
  • Literacy: 98% (1994 between the age of 10-49 years)
Currency
  • Maldivian Rufiyaa (MRF) and Laari - 100 Laari's are one Rufiyaa. Approximate exchange: 1 US$ = 10,5 MRF.
  • Thre are bank notes of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 Rufiyaa.
  • There are coins of 1 and 2 Rufiyaa - 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 Laari.
  • The import or export of the local currency is not allowed. There is no restriction on foreign currency.
  • However the US$ is the hidden currency of the Maldives and is accepted everywhere.
  • US$ and MRF are accepted in Male and local islands. Hotel bills are in US$.
  • Credit cards and traveller checks are accepted in all the resort, in big shops, in Hulule and in Male. Mostly following credit cards are accepted: American Express, Diners Club, Euro Card, JCB, MasterCard und Visa.
Drugs
  • Maldives is one of the countries, which have the strongest anti drug laws.
  • Long prison punishments are inflict upon even by a small quantity of drugs - even for a joint.
Electricity
  • All resorts do have their own generators. The voltage is 220.
  • The power points are 3 whole sockets. The middle, upper hole does not have an electricity flow but has a security lock (for example with a pen this security lock can be opened up).
Embassy / Consulate
  • Maldives does not have a German, Austrian, Swiss or English Embassy. The next representatives of these countries are in Colombo / Sri Lanka.
  • Embassy of the State Republic of Germany:
    40, Alfred House Ave.
    Colombo 3
    Tel. 0094 1 580 431 (432,433 und 434)
    Opening hours MO to FR from 09:00 to 12:30
  • Austrian Consulate:
    1, Park Drive
    Colombo 5
    Tel. 0094 1 84890
    Opening hours MO to FR from 09:00 to 13:30
  • Swiss consulate:
    7, Upper Chatham Street
    Colombo 1
    Tel. 0094 1 29403
    Opening hours from 09:00 to 13:30

  • Honorary post for the State Republic of Germany:
    Dr. Ibrahim Maniku
    c/o Universal Enterprises Pvt. Ltd.
    38 Orchig Magu
    Male
    Tel. 00960 322971 oder 323512
    Fax 00960 322678 oder 320274
Export restrictions
  • At the airport customs scan the luggage on departure. It not allowed to take corals, shells and other "souvenirs" from the sea! NOTHING from the sea - alive or dead - can be taken!!!
  • It is not allowed to take turtle shells, shell plates, black corals and shark teeth and different kinds of shells etc. out of the country, even if they have been bought in a shop in Male (sometimes they are available)!
  • It should be a matter of course, even without an import - or export restriction, that these kinds of souvenirs are an environmental looting.
  • The export of the national currency (Rufiyaa) is not allowed.
Flight transfer
  • From spring 1999 flight transfers to the tourist resorts are only by seaplanes (Maldivian-Air-Taxi, Trans Maldivian Airways und Sun Express Airlines).
  • The luggage limit on flight transfers is different from the international flights - 20 kg per person including hand luggage!!! Every additional kg will be charged with US$ 2.00.
  • Trips, round flights and photo flights are also provided by 'Maldivian Air Taxi' and 'Trans Maldivian Airways'.
  • The national airlines 'Air Maldives and 'Island Aviation' offer regular flights to Gan, Hanimaadhoo, Kaadhedhdhoo and Kadhdhoo.
Fridays and public holidays
  • During lent-time (Ramadan) not all the service might be available in Male.
  • In general, Friday is seen in the Muslim culture as "Sunday".
  • See also Fridays and public holidays
Geography

  • The Maldives Island are coral islands grouped into 19 Atolls.
    Alif, Baa, Dhaalu, Faaf, Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnyaviyani, Haa Alifu, Haa Dhall, Kaafu, Laamu, Lhaviyani, Meemu, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyan, Thaa and Vaavu.
  • Position: degree of latitude: 07° 06'30" N to 00° 41'48" S and degree of longitude: 72° 32'30" E to 73° 45'54" E
    westside of India and Sri Lanka.
  • Range: in length approx. 750 km (from north to south) / in width approx. 120 km (from west to east)
  • Land territory: 1,196 mostly deserted island with a total area of approx. 298 sq. km.
  • The islands are very flat and are in average 1.8 m above sea level.
  • There are about 220 inhabitant islands.
  • Today, there are 90 islands (with 93 resorts) developed for tourism.
  • Sea territory: ca. 107,400 sq. km
  • Distances: shortest distance to India: approx. 340 km and to Sri Lanka approx. 700 km.
Import restrictions
  • It is not allowed to take any alcohol and pork meat into the Maldives.
  • Pornography is also not allowed - it has to be expressed that in Europe normal cover pictures ("topless") can also be seen as pornography, sometime depending on the customs officer.
  • Any kind of weapons and harpoons are not allowed.
  • Videotapes are taken by the customs to the censure board (this will take about up to 4 weeks). Only empty original packed tapes will be accepted to bring in the country.
  • All kind of drugs (see under drugs). Imported medicine - it is recommended to bring your medical report from a doctor.
  • The import of the state currency (Rufiyaa) is forbidden. There are no import restrictions on other currencies. Items, which are valid more than 150.000 MRf have to be declared upon arrival.
Male (Capital)
  • Size: approx. 1.8 sq. km (still there is land reclaiming going on)
  • Citizens in Male: 70.000 (1999)
  • Opening hours: Shops are open between 7:30 and 9:30 in the morning and sometimes till 23 hrs. in the evening. On Friday the shops will open at 13:30 hrs.
  • Banks are open daily from 8:00 until 13:30 and are closed on Fridays.
  • Government offices are open from 8:00 until 14:30 and are closed on Fridays and Saturdays.
  • Business offices open between 8:00 and 10:00 clock in the morning - do have a lunch break of sbout 1 hour - and close again between 18:00 and 19:00 in the evening. They are closed on Fridays.
  • Taxis do have a flat rate starting from MRF 20 (US$ 2), if the taxi gets stopped on the street and if the taxi has been ordered by phone it costs MRF 10 (US$ 1).
  • The Dhoni transfer to Hulule (airport) cost MRF 10 (US$ 1) per person.
  • It is strictly forbidden to take video or photo shots from military building, coastal patrol vessels, uniformed persons and inside of the new Friday mosque.
Medical aid
  • There are 2 hospitals in Male and the only dental clinic in the Maldives.
  • Further "clinics" are on local islands and on tourist resorts like Bandos (with hyperbar-medicine center and decompression chamber) and Sun Island.
  • There is only a limited choice of medicine available in Male - the supply of standard medicine is very good.
  • The majority of dive centres do have a collection of common medicine.
    Several tourist resorts and some local islands have a "doctor's station".
  • There is no health agreement between Maldives and Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It is recommended to have a private health insurance document, which covers the necessary medical treatments, return transport, etc. in the Maldives.
  • In addition, divers should have a DAN-insurance (A lot of islands do offer this - cost involved about 10 US$ for 21 days).
National-Symbols

  • The national flag is green with a wide red border and in the green field is a white half moon.
    The red border symbolises the blood from the national heroes who gave their lifes for the liberty and independence of the state.
    The green rectangle symbolises life, future and generosity.
    The white half moon shows the Islamic believe in the nation


  • The national emblem shows a coconut tree, half moon, a star, two national flags crossing each other and writing of the traditional state name.
    The coconut tree symbolises the experiences of life, this tree plays a very important role in a daily life of a Maldivian.
    The half moon, the star and the two national flags symbolise the feeling for the state and the Islam.
    The writing of the two words "Ad-Dawlat" and Al-Mahaldheebiyya" are from Sultan Al-Ghazee Mohamed Thakurufaanu Al-Azam (1573-87) which used this as the official name for the state of Maldives.
  • The national tree is the coconut palm tree (Cocos nucifera).
  • The national flower is the 'Pink Rose' (Rosa pdyantha).


  • The National Anthem :

Politics
  • From July 26, 1965 independent republic.
  • Democratic elected parliament. The parliament (Madschlis) has 48 members.
  • The present constitution from the country is from 1968.

  • Every five years, the president gets directly elected.

    The present head of state is President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (born December 29, 1939)

    The first time he got elected was in 1978 and the last time re-elected in 1998.


  • The parliament (Madschlis) has 48 members. The inhabitants of the 19 atolls can elect each 2 members of parliament and the capital Male elects 2 members. Eight members of parliament get elected directly from the president.
  • Each of the 19 atolls has an atoll chief. The president elects the atoll chief.
  • The island representatives of the different islands do elect an island chief, which will be confirmed by the president.
  • The law system in Maldives is based on Islamic law with some English "Common Law" (mostly in the economical laws).
  • The Republic of the Maldives is the 117th member of the United Nations, member of the Commonwealth and SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation).
Nudism
  • The Maldives is a moderate Islamic country, however with 100% Muslim inhabitants and does not allow nudism or topless! Offences will be charged with serious fines.
Post and Telephone
  • Letters (MRF 12) and post cards (MRF 7) take about 10 to 15 days to Europe. Do not forget to write AIR MAIL !
  • Telephone charges to Europe is quite expensive. The first 3 minutes are charged with US$ 20.00 and every additinal minute with US$ 10.00!
  • Country code to Germany 0049
  • Country code to Austria 0043
  • Country code to Switzerland 0041
  • Country code to the UK 0044
  • Foreign mobile phones do work in Male, however it does not work in some different atolls - It will change soon..
Religion
  • 100% sunnee Muslims.
  • The Maldives is the only state on earth with 100% Muslim inhabitants.
  • From 1153 (before Buddhism) Islam is state religion.
Time
  • Maldivian Standard Time: MET + 4 hours (MEST + 3 hours)
  • Island Time: Some islands do have their own time! For example: Alimatha, Kanifinolhu, Banyan Tree, Kuda Huraa, Komandoo, Kuredu, Maayafushi, Reethi Beach, Reethi Rah und Velavaru. (Male-Time plus one hour)
  • 'Maldivian Time': a winged saying for delais, this can happen due to the calm lifestyle.
Tipping
  • Mostly all hotels and resorts do have a 'Service Charge' of 10% on the running bill. This money will be distributed under all the employees.
  • However there is an additional tip for each situation - Amounts:
    Porter - 1 US$ per piece of luggage
    Waiter - 5 US$ per week
    Room boys - 5 US$ per week
    Boats crew - 1 US$ per transfer or excursion
Vaccination
  • At the moment there is no vaccination required. Since many years, the Maldives are free from malaria. Before visiting the Maldives, it is recommended to recheck the situation with your house doctor.
Visa
  • On arrival the passport has to be valid for 6 more month.
  • In general (special for Europe): no visa will be required
  • A tourist visa (distributed in the aircraft) with valid travel documents allows to stay up to 30 days in the country.
  • Theoretically, each tourist needs to have US$ 25.00 per day to stay upon arrival - However because more and more credit cards are used this is rarely checked.
  • An international vaccination card is needed for arrivals from countries with yellow fever.
  • An amount of US$ 10 has to be paid on departure 'Passenger Service Fee' (mostly on package tours the tour operator does cover this).