
Now, a densely populated metropolis, only the 17th-century coral stone Old Friday Mosque, the 12th-century Dharumavantha Rasgefaanu Miskiiy, the old National Museum building, and the Medhu Ziyaarai (central tomb) – part of the Muleeaage (the official residence of the President) – remain as monuments to the vibrant past. Malé, on the aptly-named Malé Atoll, is both the capital of the Maldives and the ancient King’s Island, where royal dynasties ruled from a walled city. While the early history is pretty hazy – some archaeologists speculate on links to the Romans – the islands became a stopover for Arab merchants on trading missions around the 2nd century CE, who were so pleased to find the shores covered in cowry shells – an early form of currency – that they named them the Money Isles. Mostly famed for white sandy beaches, palm trees, epic coral and clear turquoise waters, the Maldives is a perfect destination for those looking to relax, unwind and enjoy island life.įor those keen on digging a little deeper, however, the Maldives is an intriguing destination, sitting at the crux between cultures and empires, with a long and varied history thought to date back more than 2,500 years. Especially popular on the island is coastal kayaking at sunset with the ability to observe the riot of sunset colors over the ocean.A tropical archipelago lying on the equator between the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea, the Maldives is made up of around 1,200 islands in 26 atolls.

This allows you to safely swim here underwater with a snorkel, swim and engage in various water sports. Vaadhoo is surrounded by a reef that protects it from strong waves and tidal ocean currents. Therefore, it is also a paradise for snorkeling and diving.

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