This group of 1190 islands is scattered around 26 natural atolls, ring-like coral formations enclosing a lagoon, spread over almost 800km of the Indian Ocean from north to south. Out of these numerous islands only 200 are inhabited, with 88 islands adapted as exclusive resort islands. They are located south of India to the west of Sri Lanka and will not disappoint with their breathtaking beauty.
This paradise on earth has white sandy beaches, graceful palm trees, clear blue waters, and breath-taking sunsets that dreams are made of. Many islands embrace enormous lagoons, where bright blue-green water laps gently. The Maldives is a major destination for scuba divers who come for the fabulous reefs and the wealth of marine life. The resort islands also offer nautical delights such as night-fishing trips and windsurfing, however, most leisure activities centre around the sea and so, if you are active people who like to sightsee there is not much to occupy you on these tiny islands.
The capital Malé, the seat of government and the centre of trade, commerce, business, health and education, is located in the middle of the atoll chain and is home to about a third of the population. There is a remarkable mixture of modernism and traditional Maldivian culture on this small island, measuring only 1.2miles (2km) long by 0.62miles (1km) wide.