Book your luxury holiday packages to Maldives for a memorable time. The jaw-dropping landscape is surely not to be missed.
When your friend tells you about going on a holiday trip to Maldives, all you can imagine about is sunny beaches, waterfront villas and unlimited water fun. But this is just a half-truth. Maldives is one of the most interesting countries to visit.
Located in the Indian Ocean, southeast of Sri Lanka and India, this small country is a hub of islands, having over 1000 ones packed into 26 coral atolls. With so much nature all around, Maldives is filled with surprises. This blog will share some of the interesting facts about this country you need to know before going on maldives holiday.
Article Breakdown
Fascinating Facts about Maldives
Humans were never meant to be stuck in a loop. They are beings having free will to seek escape from the boring routine of life. With its white-washed beaches that crash into sandy warm shores, Maldives offers a dream place to enjoy vacation or even work remotely in another country.
This country is flooded with honeymooners who wish to enjoy an intimate time together in silence to let their love blossom. However, Maldives hides more than what meets the eye. This section will discuss some of the interesting facts about this country that might be smaller in size but is larger with adventures.
- Shells as Currency
While the current money form has gone digital like debit cards and cryptocurrency, it was different for Maldives during the 1800s. The country used cowrie shells instead of paper money as their currency. This unique exchange came from the Arab merchants and was used in Africa, India, and even ancient China.
Shells with their black colours and unique patterns were hard to forge. This makes the local people relaxed about any mishap. These shells were lighter in weight which made them gain popularity in the country. However, over time, the locals started using shells lesser, putting a stop to their use eventually. Currently, the shell symbol is imprinted on the currency notes of Maldives by the Maldives Monetary Authority. If you ever find a shell on cowrie shell on the shores, try not to buy anything from it.
- Underwater Cabinet Meeting
All the important decisions by the government are taken by solid buildings that are mostly dried out for the official people. However, the Maldives took a different route. The president of this country geared up in a swimsuit and jumped into the sea along with 11 other ministers in 2009. They held their first-ever cabinet meeting under the water.
This funny-looking meeting was conducted to spread awareness about carbon emissions and to fight harmful climate change. All the ministers signed a petition below the crystal waters, which was later presented at the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference. The fun part? The swimsuits of these people were signed and sold to raise charity for reef protection.
There is no doubt why Maldives is all about beautiful beaches. The locals know well how to make the most of it, even if it means to dive deep into a political matter.
- Unique Beaches
You might have walked on the sugar-dusted shores in other parts of the world. But that white-looking sand comes with a little tint of yellow shade as well. It turns out that Maldive beach shores are made from corals instead of quartz or granite which gives that yellow colour.
The clean white sands with the blue lagoons of this country are surely a breathtaking experience to have for any tourist. The best part? Coral beaches are very unique in the world with only 5% in total.
The surreal contrast between the white and the blue shades gives a soothing feeling to the eyes. Visitors are often speechless by the magnificent beauty of the beaches. This makes Maldives a perfect bucket list destination for everyone.
- Lowest Country Ever
Tourists who wish to think about sleeping on the beaches at night should rethink their decision. Maldives is the lowest country ever in terms of sea level. All the islands in this country are just 5-7 ft above sea level which is way more lesser than other countries.
Being so close to the sea, Maldives is only safe because of its natural coral reefs. These reefs keep down the swelling water level. However, the deadly climate changes are worrying the country’s government.
If no action is taken against the climatic issues then there is a high chance that 80% of Maldives will drown under the sea by 2050. It’s Nature’s irony that a country whose pride was its water will be submerged in its own sea.
- Different Weekends
Another interesting fact about Maldives is the weekends. As every day is a weekend for you on your vacation, this country’s weekend hits totally different. Being an Islamic country, Friday and Saturday are considered as the off-days.
This means visitors can lazily stretch their legs on the loungers all day long and bask under the sunlight. However, the joy of this soon gets over when Saturday night is about to end because Sunday is a regular working day for the Maldives people. It’s nothing like the British culture where Sunday is welcomed with a full-on English Breakfast.
These weekend days are common in other Islamic countries including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Jordan. Friday is kept off due to the Friday prayers which are important for Muslims all over the globe.
- Ancient Civilization
The question of who took their first step into the country is unclear. However, it is believed that the people who made this land into their home was 3000 years ago. Also, it is claimed that Buddhists from Sri Lanka started to live here around 1500 B.C.
Moreover, when Islam spread across the country in the 12th century, many Arabs stayed there from their way of trading. This caused Maldives to be a densely populated country with Muslims with Islam being its religion. But this is not enough. The constitution of this country is so strict that only the Muslim locals living there prefer to be called the citizens of Maldives.
- Diving with the Largest Fish
Maldives is known for its rich marine life. The sapphire beaches are packed with all sorts of sea creatures you can think of. From the shoals of colourful tiny fishes to turtles, sea horses, rays and even whales.
However, the real stopper of the sea life is the largest shark in the world. But you don’t need to worry about getting eaten by them, as they feed on plankton and not humans. Growing up to 20 ft, this sea creature is a breathtaking sight in the Maldives.
This whale shark can be found on the Sun Islands’s reef on the South Ari Atoll. Moreover, it can be viewed on Rangali Island and Hanifaru Bay. Those who look for thrill and adventure in one place can swim along these mesmerizing creatures.
Conclusion
This blog has explored some of the fascinating facts about Maldives. This country is a haven to experience its beauty via luxury holiday packages. Tourists can book their flight to this stunning wonder of nature and make some of the best memories of their lives. Are you looking for a travel agency to get a travel bundle for Maldives? Then reach out to Virikson Holidays to get customized travel packages as per your wallet limit.
