Maldives - everything you wanted to know about this paradise in the Indian Ocean. The most interesting thing about the Maldives Maldivians do not like the media

/ Interesting facts about the Maldives

Maldives is a small state located on 1,200 coral islands in the Indian Ocean. The islands form a chain of 26 atolls. Only about 200 of the republic's islands are inhabited, and 44 islands are reserved for private resort holidays. There are no large islands in the Maldives; the largest of them can be crossed by car in 1.5 - 2 hours, and some can be walked on foot in 15 minutes. The largest island is Hithadhoo, its length is 8 km.

Missionary activity in the Maldives is strictly prohibited.

According to Maldivian laws, it is prohibited to break living and non-living corals, and to fish near the islands.

The population of the Maldives has practically nothing from the money that tourism brings. Fishing continues to be the main source of income for the population.

The first to settle in the Maldives were Buddhist peoples who previously inhabited South Asia (presumably South India And Sri Lanka ). Legends say that there were no governments on the islands, only peaceful communities of people who worshiped the sun and water. The first real kingdom is said to have been created by the son of the king of Kalinga in India. The king was very unhappy with his son, so he exiled him to the Maldives, which was then called Dheeva Maari.

In the Maldives, you can try such exotic delicacies as rose and orange milk, raa palm juice and coffee powder, which the locals love so much.

There is not a single river or other source of fresh water in the Maldives. Fresh water in the Maldives is worth its weight in gold. Even in rich houses they do not hesitate to take dishes outside during rains to collect some clean rainwater.

The Maldives airport is built on an artificial island in the middle of the ocean. When approaching the Maldives, the plane begins to land on the water, and only closer to the ground does it touch the landing pad.

For the Maldives, climate change and rising sea levels are a very real threat, and residents of some islands have already been evacuated due to rising ocean waters, blocking access to fresh water. In order to draw attention to these problems, the President of the Republic, Mohamed Nasheed, held a cabinet meeting at the bottom of the ocean in October 2009.He and 13 government officials with scuba gear sank to the bottom, where they had previously sunk tables for them. This was done in an attempt to raise awareness of the dangers facing the islands.

The inhabitants of the Maldives came to Islam only in the 12th century - before that, Buddhism with elements of animalistic beliefs was practiced here. Attempts to colonize the islands by the Portuguese in the 16th century led to bloody uprisings and the restoration of the Islamic dynasty of kings. Since then, the country's top officials have been obliged to demonstrate their commitment to Sunni Islam. The morality police monitor the purity of religious morals and compliance with Sharia law in the Maldives. Any propaganda of a religion other than Sunni Islam is punishable by several years in prison.

The word "Maldives" means something like "Palace Islands". “Mahal” is a palace, “diva” is an island, everything is logical. Male was formerly called "Sultan's Island".

The average age of marriage in the Maldives is 24 years. Guardians of Islamic morality can easily call an unmarried 25-year-old girl an “old maid.” However, more than 50% of marriages in the Maldives break up after six months. The attitude towards divorce is more tolerant than in the rest of the Islamic world, but after divorce, women are allowed to remarry only after 3 months.

At the bottom of the Indian Ocean in the Maldives, you can become a guest of a glass room in a hotel of the Conrad Hotels chain.

The length of the Maldives from west to east is 130 kilometers, and from south to north – 823 km. The Maldives is part of a small mountain system that is hidden under water.

Laamu Atoll is one of the few places where turtles nest and where you can watch baby turtles hatch from their eggs.

Mohammed Amin Didi, the first president of the Maldives, was not only the head of many ministers, but also the chairman of a poetic association and the center forward of the Maldives national football team.

Maldives - the closest state to the ocean on our planet. The average height above sea level here is 1.5 meters, and the highest point is 2.4 meters. 99% of the country's territory is occupied by blue ocean waters.

One of the national pastimes of the Maldivians is crab racing. Races are regularly held at most hotels. Any tourist can place a bet and win, if not a large sum of money, then at least a bottle of alcohol.

The Maldivian language, Dhivehi, is the national language and is a mixture of Singaporean, Tamil, Urdu, Persian and Arabic. The Maldivian script, known as Thaana, is written from left to right. Thaana consists of 24 letters, vowel sounds are indicated by circles and commas placed above or below the consonants.

The Republic of Maldives includes only one city.

Maldivians are not used to greeting each other. In response to “hello” you can only count on a modest smile or nod. Here, too, it is customary to call each other by last name.

Adultery is a criminal offense in the Maldives. The punishment for proven adultery is 100 public lashes. The vast majority of victims of this punishment are women. Statistics from 2006 show 184 people sentenced to public flogging due to extramarital sex. Only 38 of them were men. In 2009, an 18-year-old mother was sentenced to one hundred strokes and then sent to hospital for treatment. She denied the charges, but, nevertheless, she was found guilty because the girl turned out to be pregnant. Two men accused along with her were acquitted.

Maldives – the most popular honeymoon destination in the world.

The import of alcoholic beverages into the Maldives is not permitted. You can only abuse alcohol in local bars and hotel restaurants.

More than 2,000 species of fish live in Maldivian waters. The coastal waters of the Maldives are home to the largest fish on the planet currently known to science - whale sharks, reaching a length of 20 meters. But these creatures do not bother vacationers, since their diet includes only plankton. Not a single shark living in the waters of the Maldives has ever attacked a tourist. The stone fish, which can be seen near coral reefs, is perhaps the most dangerous inhabitant of local waters.

In 1988, the Maldives government called in Indian troops to thwart a coup attempt by Tamil mercenaries (rebels from Sri Lanka).

The first island hotel in the Maldives opened in 1972 and is called Kurumba Maldives. Distance from the capital Male - 3.2 km.

The traditional Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha in the Maldives is called Bodu Eid. On this day, according to the Koran, you need to make a ritual sacrifice to Allah. True, instead of sheep, the Maldivians prefer to slaughter a cow or goat.

Each of the 200 inhabited islands is led by a katibu (chief), who draws up a report every day and submits it to the central board in Male.

These resort islands are considered one of the safest places on the planet for tourists, because
The Maldives is largely isolated from other countries.

Communication between the Maldives is ensured by wooden boats, better known as dhoni.

In the Maldives, it is prohibited to build hotels higher than the tallest palm tree on the island. The artificially built-up area of the hotel cannot occupy more than 20% of the area of the entire land plot of the island. Approximately half of all hotels are owned by Maldivian businessmen, another quarter by foreigners, and the remainder are joint ventures.

In addition to the “unclean” pigs, according to the Koran, the Maldives have a similar attitude towards dogs. An exception was made only for shepherd dogs serving in the police. Tourists are strictly prohibited from bringing a pet. Violation of this rule may result in a serious fine and placement of the dog in the sanitary area of the airport.

The literacy rate in the Maldives is 97%, one of the highest in the world. Sociologists attribute this phenomenon to the fact that, due to the population density in Male, students simply have nowhere to hang out.

The coastal waters of the Maldives were originally home to many turtles. Their meat and fat were used for food, and their shells were used for various crafts. Currently, turtles are on the verge of extinction and are protected by law.

Not all islands are open to tourists. To be on a non-resort island open to the public, you need to obtain a special permit indicating the name of the place.

It is not customary to celebrate birthdays in the Maldives. According to established tradition, on this day, local residents try to work as much as possible.

In the Maldives, everyone lives by the slogan “No news, no shoes – Maldives”. There are really no local newspapers or national television here.

In the 1960s, UN representatives who visited the Maldives declared, without explanation, that these islands were unsuitable for tourism. In the 1970s, tourism finally appeared here, in spite of these jokers - UN representatives.

The most famous Maldivian dance is called “bodu beru”. It is performed by about 20 people to the sounds of chants, the accompaniment of large drums and onugadu bamboo.

The working week in the Maldives is from Sunday to Thursday. Friday and Saturday in any month are official holidays, and finding a restaurant open on these days will not be easy.

Possession of any drug in the Maldives carries a life sentence. For sales and production - death penalty. Same-sex relations are a religious and state crime, this can also lead to prison. Freedom of speech is extremely limited, and people who speak out against Islam and its beliefs are tortured, imprisoned and sometimes executed. The Constitution of the Maldives was written in 1997. It states that all citizens must be Muslims, that is, professing another religion is prohibited. If you are a citizen of the Maldives and decide to convert to another religion, then you can forget about your citizenship. In the Maldives, religious traditions are so strictly observed that foreign workers are invited to work in tourist destinations, since the citizens themselves do not want to come into contact with dubious objects.

Male is one of the few cities in the world that does not have any surroundings. Where the city ends, the island of the same name ends - only 1.7 kilometers long and 900 meters wide. And the population of such a small island is more than 130,000 people (!!!). The problem is that the Maldives, despite its small territory, is characterized by rapid population growth. In order to free up space for the population to live, the authorities even had to somewhat limit tourism, which over the years has become an important source of income for the country. So in 1990, a recreation complex on the neighboring island of Villingili was closed in order to build a residential area for residents of overpopulated Male on the vacant area. The twelve people who make up the average family in Male seem accustomed to close quarters.

The most famous group of Maldivian artists is Zero Degree Atoll.

Neither local residents nor tourists are allowed to swim naked on the islands. This can only be done on Kuramati Island in a specially designated area.

Tours to the Maldives - special offers of the day

The Maldives or the Republic of Maldives is a South Asian island nation located in the Indian Ocean on a group of coral islands. The Maldives are located in the southwest of Sri Lanka and India. The Maldives covers an area of approximately 298 square kilometers. km and are one of the most geographically dispersed countries in the world, as well as the smallest Asian country, both in area and in population, with a population of approximately 427,756 people. Male is the capital and most populous city, traditionally called the "King's Island" for its central location. The average ground level of the Maldives is 1.5 meters, and the highest point is 2.3 meters above sea level. Which immediately makes this country the lowest on the planet.

The Maldives archipelago converted to Islam in the 12th century and established itself as a sultanate, developing strong trade and cultural ties with Asia and Africa. From the mid-16th century, the Region came under the growing influence of European colonial powers, and the Maldives became a British protectorate in 1887. Independence from the United Kingdom was achieved in 1965, and a Presidential Republic was established in 1968 by the elected People's Majlis.

The state religion is Islam. The official language is Dhivehi, an Indo-Aryan language. The educated part of the population speaks Arabic and English. The Maldives is a presidential republic, with a president, head of government and head of state. The President heads the executive branch and appoints the Cabinet of Ministers, which is approved by the people's parliament.

The Maldives has a tropical monsoon climate. Two seasons dominate the weather of the Maldives: the dry season, associated with the winter northeast monsoon, and the rainy season, which brings strong winds and storms. The transition from the dry northeast monsoon to the wet southwest monsoon occurs in April and May. During this period, southwesterly winds contribute to the formation of the southwest monsoon, which reaches the Maldives in early June and lasts until the end of August.

The Maldives has a range of different habitats, including deep sea, shallow coastal and reef ecosystems, fringing mangroves, wetlands and land. There are 187 species of corals, forming coral reefs. These coral reefs are home to a variety of marine ecosystems that range from planktonic organisms to whale sharks.

Maldives is a founding member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). They are also a member of the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Non-Aligned Movement. The World Bank classifies the Maldives as an upper-middle-income economy. Fishing has historically been the dominant economic activity and remains the largest sector, followed by the rapidly growing tourism industry. Along with Sri Lanka, it is one of only two South Asian countries to rank "high" on the Human Development Index, with its per capita income being one of the highest among SAARC states.

Tourism has given a major impetus to the developing traditional handicraft industries of the country, tailoring, production of handicrafts (mats, ropes, handicrafts), souvenirs, food preservation, construction of boats, buildings. Traditional types of work mainly employ the female population. Export - fish and postage stamps.

In terms of transportation, the main means of transport are sailing and motor boats. Most transportation is carried out by seaplanes and boats. There are regular buses and taxis in Male. Any Maldivian island can be crossed in 1.5-2 hours on foot.

Most visitors arrive at Male International Airport, on the island of Hulhule, near the capital Male. The airport is served by flights to India, Sri Lanka, Doha, Dubai, Singapore, Istanbul and major airports in Southeast Asia, as well as charters from Europe. Gan Airport also serves an international flight to Milan several times a week. British Airways offers direct flights to the Maldives approximately 2-3 times a week.

Interesting facts about the Maldives:

There is only one city in the Maldives - the capital of the country, Male;
There are no poisonous snakes or insects that are dangerous to humans in the Maldives;
There are no dogs in the Maldives - keeping them on the island is prohibited;
Alcohol is prohibited in the Maldives, with the exception of consumption in hotels;
There is a huge fine for damaging corals in the Maldives. It is prohibited to export corals, fake turtles and other elements of wildlife from the islands;
In the Maldives, there is a law that prohibits the construction of high-rise buildings higher than the tallest palm tree on the island;
You are not allowed to swim naked in the Maldives. Nowhere!
You can't eat pork in the Maldives;
In the Maldives you cannot preach any religion other than the Muslim religion. You are not even allowed to bring a Bible with you.

How can you get to the Maldives? internship in hotels

Culture

This tropical paradise lies in the center of the Indian Ocean and is made up of 1,190 coral islands and atolls that stretch over 90,000 square kilometers.

99 percent of the Maldives is ocean water, but it supports the nation's 3,000-year-old culture, amazing education system and less than tolerant government.

10. The Maldives was founded by an exiled prince

Since ancient times, the Maldives has been an incredibly important island chain due to its location along a number of trade routes. The first colonizers of the islands came from India, The exact date is unknown, but it is believed that it happened in 269 BC.

Legends say that there were no governments on the islands, only peaceful communities of people who worshiped the sun and water.

The first real kingdom is said to have been created by the son of the king of Kalinga in India. The king was very unhappy with his son, so he exiled him to the Maldives, which was then called Dheeva Maari.

This prince, whose name was Sri Soorudasaruna Adeettiya, was responsible for creating the Adeetta dynasty in the Maldives. Also known as " Solar Dynasty" this era ended with the marriage of the queen to the prince of the Lunar Dynasty of Kalinga.

Legend mixed with history in the early years of the Maldives. These years of early kings known only from stories local contemporaries. There are rumors of copper plates containing information about a princess of the Maldives who was exiled from her home island and sent here in the 1100s.

In the 14th century, the plates were allegedly found by a group of scientists, translated and buried in sand. Since then they have been lost forever.

Maldives Islands

9. Literacy rate among the population - 98 percent

The Maldives is proud of its number of literate adults. This huge leap up from 70 percent in 1978.

Citizens of the Maldives live on 200 different islands, so it is extremely difficult to create a unified educational system, but this is very important because more than 35 percent of the country's residents are not adults, and education is the main key to their future success.

With the help of UNICEF, a unified educational program was created in the Maldives in 1978.

Resource centers have been built for teachers who use the Internet to teach remotely on the islands, as well as an educational program was created, which advocates educating not only children, but also parents and educators who take an active part in education.

As a result, 100 percent of children attend primary school and 99 percent complete five grades. By comparison, the US Department of Education found that literacy rates have remained unchanged over the past 10 years, with 14 percent of adults still illiterate.

8. “Underwater” desk meetings

For the Maldives, climate change and rising sea levels are very real threat, while residents of some islands have already been evacuated due to rising ocean waters, blocking the access to fresh water.

In order to draw attention to their problems, President Mohamed Nasheed in October 2009 held a cabinet meeting at the bottom of the ocean.

The President and 13 government officials with scuba gear sank to the bottom, where tables had previously been sunk for them. This was done in an attempt to raise awareness of dangers facing the islands.

He also wanted to highlight sustainability projects to reduce carbon emissions. His plans include biodegradable resorts and sustainable tourism.

7. Incredible Ocean Life

If you purposefully, while in the Maldives, plan to look at whales, you are guaranteed to be able to see 1500-2500 whales and dolphins.

At any time and at any time of the year, 10-12 different species of whales and dolphins live in the coral reefs of the Maldives.

In addition to pygmy sperm whales and killer whales, striped and spotted dolphins, bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales also live there. A population of one dolphin species can contain about 200 individuals. The Maldives is also one of the most famous places in the world where you can see the largest fish in the world - whale shark.

This huge fish, the size of which often reaches up to 10 meters, can be seen calmly floating in the blue waters of the Maldives and filtering the plankton floating by.

State of Maldives

6. Muslim Nation

All tourists should be aware that the Maldives is a Muslim country, so visiting it requires strict adherence to local laws and traditions. The country has both Sharia and Jafari laws, with Sharia being responsible for the family code and criminal law.

Being originally a Buddhist people, the Maldives set foot on a new path in the 12th century, after they were visited by Islamic saints who accompany traders and merchants on their long journeys.

In the 16th century the islands were colonized by the Portuguese, who tried to convert them into Christianity, but there was a failure in their transformations, which ended in violence and bloodshed.

With the restoration of the government, the position of the king was considered sacred thanks to Allah. By law, the president and all cabinet ministers must be Sunni Muslims.

5. Forced resignation

The Maldives has always been a place of active politics and religious beliefs. In 2012, President Mohamed Nasheed was forced at gunpoint to resign from his post after three weeks of protests and uprisings.

The day after the resignation, rioters chased the former president into the streets, leaving nearly 50 people injured after police and military began firing tear gas at the ousted leader.

It all started when the president ordered the arrest of his predecessor's associates for interfering in a criminal court case investigating corrupt deals and human rights violations.

Nasheed's place was taken by the vice president, who denied any involvement to forced resignation, attacks or any actions behind Mohamed's back.

Maldives today

4. Alcohol is prohibited outside the resorts

Due to strict Islamic beliefs, tourists are required to obey and respect Muslim traditions during their stay on the islands. Alcohol is prohibited everywhere except in resort areas.

It is illegal to import anything that violates the Muslim belief system, and this is alcohol, pork and any products made from it. During the month of Ramadan, tourists are expected to observe Muslim traditions, which means do not drink, do not eat, do not smoke during daylight hours.

Some restaurants still remain open to cater to tourists, but they may be subject to harsh criticism from the public.

Another faith is not allowed in the Maldives, although the recognition that the beliefs of tourists is their personal matter will allow one to turn a blind eye to some things. And contrary to popular belief, nudity and toplessness are unacceptable, even on resort island beaches.

Maldives: subtleties

3. Adultery is punishable by public flogging

According to the political laws of the Maldives, all people are equal and deserve equal protection. However, extremely pious people often assigns a dominant role to religious law rather than secular law, therefore, those found guilty of adultery often face public flogging.

The vast majority of victims of this punishment are women. Statistics from 2006 show 184 people sentenced to public flogging due to extramarital sex. Only 38 of them were men.

The international organization Amnesty International speaks about the violation of human rights, emphasizing that most people who disagree with this practice are simply afraid to have their say.

In 2009 18-year-old mother sentenced to one hundred strokes, and then sent to the hospital for treatment. She denied the charges, but was still found guilty because the girl turned out to be pregnant. Two men accused along with her were acquitted.

People in the Maldives

2. Extreme religious intolerance

The Maldives are not only known for their religious devotion, they are also incredibly religiously intolerant of other beliefs. Do not even think of showing any disrespect or offending the religious feelings of the islanders, you will immediately receive a prison sentence.

You can hurt religious feelings by talking about other religious idols or texts, pornography or alcohol. Recently, the presence of religious texts of other faiths has been permitted, but only for private use. Missionary activity is strictly prohibited.

If you are caught with any kind of drug, then life in prison in the Maldives is guaranteed. Same-sex relations are a religious and state crime, this can also lead to prison.

The Constitution of the Maldives was written in 1997. It states that all citizens must be Muslims, that is, professing another religion is prohibited. If you are a citizen of the Maldives and decide to convert to another religion, you can forget about your citizenship.

Holidays in the Maldives in the modern world are considered almost the standard of luxury and comfortable pastime. But in a small state in the Indian Ocean, a thousand-year history, many traditions and customs are hidden.

So what do we know about the inhabitants of the Maldives archipelago? What rules of good manners should you follow, and what should you absolutely not do?

We offer you the most interesting facts about the Maldives.

Male International Airport

Mentality and characteristics of the population

Maldivians are not used to greeting each other. In response to “hello” you can only count on a modest smile or nod.

One of the interesting facts in the Maldives is that it is customary here to call each other by their last name.

It is not customary to celebrate birthdays in the Maldives. According to established tradition, on this day local residents try to work as much as possible.

Unlike most Muslim countries, in the Maldives displaying one's wealth is in poor taste. Here it is believed that the richer a person is, the more simply he should dress, not to mention precious jewelry.

The average age of marriage in the Maldives is 24 years. Guardians of Islamic morality can easily call an unmarried 25-year-old girl an “old maid.”

However, more than 50% of marriages in the Maldives break up after six months. The attitude towards divorce is more tolerant than in the rest of the Islamic world, but after divorce, women are allowed to remarry only after 3 months.

Children born out of wedlock are considered illegitimate in the Maldives. Also, raising a child by one parent is not encouraged here, even in the event of the death of a spouse.

Open tourism policies have had no impact on social inequality within Maldivian society. It will be very difficult for someone who comes from “the people” to make a successful career here, unlike the hereditary elite.

It is customary to speak English with tourists in the Maldives. Residents of the archipelago communicate among themselves in a mixture of several languages, including Arabic.

The literacy rate in the Maldives is 98% of the entire adult population. This is one of the highest rates in the world, and the highest among Muslim states.

Wedding in the Maldives

The working week in the Maldives is from Sunday to Thursday. Friday and Saturday in any month are official holidays, and finding a restaurant open on these days will not be easy.

Despite their Muslim roots, the people of the Maldives do not force their women to cover their heads with a burqa or hijab.

The morality police monitor the purity of religious morals and compliance with Sharia law in the Maldives. Any propaganda of a religion other than Sunni Islam is punishable by several years in prison.

Adultery is a criminal offense in the Maldives. The punishment for proven adultery is 100 public lashes. Most often, women, unfaithful husbands and lovers are among the culprits who fall under this law - only 30%.

Halloween is also strictly prohibited in the Maldives. Any public mention of him may cause conflict and disciplinary conversation with the police.

Possession of any drug in the Maldives carries a life sentence. For sales and production - death penalty.

Fresh water in the Maldives is worth its weight in gold. Even in rich houses they do not hesitate to take dishes outside during the rains to collect some clean rainwater.

Mosque in Male

Other facts

The Maldives is a small state located on 1,200 coral islands in the Indian Ocean. The islands form a chain of 26 atolls.

Only about 200 of the republic's islands are inhabited, and 44 islands are reserved for private resort holidays.

There are no large islands in the Republic of Maldives; the largest of them can be crossed by car in 1.5 - 2 hours, and some can be walked on foot in 15 minutes. The largest island is Hithadhoo, its length is 8 km.

The Maldives airport is built on an artificial island in the middle of the ocean.

99% of the country's territory is occupied by blue ocean waters.

The Maldives is the closest state to the ocean on our planet. The average height above sea level here is 1.5 meters, and the highest point is 2.4 meters.

The air temperature in the Maldives is extremely stable, and is around +25 °C all year round.

One of the hallmarks of the Maldives is the construction of the Islamic Center - a project at the end of the last century.

One of the most interesting places in the Maldives is the fish market in Male. Here you can buy tuna - the favorite delicacy of the locals, shrimp, octopus and barracuda.

The Maldives is a popular destination among newlyweds - many newlywed families seek to spend their honeymoon here.

Our compatriots can go to the Maldives without worrying about purchasing a visa. You receive it upon arrival at the airport in Male; all you need to have is your passport, return ticket and funds for living in the country.

The import of alcoholic beverages into the Maldives is not permitted. You can only abuse alcohol in local bars and hotel restaurants.

There is rarely more than one hotel on one island.

In the Maldives, it is prohibited to build hotels higher than the tallest palm tree on the island.

In the Maldives, everyone lives under the slogan “No news, no shoes - Maldives”. There are really no local newspapers or national television here.

The Maldives depends on tourism and fishing.

The capital of the Maldives - the city of Male - is one of the smallest capitals in the world, but at the same time it is one of the most densely populated cities on the planet.

Important: Neither local residents nor tourists are allowed to swim naked on the islands. This can only be done on Kuramati Island in a specially designated area.

Spearfishing is also prohibited in the Maldives.

The choice of transport in the Maldives is very poor, there are practically no cars here, and bicycles are a rarity.

Coconut tree on the beach

In Maldivian cuisine, most dishes are prepared from rice and gifts from the Indian Ocean, but a special approach to preparing fish is practiced here - it is first dried before cooking.

In the Maldives, you can try such exotic delicacies as rose and orange milk, raa palm juice and coffee powder, which the locals love so much.

Most often, tourists on the islands are entertained by snorkeling and diving.

At the bottom of the Indian Ocean in the Maldives, you can become a guest of a glass room in a hotel of the Conrad Hotels chain.

When approaching the Maldives, the plane begins to land in the water, and only closer to the ground does it touch the landing pad.

Swimming on coral beaches is fraught with danger; when entering the water, it is better to wear slippers on your feet to avoid coral debris.

Among the dangerous marine life in the Maldives is the stone fish, the poison of which poses a serious threat to human life.