India and the Sub Continent - Maldives - Country Information

Lying off the Southern tip of India lays the beautiful coral islands of the Maldives, famous for its beautiful white beaches and breathtaking underwater scenery. The islands are perfect for relaxation and offer a large variety of water sports including diving in one of the world’s top dive destinations. The memories of these tropical wonders will stay with you forever.

Key Facts
Full Country Name	Republic of Maldives
Area	298 Sq Km
Population	287,200
Capital	Male
Time Difference	GMT + 5
Visa	Visa is required (see below)
Currency	Maldivian Rufiya
People	The people of Maldives are divided into four main ethnic strains. The Sinhalese, the Dravidian, the Arabs and the Black Africans. The only ethnic minority are the Indians.
Language	Divehi
Dialling Code	+980
Electricity	230-240V

Visas:

30 day tourist visas are issued to British Passport holders on arrival free of charge. A full 10 year passport is required and it must be valid for at least six months after your arrival back into the UK. If your passport is not valid for six months it will be necessary to obtain a new one.

Health risks:

Hepatitis A & B, Japanese encephalitis, Rabies, Typhoid

When to Go:

The Maldives has a tropical climate, with rainfall throughout the year, peaking around June and July. These are usually short sharp showers but as the islands are small these pass over quickly.  Because the islands are spread so widely, temperatures vary from one island to the next, but these are usually high throughout the year.  The sea tends to be rougher between May and the end of October.