Geography
The Maldives are located in the equatorial waters of the Indian Ocean, 700 kilometers southwest of Sri Lanka. See Maldives abbreviations.
The total area of the Maldives is about 90 thousand km², of which only 298 km² are land.
Two lines of islands, protected by coral reefs and located at a short distance from each other, stretch from north to south for 820 kilometers.
In total, the Maldives has 1196 islands, which form 26 atolls, stretching perpendicular to the equator in a double chain. Only 202 islands are inhabited, about 100 are open for tourists.
Climate
In a country with less than one percent land and more than 99 percent water, the weather undeniably plays a significant role in daily life.
The life of the Maldivians for a long time was built according to the nakaiy system, each of which was divided into two periods: “hulhangu” is the period of the southwest monsoon, and “iruvai” is the period of the northeast monsoon. This system is still used today to determine, for example, the best time for fishing, planting or traveling.
According to 800zipcodes, the climate in the Maldives is warm tropical, as a result of which fluctuations in daytime temperatures are relatively small throughout the year, the air temperature averages from 2 + 4 ° С to +30 ° С.
The hottest month in the Maldives is April and the coldest month is December. In many ways, the weather is determined by the monsoons.
The amount of precipitation fluctuates significantly every month. The driest month is February, and it is also relatively dry from January to April. The highest average rainfall occurs from May to October.
The rainy season runs from May to September, dominated by the southwest monsoon. At this time, strong winds and sea waves are not uncommon.
From December to April, the northeast monsoon prevails. At this time, there is almost no rain in the Maldives, the humidity is low.
The country is located in the equatorial zone, so cyclones and severe storms are very rare there. However, the Maldives are periodically affected by cyclones that form in the Arabian Sea or the Bay of Bengal. The spiraling clouds that cause these weather events form heavy rainfall over the Maldives.
Capital of the Maldives: Male
The main resorts of the Maldives: Ari Atoll, North Male Atoll, Baa Atoll, Haa Alifu Atoll, Raa Atoll, Laviani Atoll, Dhaalu Atoll, South Male Atoll, Siinu Atoll, Miimu Atoll, Faafu Atoll.
Cuisine of the Maldives
At the Maldivian resorts, you can try dishes of different cuisines: local, Asian and European. Such culinary diversity is found in tourist areas and hotels. The local cuisine is based on Indian and Arabic culinary traditions.
The main products used to prepare dishes of the national cuisine of the Maldives: rice as the most common side dish; seafood, especially fish (boiled, smoked and dried), squid, mussels, crustaceans; fruits (bananas, papayas, mangoes and others).
Spices, sauces, seasonings and spices are often used in local cuisine, mostly spicy (pepper, chili, onion, curry sauce). Coconut milk is widely used in cooking.
The most common dishes in the Maldives ah:
- Rice can be called the basis of the Maldivian national cuisine. It is served with a wide variety of dishes. Most often, rice is served with fish and seafood, such as boiled tuna seasoned with various spices, as well as fruits and vegetables.
- Fish is a very popular dish in the Maldives. One of the national fish dishes is “hikimas” – smoked and dried fish. In addition, the local cuisine is known for its fish pies “kuli borkiha” and fish soups. Of the numerous fish dishes, one can also distinguish cutlets made from tuna and coconut “gulu”, “fihunu mas” – fish baked in chili paste, “kimia” – fish roll, “rihaukuru” – fish pate, “teluli mae” – fried fish seasoned with garlic and pepper.
- In addition to the main dishes, various salads are popular in the Maldives. As a rule, they contain seafood (fish, squid, shrimps, mussels, crayfish, oysters), vegetables (onions, potatoes), fruits (pineapples, avocados) and spices.
- “roshi” bread is commonly eaten with a peculiar “mas huni” fish cocktail which consists of chili, onion, coconut and lime juice.
- Meat in the national cuisine of the Maldives is rarely used, usually it is chicken as part of any dishes. Chicken is cooked here on holidays.
- Desserts in the local cuisine are usually prepared from coconuts in their various processing, from all kinds of fruits and sweet rice. One of the most delicious local desserts is called “bondi” – these are sweet coconut sticks. Finishing the meal, areca nut with lime, cloves and betel leaves is often eaten here.
Of the soft drinks in the Maldives, green tea is popular, while black tea is practically not consumed. A lot of sugar and milk are added to tea. Drinking coffee is just coming into fashion. You can buy the traditional drink “suji”, sweet palm juice called “raa”, the milk drink “kiru sarbat”, and “gaa” – fermented palm milk, a low-alcohol drink from local residents. Drinks containing alcohol can only be purchased in tourist areas.
