Location of the Maldives Archipelago
Formed of 1,192 coral islands in 26 separate atolls, or coral reef formations, the Republic of the Maldives is a unique geographical vacation spot. The Maldives Archipelago sits in the Laccadive Sea, which is about 430 miles southwest of Sri Lanka and 250 miles southwest of India. Lining up north to south, these atolls are situated between the Chagos Archipelago and Minicoy Island (Lakshadweep, India’s most southern part). Perhaps most notable about the Maldives is the fact that they cover a territory of approximately 35,000 miles, which is one of the largest dispersed areas.
About The Maldives Archipelago
By both population and land area, the Maldives is the smallest Asian country. Recent population estimates have put the total number at less than 330,000, and since most of the territory of the Maldives archipelago is ocean, these people are spread along many of the islands. Due to its location and low elevation, the climate on these islands remains virtually the same all year round. Staying in high the 80 degrees Fahrenheit range with around 80 per cent humidity, this offers visitors the perfect atmosphere for a beach getaway.
The history of the Maldives is rich and vast, having a part in many different cultures, including Greek and Roman. With the varying historical influences, the Maldives archipelago also went through a variety of transitions in religion and overall culture. Up until the 12th century, Buddhism was the major influence on this area, but it changed to Islam until late in the 1800s when it became a British Protectorate.
The official language of the Maldives is an Indo-European language called Dhivehi, which has some similarities with the ancient Sinhalese language, Elu. For the most part, the influence of Islam remains and the most prominent religion in the area is Islam.
The Maldives Attraction
Of course, the major attraction for anyone visiting an island chain like this is the presence of white sandy beaches. With so many different islands to choose from, the Maldives has some of the most gorgeous and picturesque beaches around the world, which offer beautiful views of the ocean. Beyond these beaches though, the historical significance of the Maldives archipelago also affords visitors the chance to see some old architecture, including Buddhist temples and Islamic mosques.
For some visitors, the Maldives archipelago is the definition of paradise, with everything that you could look for in a tropical getaway. Beyond the sandy beaches, the vast ocean is mostly clear water, allowing you to see deep down to the wildlife that surrounds the islands. There are tall palm trees to offer shade when the sun is too bright, and just before nightfall, there is the opportunity to see one of the most beautiful sunsets.
Of course, there are really six major reasons that brings people to the Maldives archipelago:
1. Incredible Scenery
As mentioned above, the scenery in this area of the world is hard to match, with iconic beaches and beautiful views of the ocean. Beyond just the water, there is also the old town feel that is hard to find elsewhere.
2. Luxury
Many of these islands offer some of the highest luxury for hotel guests, with great views of the ocean and service that you can only find in a paradise like this.
3. Need of Privacy and Seclusion
If getting away from the masses of people is on your do-to list, the privacy offered by some of these islands is simply unmatched. Though some of the islands are heavily populated, many offer havens for those who want to just get away and escape the noise for some time.
4. Culinary Delights
Though this includes more than just seafood, the superb restaurants of the Maldives offer visitors a wonderful culinary experience.
5. Honeymoon Destination
Nothing is more romantic than a beautiful island getaway. With hotels that offer top quality experiences and the sandy beaches to match, a trip to the Maldives can be the perfect honeymoon getaway.
6. Water Recreation
With vast amounts of ocean and white sandy beaches, water recreation is one of the major reasons to come to these islands. You can stroll along the beach and watch the sunset, but more importantly, you can enjoy diving, snorkeling, windsurfing and a variety of other water-related activities.
Cruise to Maldives
Since many of the islands are so small, there are only so many things to do on each, which makes some people turn away for a more traditional vacation. Rather than staying an entire week or longer, taking a ship to the Maldives can be the perfect way to see this area. The water is clear and the temperatures are nice, which makes for perfect cruising waters.
More importantly, visiting these islands by cruise ship usually will afford you the ability to visit more than one of the Maldives. This allows you to experience much more in the short time that you stop by, or you can choose to take a cruise that stops at many of the islands. Either way, this offers you the chance to see the many wonders of the Maldives archipelago without boring you over the repetition.
Arriving at these islands by ship also offers you the unique advantage of some specific ventures only given by your chosen cruise line. Some of these ships can offer diving tours or once in a lifetime historical sightseeing that you would not get on your own. Of course, these individual lines also offer unique onboard adventures and amenities, depending on which one you choose.
Best of all, visiting the Maldives by ship gives you an all-inclusive food and shelter package, which allows you to see the sights without having to break the bank for hotels and restaurants.
When you are looking to take a cruise to the Maldives, there are a plethora of major cruise lines that take the journey. Just to name a few, there is Seaborn, Princess Cruises, Oceania and Azamara Club Cruises. No matter which one you choose, you can find that these islands offer a very pleasant and relaxing cruise experience.
Regardless of whether you choose to take a brief trip by cruise or plan on staying longer, the Maldives are must visit at least once in your lifetime.
