Maldives: Holidays, Events, Climate
Cultural events
The state religion of the Maldives is Islam. Festivals and customs are therefore mostly Muslim. Islamic holidays such as the last day of the month of fasting or the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed, but also traditional festivals of the village communities are regularly celebrated in the Maldives.
Public holidays
Date | Holiday |
1./2. January | New year celebration |
January 25 | Huravee festival in memory of a Maldivian national hero who successfully organized the resistance against the Portuguese occupiers. |
July 26 | independence Day |
11th December | day of the Republic |
Source: Countryaah – Maldives Holidays
Sports
In the Maldives you can do all kinds of water sports, such as diving, snorkeling and sailing. Tennis and golf are also offered.
National customs
All drug possession is strictly forbidden in the Maldives. Violations can result in severe penalties, even in small quantities. Tourists have also been sentenced to life imprisonment.
In the Maldives, Islam (Sunni direction) is the state religion. Any Christian missionary activity or mission-like events are prohibited.
Dhoni is the Maldivian boat. The Dhoni was and is still the most important object of value for the islanders. It serves as an island taxi and is necessary for fishing.
Maldives: climate
Climate table
The Maldives are located in the Indian Ocean – in the middle of the tropics – and therefore have a very even and warm climate.
Month | Average number of rainy days | Mean maximum temperatures in (°C) | Mean minimum temperatures in (°C) |
January | 04 | 30 | 22 |
February | 02 | 30 | 24 |
March | 02 | 30 | 24 |
April | 04 | 30 | 26 |
May | 10 | 30 | 26 |
June | 20 | 30 | 26 |
July | 18 | 30 | 24 |
August | 16 | 30 | 24 |
September | 12 | 30 | 24 |
October | 12 | 30 | 24 |
November | 08 | 30 | 24 |
December | 06 | 30 | 22 |
Maldives: Sightseeing
- Abbreviationfinder.org: Presents the way that MV stands for the nation of Maldives as a two-letter acronym.
The capital Malé
Malé is not only the capital of the island nation of the Maldives, but also its economic, political and cultural center. The city is located on the island of the same name, as well as on the islands of Villingili, Hulhumalé and Hulhulé, in the immediate vicinity of the main island.
The city has around 103,693 residents – with an area of around 580 ha = 5.8 km². It is worth mentioning that all buildings must be smaller than the “Friday Mosque”. The state’s international airport is also located in Male on the island of Hulhulé – about 2 km from the main island.
Mosques
Hukuru Miskiiy Mosque, Friday Mosque in Male
The Hukuru Miskiiy Mosque – also known as the Friday Mosque – dates from 1656 and was built by the Sultan Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar I. It dominates the cityscape of Male with its magnificent golden dome.
Sultan Mohammed Thakurufaanu Mosque in Male
The Sultan Mohammed Thakurufaanu Mosque is the largest mosque in the Maldives and has a shining golden dome and a 40 m high minaret. It is part of the Islamic Center and also houses the Islamic Library.
Aasaari humanaja Miskiiy mosque
The Aasaari humanaja Miskiiy mosque is located on the northern Nilandhooatoll and was built at the time of the first local sultan, who converted the residents to Islam in the 12th century.
National Museum, Library
National Museum
The National Museum in Sultan Park is open daily – except on Fridays – from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Library in Malé
The public library in Malé is a good opportunity to find out more about the Maldives.
Palaces, presidential palace
Palace Muleeaage
The palace Muleeaage was built in 1906 by Sultan Shamsuddeen III. and was originally intended to serve as his son’s office and residence. But after the sultan’s ousting, the building served as the president’s residence from 1953-1994. Nowadays only the President’s office is located here. The palace is opposite the Hukuru Miskiiy Mosque.
Theemuge Palace The Theemuge
Palace is the seat of the President of the Maldives today. The building, which was only erected in 2004, impressively combines traditional construction with modern architecture.
Medhu Ziyaaraiy Memorial Center
Medhu Ziyaaraiy is the tomb of the scholar Abu-al-Barakaat, who introduced Islam to the people in the 12th century, which is still the state religion today, brought to the Maldives. The tomb is located next to the Hukuru Miskiiy Mosque.
Markets
Fish market
The fish market on Malé sells freshly caught fish every afternoon. Even if the visitor does not want to buy fish, a visit is still worthwhile, not least to be able to admire the many different fish. But in the morning you can buy dried fish, vegetables and exotic fruits.
Weekly market
The market is not far from the fish market. Here fresh or dried fruits that grow in the Maldives are offered. But you can also find vegetables, jam, sweets or various tasty drinks.
Natural beauties
The Maldives comprise 19 archipelagos, which stretch for around 825 kilometers in a north-south direction. The islands are spread over 26 atolls. The islands open to tourists are covered with palm trees and breadfruit trees.
Almost every island in the Maldives is a sight in itself, with around 90 of the total of 1,190 islands being open to tourists. The Maldives impress with their white, fine sand, the turquoise sea and the wonderful underwater world.
The accommodations are mostly in wooden bungalows built on stilts into the sea.
Diving
There are diving schools on a number of islands so that you can dive under professional guidance in these beautiful areas. If you like it more personal and less time-consuming, you can go to the coral reefs with glasses, snorkel and fins to inquire and probably encounter one or the other reef shark.