As‐salaam Alaikum! (may peace be upon you)
About Maldives
The Maldives, a tropical paradise located in the north‐central Indian Ocean, is renowned for overwater luxury resorts as well as its breathtaking natural beauty that comprises turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, and vibrant coral reefs. Maldives islands consist of a chain of about 1,200 small coral islands and sandbanks, grouped in a series of clusters or atolls, built up on the top of a submerged ancient volcanic mountain range. The country covers an area of approximately 90,000 km2, of which only 298 km2 is dry land. All the islands are low‐lying, with the highest island rising not more than 1.8m above sea level. The Maldives also boasts a rich cultural heritage with a history that goes back to 2500 years, exemplified by its traditional music, dance, and cuisine. The earliest settlers were mainly from the Indo‐Aryan race. Later, African and Arabic sailors and traders migrated. Buddhism was the dominant religion of the people until 1153, when the country was converted to Islam. Today, Maldives has made significant strides in sustainable tourism practices to preserve its fragile ecosystem, and stands as a top‐tier destination that seamlessly blends luxury, nature, and cultural charm in a truly breathtaking setting.
Climate
Maldives is characterized by a warm and humid tropical monsoon climate, with seasonal fluctuations in temperature and rainfall due to the monsoon. It is practically an all‐year‐round destination with an annual mean temperature of 28 0C. The islands show a little variation in temperatures throughout the year. The seasonal cycle is strongest in the north, recording an average maximum temperature of around 29 0C just prior to the onset of the southwest monsoons (May to August) and an average minimum temperature of around 27 0C prior to the onset of the northeast monsoons (December to March). The southern equatorial regions experience precipitation throughout the year and do not experience a very significant dry spell related to the northeast monsoons. The Maldives is blessed with some of the lightest rainfall in the tropics, with an average rainfall of about 2,130 mm per year.
