Page 84 - Asian Paradises 2019-20

— Maldives —

Meedhoo is located in the southernmost atoll of Seenu and is one are sweet potatoes, yams, taro, millet and watermelon, citrus
of the rarest naturally protected atolls in the entire archipelago. fruits and pineapples.
The people Tropical flowers are found in abundance and grow either in the
The inhabitants of the Maldives are thought to have descended wild or are cultivated in gardens. There are 100 species of birds,
from both Southern India’s Dravidians and Aryans from India most of them migratory. Other fauna includes giant fruit bats and
and Ceylon. Dhivehi, the national language, is Indo-Aryan tree shrews, lizards, skinks, rhinoceros beetles, paper wasps and
in origin and found only in the Maldives. A contemporary colourful butterflies.
Dhivehi culture is strong, despite many foreign influences, The sights
which range from Hindi movies and oriental martial arts, to The capital city of Malé is only about two kilometres long and
Western music and Muslim fundamentalism.
one kilometre wide but is neatly packed with buildings, roads
It has been an Islamic nation since 1153 AD when the king and public spaces. The mosques, markets and small streets give
converted the entire country from Buddhism. The religion is it a charm of its own.
a delicate blend of traditional and modern ideals, with women The National Museum houses exhibits of the sultans’
having more freedom than in other Muslim countries. English belongings and some archaeological discoveries, while
is widely spoken in Malé, the capital, and on all the resort the nearby Sultan Park is a pleasant place for a stroll. The
islands, and on Seenu, or Addu Atoll, where a British air base imposing white three-storey Islamic Centre & Grand Friday
was formerly located.
Mosque holds more than 5000 worshippers and dominates
Nature the city’s skyline. The oldest of the 20-plus mosques in Malé
The brilliantly coloured coral reefs result in the Maldivian is the Hukuru Miskiiy, famed for its intricate stone carvings.
seascape being among the most beautiful in the world. Since Friday Mosque on Isdhoo is more than three centuries old and
natural fauna is sparse, the most exciting wildlife is found under features lacquered supports, flowing calligraphy and finely
the water. carved rafters. Gadhdhoo is home to one of the Maldives’
most impressive ruins, from which rises an enormous
If you visit the Maldives, make sure you grab a mask and stupenda, formerly a huge, white limestone pyramid.
snorkel so that you can discover amazing corals and fish such
as butterfly fish, angel fish, parrot fish, rock cod, unicorn fish, The solitary and exceptionally fertile island of Fuamulaku
trumpet fish and bluestripe snapper. Other marine life includes produces vegetables and fruits such as mangoes, oranges and
molluscs, clams and crabs while sharks, stingrays, manta rays, pineapples, which are not grown anywhere else in the country.
turtles and dolphins may also be spotted. Baa Atoll is famous for its handicrafts, which include lacquer
work and finely woven cotton felis (traditional sarongs).
While the larger, wetter islands have small areas of rainforest,
for the most part plant life is limited. The most common Where to stay
plants include pandanus, banana, mangroves, breadfruit trees, The wide variety of accommodation ranges from island
banyans, tropical vines and coconut palms; and the main crops resorts and hotels to modern, motel-style rooms and

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