The Republic of Maldives, sometimes known as the Maldives, is an archipelagic nation in South Asia that is situated in the Indian Ocean. It is located around 750 kilometers from the Asian continent's mainland, southwest of Sri Lanka and India.

With a total area of 298 square kilometers (115 square miles) and a territory that is roughly 90,000 square kilometers (35,000 square miles) (including the sea), the Maldives is the smallest Asian nation by land area, one of the smallest Muslim-majority countries, and the second least populous nation in Asia. It is also one of the world's most geographically dispersed sovereign states. The capital and most populous city is Malé, which is also known as the "King's Island," where ancient royal dynasties once reigned due to its strategic location.

The Chagos-Laccadive Ridge, a sizable underwater mountain range in the Indian Ocean that also includes the Chagos Archipelago and Lakshadweep, is where the Maldivian Archipelago is situated.

Economy 

Cowry shells, a primitive kind of cash, were historically abundantly supplied by the Maldives. The islands were called the "Money Isles" by the Arabs beginning in the second century CE. Africa has long used monetaria moneta as money, and during the era of the slave trade, large quantities of Maldivian cowries were imported into Africa by western countries. The Maldives Monetary Authority's current emblem is a cowry.

With a population of 100,000, the Maldives was one of the 20 poorest nations in the world at the beginning of the 1970s. The economy at the time was heavily reliant on fishing and trade with neighboring nations and East Asian nations for products like coir rope, ambergris (Maavaharu), and coco de mer (Tavakkaashi).

Tourism 

Up until the early 1970s, tourists knew little to nothing about the Maldives. Its 447,137 residents reside on just 189 islands. The only uses for the other islands are economic, with tourism and agricultural predominating. More over 60% of the Maldives' foreign exchange earnings come from tourism, which accounts for 28% of the country's GDP. Import taxes and taxes related to tourism account for more than 90% of all government tax revenue.

The expansion of tourism contributed to the economy of the nation as a whole. In other linked industries, it produced prospects for both direct and indirect employment and income generating. In 1972, Bandos Island Resort and Kurumba Village (now known as Kurumba Maldives) debuted as the first tourist resorts, completely changing the Maldives economy.

Beautiful Places in Maldives 

Malé

The capital and largest city of the Maldives is Malé. It is also one of the world's most densely populated cities, with 252,768 inhabitants spread across an area of 8.30 square kilometers. Geographically, the city is situated on the southernmost point of North Malé Atoll. The Malé City Council is in charge of four other islands in addition to the center island, which serves as the city's administrative hub. The palace was situated on the King's Island, which was historically where the ancient royal dynasties governed. Then, the city was known as Mahal. It used to be a walled city with gates and walls around it. When the city was remodeled under the British, the Royal Palace was destroyed along with the charming forts and bastions.

Vaadhoo

One of the inhabited islands in the Maldives' Raa Atoll is Vaadhoo. This island is home to the beautiful "Sea of Stars," which is known for its bioluminescent plankton.

Beautiful beaches, recognizable scenery, and mesmerizing beauty can all be found on Vaadhoo Island in the Maldives. Vaadhoo Island's sea waves that are lapping the shore at dusk glitter like a field of blue dots, giving the water the appearance of a starry night sky.

The development of phytoplankton, or aquatic organisms that glow in the dark, is what causes this amazing event to take place in the late summer. If plankton is present, it will splash around in the magnificent blue light as the water is stirred, making for a captivating image. However, if you cruise offshore, your chances of spotting this rise. The tiny organisms begin to emit light as the waves crash against the boat.

Banana Reef

One of the first locations to put the Maldives on the map for divers was Banana Reef, a location in the North Male Atoll that gets its name from its curved shape.

One of the most well-known diving locations in the world is Banana Reef, which is situated in the Maldives. It is also one of the Maldives' oldest reefs, and it is embellished with magnificent caverns, towering cliffs, exquisite coral growths, and strong overhangs. Along with groupers, barracudas, and sharks, Banana Reef is home to all three.