The Maldives is a set of islands that are afloat on the waters of the Indian Ocean. It’s got pristine beaches and is a top-notch holiday destination. But how much do you know about the Maldives? Check out these intriguing facts about this paradise.
The islands
The archipelago consists of 1190 islands of which just 200 are inhabited. 80 islands in total are private islands owned by resorts in the Maldives. Also, 99% of the Maldives’ territory is water!
The flattest country in the world
Can you imagine that the highest point in the Maldives is just 7 feet and 7 inches above sea level? Moreover, the average ground level is just 4 feet and 11 inches!
The word “atoll”
The word atoll is the only word in the English dictionary that has been derived from the local Maldivian language called Dhivehi. The original word is “atholhu”.
The smallest Muslim country
The Maldives is the smallest Muslim country in the world. That’s why unless you are at your Maldives private villa, perhaps at properties like Baros Maldives, you’ll need to be dressed conservatively.