A Brief Description

The Maldives, a group of about 1,200 islands, separated into a series of coral atolls, is just north of the Equator in the Indian Ocean. Only 200 of the islands are inhabited.

Many of these tropical atolls and islands are simply gorgeous, with swaying palms, white sandy beaches and deep-blue lagoons; none of the islands rise higher than 7.8 ft. above sea level.

These low lying specs of coral are subject to erosion, and stand at the mercy of any sea level rise. Some were severely damaged during the
December, 2004 Tsunami.

The Maldives was long a sultanate (a territory ruled by a sultan), first under Dutch control, and then under British protection. It gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1965, and three years later, declared itself an independent republic.

Riots in the capital city of Malé in August 2004 garnered worldwide attention, and subsequently, the president and his government have pledged much needed democratic reforms, including a more representative political system and expanded political freedoms.

Over the last few decades the Maldives has transformed itself into a popular fishing, scuba diving, surfing and exotic resort and spa destination.

It continues its effort to reclaim (solid ground) from the shallow waters of the surrounding reefs, but its precarious elevation above sea level is an on-going concern for all that call this beautiful place, home.

For more info on the Maldives, click here.

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Beach scene in the Maldives!
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Facts and Figures

arrow Name Maldives

(long form) Republic of the Maldives

arrow Population 349,100

arrow Population & Density (all countries) here

arrow Capital City Malé (76,000)

arrow Currency Rufiyaa (MVR)

arrow Currency Converter here

arrow Languages Maldivian Dhivehi, English

arrow Flag here

arrow National Day July 26

arrow Religions Sunni Muslim

Geographic Coordinates

arrow Latitude/Longitude (Capital City)
04º 00' N, 73º 28' E

arrow Relative Location The Maldives is in both the northern and eastern
hemispheres. This island country is immediately north of the Equator, with a few minor atolls just south of the Equator. It's bordered by the waters of the Indian Ocean, including the Arabian Sea and Laccadive Sea.

Land Statistics

arrow Coastline 400 miles (644 km)

arrow Land Areas

(land)116 sq miles (300 sq km)

(water) 0 sq miles (0 sq km)

(TOTAL) 116 sq miles (300 sq km)

arrow Land Area (all countries) here

arrow Landforms The Maldives is a flat series (or chain) of coral atolls, consisting of coral reefs and sand bars. There are no rivers and no lakes.

arrow Highest Point Unnamed location on Wilingili Island in the Addu Atoll - - 7.87 ft. (2.4 m)

arrow Lowest Point Indian Ocean - (0 ft.) (0 m)

arrow Land Divisions 19 atolls, including: Alifu, Baa, Dhaalu, Faafu, Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani, Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Lhaviyani, Meemu, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa and Vaavu; and the administrative division of Maale.
Maps

arrow Maldives (large color) Map
here

arrow Maldives Outline Map here

arrow Maldives CIA version here

arrow Maldives Maps at UT here

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arrow Asia Continent (printable) here

arrow Asia Outline Map here

arrow Asia (Southeast) Outline Map here

arrow Asia (Name the Country) Map Test here

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arrow Indian Subcontinent Map here

arrow Middle East Landforms here

arrow Middle East Map here

arrow Middle East Outline Map here

arrow Middle East Rivers here

arrow Tsunami Map (December 2004) here

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arrow World Outline Maps (printable) here

arrow World Time Zone Map here
Recommended Links

arrow Maldives (Complete) info on the (GDP) economy, imports and exports, natural resources, government, population, military, transportation, and more
here!

arrow MaldiveIsle.com here

arrow Maldives History here

arrow Maldives Photos at TrekEarth.com here

arrow Maldives Tourism (very helpful site) here

arrow Maldives Updates here

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Sunset in the Maldives!
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Time and Weather

arrow Time Zone (UTC +5) Note that UTC is also known as GMT, or Greenwich Mean Time. Conversion details on time zones and additional information:
here

arrow Climate The Maldives enjoy warm tropical temperatures year round, and a great deal of sunshine.

Local weather is affected by monsoons, with May to September being the wet season; seas can be rough and winds brisk. Severe weather conditions are rare, however Indian Ocean cyclones do reach the islands on occasion.

The Maldives temperature range runs from 70 to 90ºF (22 to 33ºC) and is consistent throughout most of the year.
Click for Forecast
Traveler Info

arrow Attractions To quote the official Maldive's tourism website, " ...Sun, sand and sea, a thousand ‘Robinson Crusoe’ islands, massive lagoons with different depths and infinite shades of blue and turquoise, dazzling underwater coral gardens; a perfect natural combination for the ideal tropical holiday destination. However there is more to the Maldives than just that..."

Add to the above some excellent fishing and scuba diving venues, quality surfing opportunities, local festivals and shopping, and miles of white sandy beaches.

arrow Country Dialing Code 960

arrow Electricity Maldives uses 230 volts AC (50 Hz)

Electrical adapters, products and tips
here

arrow Travel Warnings here

arrow Visa Information here

 

The following notes are available for your viewing pleasure!

FRONT

BACK

P-1, 1/2 Rupee,  AH1367-14/11/1947
Scan donated by Claudio Marana
Not applicable

P-2b, 1 Rupee, 1960

P-2b, 1 Rupee, 1960

P-2b, 1 Rupee, 1960
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-2b, 1 Rupee, 1960
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-2b, 1 Rupee, 1960
Scan donated by Omer Yalcinkaya
P-2b, 1 Rupee, 1960
Scan donated by Omer Yalcinkaya

P-3b, 2 Rupees, 1960

P-3b, 2 Rupees, 1960

P-3b, 2 Rupees, 1960
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-3b, 2 Rupees, 1960
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-3b, 2 Rupees, 1960
Scan donated by Omer Yalcinkaya
P-3b, 2 Rupees, 1960
Scan donated by Omer Yalcinkaya
P-4b, 5 Rupees, 1960
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-4b, 5 Rupees, 1960
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-4b, 5 Rupees, 1960
Scan donated by Omer Yalcinkaya
P-4b, 5 Rupees, 1960
Scan donated by Omer Yalcinkaya
P-5a, 10 Rupees, 1947/AH1367 P-5a, 10 Rupees, 1947/AH1367
P-5b, 10 Rupees, 1960
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-5b, 10 Rupees, 1960
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-5b, 10 Rupees, 1960
Scan donated by Omer Yalcinkaya
P-5b, 10 Rupees, 1960
Scan donated by Omer Yalcinkaya
P-6b, 50 Rupees, 1960 P-6b, 50 Rupees, 1960
P-6b, 50 Rupees, 1960
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-6b, 50 Rupees, 1960
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-6b, 50 Rupees, 1960
Scan donated by Omer Yalcinkaya
P-6b, 50 Rupees, 1960
Scan donated by Omer Yalcinkaya
P-7b, 100 Rupees, 1960
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-7b, 100 Rupees, 1960
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-7b, 100 Rupees, 1960
Scan donated by Omer Yalcinkaya
P-7b, 100 Rupees, 1960
Scan donated by Omer Yalcinkaya
P-9, 2 Rufiyaa, 1983/AH1404
Note donated by Spartan
P-9, 2 Rufiyaa, 1983/AH1404
Note donated by Spartan
P-9, 2 Rufiyaa, 1983
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-9, 2 Rufiyaa, 1983
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-9, 2 Rufiyaa, 1983
Scan donated by Frits Roest
P-9, 2 Rufiyaa, 1983
Scan donated by Frits Roest

P-10, 5 Rufiyaa, 1983

P-10, 5 Rufiyaa, 1983

P-10, 5 Rufiyaa, AH1404/1983
Note donated by Spartan
P-10, 5 Rufiyaa, AH1404/1983
Note donated by Spartan
P-10, 5 Rufiyaa, 1983
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-10, 5 Rufiyaa, 1983
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-11, 10 Rufiyaa, AH1404/1983 P-11, 10 Rufiyaa, AH1404/1983
P-11, 10 Rufiyaa, 1983
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-11, 10 Rufiyaa, 1983
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-11, 10 Rufiyaa, 1983
Scan donated by José María Creus Rey
P-11, 10 Rufiyaa, 1983
Scan donated by José María Creus Rey
P-12, 20 Rufiyaa, 1983
Scan donated by Régis Giampersa
P-12, 20 Rufiyaa, 1983
Scan donated by Régis Giampersa
P-12a, 20 Rufiyaa, 1983
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-12a, 20 Rufiyaa, 1983
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-12b, 20 Rufiyaa, 1987
Scan donated by Steve Burke
P-12b, 20 Rufiyaa, 1987
Scan donated by Steve Burke
P-13a, 50 Rufiyaa, 1983
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-13a, 50 Rufiyaa, 1983
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-13b, 50 Rufiyaa, AH1408/1987 P-13b, 50 Rufiyaa, AH1408/1987
P-13b, 50 Rufiyaa, 1987
Scan donated by Steve Burke
P-13b, 50 Rufiyaa, 1987
Scan donated by Steve Burke
P-14a, 100 Rufiyaa, 1983
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-14a, 100 Rufiyaa, 1983
Scan donated by Tod Hunt

P-15, 2 Rufiyaa, 1990

P-15, 2 Rufiyaa, 1990

P-15, 2 Rufiyaa, 1990
Scan donated by Steve Burke
P-15, 2 Rufiyaa, 1990
Scan donated by Steve Burke
P-16, 5 Rufiyaa, 1990
Scan donated by Ricardo Ramirez G.
P-16, 5 Rufiyaa, 1990
Scan donated by Ricardo Ramirez G.
P-16, 5 Rufiyaa, 1998 P-16, 5 Rufiyaa, 1998
P-17, 500 Rufiyaa, 1990
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-17, 500 Rufiyaa, 1990
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-18, 5 Rufiyaa, 1998
Scan donated by Steve Burke
P-18, 5 Rufiyaa, 1998
Scan donated by Steve Burke
P-18, 5 Rufiyaa, AH1419/1998
Scan donated by Orus
P-18, 5 Rufiyaa, AH1419/1998
Scan donated by Orus
P-19, 10 Rufiyaa, 1998
Scan donated by Steve Burke
P-19, 10 Rufiyaa, 1998
Scan donated by Steve Burke
P-19, 10 Rufiyaa, 1998
Scan donated by Aare Olander
P-19, 10 Rufiyaa, 1998
Scan donated by Aare Olander
P-20, 100 Rufiyaa, 1995
Scan donated by Steve Burke
P-20, 100 Rufiyaa, 1995
Scan donated by Steve Burke
P-20, 100 Rufiyaa, 1995
Scan donated by Claudio Marana
P-20, 100 Rufiyaa, 1995
Scan donated by Claudio Marana
P-21, 500 Rufiyaa, 1996
Scan donated by Claudio Marana
P-21, 500 Rufiyaa, 1996
Scan donated by Claudio Marana
P-New, 5 Rufiyaa, AH1421/2000
Scan donated by Richard Sutherland
P-New, 5 Rufiyaa, AH1421/2000
Scan donated by Richard Sutherland
P-New, 10 Rufiyaa, AH1421/2000
Scan donated by Richard Sutherland
P-New, 10 Rufiyaa, AH1421/2000
Scan donated by Richard Sutherland
P-New, 20 Rufiyaa, AH1421/2000
Scan donated by Richard Sutherland
P-New, 20 Rufiyaa, AH1421/2000
Scan donated by Richard Sutherland
P-New, 50 Rufiyaa, AH1421/2000
Scan donated by Richard Sutherland
P-New, 50 Rufiyaa, AH1421/2000
Scan donated by Richard Sutherland

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Banknote reference numbers obtained from the Standard Catalogs of World Paper Money published by Krause Publications


Patrick Kennedy's World Currency Homepage
This page created by: Patrick Kennedy
Creation date: March 2007
Last update: 18 November 2009
URL: http://www.patricksworldcurrency.com/countries/maldive_islands.html