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MALDIVES > FACTS ABOUT THE COUNTRY
HISTORY
It is difficult to recognize the origins of the Maldivians, but highly regarded
to the archeological remains found, it is estimated that the Maldivians' islands
were already inhabited since 1500 BC with the legendary Redin people among the
earliest explorers.
The widely distributed islands make it harder for the lack-facilitated personnel
to carry out research, but archeologists believe that the Aryan immigrants established
permanent settlements in the islands at about 500 BC. These immigrants came
from the Indian subcontinent, as it is estimated that early Maldivians were
Buddhists or Hindus.
But in contrary, an archeologist namely Thor Heyerdahl has stated that some
of the figures unearth from ancient mounds abided a prominent similarity to
figures he had examined on Easter Island in the Pacific Ocean, approximately
twelve time zones away. He has added to the theories of the origins of the Maldivians
and a book has been published on his findings. These theories are a subject
of hullabaloo and it can be said that the answer to The Maldives secrecy is
still many years away.
The Maldives is situated along the ancient West - East marine trade routes,
thus the early explorers were unavoidably dropped by there. For intended purposes
they stopped for supplies, while unluckily some of them might also found their
shipwrecks on the many reefs, so unwillingly they stopped there. They brought
a quite significant influence over Maldivians, which can be seen up till now.
Their records supply a helpful guidance to the islands' history. Chinese historian
Ma Huan and the Arabian traveler Ibn Batuta were among the explorers. It is
recognized that Maldivians themselves ventured far beyond their shores, for
Pliny records that Maldivian representatives bore gifts for the Roman Emperor.
The Maldives turned out to be an essential transit port for Arab traders, along
with the rapid growth of the sea routes trades. On the way to the Far East,
these traders also brought the influence of Islam. The legendary Islam conversion
remains a famous tale and a subject of recent controversy. Some say that a Moroccan
traveler, Abu Barakaat Yusuf al-Barbary was responsible for this conversion,
while others say Sheikh Yusuf Shamsuddin of Tabriz did it.
Over the years, Maldivians' islands were well known with their money cowrie,
cyprea moneta and the Maldive Fish. The cowrie was valued as a form of exchange
in many areas of the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent, and the Maldives
was the Mint of the region. A Huge numbers of the cowrie were exported all over
the world, and traders would call over to save shiploads in barter for rice,
spices and luxury stuffs. Maldive Fish was made by steaming, smoking, curing
and drying tuna to give in a healthful, ebony-colored and textured fillet -
the ultimate supply of protein for shipping on long sea cruises. Its rarity
made it a valued delicacy in most of the Indian subcontinent, where it is a
major ingredient in many dishes.
The Maldives played an important role to early explorers in the 16th and 17th
centuries, as it was shown by the hideously embellished range of the islands
in relation to nearby Sri Lanka and India on maps of the time. Pirates and the
superpowers of the period often bothered the islands' serenity. A Portuguese
invasion was successfully implanting its hegemony in Maldives for about fifteen
years after it conquered a combination of early guerilla tactics and the difficulty
of logistical support for the occupying forces. The French sailor Francois Pyrard
de Laval, who was shipwrecked in the Maldives in 1602 and lived there for five
years, reported the incidents of the period
The Maldives became a British protectorate along with the growth of British
influential expansion. It was a bizarre deal that the British ensured the protection
of the islands yet not occupied in any way with the running of the country.
The islands enjoyed the period of peace and freedom from external bothers under
the British protection. During the World War II, the British had forward bases
in the north and south of the archipelago and, in 1957 the RAF established a
base in Gan in the south. This airbase closed in 1976. The Maldives gained its
independence on July 26, 1965, and became a Republic on November 11, 1968.
GEOGRAPHY
The Maldives is famously known as the Pearls of the Indian Ocean, set in the
South West of Sri Lanka, on the equator. About 1,190 fascinating coral reef
islands shape the archipelago of 26 major groups (atoll), stretching down 820
km north to south and 120 km east to west. Despite of the amazingly large number
of islands only 200 islands are populated, with 44 islands designed as fashionable
resort islands.
A fringing coral reef that has a few deep encloses every atoll of the archipelago,
while a protective coral reef known as 'villu' also surrounds each island. There
are no hills, mountains or rivers in The Maldives. The islands are very small
and low-lying with many being no more than two meters above sea level. General
characteristics of the islands are tall coconut palms, white sandy beaches and
crystal clear lagoons. No space for thick jungle, and no other forms of rocks
or minerals visible or within easy reach, as these are true coral islands. Beaches
are wrapped with white coral sand with no trace of yellow or black as seen anywhere
else around the globe.
CLIMATE
The Maldives' climate established by the warm and humid monsoons. During the
period of April to October the rainy Southwest monsoon blows, while from December
to March, the fine Northeast monsoon prevails. The islands are situated away
from typhoon or cyclone areas and also are situated away from any considerable
seismic activity.
PEOPLE
Based on the 2000 population census, a total 270,101 people inhabit the country,
in which almost 2/3 of them live in the capital island 'Male'. Origins of the
Maldivians are not very certain, but it is estimated that on 1000 BC, the early
settlers were the travelers on the Silk Route and those from the Indus Valley
Civilization. Today, the Maldivians are a mixed race.
The people of the Maldives own a unique character. There are three major things
to bund them, i.e. the common history, the Dhivehi language, and the Islamic
faith which has given strength to the society. Every citizen carries the obligations
to their community, to their President, and to a whole nation. This reflects
the tradition of strong family unites.
To foreigners the village people on some islands may seem shy. Curious of outsiders,
they prefer to observe newcomers from a distance at first. One soon learns of
their hospitality when the island chief provides a cold coconut drink and a
healthy snack, usually made of seafood.
Island villagers may seem shy to foreigners, in which they are curious over
outsiders. Once you learn their hospitality when their chief offer you a refreshing
coconut drink and a healthy seafood snack.
LANGUAGE
Dhivehi is the ultimate language spoken by the people in all parts of the Maldives,
along with English which widely used, mostly on sign boards, neon lights and
even in the main newspaper and in some radios and TV programs. The staff in
the resorts speaks some other foreign languages, such as German, Italian, French
and Japanese.
ENVIRONMENT
The magnificent dazzle of white sandy beach under the warm sunshine flanking
crystal clear lagoon is a paradise for vacationers. However, these fragile beauties
need more attentions both within national and international levels, since the
beauty of the country is strongly linked with the economic development as well
as for the life sustainability reasons. The fragile marine and earthly environment
including the reefs and bio-diversity has raised many concerns and the Government
is taking extensive measures towards protecting the environment.
The over exploitation of natural resources like coral mining, is banned in
certain areas. Killing of turtles, which is under threat of extinction, is also
banned, and visitors are discouraged from purchasing objects made from turtle
shell. The entire capital island is enclosed with sea walls, a protection measure
to reduce the impending hazards of climatic change and sea level rise. Projects
on regeneration of ecosystems are conducted in some areas and the President
of Maldives, His Excellency Mr. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in 1996, commenced a "Million
Tree Programme". Small nurseries are set in atolls to extend the programme
countrywide. Many trees are planted all over the country to greening the environment.
Sport fishing carried out by some islands is now restricted to tag and release
method.
FISHING
Fishing is considered to be the most important activity in Maldives. Until tourism
became established, it has been the only major source of income for the Maldivians.
Similar to what fishermen anywhere on the earth do, the day begins very early
with the catching of baitfish well sooner than sunrise in the sea's shallows.
Back on shore, the fish is often sold at the beach. The fishes distribution
system varies slightly from island to island, but generally, the owner of the
boat gets around 20-35 per cent of the catch plus one fish per member of the
crew in payment for prayers said for them while at sea. The rests are shared
among the crewmembers, with the chief fisherman (keolhu) getting the lion's
share. Protection of the large territorial and economic zone of the Maldivian
seas is a major and almost impossible problem. There have been several happenings
of trawlers being detained and the boats seized for unlawful fishing. The National
Security Services has been made more difficult by the release of fishing licenses
to foreign fishing fleets.
ECONOMY
The Maldives economy was based on three principal activities, fishing, tourism
and shipping. The agriculture sector does not go well due to the bad quality
soil and lack of cultivable land. Traditional industries consist of local boat
(dhoni) building, handicrafts such as mat-weaving, jewellery-making and lacquer
work, while the export-oriented industries include tuna fish canning and fabricate
of garments.
Tourism remains the main source of foreign currency and the foremost support
for the economy. A severe shortage of labour in the tourism sector has resulted
in the decline of most of other industries.
The Maldives average economic growth is over 10% since the past two decades.
The tourism industry plays a major role by contributing almost 20% to the GDP,
along with the fisheries and trade that supply the significant income for the
country. The Maldivian economy is considered as typical in the region, and kindly
greets foreign investment.
BUSINESS HOURS
The Maldives enjoys more or less constant day lengths (6am - 6 pm) throughout
the year due to its position on the Equator. People wake up early in the morning
from Sunday to Thursday as the business hours begin at 7:30 - 14:30 for the
government sector, and generally from 9:00 to 5:00 in the private sector. Weekend
falls on Friday and Saturday, while the local time is GMT +5hours.
INDUSTRY
The Maldives' industry comprises the traditional and the modern sectors. The
major activities in the modern sector employ labors in fish canning, manufacturing
of garments, production of PVC pipes, construction of fibre-glass boats, production
of cleaning fluids, and bottling of aerated water. Other enterprises such as
boat yards, transport services, electrical and mechanical workshops, carpentries
and brick-making units are also in a considerable number.
Meanwhile, the traditional sector employs a significant number of women which
accounts for about a quarter of the work force. It includes boat building, mat-weaving,
rope-making, black-smithing, handicraft and other cottage industries. The traditional
sector of industry in Maldives strongly related to other economic sectors like
tourism, transport and construction. While traditional industries continue to
flourish, there are also a number of new industries coming up.
However, the Maldives' industrial development is constrained by some factors,
such as: the size of the domestic market, lack of skilled and semi-skilled manpower,
non-availability of raw materials and difficulties of transportation. Alternatively,
foreign investment is highly encouraged for initiating mutually beneficial investment
projects. The industrial sector accounts for about 5.8% of the GDP.
CURRENCY & BANKS
Currency: The Maldivian Rufiyaa (abbreviated as Rf. or MRf.) is made
up of 100 larees. The Rufiyaa comes in notes of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500.
Generally, the American Dollar is the most common foreign currency used, while
the current exchange rate to the US Dollar is around MRf.11.50 per U.S. Dollar.
Money changing: Guests staying at resorts can settle their bills in
foreign currency as foreign exchange facilities are available at all resorts
and banks. It should be put into account that the U.S. Dollar reigns supreme
over all other currencies in Maldives, and it seems that the exchange rate for
other currencies is a little bit worse.
Banking and business hours: Normally the banking hours are between 9
am to 13 pm, Sunday to Thursday; and 9 am to 11 am on Saturday, while Friday
is a holiday. Government offices are open daily from 7.30 am through 13.30 pm,
except on Fridays. Various shops and private businesses commonly stay open till
around 21.30
Credit Cards: Payments in the resorts can be made in most hard currencies
in cash, traveller's cheques or credit cards. The most commonly used credit
cards are American Express, Visa, Master Card, Diners Club, JCB and Euro Card.
But payment for a booking deposit by telephone is not generally accepted. In
some cases, shops in Male' may try to add a surcharge to the purchase price
if payment is made by card.
Exchange control: It is unique that there are currently no exchange
controls in force in the Maldives, and visitors are wasted the trouble of filling
in diverse forms and quibbling with the bureaucracy. Though, the laws of the
market overcome, and it might sometimes be easy to convert Dollars to Rufiyaa
but weirdly not easy to do the opposite.
EDUCATION
The practical literacy rate in Maldives is 98 percent, in which educational
standards are among the highest in the region. Most schools adopt the British
education system and teach through the English medium. However, in some schools,
the Maldivian Language Dhivehi or Arabic is the medium of instruction.
HEALTH
The Primary Health Care approach emphasizes the overall health needs of the
community, while also organizing and promoting the country's health services.
These services are provided through a national recommended association of Family
Health Workers at least one in each inhabited island, 27 Atoll Health Centres,
four Regional Hospitals and a central level hospital in Male'.
Health care facilities are developing on a daily basis. The Indhira Gandhi
Memorial Hospital in Male' is the biggest hospital in the country providing
sophisticated medical care. ADK Hospital is the biggest private health care
facility, and follows high medical standards. Qualified European doctors in
charge at the AMDC Clinic. Regional hospitals are spread throughout the country.
Male has several well-established private general practitioners, while some
resorts have an in-house doctor. Decompression chambers are within reach of
most resorts in case of a diving emergency.
WATER SUPPLY
The major fresh water source in the Maldives is the aquifer floating on saline
water about two metres below ground level. The available ground water supply
in the island aquifer is particularly vulnerable to contamination mainly due
to lack of environmentally sound sewerage disposal systems.
Before, Male' received a sound sewerage disposal system in 1998, the water-borne
disease was the biggest cause for illness and death in the Maldives. But later
on, under the Male' Water Supply and Sanitation Project which was completed
on August 1988 ' a total of over 50,000 meters of sewer pipes have been laid
in Male'.
The Maldives Water and Sanitation Authority (MWSA) is also commencing a project
to provide harmless and environmentally sound sewerage systems to the atolls
in all over the country. The project covers 40 islands selected on the size
and density of the population. The program which aims to improve the sanitation
in the atolls now has successfully bring safe drinking water to more than 86%
of the population in the outer atolls.
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