7 “Amazing” facts about the Maldives

The Maldives are located in the Indian Ocean and are one of the enchanting destinations famous for their white beaches and clear blue waters.

During the summer, these islands become an ideal retreat for relaxation, where tourists can enjoy the warm sunshine and fun marine activities like diving and surfing.

According to the tourism-focused site “Authentic India Tours,” here are 7 “amazing” facts about these stunning islands:

1. A small percentage of inhabited islands Out of 1200 islands, only 200 are inhabited, with a total population of about 540,000 people.
2. “Short” tourism history Despite the islands’ long history, tourism only began in 1972 with the opening of the first resort.
3. Unique geographical location The Maldives are the lowest country in the world with an average elevation of just two meters above sea level, protected by coral reefs from crashing waves.
4. Rare beaches Coral beaches make up only 5% of the world’s beaches, with the white sands of the Maldives primarily consisting of coral.
5. Use of shells as historical currency Shells were used as international currency in the Maldives in the 19th century, but they have no value today.
6. Underwater cabinet meeting In 2009, Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed held the first underwater cabinet meeting to raise awareness about climate change and rising sea levels.
7. Ancient settlement Archaeological evidence indicates that the Maldives have been inhabited since 1500 BCE.

Influence of Buddhists and Arabs Before converting to Islam in 1153, the islands were influenced by Buddhists who came from Sri Lanka, and Arabs used them as a trade stopover.