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FISHING
I
SCUBA
DIVING
I
SNORKELING
I
SUBMARINE |
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SURFING
I
WHALE
&
DOLPHIN
WATCHING |
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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. |
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1,190
coral
islands,
forming
an
archipelago
of
26
major
atolls.
Stretches
820
kilometres
north
to
south
and
120
kilometres
east
to
west.
202
are
inhabited,
87
are
exclusive
resort
islands.
About
270,000
according
to
1998
estimates.
Origin
of
the
Maldivians
are
lost
in
antiquity,
but
history
reveals
that
the
islands
have
been
populated
for
over
3,000
years
ago.
Early
settlers
were
travellers
on
the
Silk
Route
and
from
the
Indus
Valley
Civilisation.
Inherently
warm,
friendly
and
hospitable
by
nature,
it
is
easy
to
feel
comfortable
and
relaxed
with
a
Maldivian. |
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A
proud
history
and
rich
culture
evolved
from
the
first
settlers
who
were
from
various
parts
of
the
world
travelling
the
seas
in
ancient
times.
The
Maldives
has
been
a
melting
pot
of
different
cultures
as
people
from
different
parts
of
the
world
came
here
and
settled
down.
Some
of
the
local
music
and
dance
for
instance
resemble
African
influences,
with
handbeating
of
drums
and
songs
in a
language
that
is
not
known
to
any
but
certainly
represents
that
of
East
African
countries.
As
one
would
expect
there
is a
great
South
Asian
influence
in
some
of
the
music
and
dancing
and
especially
in
the
traditional
food
of
the
Maldivians. |
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However
many
of
the
South
Asian
customs
especially
with
regard
to
women
-
for
instance
the
Sub
Continent’s
tradition
of
secluding
women
from
public
view
-
are
not
tenets
of
life
here.
In
fact
women
play
a
major
role
in
society
-
not
surprising
considering
the
fact
men
spend
the
whole
day
out
at
sea
fishing.
Many
of
the
traditions
are
strongly
related
to
the
seas
and
the
fact
that
life
is
dependent
on
the
seas
around
us. |
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Maldives
Islands
are
characterized
by a
unique
coral
nature
and
thus
they
posses
unique
tourism
resources
though
in a
one-sided
way,
namely
in
the
submarine
and
littoral
environment
of
the
islands,
lagoons
and
reefs,
associated
with
the
year-round
tropical
climate.
UNESCO
World
Heritage
Sites |
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Information
&
Photos
Courtesy
of
Maldives
Tourism
Promotion
Board |
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