Joanna James
With white sandy beaches and turquoise blue waters, Maldives is popular as one of the top tourist hotspots in the world. What many tourists don't know is that there's more to the Maldives than its pristine beaches. Here are some amazing facts you probably didn't know about this tropical island country.
Yes, you heard it right! An underwater cabinet meeting, one that is undoubtedly different from the boring cabinet meetings you see on TV all the time. You might be thinking that the government officials of the Maldives woke up one day and thought it would be cool to host an underwater cabinet meeting, but the reality is far from that. It was a decision taken in 2009 by the then President, Mohamed Nasheed, to raise awareness on global carbon dioxide emissions, and it was quite a splash.
The Maldives is well-known as one of the smallest countries, but chances are you didn't know that it is the nation with the lowest elevation in the world. Even the ground-level elevation of the country's highest point is at 5.1 metres (17 ft), which is still lower than every other country. Therefore the Maldives is facing a continuous risk of rising sea levels. Go experience the magnificent wonders of the Maldives before it's too late.
As a Muslim nation that thoroughly obeys the Sharia Law, alcohol is prohibited throughout the country. However, hotels and resorts are allowed to serve alcohol to tourists. Therefore you are free to booze at your hotel and enjoy your drink as you wish on hotel property. Speaking of hotels and resorts, if you are looking for a fine Maldives luxury resort, there are many places where you can experience exceptional Maldivian hospitality, including the likes of Finolhu Maldives.
You might already know the Maldives as a top honeymoon destination, but did you know that the country also has the highest divorce rates in the world? At 10.97 divorces per 1,000 inhabitants per year, this island country in South Asia holds the Guinness World Record in that arena. Given that an island is only about 1 square mile in area, avoiding the exes isn't that easy either.
The Maldives is undoubtedly one of the top holiday destinations in the world, but this reputation was received not very long ago. The tourism industry boomed in the 1970s when the first set of resorts began business. Before then, Maldives was mostly popular among the adrenaline junkies who had a thing for surfing and diving.
The Maldives is well known for its endless array of water sports, but swimming with whale sharks, the biggest fish in the sea, definitely stands out. As one of the few countries where you can swim with these enormous creatures, the Maldives sure does offer you a remarkable experience.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
