The Maldives is a country that is very hard to forget after a visit. It is a place of breathtaking beauty: crystal clear waters, white beaches, coconut trees, luxury resorts, and untouched nature. Let's take a look together at some interesting facts that may surprise you and maybe even encourage you to visit this beautiful destination.
1. Meeting of ministers underwater
In 2009, the President of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, organized a meeting with his 13 government officials. There would have been nothing unusual about this meeting if it had not taken place underwater. All the participants in the meeting wore diving gear and sat at tables that were placed on the seabed. This was an effort to raise awareness of the climate change threats facing the Maldives.
2. White beaches
The beaches in the Maldives have gained popularity mainly due to the white sand, which adds to the uniqueness of the place. This is due to the fact that this sand is not made up of quartz, but coralline. Behind the snow-white sand formation process are parrotfish, which feed on the coral. Incidentally, one parrotfish can produce up to 450 kg of sand in a year. Coral beaches are very rare and they make up only 5% of the world's beaches.
3. A strict constitution
According to the Maldivian constitution, only Muslims can call themselves citizens of the country. Any other faith except Islam is not allowed here. Since the Maldives is a Muslim country, tourists in the country are expected to respect their rules and traditions. Therefore, beware of consuming alcohol, which is only allowed in hotels and resorts. If you like to sunbathe topless or naked, do not try it here, the local rules do not allow it.
4. Different weekend
You might be surprised to see people here working on Sundays. This country, unlike its western neighbors, recognizes Friday and Saturday as the weekend. Sunday is therefore for them like Monday is for us. So be careful when planning your schedule for Friday and Saturday, traffic may be limited and some shops, cafes, and offices may be closed.
5. Coconut trees
The coconut tree is one of the symbols of the Maldives. This tree is widely grown here and provides shade from the scorching sun. Maldivian national boats are made of palm wood, and palm leaves are woven into carpets and bags. Coconut sap is consumed, and the pulp is used to make household items. Coconut oil is used in the kitchen to make natural cosmetics. This miraculous tree has a really wide range of uses here. One of the interesting facts is that these palm trees are on average 100 years old and can grow up to 30 meters high.
6. The flattest country in the world
The average altitude of the Maldives is only 1.8 meters, making it undoubtedly the flattest country in the world. Would you believe that the highest point in the entire country is only 2.3 meters above sea level? This point is located on the island of Villingili. Unfortunately, this fact also means that climate change is having a devastating effect on the islands. Several islands have disappeared, and it is predicted that by 2100, due to rising sea levels, the Maldives will disappear completely.
7. The most popular honeymoon spot, but also the highest divorce rate
This place is one of the top honeymoon destinations and attracts honeymooners from all over the world. It has even earned the nickname of honeymoon capital. Ironically, the Maldives also holds the Guinness World Record for the highest divorce rate in the world. Research estimates that the average Maldivian woman divorces up to 3 times by the time she turns 30.
