The Maldive Islands are located off the southwestern tip of India in the Arabian Sea. They are low-lying islands; barrier reefs protect them from the effects of wind, rain, and monsoons. The rainy season is from May to August, while there are dry, mild winds from December to March. The average annual temperature varies from 86ºF (30ºC) to 76ºF (24ºC), and rainfall averages about 84 inches (213 cm) a year.
Language
Throughout the Maldives, Dhivehi, a language which belongs to the Indo-Aryan group of languages is spoken. Its present script, Thaana, introduced in the late 16th century, is written from right to left and is unique. The language has a strong Arabic influence.
What to Wear
A relaxed pace of life and the temperature demands that the dress code be decidedly informal. Light cotton clothes and casual shoes or sandals are the most comfortable year-round attire. A wide brimmed beach hat and sunglasses are recommended for everyone. Most of the larger resorts would prefer guests to "dress appropriately" when visiting the bar or restaurants, especially at evening and night. This normally means smart casual dress instead of beachwear.
When visiting Male and other inhabited islands, visitors should bear in mind that, in this Islamic society, some modesty and decorum is appreciated. Men should remember to remove footwear when entering mosques.
Power
The local electrical power is 240v, 50Hz. The plugs look like:
Maldivian power plug, the central prong is ground, the right is phase, the left is neutral. The phase is internally fused.
The power is not very stable, so it is recommended that participants bring Uninterruptable Power Supplies (UPSes).
Time Differences Maldives is 5 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). When it is 1200 (noon) in the Maldives, it is :
Information on Crime
Although there is a low rate of crime in Maldives, petty crime does exist. Valuables left on beaches are subject to thievery. The loss or theft of a passport abroad should be reported immediately to local police and the cognizant embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka (most Sri Lankan embassies have representatives for Maldives.)
Travelers are subject to the laws and legal practices of the country in which they travel. Penalties for possession of, use of or trafficking in illegal drugs are strictly enforced in Maldives. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines.
If you have questions or need clarification regarding information contained in these Bulletins, contact Ms. Diane Lask, JOSS, at (+1) 303-497-8684, lask@ucar.edu.
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Last modified: 17 August 1998