Specks of emerald green enveloped by dazzling turquoise waters like scattered beads in the ocean; white powdery beaches, tall palms lean on towards the sea, crystalline white sands giving way to crystal clear waters, shades of turquoise blend flawlessly withdeeper hues of blue; pristine coral reefs and some of the most incredible underwater life on our planet.

The 1,190 islands comprising the Maldives rise from the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean, and straddle the equator. The islands are grouped into 26 natural atolls, scattered over an area of 90,000 square kilometers.

The Maldives has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year round and a great deal of sunshine. This coral archipelago is home to some of the most diverse marine fauna and flora in the world.Tens of thousands of reefs, a thousand recorded species of fish,over two hundred species of coral and hundreds more species of other marine life; no wonder many see this as one of the greatest dive destinations on earth.

With a population of nearly 270,000 the country remains one of the smallest independent nations in Asia. Male, the capital, would certainly count as one of the smallest capitals in the world. About a third of the country's population lives in Male.

Copyright Maldives Tourism Promotion Board (MTPB)