ADMINISTRATIVE / COMMERCIAL CAPITAL: Male

GEOGRAPHY

Maldives is situated in the Indian Ocean and southwest of India. Covering over 90,000 sqare kilometers consisting approximately 1,190 coral islands grouped in a double chain of 26 atolls, makes Maldives one of the most disparate countries of the world.

DEMOGRAPHY

A population of close to 313,920. Muslims account for about 99% of the population.

CLIMATE

Tropical and warm. Throughout the year the temperature ranges between 24 °C (75 °F) and 33 °C (91 °F). The humidity is generally high, but the constant cool sea breezes keep the air moving and the heat mitigated.

LANGUAGES SPOKEN

Dhivehi is the official language. English is widely used as well.

LOCAL TIME

GMT+5 hrs throughout the year

BUSINESS HOURS

Government: 8 AM to 3 PM
General: 9 AM to 5 PM
(Sunday to Thursday are the working days of the week. Friday & Saturday are considered as weekends)

HOLIDAYS

Independence Day: July 26th
May Day: May 1st
Republic Day: November 11th

Muslim Festivals (Based on the lunar calandar):
Id-ul-Fitr
Id-ul-Adha
Milad-un-Nabi
Islamic New Year

CURRENCY

Maldivian Rufiyaa

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

Police/ Emergencies: 119
Medical: 102
Fire: 118