The Maldives, an archipelago, is located about 700 kilometres southwest of Sri Lanka, and is made up of 26 atolls with a maximum ground level of about seven and a half feet. Situated just below the Equator the atolls are the tips of a submerged volcanic mountain range.

Like beautiful white pearls scattered across the blue-green glistening waters of the Indian Ocean, over 1,192 of these resplendent islets are dream destinations of tropical bliss. These coral atolls extend 820 kilometres north to south and 120 kilometres east to west.

With a total land area of about 298 square kilometres, the Maldives lures the world with her palm-fringed pristine white beaches; secluded spots; knee-deep translucent lagoons; coral reefs teeming with exceptional marine flora and fauna; dream dive sites; world-class surfing locations and sunshine weather with an average air temperature of around 79F - 90F and year-round water temperature of about 80F.

The country is home to about 310,000 Maldivians who are some of the most hospitable and friendly people ready to welcome foreign visitors. Male is the Capital city and tourism is the country's largest industry. Dhivehi is the Official language while Islam is the only official religion in the Maldives. Visitors are advised to respect the country's customs and Islamic virtue and dress modestly while in the capital and on other inhabited islands.

While the local time = GMT + 5 hours, the Maldivian currency is called the Rufiyaa (and Laaree). One Rufiyaa = 100 Laaree and Rufiyaa bank notes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500. Foreign visitors to the Maldives generally use cash, travellers' cheques or credit cards as payment methods.

More than 80 of the 200 inhabited islands are exclusive resort islands where English is widely spoken. Staff members on the resort islands speak a variety of languages such as French, German, Japanese and Italian.

The country features all the latest technology and international satellite links providing up-to-the-minute communications services abreast of worlds standards.

With a strategic location in the tropics, spectacular over-water and under-water sights and sounds, South Asian hospitality and all the right ingredients that make up perfect indulgence holidays, the Maldives experience is truly mesmerizing. It is the preferred choice for romantics, surfers, divers, and adventure seekers the world over.