Official Name: Republic of Maldives

Location: Indian Ocean, Southwest of Sri Lanka

Capital: Male'

Area: 90,000 km (of which only 10% is land)

Official Language: Dhivehi

Second Language: English

Religion: Islam (100% Sunni Muslim)

Time difference: +5hrs GMT

Currency: Rufiyaa (Notes) and Laari (Coins). USD is often used for payment in resorts. All major credit cards are accepted in resorts. Island resorts in Maldives are generally expensive and you should bring sufficient funds. There are no cash machines and travellers' cheques are used infrequently. Major credit cards are accepted at most resorts and hotels. US dollars can be exchanged at the airport, banks or hotels.

Climate: Tropical

Average Temperatures: 30.7 º Celsius (Max) & 25.7 º Celsius (Min) Sea water is at an everage temperature of 30°C throughout the year.

Average Rainfall: 1868.9 mm

Major tourist attraction places: national museum, grand Friday mosque, Sultan park, mulee aage palace, Islamic center, fish market and beaches & coral reefs in Maldives.

Best time to visit: December to April. Between May and November the archipelago is affected by monsoon and heavy rains may occur.

Number of islands: 1190 (approx.)

Health: there are no mandatory vaccinations in the Republic of Maldives. Depending on length of stay and itinerary, immunization against hepatitis A and B, Japanese encephalitis, rabies and typhoid may be necessary. Malaria and dengue fever exist around the country; take precautions against mosquito bites and consider taking anti-malarial medicine. Tuberculosis is still present in India. Tap water is not safe to drink; always buy bottled water and check the seal is intact. Also, care should be taken when eating as few western travelers escape without a bout of diarrhea. Sunscreen and a hat should be worn in hot weather.

For detailed health information please visit the following website:
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/maldives.htm

Food: most resorts serve a mix of continental fares along with specialties from all over the sub-continent, seafood especially tuna. One of the most famous traditional dishes are mas huni (tuna fish cooked with grated coconut, onions and chilli), theluli mas (fried chunks of fish seasoned with chilli and garlic), roshi bread (unleavened bread).

Banking hours: Sunday to Thursday 8.00 am to 1.30 pm

What to buy: spices, Madras fabric, wood items, paintings, coconut items, ceremonial knives, mats/ Please note that it is strictly forbidden to carry seashells and corals in your luggage.

Embassies and visas:

UK citizens: UK: High Commission of the Republic of Maldives - 22 Nottingham Place London W1U 5NJ United Kingdom – Tel.:  0044 207 224 2135
Maldives: There is no British diplomatic mission in Maldives. Enquiries before travel should be directed to the British High Commission in Sri Lanka. If you need consular assistance while in Maldives please contact the British High Commission in Colombo on 00 94 11 5390639 (24 hours).

US Citizens:
US:  Embassy of the Republic of Maldives - Suite:400 E, 800, Second Avenue,
New York, NY 10017. Tel.: 1.212.5996194
Maldives: Embassy of the USA Sri Lanka and The Maldives 210 Galle Road, Colombo 03, Sri Lanka Phone: +94(11)249-8500

Canadian Citizens:
Canada::no Maldivian diplomatic mission in Canada.
Maldives: High Commission of Canada in Colombo 33A, 5th Lane, Colpetty
Colombo -03 Sri Lanka. Tel.: 00  94 11 522  62 32

Visas: Visitors entering the Republic of Maldives should fulfill the following requirement for the grant of an entry permit into the country.  Possession of a valid international travel document issued by the Government of a Sovereign State -  Possession of a valid return air ticket to a destination where the passenger has permission to enter, together with necessary visas for the onward journey to the next destination - Possession of minimum of US$30.00 per person per day or confirmed hotel reservation for the intended period of stay in the Maldives. No prior visa is required to enter the Republic of Maldives. Entry permit will be granted to visitors on arrival at designated ports of entry, based on the immigration requirements. Free 30 days Visa upon arrival for all visitors

Travel advice to be consulted before your departure:

UK citizens when travelling to these destinations can contact:
Website:    http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/

Canadian citizens when travelling to these destinations can contact:
Website : http://www.voyage.gc.ca/index-eng.asp

American citizens when travelling to these destinations can contact:
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis_pa_tw_1168.html

Australian citizens when travelling to these destinations can contact:
Website: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/

Corporate Address: ACME Tours & Travels (Recognised by Department of Tourism, Government of India) 501, Kirti Mahal, 19 Rajendra Place New Delhi - 110008 (INDIA) Phone : +(91 11) 25 73 15 68 / 25 74 32 10/ 25 82 45 05 FAX : +(91 11) 25 78 62 99 / 25 81 62 99 E-mails : acmedel@vsnl.com & acmedel@eth.net