Most people are confused about the Maldives location on the world map. In this article, we are going to see exactly where is Maldives located on a map and provide geographically more related information about the Maldives.
Table of Contents
Where is Maldives located?
The Maldives is located in the north-central Indian Ocean, to the southwest of Sri Lanka and India. The Maldives is a peninsula nation made up of a chain of approximately 1,200 small coral islands and sandbanks, between 80 miles (about 80 and 130 km) in length from west to east and more than 510 miles (820 km) from north to south. The capital of the Maldives is Male, situated in the Central Atoll.
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | South Asia, Indian Ocean |
| Geographic Coordinates | 3.2028° N latitude, 73.2207° E longitude |
| Capital | Malé |
| Official Language | Dhivehi |
| Currency | Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR) |
| Time Zone | Maldives Standard Time (MST) – UTC+5 |
| Population | Approximately 521,000 (as of 2022) |
| Area | 298 square kilometers |
| Climate | Tropical with two distinct seasons: wet and dry |
| Economy | Tourism, fisheries, trade, and shipping |
| Government | Unitary presidential republic |
| Independence | From the United Kingdom on July 26, 1965 |
| UNESCO World Heritage Sites | Historic Mosque of Malé, and Historic Island of Malé |
| Notable Feature | It consists of 26 atolls, known for coral reefs and diverse marine life |
What is the capital city of the Maldives?
The capital city of the Maldives is Malé, which is located in the Central Atoll. Male is the most populated city in the Maldives, which serves as the central hub for all commercial activities and transportation facilities. The city is traditionally called “King’s Island” and has a rich history dating back to the ancient royal dynasties that ruled from its central location.
In which country is the Maldives located?
The Maldives is an independent nation that is located in the Indian Ocean, situated in the southwest of Sri Lanka and India. It is the smallest country in Asia, consisting of about 1,200 low-lying small coral islands and sandbanks, only some 200 of which are inhabited. The Maldives is known for its beautiful beaches, luxury resorts, crystal-clear blue ocean, and warm climate throughout the year. It is the smallest country in Asia in terms of area and population.
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What is the population of the Maldives in 2023?
The population of the Maldives in 2023 is estimated to be around 521,021 people, according to the latest data declared by the United Nations. This represents a slight decline from the previous year’s estimated population. The population density of the Maldives is approximately 1,737 people per square kilometer, with a total land area of about 300 square kilometers.
How many islands are there in the Maldives?
The Maldives consists of approximately 1,192 coral islands grouped in a double chain of twenty-seven atolls situated in the southwest of the Indian Ocean. Of these islands,
Distance between Males and major Cities
The distance between capital of the Maldives (Male) and various major cities and countries is as follows:
Chennai, India: Approximately 770 miles (1239.19 km)
Mumbai, India: Approximately 1030 miles (1658 km)
Dhaka, Bangladesh: Approximately 1759 miles (2830.84 km)
Karachi, Pakistan: Around 1493 miles (2402.75 km)
Athens, Greece: About 3902 miles (6279.66 km)
Lyon, France: Approximately 4991 miles (8032.24 km)
Edmonton, Canada: Around 8430 miles (13566.77 km)
Havana, Cuba: About 9949 miles (16011.36 km)
New York City, United States: About 8720 miles (14033.48 km) or 7577.47 nautical miles
These distances provide an overview of the approximate distance of Malé to various major cities and countries across the world.
What is the distance between Malé and New York City?
The distance between Malé, the capital of the Maldives, and New York City, United States, is approximately 8720 miles (14033.48 km) or 7577.47 nautical miles. Under normal circumstances, it takes around 17 hours and 26 minutes to cover this distance by flight.
Where are the Maldives located on a map?
What is the difference in time zones in the Maldives?
The Maldives has one official time zone, Maldives Time (MVT), which is 5 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Therefore, if it is 12:00 pm (noon) in New York, it would be 5:00 pm in the Maldives. It’s important to take note that certain island resorts in the Maldives operate their own time zone, known as Maldives Island Time, which can be up to 2 hours ahead of the official Maldives Time (MVT).
Which currency is used in the Maldives?
The official currency that is used in the Maldives is the Maldivian rufiyaa (Rf), which is divided into 100 larees. Denominations of paper notes come in 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 500 rufiyaa, while commonly circulated coins are in 10, 25, and 50 larees and one- and two-rufiyaa denominations.
The US dollar is also widely accepted by all resorts and shop merchants in the Maldives, especially in tourist establishments, airports, or hotels, and can be used to settle all financial obligations in the country. The Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) is responsible for the issuance and control of currency in the Maldives.
It is advised to use the local currency to avoid adverse exchange rates. The majority of credit cards are accepted in most of the resorts, restaurants, and shops on Male and several other islands, but note that withdrawing money from ATMs is not usually possible on all islands.
Maldives currency exchange rate
As of December 23, 2023, the exchange rate of the Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR) to the United States dollar (USD) is approximately 1 MVR to 0.0649 USD, or 15.35 MVR to 1 USD. This means that one US dollar is equivalent to around 15.35 Maldivian rufiyaa. It’s important to note that conversion rates can change over time and may vary depending on the currency exchange company or provider used.
What language is spoken in the Maldives?
Dhivehi, or Maldivian, is the official language that is spoken in the Maldives. It is an Indo-Aryan language. It is the official language, which is spoken by almost all Maldivian people in the Maldives. The language has several languages due to the wide distribution of religions and islands, causing differences in pronunciation and vocabulary to develop during the centuries. The most divergent dialects of the language are to be found in the southern atolls, namely Huvadhu, Addu, and Fuvahmulah. While many Maldivians also understand and speak these languages, English, French, German, Russian, Italian, and Chinese are widely used at the majority of resorts.
Land area of the Maldives
The Maldives is an archipelagic state in the Indian Ocean, consisting of approximately 1,190 coral islands formed around 26 natural ring-like atolls. The total land area of the Maldives is 115 square miles (298 square km). The country is dispersed over a territory of 35,000 square miles (90,000 square km), with the sea forming 99.6% of the Maldives. The land area of all the islands is 115 square miles (298 square km).
What is the meaning behind the colors and symbols on the Maldives flag?
The Maldives flag carries significant meanings and symbols that represent the country’s history, culture, and values. The main elements of the flag and their meanings are:
- Red: It represents the bravery of the Maldivians national heroes, as well as their desire and sacrifices for their country.
- Green: symbolizes peace and the natural beauty of the Maldives island.
- White Crescent: Represents the faith in Islam that the nation follows and the predominant religion in the country.
The flag of the Maldives was adopted on July 25, 1965, and has a height-to-length ratio of 2:3
Maldives Airport name code
The main international airport in the Maldives is Velana International Airport, which is located on Hulhulé Island in the North Malé Atoll, nearby the Maldives capital island of Malé. The airport is also known as Maldives International Airport, and its IATA code is MLE. It is well connected with major tourist airports all across the world, mostly serving as the primary entry point for travelers into the Maldives.
How many islands in the Maldives are inhabited?
The Maldives is an island nation consisting of 1,192 islands, out of which 200 are inhabited. These inhabited islands are spread across 20 administrative units and are divided into several atolls. Some of the inhabited islands in the Maldives include:
- Malé (the capital of Maldives)
- Kaafu Atoll (Male’s Atoll)
- Huraa
- Kaashidhoo
- Maafushi Island
In addition to these inhabited islands, there are also several uninhabited islands and resort islands in the Maldives.
FAQ’s
- Which is the largest island in the Maldives?
The largest island in the Maldives is Gan, which belongs to Laamu Atoll.
- Are there any historical sites to visit in the Maldives?
Yes, there are several historical sites that are worth visiting, including Male Friday Mosque, Kongannu Cemetery, Medhu Ziyaaraiy Shrine, Thoddoo Buddhist Temple, Mulee Aage, etc.