City in the ocean

Male (pronounced "Maa-lay" (Maa-Lay) - the capital and largest city of the Republic of Maldives. Malé is located on an island in Kaafu Atoll (Kaafu Atoll). Population Male has 104 400 people (2006). Traditionally Male considered King's Island, from which, the Maldives ruled dynasty royal families in ancient times.

Name the capital of the Maldives is derived from "Mahaalay", who came from the Sanskrit (ancient language), which means "Maha" - "big" or "great" and "aalay" - "home". In Sanskrit the word "Mahaalay" called the Royal Palace. And got the name of the Male.

A whole group of islands Maldives (Maldives), and called the name of the capital thanks. The word "Maldives" means "Island (Dives) Male (Male)" - Male Dives.

Male island just 2 km long and 1 km wide, fully built buildings, covered roads, and so there are very few open spaces. In this Male remains clean and tidy city with mosques, markets, a maze of small streets, wrapped in a blanket of charm. Male although sometimes the impression of a quiet country town, but overall the construction of new modern buildings and pulse. Officially, the population of the capital city of about 65,000 people, but with foreign workers, tourists and people from other islands, often coming here in the city is usually 100,000.

Size of the island has been doubled by implementing projects to restore the land and the surrounding islands are used for different purposes, and on one of the islands of the airport is located. The government plans to develop other islands to reduce the pressure on the island of Male. In the past, the island was known as Male Island Sultan. In the capital, there is all that is necessary to have the eastern city: mosques, markets, souvenir shops, small cafes with exotic dishes and more.

 Right in front of the marina, opposite Jumhury Maidan park or Republican, is the Islamic Center, the main building of which - the Grand Mosque. Its golden domes shine so bright that they can be seen from the sea when approaching from the north to Male. Grand Mosque, accommodating 5,000 people - an amazing building. Its interior is decorated with wood carvings and Arabic calligraphy, skillfully made by local craftsmen. Remember, the mosque - a place of prayer, and the crowds are not desirable. If you do decide to go there, it's better to do it, accompanied by Maldivians. Visitors must be dressed appropriately and maintain complete silence. Across the road - The Sultan Park and National Museum. In his exposition of a large collection of clothes and jewelry of the sultans, the manuscript of the Koran and interesting pre-Islamic statues found during excavations of Thor Heyerdahl, the majority of ancient finds and stone figurines are described in his book "The Mystery of the Maldives." Around Malé is located about 20 mosques, some of them are just coral room with a tin roof.The oldest of them, Hukuru Bowls, is famous for its carved stone panels. A series of panels, carved in the 13th century, is dedicated to the arrival of Islam in the Maldives, and the cemetery is the grave of Abu al-Barakat and tombstones of former sultans.

Among the unique monuments - the head of a statue of the Buddha from the island Todd relating to the pre-Islamic period, and the XIII century wooden panel, covered with ancient inscriptions. Fruity ovoschnoyi wood markets are never empty and are picturesque places where islanders from other atolls trade their goods. Fish Market, located nearby, is initially blank until the fish is caught, and in the afternoon the fishermen here are beginning to flock with their booty. Fishermen, cutting and cleaning fish, turned the process into an art. It is clean and well established area that attracts many tourists and gives insight into the life of a typical Maldivian fishermen. Another attraction is the Singapore Bazaar - Cluster stores - selling quality products and local handicrafts Maldives and imported trinkets and souvenirs. In addition, there are shops selling electronics, marine electronics, fishing equipment and household goods for the local villages. In the multitude of small tea you can eat, smoke and chat with the locals.

 There are no high buildings, and a lot more bicycles than cars. In Male virtually impossible to get lost, all the streets are located on three major roads. The island has many hotels. Each hotel has its own dinghy, where you can take a cruise in the archipelago for several days.

 Entertainment in Male just vast. Suffice it to mention only a few of them. The most interesting thing, according to many, it is evening fishing. Staff working boat, help you deal with the initial difficulties, but everything will depend on your skill! The next evening, a dinner with barbecue the catch that you have caught. Will also hunt and large commercial fish. Departure for such an event takes place on special boats far beyond the territory of the atolls. It will be interesting to ride on a glass bottom boat. Due to such a miracle can make a lot of colorful pictures of the underwater world. And you can own diving - scuba diving. Each hotel has a diving training center where you after completing the course will receive a special certificate.

It also offers activities such as windsurfing, catamaran, canoe, "water banana", water skiing, etc. Riding fun becomes helicopter tour. In Male you can find cheap hotels and fast food, but the nightlife is limited to tea and a few restaurants in the western style. Two theaters show Indian and Hollywood movies.

 Artificial beach - this phrase may surprise in a country known natural beaches, but residents of Malé really chosen an artificial beach built on the eastern side of the capital. The beach is ideal for swimmers and those who do not have access to nearby islands. There you can have a snack and just relax on one of the benches overlooking the ocean. In the north, there is a park artaktsionov Male, there are also restaurants, cafes, shops ...

 Some restaurants are air conditioned Male, others offer a more relaxed atmosphere in the open air. Choice of cuisine is quite a beeline from the refined international cuisine to local versions of Asian and European dishes. Some restaurants are open in the morning, others at noon. All the restaurants are closed at 1 am. Traditional tea is still used among residents Male huge popularity. Here you can try a variety of local food, and sometimes even in noisy environments. Numerous teahouses scattered throughout the island. If you hurry, you really should drop by there - these eateries serve as fast foods. Tea is usually open early in the morning (some even at 5 am) and close at 1 am. Coffee Shop - a modern version of the Maldivian tea. Hdes serves a variety of snacks and fast food at low prices. Open between 8 and 9 am and work without interruption until 1 am.

  Despite its modest size Male, taxi in the city you can be useful, especially if rain. The cost of taxi services in the range of 15-20 Rufiyaa for travel anywhere in the city, with the extra charge of 5 Rufiyaa per item of luggage. You can catch a taxi on the street, but in Male taken to cause the machine by calling one of the many taxi services. The fare for the ferry 10 Rufiyaa to midnight and 20 Rufiyaa after midnight. If you travel in a big group, profitable book a private ferry flight - the cost for the day 250 Rufiyaa, after midnight 350 Rufiyaa. Pier No. 9, where the ferry is moored to the airport, located on the waterfront Boduthakurufaanu Magu, nearby Nasandhura Palace Hotel.

 There are four local airport of destination. Island Aviation local airline operates scheduled flights from Male International Airport to the island of Gan in Seenu Atoll, Laamu Atoll in Kadhdu, Kaadedhdu in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll and Hanimadhu Atoll Haa dhal. Between Malé and the atolls there plying scheduled passenger and cargo ships, while marine transportation is carried out frequently. Reserve a seaplane and book a private flight to Male possible, while at the airport or at the resort. Motor boats, Dhoni easy to move only a short distance, mainly because of slow. They are ideal for trips to the dive dive. In Male there are several companies that provide high-speed boats for rent and boat-Dhoni.

 The official currency of Maldives - Rufiyaa. One Rufiyaa is 100 Laar. In circulation are banknotes of 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 Rufiyaa and coins of 1 and 2 rufii and 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 Laar. The exchange rate as of December 2004 is 12.75 Rufiyaa per 1 U.S. dollar. All resorts, hotels, large shops and restaurants are licensed to provide services for exchange and accepted for payment currencies of many countries, as well as credit cards. Branch of the Bank of Maldives (Bank of Maldives), located in the arrivals terminal of the international airport, and provides currency exchange services. If you need rufii stay in Male, you can always contact one of the local banks.

 State Bank of Maldives The Bank of Maldives has several branches in Male. Its branches are also in Seenu atoll (island Hithadhoo), Xaa dhal (island Kulhudhufushi) and Laviani (island Naifaru). Bank branch located in Malé International Airport. Among other banks, with offices in Male, the bank HSBC, State Bank of India, Bank of Ceylon and Habib Bank. Most banks with offices in Male, offer services automated teller machines (ATM). ATMs The Bank of Maldives and other banks are quite comfortable and serve major credit cards.

Telephone services and mobile services in the country are carried out by Maldivian telekomunnikatsionnoy Diraagu (Dhiraagu). GSM mobile services provide two operators - Diraagu (Dhiraagu) Vatanen and Telecoms (Wataniyya Telecoms). Available as a prepayment and payment for services after the fact.Valid international mobile (roaming). Internet cafes can be found in different parts of the city. Internet connection services provide two providers that own a state license. Maldives Post Limited Company provides regular and express mail EMS. Most of the international courier services have offices in Male.

 Male - the shopping center of the country with great choice of shops to meet the needs of 100,000 residents and thousands more buyers coming from the islands. Small shops on the outskirts of the capital may receive visitors already at 6-7 am, while on the main streets stores open around 9-10 hours. All shops close at 11 pm, as well as the small 15-minute breaks during the prayers.

The northern part of the street magician chandan (Chaandhanee Magu) known cluster of souvenir shops, although the like are found in other parts of the city. The attention of buyers here offer products of local craftsmen, t-shirts, batiks and a wide range of books about Maldives in different languages.

In Male few lazok bookstores and stationery. They mainly sell textbooks, fiction and literature, translated books for children known international publications. Majidi on Mary (Majeedee Magu) and other central streets of the city are many shops offering clothes, shoes, and accessories. Among them is specialized in the sale of sporting goods, clothing, electronics from the world famous brands. Shops are open from morning until 11 o'clock at night.

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