Made up of 1,192 islands, the Maldives covers an area of almost 35,000 square miles. However, only about 116 of them are above water. This makes it the smallest country in Asia AND one of the most geographically dispersed nations on Earth. 



More fun facts: Only about 200 islands are inhabited. The rest are too remote or too small to sustain life.

First used in the 1600s in reference to the Maldives, "atoll" is defined as a ring-shaped reef, island, or chain of islands made from coral. Interestingly, it’s the only English word to originate from the Maldivian language, Dhivehi. Much later, the writings of Charles Darwin popularized the word.

The islands of the Maldives are grouped into a double chain of 26 atolls. Some sit on one side of the Equator in the Northern hemisphere while others sit in the Southern hemisphere.

Packing tip: The sun is MUCH stronger near the Equator, so bring lots of sunscreen when you visit the Maldives.

According to recent statistics, virtually all teenagers in the Maldives are literate in Dhivehi, and more than 90% are literate in English.

Did you know parrotfish are responsible for the gorgeous white sand you’ll find in the Maldives? That’s right. They eat and digest bits of coral, then excrete it as sand. Researchers in the Maldives discovered that a single parrotfish can produce 900 pounds of sand per year! So, yes, the sand is essentially parrotfish poop, but it’s beautiful, and it won’t burn your feet.

According to archaeological evidence, people have been living in the Maldives since the 5th century BC.

Around the 3rd century BC, Buddhism was introduced to the islands and was the dominant religion for 1,400 years. Then, in the mid-1100s, the last Buddhist king converted to Islam, and the country has been Muslim ever since.

Cultural tip: On the main island of Malé, you’ll see many beautiful mosques. You’ll also notice that alcohol and pork are not available, and women dress more conservatively. However, alcohol is legal at the resorts, and beachy attire is the norm. So don’t worry, you’ll have many opportunities to enjoy delicious cuisine, cocktails, and fine wine. Just remember: When you travel away from the resorts, it's essential to respect local rules and customs.