Male, Maldives
According to wholevehicles, Male is one of the smallest capitals in the world – its area is only two square meters. km. Nevertheless, in this city, which almost entirely occupies the island of the same name, one third of the population of all the islands lives – about 90 thousand people.
A tourist who comes here on an excursion will be struck by the contrast of Male compared to other islands. After a tropical paradise of the outback islands, it impresses with its skyscrapers and highways – it doesn’t even have natural beaches. However, recently an artificial recreation area was created in the southwest of the island, where people living and working in Male often come – especially in the evenings when it gets cooler. However, tourists do not come here at all in order to lie on the beaches.
The main street of the city is the Boduthakurufaanu Magu embankment. Here are government buildings, banks and offices. In the middle is Jumhooree Maidhaan Square, to the right of which are berth No. 1 (presidential) and No. 9-10 (ferries to the airport).
How to get there
Male International Airport is located on a separate island – Hulhule, which is located just 2 km from the capital island. The airport receives flights from Moscow, Colombo, Qatar, Dubai, Trivandrum, Vienna, Kuala Lumpur and other cities. The terminals have all the services necessary for a tourist: an ATM, a bank, a pharmacy, the Internet, a left-luggage office (~ 3 USD per day). The pier from which ferries depart to Male is located to the right of the exit from the airport. Ferries depart every 10-15 minutes during the day (1.5 USD), and every half an hour in the evening (2 USD).
The beaches of Male
Male also has its own beach, which, of course, cannot be compared with resort islands. However, surfers will love it here. Artificial Beach is located in the east of the island, a 10-minute walk from berths No. 9-10.
Shopping and shops Male
Most of the souvenir shops are located at the northern end of one of Male’s main thoroughfares, Chaandani Magu. This place used to be called “Singapore Bazaar” because many of the goods sold there were imported from Singapore.
The most famous souvenirs from the Maldives are undoubtedly thudu kuna – Maldivian mats woven from local natural palm fiber. Another souvenir is miniature wooden dhonis – traditional fishing boats that can be seen almost everywhere in the Maldives.
By the way, when choosing a souvenir for yourself, you must remember that the export of products made from tortoise shell, black corals, pearl oyster shells and red corals from the country is prohibited. And customs, I must say, are on guard.
It is worth bringing home fish and seafood from the Maldives – both to give to friends and to remember yourself about a wonderful vacation in a tropical paradise. In Male, for this you can visit the fish market and all kinds of supermarkets. There you can buy canned fish (the most popular is canned tuna, which is caught in the traditional way), dried and dried fish – in general, the choice is the widest.
Entertainment and attractions in Male
The capital is not rich in attractions, but you should definitely visit it: the National Museum in Sultans Park, the shady park of Jumuri-Maidan, the Muliaage Palace (1913). The most revered shrines of the country are the chapel of Medu Ziyarat, the tomb of the country’s national hero Mohammed Takurufanu, the Islamic Center with the Great Friday Mosque, the Old Friday Mosque with a unique minaret and the tombs of national heroes and members of the royal family.
