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Letsa Travel · Maldives

Maldives: 1,190 islands and almost no land

A country of 26 atolls in the Indian Ocean where all the land together covers only 298 km² and most islands sit about a meter above the sea.

The story

A country that is mostly sea

The Maldives has 1,192 coral islands in 26 atolls, but their land area adds up to only 298 km², spread across about 90,000 km² of the Indian Ocean. About 200 islands are inhabited. The population was 515,132 at the 2022 census, and the capital Malé holds about 41 percent of it.

The average elevation is about 1.5 m above sea level and the highest natural point is 2.4 m. More than 80 percent of the islands rise less than 1 m. The IPCC has warned that at current rates the country could become uninhabitable by 2100.

Tourism is about 28 percent of GDP, and more than 1.7 million visitors arrived in 2019. The first resort, Kurumba, opened in 1972, and by 2007 there were 92 resorts.

Dhivehi is the official language and English is widely spoken. The currency is the rufiyaa, and Sunni Islam is the state religion.

298 km²total land across 1,192 islands
~1.5 maverage height above sea level
1.7 millionvisitors in 2019

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Practical guide

Plan your Maldives trip

Check before you go: Most visitors go straight from the airport to a resort by seaplane or speedboat. Rules for local islands and resorts differ, so check current entry rules and island regulations before you book.

Getting there

  • Velana International Airport is on Hulhulé Island, next to Malé, linked by the Sinamalé Bridge.
  • From there you continue by seaplane, domestic flight, speedboat or the slower dhoni boat.
  • Seaplanes are operated by TMA and Manta Air.

Entry rules

  • Most visitors need no visa before arrival.
  • You need a passport valid for at least a month, a confirmed itinerary with onward travel and proof of funds.
  • A Traveller Declaration must be filed within 96 hours of arrival.

When to go

  • The dry season comes with the northeast monsoon in winter.
  • The rainy southwest monsoon runs from early June to late November.
  • Average highs are about 31.5 °C and lows about 26.4 °C.

Resorts vs local islands

  • Most islands are used for tourism or agriculture, and resort islands operate under different conditions.
  • Sunni Islam is the state religion, so dress and behavior rules differ outside resorts.
  • Check the current rules for the island you choose.

Money

  • The currency is the Maldivian rufiyaa.
  • English is widely spoken.
  • Tourism is about 28 percent of GDP.

Sea-level risk

  • The average elevation is about 1.5 meters.
  • The IPCC warned the country could be uninhabitable by 2100 at current rates.
  • The government and residents are already adapting.

Details come from Wikipedia and official sources, which may not show the latest entry rules or prices. We checked on November 1, 2026. Entry rules, fees and prices change, so confirm them with official sources before you reserve.

Want the full picture? Read our complete Maldives travel guide: getting there, resorts and local islands, entry rules, the seasons and the sea-level risk.
Where to stay

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Sources checked November 1, 2026: Wikipedia: Maldives · Maldives tourism board

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