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The Maldives is no longer a secret destination!
A captivating country packed with innumerable wonders, it is rich in culture, traditions, and natural beauty. However, there are many features of this gorgeous island nation in the Indian Ocean that are now commonly known worldwide.
Thanks to stunning Instagram posts and constant chatter online and offline, the world is very much aware of the unmatched attractiveness that the atolls offer.
From the abundance of aquatic life and Maldives’ many ultra-luxurious resorts to the army of seaplanes that shuttle wide-eyed tourists across the archipelago, the Maldives remains a top choice among the best holiday destinations on the planet.
Discovering the Maldives
Nevertheless, the islands do not disclose all their marvels at once. There are still several facts about the Maldives unknown to travelers. Even those who visit the islands regularly.
Not surprisingly, these little morsels of information give a fantastic insight into the country’s geography, traditions, history, economy, and lifestyle.
Moreover, these interesting titbits allow children and adults to learn more and eventually appreciate the rarity of this distant archipelago and its people.
Maldives facts for kids is a collection for curious minds and avid travelers wanting to discover more about their beautiful holiday destination. It’s also an excellent source to read before choosing an island and booking a stay in a Maldivian resort.
Location
One of the must-know Maldives facts for kids is its location. The archipelago is almost in the “middle of nowhere” in the Indian Ocean. But, which continent does it belong to?
Interestingly, you’ll find African, Arab, and Asian influences in Maldivian food, clothing, and culture. Moreover, the islands are relatively close to African land.
At the same time, it’s just over 600km from India and Sri Lanka, its nearest neighbors. As such, the Maldives is part of Asia.
Maldivian islands
Many first-time visitors to the Maldives find the diversity of its islands to be quite surprising. The country has 26 atolls with 1190 islands. Out of these, locals live on roughly 200 islands.
Another 150 islands, otherwise considered uninhabited, have private resorts on them. There are also several deserted islands that locals use for agriculture, excursions, or jails.
Altogether, the Maldives cover an area of 90,000 sq km. That’s huge, right? But do you know only 1% of that area is actually land? The rest is all water. And that is why the Maldives is among the smallest countries in Asia.
About the atolls
With an area of 3850 sq km, Boduthiladhunmathi is not only the largest atoll in the Maldives but one of the biggest in the world.
Huvandhu Atoll is the next biggest in area, coming in at 3150 sq km. It has an impressive lagoon with a diameter of 112km.
The northernmost atoll of the Maldives is Ihavandhippolhu, which lies under the administration of Northern Thiladhunmathi. It’s about 65km from Malé.
On the opposite end, we have Addu Atoll, the southernmost atoll in the Maldives.
But can you guess the distance from the capital to the southernmost atoll?
It’s a whopping 535km. That’s why you usually need to take a flight when visiting one of the public islands or resorts in Addu Atoll.
Maldivian landscape
Although Maldivian islands are lush with foliage, they are relatively flat.
Okay, very flat because the Maldives is one of the world’s flattest countries. This is also the reason it suffers the most due to climate change.
The highest point in the Maldives is on the island of Villingili. Earlier it was a small dune measuring just under 8 feet. However, now a resort on the island has a 15 feet high hill on its golf course, which is the country’s highest point.
The Maldives also does not have any rivers. There are, however, two freshwater lakes in Fuvahmulah. The 12-feet deep Bandaara Kilhi is the larger lake, whereas Dhadimagu Kulhi is only 4 feet deep and smaller in its area.
Maldivian history
Maldivian history is quite eventful. Before the 12th-century, Buddhism was one of the main religions practiced in the Maldives. However, since 1153 it has primarily been an Islamic state.
In 1887, though, the British colonized the island nation. It wasn’t until 1965 that the country finally gained its independence. In 1968, the Maldives became a republic.
Population
One of the Maldives facts for kids who like to keep track of numbers is the country’s population. There are over 5,50,000 permanent residents living on the islands.
You might think that’s pretty normal, considering the Maldives extends far and wide.
Well, here’s the thing. Out of the total population, almost half, that’s roughly 250,000, live in the capital city of Malé.
Since Malé has an area of 8.30 sq km, the significant number of people living there puts it among the most densely populated cities in the world.
The Maldivian flag
It’s a whole new world of mesmerizing facts once children realize that every country’s flag has a deeper meaning behind its colors and design.
The Maldivian flag consists of a green background with a red border and a white crescent in the center.
The green in the flag represents peace and the coconut tree found throughout the islands. The red border honors all the people who gave their blood to help the Maldives get independence. And the white crescent represents the people’s belief in Islam.
Maldivian language and religion
As we mentioned above, the residents of the island nation follow Islam. The interesting fact about the Maldives is that it is a 100% Muslim country. So, only individuals who follow Islam can become citizens of the Maldives.
The Maldivian language is known as Dhivehi. It’s very different, but you can still find words picked up from Asian, African, and Arab languages.
Thaana is the script of Dhivehi, written from right to left, unlike English, in which we write from left to right.
Maldivian economy
The Maldivian economy relies primarily on fishing and tourism. The latter is the main source of foreign exchange and provides employment opportunities to several residents.
Some of the other trades seen across the archipelago are making and selling coconut products, boat building, and sand mining.
Currency
The currency of the Maldives is known as Rufiyaa, having the symbol Rf. It sounds like the Indian currency, Rupiyaa or Rupee.
However, the sub-denomination of the Indian Rupee is the paisa. In the case of the Maldives, the 1 Rufiyaa consists of 100 Laari.
Maldives Monetary Authority is the government body responsible for handling all money matters in the country.
Flora, fauna, and sea life
If we were to talk about all the Maldives facts for kids related to the islands’ flora and fauna, we need to write a separate article. But we will share with you that there is more diversity in the waters of Maldives than on its land.
You will encounter many colorful underwater species in the Laccadive Sea surrounding the Maldives. From whale sharks, manta rays, and barracudas to octopuses, turtles, and unimaginable types of fish, there is plenty to see and learn about.
In contrast, you can spot lizards, geckos, cats, goats, fruit bats, and birds on the islands. A dog is an otherwise common animal you won’t find in the Maldives.
Oldest mosque in the Maldives
The Maldives has some of the world’s best resorts, and most tourists spend their entire holiday staying in one without exploring the rest of the country.
Children traveling with their parents on a family vacation in the Maldives should insist on at least a day trip to Malé. Exploring the capital city is a wonderful chance to observe everyday Maldivian life.
In Malé, you will also find the country’s oldest mosque. Hukuru Miskiiy, or the Old Friday Mosque, dates back to 1656. Built using coral stones, it’s a brilliant example of island architecture.
You’ll find it interesting that coral stones were commonly used decades ago across the Maldives for construction. But now, to conserve the environment, locals use modern building materials.
Mulee’aage
When walking around Malé, if you come across a pretty-as-a-picture green, blue, and red house, stop! This is Mulee’aage, the “official residence of Maldives’ President.”
Located in an old neighborhood of the capital, the palace is over 100 years old. Built by Sultan Mohamed Shamsuddeen III for his son, the building is a prominent part of Maldivian history.
Over time it served many purposes, from being a royal residence and President’s office to the Supreme Court of Maldives for a year and the Prime Minister’s office in the 1950s and 60s.
Underwater restaurant
Here’s one of the fun Maldives facts for children that adults will also find fascinating. The island nation was the leading country in the world to have an underwater restaurant.
A novel idea that still never fails to amaze. Moreover, there are now seven underwater restaurants spread out across the archipelago. How cool is that?
Ithaa, meaning mother of pearl, was the first to open its doors in 2005, inviting food lovers for a dreamy culinary experience. It’s a small restaurant at a depth of 16 feet that serves a modern, beautifully plated menu. To dine at Ithaa, plan a stay at Conrad Maldives Rangali Resort.
Maldivian food
Being surrounded by water, one can guess that Maldivians love to eat seafood. Fish such as tuna is a staple and part of most food preparations.
Other commonly eaten items include coconut and rice. It’s actually fascinating to see how tasty Maldivian food is, considering they use limited ingredients.
On the other hand, one can feast like a king or a queen when staying at the resorts.
Private islands go out of their way to please their guests. They offer exotic and gourmet preparations, some of the best in the world.
In terms of cuisine, everything is available, whether you want sushi from the best Japanese restaurants, a nice steak, maybe a vegan burger, or a comforting cheesy pizza.
Coconut trees
The national tree of the Maldives is a significant part of everyday life on the islands. A coconut tree usually grows to a height of 30 meters, and the locals try and use it in every way possible.
Besides providing much-needed shade from the harsh sun, various parts of the coconut tree help make dhoni boats, rope, and food.
Maldivian climate
Maldivian facts for children relating to climate are quite a revelation. For starters, the Maldives has a classic tropical equatorial climate. It gets hot and humid on the islands, with the occasional strong wind. However, cyclones are rare.
It’s also good to remember that the islands cover a large area, almost 800 km from north to south. So, the daily weather differs based on your exact location.
Additionally, the Maldives has two monsoon seasons.
Halhangu is the summer monsoon that extends from the end of May to September. July and August are when it’s at its peak. You can expect heavy rainfall and windy days during this time. These are excellent months for tourists who want to surf in the Maldives or make the most of bargain resort deals.
The winter monsoon is Iruvai, consisting of more sunny days and less overall rain. The season starts in October and goes on till April. As expected, it is peak tourist season, so resorts are full and cost more than usual. Still, this is the best escape from the cold for tourists living in the northern hemisphere.
Traditional games in the Maldives
Maldives facts for kids cannot be complete without talking about traditional games. The locals on the islands enjoy watersports, football, volleyball, and many other standard games played around the globe.
At the same time, they also cherish their traditional games. The exciting part is that some of these games are familiar yet different.
Gan’du Filla, for instance, is like hide-and-seek but played in one room and with some fun alterations. Similarly, Raazuvaa is the island’s version of chess, with slightly different rules.
And if you are traveling in a big group, ask the resort staff to teach you Bashi. The popular game played by local women is kind of like tennis, but not really. Read our article on the best traditional Maldivian games if you want to know more.
Magical sandbanks
Sandbanks are faraway pieces of land in the middle of the ocean where you can enjoy a family picnic or a romantic walk. But were you aware of the magic that surrounds sandbanks?
For example, one of the possibly known Maldives facts for kids is that sandbanks disappear underwater during high tide. They then re-emerge like magic when the waters get low.
However, a phenomenon you might not know about is that sandbanks also move from one place to another.
This happens as the monsoon seasons come and go. During these times, the waves peel off the sand and deposit it at another location within the lagoon. Eventually, creating a sandbank in a totally new place.
Dhoni
If you are from India or a cricket fan, you might be thinking about the former Indian captain MS Dhoni. Well, in the Maldives, a dhoni is a type of boat.
Resembling the Middle Eastern dhow, the dhoni has a unique shape that stands out among other modern vessels. Made with wood, local fishers still use dhonis daily to go out into the sea.
For tourists, it’s possible to book a cruise on the dhoni. There are special tours to a sandbank for a picnic. Or you can take the more popular sunset cruise, one of the must-do boat excursions when holidaying in the Maldives.
Sun protection
Among the must-know Maldives facts for kids is that sun protection is very important. The afternoon sunshine on the islands can be unforgiving. This is truer when you stay in one of the southern islands, which are very close to the Equator.
Therefore, it is essential to always apply sunscreen to your body before leaving your villa. Even if it is for a short walk on the beach.
Coral beaches of the Maldives
How about a Maldives fact for children that will make them go “Ewwwwww”?
Okay, everyone talks about the pristine white sandy beaches of the Maldives. They are unbelievably beautiful, no doubt about that.
But did you know that Vakkaru island is one place among a few made with fish poop?
Yes! Parrotfish love algae that grow on coral. And when they eat it, they end up eating the coral also. However, they eventually excrete the undigested coral, breaking it into a powdery sand-like element. This then finds its way onto the beaches.
Before you run away, know that this phenomenon is not something you can easily find anywhere. There are only a few coral beaches around the planet. So, if you get a chance to walk on a coral beach, don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
