An island country located in the Indian Ocean, Maldives is the smallest country in Asia with regards to population and land area. It gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1965 and was established as a presidential republic in 1968. This country is made up of more than a thousand islands, which gives you a wide range of options to explore while holidaying in this part of the world. During your time spent in this gorgeous island nation, you'll get the opportunity to explore some of its fascinating attractions.
You can book your flights to Maldives several months in advance to have greater savings, which can be utilised while exploring the island country's popular attractions. Among them is Fuvahmulah City, which falls under the administrative divisions of Gnaviyani Atoll. During your time spent on this island, you can explore some of its places of interest, which includes a white-sand beach called Thoondu, located on the northern part of the island. Many people make a trip to this beach every day. Another great place worth exploring in this part of Maldives is Gemmiskiy, the oldest building in this part of Maldives.
While enjoying your holiday in this island nation, you can plan your visit to Kudahuvadhoo Island, which is located in the South Nilandhoo Atoll. This island is home to ruins of Buddhist temples, which existed during the pre-Islamic period. They comprise some mysterious mounds called 'hawittas' that haven't been excavated. You'll also come across an old mosque while getting around on this island. A Norwegian adventurer and ethnographer called Thor Heyerdahl had stated that this mosque possesses some of the finest masonry works the world has ever seen. Kudahuvadhoo is also one of the rapidly developing islands in Maldives and is well known for its excellent facilities in education and healthcare.
Don't miss visiting the Grand Friday Mosque which is located in the Islamic Centre, considered to be one of the greatest architectural landmarks in Male, the capital of Maldives. The mosque is officially called Masjid-al-Sultan Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al Auzam. It has been named after one of the most popular Maldivian heroes. The Islamic Centre is also used as a conference hall to conduct official meetings and ceremonies. Many of the tourists are drawn to this fantastic attraction owing to its location near the main jetty of the capital and the beautiful architecture of the mosque housed inside it.
For those who are interested in the history and culture of the island, a visit to the National Museum of Maldives is highly recommended. It was formerly the palace where the Sultan of Maldives resided. This museum became the first national museum of Maldives when it opened on the 11th of November, 1952, by the prime minister of the country at that time, Mohamed Amin Didi. It has a range of historical artefacts from the Buddhist era to the period of Islamic rule. The administrative affairs of this museum are handled by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture. Located in Sultan Park is its new building, which was financed, designed, and built by the Chinese government.