MALDIVES ONLiNE <body><script type="text/javascript"> function setAttributeOnload(object, attribute, val) { if(window.addEventListener) { window.addEventListener('load', function(){ object[attribute] = val; }, false); } else { window.attachEvent('onload', function(){ object[attribute] = val; }); } } </script> <div id="navbar-iframe-container"></div> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://apis.google.com/js/platform.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> gapi.load("gapi.iframes:gapi.iframes.style.bubble", function() { if (gapi.iframes && gapi.iframes.getContext) { gapi.iframes.getContext().openChild({ url: 'https://www.blogger.com/navbar/2565417034522534591?origin\x3dhttp://maldives-online.blogspot.com', where: document.getElementById("navbar-iframe-container"), id: "navbar-iframe" }); } }); </script> SCREEN RESOLUTION HAS TO BE 1152*864


<$Tuesday, January 15, 2008h5>
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Beautiful Maldives


Above view on Maldives



Maldives - Ari Atoll

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posted by <$davincit <$Tuesday, January 15, 2008a>

<$Saturday, March 31, 2007h5>

posted by <$davincit <$Saturday, March 31, 2007a>

<$Thursday, March 29, 2007h5>
<$


Addu Atoll (local administrative name Seenu Atoll) is the southernmost atoll of the Republic of Maldives. Only six of the islands in the Atoll are inhabited and they are Meedhoo, Hithadhoo, Maradhoo, Feydhoo, Gan, and Hulhudhoo with the total population just over 28,000.

The dialect of the Dhivehi language spoken in this atoll is very different from the rest of the country. Most of the employees who had experience working for westerners and who spoke good English had turned to the tourism industry for employment. As a result, there was an influx of Addu people to Malé seeking employment in the nearby resorts and also looking for education to their children


British naval base
The Royal Navy established a base ("Port T") - later RAF Gan from 1957 - on the island of Gan (pronounced “Yahn”) in 1941, during World War II. During the Cold War it was used as an outpost.

The original naval base was established as a fall-back for the British Eastern Fleet. Despite public pronouncements to the contrary, the official view was that the main base at Singapore would be untenable if the Japanese made serious headway in Malaya and Java - which, in the event, is what happened in 1942. The intention had been to operate from Trincomalee, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Upon inspection, however, the naval commander-in-chief, Admiral James Somerville found the port inadequate, vulnerable to a determined attack and open to spying. An isolated island base with a safe, deep anchorage in a suitably strategic position was required, and Addu met the requirements. Once available, its facilities were used extensively by the Fleet.

Royal Navy engineers landed in August 1941 from HMS Guardian to clear and construct airstrips on Gan for the Fleet Air Arm. In the interim, Catalina and Sunderland flying boats operated from jetties on the northern, sheltered side of Gan. Large oil tanks were built on Gan, and on Hitaddu Island on the western edge of the atoll; vital elements for a naval base. These were visible from a long distances at sea, but this was unavoidable, given the atoll's low profile.

Ship's supplies for the fleet were provided from a pair of Australian refrigerated ships, Changte and Taiping that included Attu in a number of bases that they serviced regularly. Three times these ships replenished forty or more ships of the Eastern Fleet. Several large Australian Imperial Force troop convoys also refueled at Addu on their way from Aden to Fremantle, Western Australia.

The six major islands were garrisoned by the 1st Royal Marine Coast Defence Regiment, manning shore batteries and anti-aircraft guns. To facilitate the defence, causeways were built connecting the western islands of Gan, Eyehook, Maradhoo and Hithadhoo and, much later in the war, they were linked by a light railway. Attu was an unpopular posting due to the hot, humid climate, lack of recreational facilities and lack of socialising with the local population.

The Japanese remained unaware of the base’s existence until their plans for expansion in south-east Asia had come to nothing, even during their carrier raids in the Indian Ocean in April 1942. Later in the war, submarine reconnaissance established the base’s existence. Despite openings into the lagoon being permanently closed by anti-submarine nets, the German U-boat U-183 torpedoed the tanker British Loyalty in March 1944 (she had been previously torpedoed and sunk at Diego Suarez); it was an impressive long-range shot from outside the atoll through a gap in the anti-torpedo nets. Although seriously damaged, the tanker did not sink. She was not fully repaired but kept as a Ministry of War Transport Oil Fuel Storage Vessel. There was significant oil pollution after this incident and British personnel were used to clean the lagoon.

On 5th January 1946, British Loyalty was scuttled southeast of Hithadhoo Island in the Addu Atoll lagoon. After some years of leaking oil, she has become a popular dive location.

In 1957, the naval base was transferred to the Royal Air Force. As RAF Gan, it remained in intermittent service until 1971, when British Forces withdrew.


Addu Kandu
This is the local name for the broad channel between Huvadu Atoll and Addu Atoll. The old French maps called it 'Courant d'Addoue' and it is known in the British Admiralty Charts as 'Equatorial Channel' for the Equator lies roughly in the middle of the Addu Kandu.

Atoll Summary
Administrative name Seenu Atoll
Atoll name Addu Atoll
Location 0° 36' S and 0° 44' S
Letter S
Abbreviation S (ސ)
Capital Hithadhoo
Population 28707
No. of Islands 23
Inhabited Islands 6
Atoll Chief Hussain Saeed [1]
Inhabited Islands
Feydhoo Hithadhoo Hulhudhoo Maradhoo Maradhoo-Feydhoo Meedhoo
Uninhabited Islands
Aboohéra Bodu Hajara Boduhéragandu Dhigihéra Fahikédéhérangada Gan Gaukendi Geskalhuhéra Hankedé Hankedé Hajara Heréthéré Hikihéra Kafathalhaa Héra Kandu Huraa Kédévaahéra Koahera Kuda Kandihéréganda Maahera Maamendhoo Madihéra Mulikédé Savaaheli Vashahéra Villingili

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posted by <$davincit <$Thursday, March 29, 2007a>

<$


Gnaviyani Atoll is one of the the administrative divisions of the Maldives. It corresponds to the island known as Fuvammulah in the local language and Fua Mulaku in the International Navigational Charts and by H.C.P. Bell, the first person who made serious reasearch on the Maldives.

NOTE: Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Shaviyani, Noonu, Raa, Baa, etc. are code letters assigned to the present administrative divisions of the Maldives. They are not the proper names of these divisions or atolls. The order followed by the code letters is from North to South, beginning with the first letters of the Dhivehi alphabet. These code letters are not accurate from the geographical and cultural point of view. However, they have become popular among tourists and foreigners in the Maldives who find them easier to pronounce than the true atoll names in Dhivehi, (save a few exceptions, like Ari Atoll).


Surfacewise this is the smallest administrative unit in the Maldives, situated in the Equatorial Channel channel (Addu Kandu) between Huvadhu and Addu. Fua Mulaku is not a true (or natural) Atoll, for it consists of only one island, which is, however, one of the largest islands in the Maldives, with an area of about 7 km. sq. Fua Mulaku was traditionally divided into nine villages (clockwise from the Northern end): Dhadimago, Hōdhado, Mālegan, Dūndigan, Funādo, Miskimmago, Dhashokubai, Mādhado and Diguvāndo. Nowadays the number of villages has been reduced to eight, since the village of Dashokubai was merged with Miskimmago.

This island was depopulated and resettled twice in the last thousand years owing to lethal epidemics.

This island is known by geographers as Fua Mulaku. This name is more widely known. The origin of this name is in the ancient local poem 'Rashoveshi' where the name of the island in the first line is in the vocative: "Fua Mulaku nan ivē medu adi fen heu rashē..."

Atoll Summary
Administrative name Gnaviyani Atoll
Atoll name Fuvammulah
Location 0° 15' S and 0° 20' S
Letter R
Abbreviation Gn (ޏ)
Capital Fuvammulah
Population 10,270
No. of Islands 1
Inhabited Islands 1
Atoll Chief Ahmed Moosa [1]
Inhabited Islands
Fuvammulah

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posted by <$davincit <$Thursday, March 29, 2007a>

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Atoll Summary
Administrative name Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll
Atoll name Huvadhu Atoll
Location 0° 28' N and 0° 10' N
Letter Q
Abbreviation GDh (ގދ)
Capital Thinadhoo
Population 18485
No. of Islands 153
Inhabited Islands 10
Atoll Chief Ali Shareef [1]
Inhabited Islands
Fares Fiyoaree Gaddhoo Hoandeddhoo Maathodaa Madaveli Nadellaa Rathafandhoo Thinadhoo Vaadhoo
Uninhabited Islands
Aakiraahuttaa, Athihuttaa, Badéfodiyaa, Barahuttaa, Baulhagallaa, Bodehuttaa, Bodérehaa, Bolimathaidhoo, Dhékanbaa, Dhérékudhéhaa, Dhigérehaa, Dhigulaabadhoo, Dhinmanaa, Dhiyanigilllaa, Dhonigallaa, Dhoonirehaa, Ehéhuttaa, Ekélondaa, Faahuttaa, Faanahuttaa, Faathiyéhuttaa, Faréhulhudhoo, Farukoduhuttaa, Fatéfandhoo, Femunaidhoo, Fenevenehuttaa, Féreythavilingillaa, Fonahigillaa, Gaazeeraa, Gan, Gehémaagalaa, Gehévalégalaa, Golhaallaa, Haadhoo, Hadahaahuttaa, Hakandhoo, Handaidhoo, Havoddaa, Havodigalaa, Hevaahulhudhoo, Hiyanigilihuttaa, Hoothodéyaa, Hulheddhoo, Hunigondiréhaa, Isdhoo, Kaadeddhoo Island, Kaafaraataa, Kaafénaa, Kaalhéhutta, Kaalhéhuttaa, Kaashidhoo, Kadahalagalaa, Kadévaaréhaa, Kalhaidhoo, Kalhéfalaa, Kalhehigillaa, Kalhéhuttaa, Kalhéréhaa, Kanandhoo, Kandeddhoo, Kannigilla, Kautihulhudhoo, Kélaihuttaa, Keraminthaa, Kereddhoo, Kéyhuvadhoo, Kodaanahuttaa, Kodédhoo, Kodégalaa, Koduhutigallaa, Kodurataa, Konontaa, Kudhé-ehivakaa, Kudhéhulheddhoo, Kudhélifadhoo, Kudhérataa, Kudhukélaihuttaa, Kurikeymaahuttaa, Laihaa, Lifadhoo, Lonudhoo, Lonudhoohuttaa, Maadhoo, Maaéhivakaa, Maagodiréhaa, Maahéraa, Maahutigallaa, Maarehaa, Maavaarulaa, Maaveddhoo, Maguddhoo, Mainaadhoo, Mallaaréhaa, Mariyankoyya Rataa, Mathaidhoo, Mathihuttaa, Mathikera-nanahuththaa, Meehunthibenehuttaa, Menthandhoo, Meragihuttaa, Meyragilla, Mudhimaahuttaa, Odavarréhaa, Oinigillaa, Olhimuntaa, Olhurataa, Raabadaaféhéreehataa, Rahadhoo, Ralhéodagallaa, Reddhahuttaa, Rodhevarrehaa, Thelehuttaa, Thinéhuttaa, Ukurihuttaa, Ulégalaa, Vairéyaadhoo, Vatavarréhaa, Véraavillingillaa, Villigalaa


Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll (Gaaf Dhaal, South Huvadhoo) is an administrative district of the Republic of Maldives, its capital is Thinadhoo . Gaafu Dhaalu is a grouping of 153 islands, 10 of which are inhabited. Located 340 kilometres south of the capital of Malé. Geographically it comprises the south-western part of Huvadhu Atoll.


Independent travellers to Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll require special permission to leave the tourist zone and visit inhabited islands.

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posted by <$davincit <$Thursday, March 29, 2007a>

<$

Atoll Summary
Administrative name Gaafu Alifu Atoll
Atoll name Huvadhu Atoll
Location 0° 55' N and 0° 28' N
Letter P
Abbreviation GA (ގއ)
Capital Vilingili
Population 12116
No. of Islands 82
Inhabited Islands 10
Atoll Chief Abulla Saeed [1]
Inhabited Islands
Dhaandhoo Dhevvadhoo Dhiyadhoo Gemanafushi Kanduhulhudhoo Kolamaafushi Kondey Maamendhoo Nilandhoo Vilingili
Uninhabited Islands
Araigaiththaa Baavandhoo Baberaahuttaa Bakeiththaa Beyruhuttaa Beyrumaddoo Bihuréhaa Boaddoo Bodéhuttaa Budhiyahuttaa Dhevvalaabadhoo Dhevvamaagalaa Dhigémaahuttaa Dhigudhoo Dhigurah Dhonhuseenahuttaa Falhumaafushi Falhuverrehaa Farudhulhudhoo Fénéhuttaa Fenrahaa Fenrahaahuttaa Funadhoovillingili Funamaddoo Galamadhoo Haagevillaa Hadahaa Hagedhoo Heenamaagalaa Hirihuttaa Hithaadhoo Hithaadhoogalaa Hulhimendhoo Hunadhoo Hurendhoo Idimaa Innaréhaa Kalhehuttaa Kalhudhiréhaa Kanduvillingili Keesseyréhaa Kendheraa Koduhuttaa Kondeymatheelaabadhoo Kondeyvillingili Kudalafari Kuddoo Kudhébondeyyo Kudhéfehélaa Kudhéhuttaa Kureddhoo Lhossaa Maadhiguvaru Maaféhélaa Maagehuttaa Maakanaarataa Maamutaa Maarandhoo Maaréhaa Mahaddhoo Maththidhoo Maththuréhaa Médhuburiyaa Médhuhuttaa Medhuréhaa Melaimu Meradhoo Minimensaa Munaagala Munandhoo Odagallaa Raaverrehaa Rinbidhoo Thinrukéréhaa Uhéréhaa Viligillaa Vodamulaa

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posted by <$davincit <$Thursday, March 29, 2007a>

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Atoll Summary
Administrative name Laamu Atoll
Atoll name Haddhunmathi
Location 2° 08' N and 1° 47' N
Letter O
Abbreviation L (ލ)
Capital Fonadhoo
Population 14313
No. of Islands 82
Inhabited Islands 12
Atoll Chief Mohamed Naeem [1]
Inhabited Islands
Dhanbidhoo Fonadhoo Gaadhoo Gan Hithadhoo Isdhoo Kalaidhoo Kunahandhoo Maabaidhoo Maamendhoo Maavah Mundoo
Uninhabited Islands
Athahédha, Berasdhoo, Bileitheyrahaa, Bodufenrahaa, Bodufinolhu, Boduhuraa, Bodumaabulhali, Bokaiffushi, Dhekunu Vinagandu, Faés, Fonagaadhoo, Fushi, Gasfinolhu, Guraidhoo, Hanhushi, Hedha, Holhurahaa, Hulhimendhoo, Hulhisdhoo, Hulhiyandhoo, Kaddhoo, Kalhuhuraa, Kandaru, Kudafares, Kudafushi, Kudahuraa, Kudakalhaidhoo, Kukurahaa, Maakaulhuveli, Maandhoo, Maaveshi, Mahakanfushi, Medhafushi, Medhoo, Medhufinolhu, Medhuvinagandu, Munyafushi, Olhutholhu, Olhuveli, Thunburi, Thundudhoshufushi Nolhoo, Uthuruvinagandu, Uvadhevifushi, Vadinolhu, Veligandufinolhu, Ziyaaraiffushi



Haddhunmathi Atoll or Laamu is an administrative division of the Maldives. It corresponds to the natural atoll of the same name.


NOTE: Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Shaviyani, Noonu, Raa, Baa, etc. (including 'Laamu' as well) are code letters assigned to the present administrative divisions of the Maldives. They are not the proper names of these divisions or atolls. The order followed by the code letters is from North to South, beginning with the first letters of the Dhivehi alphabet. These code letters are not accurate from the geographical and cultural point of view. However, they have become popular among tourists and foreigners in the Maldives who find them easier to pronounce than the true atoll names in Dhivehi, (save a few exceptions, like Ari Atoll).

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posted by <$davincit <$Thursday, March 29, 2007a>

<$Monday, March 26, 2007h5>

posted by <$davincit <$Monday, March 26, 2007a>

<$Sunday, March 25, 2007h5>
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LOCATION


Meeru Island Resort, fondly known as Meeru by friends, offers a relaxing casual atmosphere. A large island by local standards, much of the island remains untouched, with its natural vegetation intact. It is certainly the resort for you if you would prefer to kick off your shoes and enjoy a casual atmosphere in which to relax.

The island is covered in soft white sand. The floors of the reception and other public areas too are layered with soft sand.

As you approach the island you will be surprised at the lack of any man-made structures visible through the thick vegetation of the shoreline, fringed with tall coconut palms.

Winding walkways lined with palm trees lead you to the reception with its thatched roofing that blends in perfectly with the natural surroundings. We offer you the Maldives, simply at its best.

However there is nothing simple about the services we provide or the facilities available at the resort. All this is provided without pomp and formality.

Meeru has one of the biggest dive schools in the country, and its remote location in Male' Atoll gives it access to many excellent dive sites that are hardly ever visited by any others.

However you do not have to be a diver to enjoy Meeru. There are a variety of other water sports and land sports that you will certainly enjoy.

None of this is important if you wish to take part in the most popular holiday activity here - relaxation. The island is large enough for you to find your own private little hideaway on the beach for the day. Or simply find a perch at the popular poolside and spare yourself the effort.

ACCOMMODATION

We offer a choice in the type of accommodation for your stay on Meeru. All are comfortable and provides all the basic amenities. However some provide more comforts than the others with more space and privacy.

All the rooms are air-conditioned and equipped with ceiling fan. All provide the convenience of en suite bathroom, IDD telephone and mini fridge.

276 Rooms including 76 Standard, 77 Land Villas, 61 Jacuzzi Villas, 29 Water Villas, 30 Jacuzzi Water Villas, 2 Honeymoon Suites, the Coral Suite and the Dolphin Suite. All rooms features tropical décor, two twins, one queen or one king size bed, tile or wood floors, private patio with furniture, air-conditioning, overhead ceiling fan, sitting area, stocked Mini Bar with refrigerator, tea/coffee machine, IDD telephone, personal safe, bathroom with hot water, shower, bath accessories, hair dryer, and nightly turndown service. Electricity is 220VAC, 50HZ. Also provided is complimentary use of chaise lounges at the pool and beach and beach towel Tariffs are quoted in US$ per Room, per Night, Full Board, and include Bed Tax


DINING AND BARS

No fuss dining, just good food is the order of the day at Meeru. No dressing up to impress. Just stroll in from the beach or from your room and sit down and enjoy. The only house rule is, no wet suits or wet clothes are allowed in the dining area.

There is one restaurant, two coffee shops and three bars where you will find everything you want, and at all hours of the day. So just continue to have fun and there'll be plenty of food on offer just when you want it.

The Farivalhu Restaurant, the main dining room, with traditional sand floor, serves “all you can eat” buffet style meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, for Meal Plan guests; and as well, three “optional” a la carte restaurants - The Hungaanu Coffee Shop, serving an all day dining menu; The Asian Wok, specializing in Thai, Indian, Chinese and Maldivian cuisine; the Hagern, serving a grilled seafood menu aboard a “restaurant” yacht anchored in the lagoon; and two other “optional” choices, Room Service, and a selection of very special dinners served on the Beach!

The Dhoni Bar, located on the beach, beside the pool; the Kakuni Bar, featuring sports bar facilities such as table games and all day, color satellite TV coverage of international sporting events; the Club 1919 Bar, aboard a yacht anchored in the lagoon; the Beach Bar at the southern end of the island; and a “bar cart” on wheels, providing a convenient service to guests lounging along the beach.


SPORTS SERVICES

Although Meeru is perfect for a relaxing holiday just lazing on the beach we also have a wide selection of activities for those people who want to enjoy some exciting land or water sports. You can have loads of fun, both in, out of and on the water, so you won't be able to complain of having nothing to do.


ACTIVITIES

Much as you'd expect from a resort that prides itself on being a place for those who have energy and want to have some fun, we offer an action packed itinerary for you to choose from. You can pick any number of activities that will give you an experience to remember.



DIVING

Many visitors come to the Maldives to enjoy the unique, beautiful under water scenery. With excellent dive sites in the area Meeru is the ideal choice for a diving holiday.

More than 50 dive spots offer something for everyone. Leisurely dives on reefs protected from strong currents exciting drift dives in channels and wreck dives.

The marine life includes a fantastic variety of hard and soft corals, dense schools of reef fish and regular encounters with dolphins, sea turtles and pelagic fish like Manta Rays, Eagle Rays, Sharks, Barracudas and Tunas.

Ocean-Pro also offers snorkelling excursions and courses. On these popular trips 2 reefs are visited and dolphins, turtles and rays can be seen.


SPA

There are many paths to wellness. Duniye Spa offers an exquisite range of treatments to start you on your journey. Our menu is flavoured by the world's time-honoured beauty, healing and rejuvenation traditions. These ancient traditions are reflected in the way the treatments are delivered-with mindfulness, grace and a spirit of generosity.

At Duniye Spa our philosophy follows a natural approach to body and skin care which infuses ancient beauty therapies. Our Thai, Indian and Balinese Staff are trained professionally in the health and beauty industry and deliver treatments from the heart and give for the sheer joy of giving.

For the ultimate Spa experience, enjoy a package to discover total wellness or simply enjoy one of the various treatments offered from our diverse Spa Menu. An unforgettable experience awaits you.

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posted by <$davincit <$Sunday, March 25, 2007a>

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The earthquake was initially reported as moment magnitude, Mw 9.0 (note that this is not the so-called Richter scale or local magnitude scale, Ml, which is known to saturate at higher magnitudes.) In February 2005 scientists revised the estimate of the magnitude to Mw9.3.[6] Although the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has accepted these new numbers, the United States Geological Survey has so far not changed its estimate of 9.1. The most recent studies in 2006 have obtained a magnitude of Mw 9.1 to 9.3. Dr. Hiroo Kanamori of the California Institute of Technology believes that Mw = 9.2 is a good representative value for the size of this great earthquake. Reference: EERI Publication 2006-06, page 14 [www.eeri.org]

The hypocentre of the main earthquake was at 3.316°N, 95.854°E (3°19′N 95°51.24′E), approximately 160 km (100 mi) west of Sumatra, at a depth of 30 km (19 mi) below mean sea level (initially reported as 10 km). The earthquake itself (apart from the tsunami) was felt as far away as Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore and the Maldives.

Indonesia lies between the Pacific Ring of Fire along the north-eastern islands adjacent to and including New Guinea and the Alpide belt along the south and west from Sumatra, Java, Bali, Flores, and Timor. The December 2004 earthquake actually occurred within the Alpide belt.[citation needed]

Great earthquakes such as the Sumatra-Andaman event, which are invariably associated with megathrust events in subduction zones, have seismic moments that can account for a significant fraction of the global earthquake moment across century-scale time periods. The Sumatra-Andaman earthquake was the largest earthquake since 1964, and the second largest since the Kamchatka earthquake of October 16, 1737.


Of all the seismic moment released by earthquakes in the 100 years from 1906 through 2005, roughly one-eighth was due to the Sumatra-Andaman event. This quake, together with the Good Friday Earthquake (Alaska, 1964) and the Great Chilean Earthquake (1960), account for almost half of the total moment. The much smaller but still catastrophic 1906 San Francisco earthquake is included in the diagram at right for perspective. Mw denotes the magnitude of an earthquake on the moment magnitude scale.

Since 1900 the only earthquakes recorded with a greater magnitude were the 1960 Great Chilean Earthquake (magnitude 9.5) and the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake in Prince William Sound (9.2). The only other recorded earthquake of magnitude 9.0 or greater was off Kamchatka, Russia, on November 4, 1952 (magnitude 9.0).[7] Each of these megathrust earthquakes also spawned tsunamis in the Pacific Ocean, but the death toll from these was significantly lower. The worst of these caused only a few thousand deaths, primarily because of the lower population density along the coasts near affected areas and the much greater distances to more populated coasts.

Other very large megathrust earthquakes occurred in 1868 (Peru, Nazca Plate and South American Plate); 1827 (Colombia, Nazca Plate and South American Plate); 1812 (Venezuela, Caribbean Plate and South American Plate) and 1700 (Cascadia Earthquake, western U.S. and Canada, Juan de Fuca Plate and North American Plate). These are all believed to have been of greater than magnitude 9, but no accurate measurements were available at the time.

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posted by <$davincit <$Sunday, March 25, 2007a>

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The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, known by the scientific community as the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake,[1] was a great undersea earthquake that occurred at 00:58:53 UTC (07:58:53 local time) December 26, 2004 with an epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The earthquake triggered a series of devastating tsunamis along the coasts of most landmasses bordering the Indian Ocean, killing large numbers of people and inundating coastal communities across South and Southeast Asia, including parts of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand. Although initial estimates had put the worldwide death toll at over 275,000 with thousands of others missing, more recent analysis compiled by the United Nations lists a total of 229,866 people lost, including 186,983 dead and 42,883 missing.[2] The figure excludes 400 to 600 people who are believed to have perished in Myanmar which is more than that government's official figure of only 61 dead.[3] The catastrophe is one of the deadliest disasters in modern history. The disaster is known in Asia and in the international media as the Asian Tsunami, and also called the Boxing Day Tsunami in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom as it took place on Boxing Day. Coincidentally, the tsunami occurred exactly one year after the 2003 earthquake that devastated the southern Iranian city of Bam and exactly two years before the 2006 Hengchun earthquake.

The magnitude of the earthquake was originally recorded as 9.0 on the Richter scale, but has been upgraded to between 9.1 and 9.3. At this magnitude, it is the second largest earthquake ever recorded on a seismograph. This earthquake was also reported to be the longest duration of faulting ever observed, lasting between 500(8.3 minutes) and 600(10 minutes)seconds, and it was large enough that it caused the entire planet to vibrate as much as half an inch, or over a centimetre.[4] It also triggered earthquakes in other locations as far away as Alaska.[5]

The earthquake originated in the Indian Ocean just north of Simeulue island, off the western coast of northern Sumatra. The resulting tsunami devastated the shores of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and other countries with waves up to 30 m (100 ft). It caused serious damage and deaths as far as the east coast of Africa, with the farthest recorded death due to the tsunami occurring at Rooi Els in South Africa, 8,000 km (5,000 mi) away from the epicentre. In total, eight people in South Africa died due to abnormally high sea levels and waves.


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posted by <$davincit <$Sunday, March 25, 2007a>

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Atoll Summary
Administrative name Thaa Atoll
Atoll name Kolhumadulu Atoll
Location 2° 34' N and 2° 10' N
Letter N
Abbreviation Th (ތ)
Capital Veymandoo
Population 13846
No. of Islands 66
Inhabited Islands 13
Atoll Chief -
Inhabited Islands
Burunee Dhiyamingili Gaadhiffushi Guraidhoo Hirilandhoo Kandoodhoo Kinbidhoo Madifushi Omadhoo Thimarafushi Vandhoo Veymandoo Vilufushi

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posted by <$davincit <$Sunday, March 25, 2007a>

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Atoll Summary
Administrative name Dhaalu Atoll
Atoll name Nilandhé Atoll
Location 3° 20' N and 3° 03' N
Letter M
Abbreviation Dh (ދ)
Capital Kudahuvadhoo
Population 6694
No. of Islands 56
Inhabited Islands 8
Atoll Chief Mohamed Shafeeu [1]
Inhabited Islands
Bandidhoo Gemendhoo Hulhudheli Kudahuvadhoo Maaenboodhoo Meedhoo Rinbudhoo Vaanee
Uninhabited Islands
Aluvifushi Bodufushi Bulhalafushi Dhebaidhoo Dhoores Enboodhoofushi Faandhoo Gaadhiffushi Hiriyanfushi Hudhufusheefinolhu Hulhuvehi Issari Kandinma Kanneiyfaru Kedhigandu Kiraidhoo Lhohi Maadheli Maafushi Maagau Maléfaru Meedhuffushi Minimasgali Naibukaloabodufushi Olhuveli Thilabolhufushi Thinhuraa Uddhoo Valla Vallalhohi Velavaroo Vonmuli


Dhaalu Atoll is one of 26 atolls that are located in the Maldives. Its 56 islands stretch 23km from east to west, and 38km north to south. Eight of the islands are inhabited, with a total population of around 6694. Opened to tourism in 1998, the atoll has become a popular location for SCUBA diving. The capital island is Kudahuvadhoo, located at the atoll's southern tip.



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posted by <$davincit <$Sunday, March 25, 2007a>

<$Friday, March 23, 2007h5>
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Faafu Atoll (F.) is located between latitude 3° 20' N and 3° 03' N. Situated to the south of Alif Dhaalu Atoll, Faafu Atoll has 5 inhabited islands , 1 resort and a few uninhabited islands. Eventhough the atoll is relatively small, most of the inhabited islands are large with relatively small populations. Nilandhoo, the capital has a population of about 1500 while Dharaboodhoo has less than 500 person


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posted by <$davincit <$Friday, March 23, 2007a>

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Atoll Summary
Administrative name
Meemu Atoll
Atoll name
Mulaku Atoll
Location
3° 11' N and 2° 45' N
Letter
K
Abbreviation
M (މ)
Capital
Muli
Population
6459
No. of Islands
33
Inhabited Islands
9
Atoll Chief
Ahmed Saavi
Inhabited Islands
Dhiggaru Kolhufushi Madifushi Maduvvaree Mulah Muli Naalaafushi Raimmandhoo Veyvah
Meemu Atoll (M.) is located between latitude 3° 11' N and 2° 45' N. Situated to the south of Vaavu Atoll, Meemu Atoll has 9 inhabited islands with populations ranging from 1500 in Mulah to 850 in Muli, the atoll capital. There are two tourist resorts and a number of small uninhabited islands. Meemu Atoll is famous for fishing notaby Dhiggaru and Maduvvari has a combined population of about 1800.

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posted by <$davincit <$Friday, March 23, 2007a>

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Island summary
Belongs to Kaafu Atoll
Location 4°10′N 73°30′E
Population 81,647 (2004)
Length 1.7 km / 1.05 miles
Width 1.0 km / 0.62 miles

Malé (Dhivehi: މާލެ), (pronounced: "Maa-lay") population 81,647 (2004), is the capital of the Republic of Maldives. The city is located on Malé Island in the Kaafu Atoll. Although Malé is geographically located in Kaafu Atoll, administratively it is not considered part of it. A commercial harbour is located in the Island. It is the heart of all commercial activities in the country. Many government buildings and agencies are located on the waterfront. Malé International Airport is on adjacent Hulhule Island which includes a seaplane base for internal transportation. Several land reclamation projects have expanded the harbour. Malé is located at 4°10' North, 73°30' East (4.1667, 73.5).

The town of Malé was founded by Portuguese traders in the 16th century.

The island is heavily urbanised, the city taking up essentially its entire landmass. It is the world's most densely populated city (see list of selected cities by population density). Slightly less than one third of the nation's population lives in the capital city. Many, if not most, Maldivians and foreign workers in Maldives find themselves in occasional short term residence on the island due to it being the only entry point to the nation and the centre of all administration and bureaucracy.

The town is divided into four divisions; Henveiru, Galolhu, Maafannu and Machangolhi. Male'viligili (a near by island) is the fifth division considered by the government.

Malé was struck by the tsunami that swept across the western coast of Sumatra on December 26, 2004. It was affected by the Indian Ocean earthquake which followed with the waves flooding two-thirds of the city. The earthquake and subsequent tsunamis reportedly killed over 220,000 people around the rim of the Indian Ocean.

The name
The name Malé is taken from the word "Mahaalay" which has come from the Sanskrit language. The name is derived from maha, meaning "big" or "great" and aalay meaning house. Generally the word Mahaalay is used for the palace of a king or capital (king's island) in Sanskrit, e.g. Mahaalay of King Asok

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posted by <$davincit <$Friday, March 23, 2007a>

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LOCATION

The Maldives is the best-kept secret of the Indian Ocean, 'paradise lost' waiting to be rediscovered. The 26 atolls and 1,190 beautiful sun-kissed islands south of Sri Lanka are nothing short of a natural wonder with their untouched Eco-systems and unparalleled bio-diversity. With over 900 species of fish, the Maldives boasts some of the most breathtaking dive sites in the world.Occupying the entire island of Vabbinfaru, the jewel of the North Malé Atoll, Banyan Tree Maldives Vabbinfaru lies in secluded luxury, yet merely 20 minutes by speedboat from the airport and Malé, the capital of the Maldives. Surrounded by dazzling white talc sand and the bluest of waters teeming with an astonishing abundance of soft corals and fish sparkling in brilliant colors, the exquisite beauty of this tropical haven is all yours. The beaches and surrounding waters remain accessible only to our guests.


ACCOMMODATION


Vabbinfaru Villa
Stay at the lavish Vabbinfaru Villa for an extravagant beach hideaway with a personal touch, including a chilled bottle of champagne upon arrival. Enjoy the luxury of a large landscaped garden with ocean views, al fresco living pavilion, beach ‘sala’ pavilion, sundeck, Jacuzzi and outdoor shower. Families can opt for two or three inter-connecting Deluxe Beachfront Villas. Ample space makes the Vabbinfaru Villa ideal for small wedding parties; yet, priceless privacy can be found within each villa. Sit back and let the shooting stars fall into your lap.

Deluxe Beachfront Villa
The natural beauty of Vabbinfaru Island can now be experienced in the plush comfort of the new Deluxe Beachfront Villa. The stylish interior has been designed to be bright and breezy – it opens on to a large sundeck at the front that leads to the powder-soft beach and into a glitzy bathroom at the back with an outdoor Jacuzzi and garden shower. Here you can take part in the play of nature and count the hues of the changing sky, as the stunning sunrise, sunset and star-filled night sky leave their shimmering reflections on the lagoon.

Deluxe Oceanview Villa
The new Deluxe Oceanview Villa invites you to relish the heavenly tranquility of an enchanting garden from your own pavilion. While featuring the same facilities and comfort as a Deluxe Beachfront Villa, the secluded garden setting of the new Deluxe Oceanview Villa is much treasured for its generous space, privacy and shady greenery. The beach peeps through the leaves and entices you to soak up a golden tan, laze around and see your footsteps disappear in the sand as the winds blow from the sea. A heavenly place to pamper yourself with an in-villa BBQ or soothing massage.

Beachfront Villa
With its private outdoor Jacuzzi and sundeck by the beach, the Beachfront Villa is ideally suited for a romantic getaway. Watch the spectacular ocean vista unfold from the terrace, while the balmy sea breeze cools the room. Or step onto the silky sand of the beach and swim above the virtually untouched house reef with its glorious display of color and the occasional trumpet fish, harmless baby shark and turtle.

Oceanview Villa
The Oceanview Villa delivers unparalleled privacy with its very own open-air Jacuzzi on a wooden patio and a sala (pavilion) in the walled garden. Relax under the shade of the pavilion while sipping your cocktail. Immerse yourself in the bubbling waters of the Jacuzzi and feel the tension seep away from your body as you drift off to the sound of waves lapping on the picture-perfect shores.


DINING AND BARS


Day or night, wining and dining in the breathtaking natural beauty of the Maldives is simply unforgettable. A romantic experience you will cherish forever. Banyan Tree Maldives Vabbinfaru offers excellent dining choices ranging from eclectic Maldivian and International cuisine at Ilaafathi restaurant to candlelit dinners under the stars. You can be sure that the cuisine is delectable, the setting exquisite and the atmosphere awe-inspiring. Bon Appetit or Ufaaveri Keumeh, as they say in Dhivehi.

Ilaafathi Restaurant
Tuck into scrumptious Maldivian and International treats in the casual setting of Ilaafathi restaurant. Set right on the beach with a natural Alang-Alang roof, this beachfront eatery serves extravagant buffet breakfasts and superb set dinners that will make you come back for more.

Naiboli Bar
Appetizing snacks are served all day long at our open-air Naiboli Bar, along with your favorite cocktails. You can while away many happy hours here chatting with friends, having a game of snooker, or simply unwinding in the warm and friendly atmosphere. Perfect for a light appetite in the middle of the day.

Private Dining
Fancy having a wildly romantic candlelit barbecue dinner in the intimacy of your villa or by the beach? We'll arrange that for you and even provide you with your very own private chef and waiter. Spoilt by our attentive service and fine cuisine, you will feel pampered like royalty.

Sandbank Dining
Have you ever dreamt of sweeping your loved one off the feet with a romantic dinner that is out of this world? Let your imagination run wild and we'll make your dreams come true by taking you to a stunning sandbank by speedboat. The breathtaking view of the sun setting over the Indian Ocean will whet your appetite, revealing the magical night sky of a billion stars and the hypnotic melody of the ocean. Once ushered to a table of gourmet victuals and champagne, with only the moon and torches lighting your feast, the universe is reduced to just the two of you. What a wonderful way to start the evening. Simply perfect.


RECREATION


If you venture beyond the pampered realm of your villa and the wonderfully slow Maldivian pace of life, you'll find a wealth of recreational diversions. For a start, you can dive or snorkel in the transparent brilliance of the ocean, explore its riches, and go deep-sea or night fishing. After all, this is a paradise renowned for superlative fishing, sailing, diving and snorkeling. If you prefer, sit in the shallow waters and watch the myriad of exotic schools of fish dart in and out of the light, or go kite flying with the clear blue sky as the backdrop.

Then, there are ball and racket games you can play with your partner. For more vigorous workouts, head for the resort's health club. And for the less actively inclined, a ramble around Malé exploring its sights and shopping, or a promenade along the beach are just as rousing. If the sun gets to you, simply retire to the resort's TV room for board games or some quiet reading.

- Water sports facilities: snorkeling, PADI dive center, deep-sea fishing, night fishing, water-skiing, windsurfing,
catamaran sailing, canoeing and fun tubes
- Ball and racket games: beach volleyball, table tennis, snooker and badminton
- TV room with reading area and board games
- Underwater camera rental
- Health club
- Excursions: Malé sightseeing, island hopping, snorkeling safari, private yacht charter and sea plane trips.

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posted by <$davincit <$Friday, March 23, 2007a>

<$Tuesday, March 20, 2007h5>
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Free 30 days Visa upon arrival for all visitors

- Visitors entering the Republic of Maldives should fulfill the following requirement for the grant of an entry permit into the country.

- Possession of a valid international travel document issued by the Government of a Sovereign State.

- Possession of a valid return air ticket to a destination where the passenger has permission to enter, together with necessary visas for the onward journey to the next destination.

- Possession of minimum of US$30.00 per person per day or confirmed hotel reservation for the intended period of stay in the Maldives. Following are exempted from this requirement.

Diplomats
UN Personnel
Approved persons for employment
Technical and other experts attached to the Government
Those who have confirm bookings in registered tourist resort/hotels etc.
Those sponsored by Maldivians
- No prior visa is required to enter the Republic of Maldives. Entry permit will be granted to visitors on arrival at designated ports of entry, based on the immigration requirements.

- An entry permit does not allow an visitor to take up employment, set up any business or exercise any profession whether paid or unpaid except with the consent and in conformity with the pertinent laws and regulations of the Maldives. However, a visitor or foreign delegation visiting the Maldives to conclude business agreements, contracts or to negotiate business transactions with their counterparts do not require work permits if the stay does not exceed the duration granted on arrival.

- An expatriate must obtain a work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources Employment and Labour prior to arrival in Maldives to engage in employment.

- Visitors who stay beyond the period for which they have been approved may be deported.

- The Government of Maldives refuses admission and transit to holder of Merchant Seaman books.

- Disembarkation and Embarkation card shall be filled by every passenger and submitted to the Immigration Officer on entry.

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posted by <$davincit <$Tuesday, March 20, 2007a>

<$Saturday, March 17, 2007h5>
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Tourism is the largest economic industry in the Maldives, as it plays an important role in earning foreign exchange revenues and generating employment in the tertiary sector of the country. The archipelago of the Maldives is the main source of attraction to many tourists visiting the country worldwide.

History
In the ancient times, Maldives had established relations with Arab, Persian, Malayan, Indonesian and Chinese seafarers causing the islands to be frequently visited by them.

The location of Maldives along the ancient marine trade routes from the West to the East caused the explorers to stop by to hunt for fish or to acquire supplies such as money cowrie used for exchange then. This resulted in the recognition of the islands among the international community. The visits made by these traders also left imprints on the culture of Maldives to this day.

Well-known travelers who have visited the Maldives in the ancient times include the Moroccan traveler Ibn Battuta (in 1343) who acknowledged the Maldives as 'one of the wonders of the world', François Pyrard de Laval of France, H.C.P. Bell of Britain and Marco Polo of Italy.


Reasons for Tourism
Maldives is famous for its natural beauty which includes the blue ocean and white beaches, accompanied by the tropical climate. The climate of the Maldives is ideal for visitors to get engaged in water sports such as swimming, fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, water-skiing and windsurfing. Due to its extraordinary underwater scenery and clean water, Maldives is also ranked among one of the best diving destinations of the world. [1]


Overview of a tropical resort

A Maldivian tourist resortA tourist resort in the Maldives consists of an exclusive hotel on its own island, with its population entirely based on tourists and work force, with no local people or houses.

These islands developed for tourism are approximately 800 by 200 metres in size and are composed of sand and coral to a maximum height of about 2 metres above the sea. In addition to its beach encircling the island, each island has its own "house reef" which serves as a coral garden and natural aquarium for scuba divers and snorkelers. The shallow water enclosed by the house reef also serves as a large natural swimming pool and protects swimmers from the ocean waves and strong tidal currents outside the house reef.

The buildings on a typical resort includes rooms and suites reserved for use by its guests, restaurants, cafes, shops, lounges, bars, discos and dive schools. A portion of the island also contains staff lodgings and support services such as catering, power generators, laundry, and a sewerage plant. On-island shops offer a wide range of products, such as souvenirs and artifacts. The resorts offer a wide variety of activities such as aerobics, volleyball and table tennis.


Ecotourism in Maldives
The promotion of ecotourism is practiced in the Maldives as it is a beach resort country with fragile natural habitats. Resorts such as Soneva Gili emphasizes on the promotion of ecotourism such as recycling of heat that is wasted in producing elctricity in the resort and it also has policies of waste disposal.

Furthermore, the government aims to conserve the natural beauty of the islands before they are being altered into resorts by enforcing laws such as prohibition of catching turtles and reduction in the damages caused to the coral reefs

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posted by <$davincit <$Saturday, March 17, 2007a>

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Maldives has a policy of encouraging foreign financial investment. The law on foreign investments (Law 25/79) guarantees the security of investments and accords fair and equitable treatment under law for the investors. The country’s foreign investments policy allows 100% foreign owned enterprises and joint venture companies. The shares and profits thus earned can be freely transferred abroad without undue formalities.

Moreover, the country’s history of political stability resulting from the homogeneous nature of society, and the absence of ethnic and communal unrest that can disrupt the economy, makes Maldives an ideal choice for trade and investment. Foreign investment is encouraged in a number of key economic areas such as tourism, transport, fisheries, financial, infrastructure development and other services sectors.


Foreign Investment Bureau

The Foreign Investments Service Bureau was established in 1987, under the ministry of trade and industries, to administer and facilitate foreign investments. It provides the institutional framework necessary for the effective management of foreign investments.


Banks in Maldives
Maldives Monetary Authority that was established in 1981, was the nation's first central bank. List of other banks:

Bank of Maldives
State Bank of India
Habib Bank
Bank Of Ceylon Limited

Insurance companies
Allied Insurance Company [1]
Insurance Corporation Of Sri Lanka

Public companies
The Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), was incorporated in the Maldives in 1980. Its corporate structure is 60% government and 40% public subscription. The company’s authorized capital was 12.5 million rufiyaa of 250,000 shares, at 50 Rufiyaa per share. The Company opened its doors to business in January 1981. MTCC’s main areas of business are marine transportation, construction, machinery and spare parts, real estate and other contracting activities.


Import and Export
External trade has always been an important component of the Maldivian economy. Being a seafaring nation, the Maldives has for centuries, carried out overseas trade with other countries in the region. The ancient trade in cowry shells was a monopoly of the Maldives, where the money shells were cultivated for export.

Traditional exports consisted of copra, smoked and dried fish (Maldive fish), tortoise shells, and ambergris and coir rope. Woven garments, mats and embroidery items were also exported in the past. However, in time, fish became the dominant export commodity of the Maldives.

Today, export destinations include South East Asia, Europe and the United States. Domestic exports consist mainly of garments and fish or fish related products such as frozen and caned tuna, tropical aquarium fish. Dried and salted fish are still exported, in small quantities Re exports consist of jet fuel and duty free imports sold to tourists. Following the relaxing of export controls in 1990, there has been a significant growth in exports from the private sector. The government’s policy is aimed towards relaxing any remaining controls on exports. There is no export duty in the Maldives.

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posted by <$davincit <$Saturday, March 17, 2007a>


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