Little known things about the most flat country in the world

Maldives is made up of about 1,200 islands with altitudes not exceeding 2.4 meters above sea level.

As a country in Asia, the Maldives is about 800km southwest of Sri Lanka. With white sand beach and deep blue water, this is one of the most famous vacation destinations in the world. Of the millions of visitors who come here every year, not many people know about the interesting things of this country.

Made up of 1,200 islands

Of the 1,200 islands in the Indian Ocean that form the Maldives, about 200 islands are inhabited. In particular, the capital Malé (Kafuu island) is the most populated area, estimated at over 100,000 people. The remaining islands are used for various activities, mainly tourism.

Addu Atoll is the highest place in the Maldives.(Photo: Travel Padi).

The most flat country in the world

Maldives has a flat terrain and no islands are 2.4 meters above sea level. This makes the Maldives on the list of affected countries when the sea level rises. According to Express UK , "ground paradise" may disappear in the next few decades, due to global warming.

Alcohol is only legal in the resort

Alcohol, beer or alcohol are prohibited in the Maldives. The only place these drinks are legal is in hotels and resorts. Here, people mainly use imported tea and Raa (a fermented beverage, extracted from palm trees).

Friday and Saturday are weekends

Unlike the Western countries, the working day in the Maldives starts from Sunday to the end of every Thursday. Weekends in this Muslim country will fall on Friday and Saturday.

There is a glowing beach

In the middle of June and October, on the island of Vaadloo, in the administrative district of Raa, Maldives will have luminescent beaches. This phenomenon is the result of a chemical reaction between glowing plankton and oxygen. This creature often lives in the Indian Ocean, especially around the islands between summer and winter. They glow when there are effects like waves, ships moving. So you can use your hands and feet to create beautiful light trails on the Maldives beach.

Rich nature

With 99% of the sea area, Maldives possesses a rich flora and fauna, especially corals. There are more than 2,000 species of fish and more than 5,000 coral reefs, with some species such as stingrays, anemones, jellyfish, and sharks.

Snorkelling is a tourist attraction in the Maldives.(Photo: Dive Report).

In particular, Baa Atolls Biosphere Reserve was recognized by UNESCO in 2011. This is the largest coral reef in the Indian Ocean and many endangered species such as green turtles, hawk turtles, Fierce nurse shark. Maldives is one of the best diving spots in the world. Just dive a few meters from the shore, visitors can swim with colorful creatures and discover coral through the glass.