Area: 90,000 sq.kms (1,190 islands).

Geographical Location: Indian Ocean.

Latitude: 07’06’30" N to 00’41’48" S. Longitude: 72’32’30" E to 73’45’54" E.

Status: Republic.

Population: 2,38,368 (1993 official estimate).

Capital: Male (Area: 1.77 sq.kms).

Maldives Standard Time: +5 hrs GMT

Religion: 100% Sunni Muslim.

Languages: Dhivehi, English.

Literacy Rate: 98.2% (Age group 10-45 yrs)

Temperature: 30.4’ C (Mean Max),25.4’ C (Mean Min).

Monsoons: Southwest: May-October. Northeast: November-April.

Average Annual Rainfall: 1948.2 mm.

Currency: Maldivian Rufiyaa ( 1 US$=RF 11.72)

Working Hours : Banks 8 am - 1.30 p.m. (Sun to Th), Government Offices 7.30 am -2.30 p.m. (Sun to Thti), Fri and Sat holidays. Private Offices: Open between 8 am and 10 am and close between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., with a lunch break in between.

Credit Cards: American Express, Diners Club, Eurocard, JCB, MasterCard, and Visa.

Major Industries: Tourism, fish canning, manufacture of garments, boat building, and handicrafts.

National Tree: Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera).

National Flower: Pink Rose (Rosapdyantha).

Clothing: Light weight cottons and linens.

Shopping: The capital Mal6 being the center of commercial activity is the ideal place to shop. Shops open between 7.30 and 9.30 am, closing at 1 1 pm. On Fridays they open at 1.30 PM, closing as usual.

Air Transport : Apart from international flights operated by South Africa, Malaysia, India, Pakistan,

Water Transport: Local boats, or dhoanis (average speed 7 knots), are the most common means of water transport. One can make use of the regular ferry service operating between Male' and the International Airport, two kilometers to the east on the Hulhule' Island. Modern speedboats are also available for hire.

Entry: No prior visa arrangements are required. A tourist visa of 30 days will be given to visitors with valid travel documents, on arrival. Visitors should be in possession of a least US$25 per day of stay in the Maldives. For those coming from yellow fever infected regions, an international certificate of inoculation is required.