Male

State

Country

Republic of Maldives

Continent

Asia

Size

8 KM²

Population

227,486

Spending Budget

$1,500 - $2,500

Famous For

Coral Islands
Clear Waters
Water Sports and Adventure Activities

Best Time to Visit

January
February
March
April
November
December

History

Traditionally it was the King's Island, from where the ancient royal dynasties ruled and where the palace was located. The city was then called Mahal. Formerly it was a walled city surrounded by fortifications and gates. The Royal Palace was destroyed along with the picturesque forts and bastions when the city was remodelled under President Ibrahim Nasir's rule in the aftermath of the abolition of the monarchy in 1968. However, the Malé Friday Mosque remains. In recent years, the island has been considerably expanded through land-filling operations. Over the years, Malé has been the center of political protests and milestone events.

Present Day

Malé is the capital and most populous city in the Republic of Maldives. It is also one of the most densely populated cities in the world. The city is geographically located at the southern edge of North Malé Atoll. Administratively, the city consists of a central island, an airport island, and four other islands governed by the Malé City Council. Although Malé is geographically located in Kaafu Atoll, administratively it is not considered part of it. The central part of the city is formed by the island of Malé. Five more islands form part of the city. A commercial harbour is located on the central island and serves as the heart of all commercial activities in the country. Velana International Airport is Located in the Island of Hulhulé.

Future

The country has been a development success; enjoying robust growth coupled with considerable development of the country’s infrastructure and connectivity. It has also provided high quality and affordable public services for its people, resulting in impressive health and education indicators with a literacy rate approaching 100%, and life expectancy of over 78 years. More than 30 percent of the population live in the capital city Male’. It has managed to attain upper middle-income status and reduce poverty through the successful development of high-end tourism.

Must Visit Places ------------

Male Fish Market

As the name suggests, the Male Fish Market is a market selling fresh fish and seafood. Though what is unique about this market is that you can find almost any kind of fish here. The market is very vibrant and colourful and is a great place to watch the life of Maldivian people up-close. The Male Fish Market is also a great place to take photographs and none of the shopkeepers mind if you take pictures of their wares.

Male Local Market

Male has several markets selling souvenirs like miniatures of boats and mats, brooms and slippers made out of palm and coconut leaves. When in the market don’t forget to try some of their fresh coconut milk. Other things to pick up while shopping in Maldives include wooden flower vases, decorations made out of seashells and lacquer ware. Also make sure you head to the market with the local currency, as most of the locals are not familiar with exchange rates of other currencies.

Grand Friday Mosque

The Islamic Centre is an architectural landmark in Malé, Maldives opened in November 1984 by President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. The Grand Friday Mosque located in the Centre is named after one of the most celebrated Maldivian heroes, Sultan Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al Auzam of the Maldives. The mosque is the largest in the Maldives, and also one of the largest in South Asia, admitting over 5,000 people. Furthermore, the Islamic Centre acts as a major tourist attraction of Malé, because of its location near the main jetty of Malé and due to the beautiful architecture of the mosque.

Hukuru Miskiiy

The Malé Friday Mosque is one of the oldest and most ornate mosques in the city of Malé, Kaafu Atoll, Maldives. Coral boulders of the genus Porites, found throughout the archipelago, are the basic materials used for construction of this and other mosques in the country because of its suitability. Although the coral is soft and easily cut to size when wet, it makes sturdy building blocks when dry. The mosque was added to the tentative UNESCO World Heritage cultural list in 2008 as unique examples of sea-culture architecture.

National Museum

With the purpose of preserving history and instilling patriotism among the people of the Maldives, the museum has a large collection of historical artifacts, ranging from stone objects to fragments of royal antiquities from the Buddhist era to the rule of Islamic monarchs. The three-story museum is located in the Sultan Park in Malé, which is part of the site of the Maldivian Royal Palace compound dating back to the 17th century. The two-storey Us-gēkolhu is the only remaining structure of the palace demolished by fire in 1968.

Artificial Beach

Artificial Beach, Male is one of the most beautiful and breathtaking human-made seashores in the Maldives and for a very good purpose. With breathtaking views and a pleasant climate, this seaside, formed like a crescent, has earned its spot as one of the most popular and preferred tourist destinations. The beach is located on the eastern seafront of the island and is very near to the Male city’s recreational centre. At first glance, the beach does not appear to be an artificial one and in fact, even though the water is not as deep as it is on the natural beaches, it is a famed swimming spot for the locals and visitors due to its lush blue Maldivian waters.

Sultan Park

Built beside the demolished Royal Palace in Maldives' capital city Male, Sultan Park, also known as the Rasrani Bageecha, is a public park formed after transforming the palace's royal gardens. The giant iron gate at the entrance of the park is the only piece that speaks of the palace's former glory. This green oasis in Male, the bustling capital, has ponds surrounded with white lilies which add seven stars to their beauty. Even after being centrally located in the city, Sultan Park manages to create a peaceful and calming atmosphere. The serenity is so much so that birds singing over the tree branches can be heard.

Sinamale Beach

The Sinamalé Bridge links the islands of Malé, Hulhulé and Hulhumalé in the Maldives. The 1.39 km long bridge has two car lanes and separate lanes for motorcycles, and pedestrians, and opened on 30 August 2018. It was originally called the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge due to funding received from the Chinese government. It is the first inter-island bridge in the Maldives.

Mulee Aage

Mulee Aage is the "Official Residence of the President of the Maldives". The Mulee'aage is located in the ward of Henveiru in the historic center of Malé. It is in close proximity to the Medhu Ziyaaraiy shrine, the Friday Mosque, and the Munnaru (Grand Minaret of Malé). Medhu Ziyaarai (literally 'Central Tomb') was a part of the original Mulee Aage building. Today, it is an enclave of Mulee Aage; separate from the building. It houses the tomb of Moroccan scholar Abul Barakat Yousef Al-Berberi, who is believed to have introduced Islam to the nation in 1153.

Tsunami Monument

The Tsunami Moment is a freestanding memorial to the victims of the devastating 2004 tsunami, located in Boduthakurufaanu Magu in southeast Malé. The tranquil location is perfect to reflect upon the events of the fateful day, and is frequented by history enthusiasts and kin of the victims. The beach nearby is a popular surfing spot too. The tsunami that struck the Indian Ocean on the 24th of December claimed the lives of 74 Maldivians, and the Tsunami Monument is a monument marvel that stands as a beacon of hope after tragedy. The 20 steel spheres encircling the monument symbolize the atolls of the country, while the rising pillars stand for the waves of the tsunami. The rods of the structure pay homage to the victims of the disaster and the names of the 74 victims are carved on the edifice.