Maldives

The Maldives, in the Republic of the Maldives, also called the Maldives Islands, an independent island country in the north-central Indian Ocean. It consists of a chain of about 1,200 small coral islands and sandbars (of which about 200 are inhabited), grouped in clusters or atolls. The islands stretch over 820 km from north to south and 130 km from east to west. The northernmost atoll lies about 600 km south-southwest of the Indian mainland, and the core area, including the capital island of Male (Malé), is about 645 km south-west of the Sri Lanka. The Maldives Islands are a series of coral atolls built from the crowns of an ancient submerged volcanic mountain range. All the islands are low-lying, with none rising more than 1.8 meters above sea level. Barrier reefs protect the islands from the destructive effects of the monsoons. The rainy season, from May to August, is brought by the southwest monsoon; from December to March, the northeast monsoon brings dry, mild winds. The average annual temperature ranges from 76 to 86°F (24 to 30°C). Rainfall averages about 84 inches (2,130 mm) per year. The atolls have sandy beaches, lagoons and lush vegetation of coconut palms, as well as breadfruit trees and tropical bushes. Fish abound in the reefs, lagoons and seas adjacent to the islands; sea ​​turtles are captured for their meat and for their oil, a traditional medicine.