If you look at a map of the Indian Ocean, you might spot a tiny chain of dots scattered below India and Sri Lanka. Those dots are the Maldives — a nation made of islands so small that from above, they look like turquoise jewels floating on the sea. The Maldives is one of the world’s most unique countries, not because of its size, but because almost everything about it — from homes to schools to airports — exists on islands surrounded by water.
The Maldives is made up of about 1,200 islands grouped into 26 natural atolls, though only around 200 are inhabited. These islands were formed thousands of years ago from coral reefs that grew on the rims of ancient volcanoes. When the volcanoes sank below the sea, the corals stayed behind, creating circular lagoons known as atolls. Today, these reefs protect the islands and create some of the clearest blue waters anywhere on Earth.
Life in the Maldives has always been tied to the ocean. Fishing was once the main occupation, with tuna being the lifeblood of the islands. Even today, Maldivian fishermen still use traditional pole-and-line methods, which are both sustainable and centuries old. In the last few decades, however, tourism has become the country’s biggest source of income. Visitors from around the world come to see the white sandy beaches, dive among coral reefs, and stay in over-water villas that seem to float like dream houses on the sea.
Yet the Maldives is more than just a postcard paradise. It has a long and rich history shaped by travellers, traders, and sailors. Because of its position in the Indian Ocean, the islands were once an important stop on ancient sea routes connecting Arabia, Africa, and Asia. Ships from as far away as China and the Middle East stopped here to trade cowrie shells, which were once used as currency. The Maldives also came under the influence of different cultures over the centuries — Buddhist, Arab, Portuguese, and British — each leaving its mark on the islands’ language, food, and traditions. The Maldivian language, Dhivehi, still includes words borrowed from Arabic, Hindi, and Sinhalese.
The Maldives became an independent nation in 1965 and joined the United Nations the same year. Since then, it has developed quickly, building schools, hospitals, and airports across islands that were once reachable only by boat. Yet despite modernisation, Maldivians have preserved many of their traditions — from the rhythmic drumming of Bodu Beru performances to the art of weaving mats from palm leaves.
One of the most fascinating things about the Maldives is how close it is to the sea — literally. Most islands are only one or two metres above sea level, which makes the country extremely vulnerable to rising oceans caused by climate change. Scientists warn that if sea levels continue to rise, much of the Maldives could be underwater within the next century. The government has been working to raise awareness around the world about this issue. In 2009, Maldivian officials even held an underwater cabinet meeting to draw attention to the threat. Today, the Maldives is one of the leading voices in the fight against climate change.
The environment here is as fragile as it is beautiful. Coral reefs, which act as natural barriers against waves, are being damaged by warmer seas and pollution. When the water becomes too hot, corals expel the algae living inside them and turn white — a process called coral bleaching. To protect these reefs, the Maldives has set up marine protected areas and encourages eco-friendly tourism. Some resorts have their own marine biologists who teach visitors about coral restoration and sea life.
The underwater world around the Maldives is extraordinary. Divers and snorkellers can see manta rays gliding like underwater birds, sea turtles munching on seagrass, and even whale sharks — the largest fish in the ocean — drifting gently past. The reefs are alive with fish of every imaginable colour, from electric blue tangs to yellow butterflyfish. At night, some beaches glow with bioluminescent plankton, turning the shoreline into a scene from a fairy tale.
Maldivians have a close relationship with nature. Coconut palms, known as the “Tree of Life,” are used for everything — from building boats to making ropes and sweets. Traditional sailing boats called dhonis are still built by hand and used to travel between islands. Even in the capital city, Malé — one of the most densely populated islands in the world — the ocean is never far away. Boats line the harbours, and sea breezes mix with the scent of local food stalls selling spicy fish curries.
So the next time you see a picture of a tiny island surrounded by endless blue water, remember that it might just be one of the Maldivian pearls — a place where land and sea share the same heartbeat, and where every sunrise feels like a promise between people and the planet.