Malé

Male is the capital of Maldives. In the past, it was called the Sultan’s Island.
Currently, it is the seat of government, the commercial center, and the home to many religious and historical landmarks of the country. It has an area of about 1.77 square kilometers and has a population of over 6,000. It is definitely the most populous and busiest island in the whole archipelago.

There are a number of magnificent landmarks you should not miss when you are in Male, Maldives. For one, there is the Grand Friday Mosque. It is the largest in Maldives which includes an Islamic Center. The mosque is famous for its golden dome which adorns the face of Male. The mosque can accommodate more than 5,000 worshippers at one time.

Other significant sites in Male are the Presidential Palace (Mulee-aage), the tombs of the legendary saints, and the National Museum located in the Sultan Park. This museum bears the many memories of the archipelago’s glories in the past.

Now, if you wish to know more about the capital and how people live their daily routines, the best places to go are the markets. The fruit and vegetable market, as well as the firewood market, are colorful and busy places you would enjoy. They are immaculately clean until the clock strikes around 4 in the afternoon when the fisher-folk start arriving with their day’s catch.

Lastly, Male is also a great place to shop for imported items, although almost every shop also sells local handicrafts. If you wish to give unique presents to friends when you get back, then you will surely find great buys here.

Malé