Male’ is simply 10 minutes away from the airport by boat, is the capital of Maldives. Spread through a mere two square kilometers in area, the island is home to about 70,000 people. Male’ is also the centre of commerce and the seat of government, and the lifestyle of people in Male’ is unlike anywhere else in the Maldives.

Male’ is divided into four wards or administrative areas, while the nearby island of Villingili has recently been added as a satellite town of Male’, becomes its fifth ward. Regular ferries operate between Male’ and Villingili, which can be reached in less than 10 minutes.

Male’ is a busy island with modern glass-fronted office buildings, schools and hospitals, hotels and restaurants, paved roads and throngs of people going about their business.

Population is nearly 270,000. History reveals that the islands have been populated for more than 5,000 years. According to some researchers, sun worshippers who explored the world in reed ships discovered the islands.

Casual dress is general. T-shirts and cotton clothing are most suitable. In Male', the capital island, and in other inhabited islands, modest clothing is recommended.

Tourism is the key and leading industry in the Maldives and contributes close to 20 percent to the GDP, while traditional fisheries and trade follow close behind. The Maldivian economy is regarded as exemplary in the region, and welcomes foreign investment. The growth of the Maldivian economy has been averaging at over 10 percent since the 1980s. Per capita income for 1997 was recorded at US$ 900.00.

From Sunday to Thursday 7:30 - 14:30 in the government sector, and generally from 9:00 to 5:00 in the private sector. The weekend falls on Friday and Saturday.