White sandy beaches sparkling in the sun alongside crystal clear lagoons would be an idyllic place to spend a perfect holiday. So visit the Maldives. Sun, sand and sea, a thousand 'Robinson Crusoe' islands, massive lagoons with different depths and infinite shades of blue and turquoise, dazzling underwater coral gardens; a perfect natural combination for the ideal tropical holiday destination. However there is more to the Maldives than just that.

A string of pearls scattered over the deep blue Indian Ocean - The first glimpse you get of this fascinating atoll formation confirms two unique aspects of the Republic of Maldives. Not only does it consist of the most beautiful tropical islands, but 99% of its 90.000 kmē is covered by the sea. 1190 islands are spread over 26 atolls, ring like coral formations enclosing a lagoon, which gives the Maldives its unique paradise-like appearance.

With its natural charm and pristine beauty, the Maldives is today widely described as the last paradise. Fascination with the Maldives is by no means recent; it goes back through the mists of time to antiquity. The islands, which rose out of the ocean in rings and rows of marvel, and stretched across the traditional shipping lanes of the region, were a crucial crossroads for early civilizations.

It is said that nobody can accurately say how many islands there are in the Maldives if one counts the smaller islets and sandbanks. The commonly agreed upon figure is 1,190. The highest point on any given island is no more than a meter and a half above sea level. Coconut palms and various tropical plants grow in abundance on most islands and present an idyllic setting for those who love nature at its best.

The Maldives has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year round and a great deal of sunshine. The warm tropical climate results in relatively minor variations in daily temperature throughout the year. The hottest month on average is April and the coolest, December. The weather is determined largely by the monsoons.

There is a significant variation in the monthly rainfall levels. February is the driest with January to April being relatively dry, May and October records the highest average monthly rainfall. The southwest monsoon or hulhangu from May to September is the wet season. Rough seas and strong winds are common during this period. The northeast monsoon iruvai falls between December to April. This is a period of clear skies, lower humidity and very little rain.

The Maldives is in the equatorial belt and therefore severe storms and cyclones are extremely rare events. The Maldives is generally warm and humid. Sun shines all year through. Average temperature around 29 - 32 degrees Celsius.

The international cuisines and dishes served at the restaurants and coffee shops at the resorts are masterfully blended by well-trained chefs to add to your unforgettable experience in the Maldives. Continental, Thai, Chinese, Italian, French, Indian as well as a la carte menus are available in most of the resorts.

The importance that the resort operators attach to the satisfaction of guests are substantiated by the fact that a number of resorts employ chefs from Europe and Asia so that the particular tastes of the guests from these regions could be served without any blemish.

Worried paradise will be too laid back for you? Have a look at the many activities available, here.