Thaana, Tãnaa, Taana or Tāna is the present writing system of the Maldivian language spoken in the Maldives. Thaana has characteristics of both an abugida and a true alphabet, with consonants derived from indigenous and Arabic numerals, and vowels derived from the vowel diacritics of the Arabic abjad. Maldivian orthography in Thaana is largely phonemic.
Huvadhu, Suvadive, Suvaidu or Suvadiva is the atoll with most islands in the world. The atoll is located in the Indian Ocean. It is south of the Suvadiva Channel in the Republic of Maldives with a total area of 3152 km2, of which 38.5 km2 is dry land. The atoll contains 255 islands.
The Rannamari was a sea monster from Maldivian folklore that was believed to have raped and murdered thousands of young women. It is said to be taller than palm trees, with a pitch-black colour and arms that reach its toes. According to stories, they performed a ritual to prevent more women from being abducted by taking the most beautiful woman from the island and leaving her on the beach for Rannamari to take. With this ritual, Rannamari would leave the rest of the women alone.
Kondey or Kondē is one of the inhabited islands of Northern Huvadhu Atoll, administrative code Gaafu Alifu.
Isdhoo or Isdū is one of the inhabited islands of Haddhunmathi Atoll, administrative code Laamu part of Maldives in the Indian Ocean.
Thoddoo is one of the inhabited islands of Alif Alif Atoll in the Republic of Maldives.
The culture of the Maldives is derived from a number of sources, the most important of which is its proximity to the shores of Sri Lanka and South India. The population is mainly Indo-Aryan from the anthropological point of view. Islam is considered the religion of the country and only Muslims can become legal citizens.
Established on the National Day of the Maldives, the first National Museum of the country was opened on 11 November 1952, by the Prime Minister at the time, Mohamed Amin Didi.
Maldivian mythology or Maldivian folklore is the body of myths, tales and anecdotes belonging to the oral tradition of Maldivians. Even though some of the Maldivian myths were already mentioned briefly by British commissioner in Ceylon HCP Bell towards the end of the 19th century, their study and publication were carried out only quite recently by Spanish writer and artist Xavier Romero-Frias, at a time when that ancestral worldview was quickly disappearing.
Al Sheikh Muhammed Jameel Didi, popularly known as Jameel Didi, was a Maldivian political figure and poet who was famous for his writings and speeches. He was born on 1 May 1915 to Abdullah Kamaaludhin the Attorney General and Fenfoa'gan'duvaru Aminaa Didi. At first, he studied at the Majeedhiyya School and later went abroad to Egypt and studied at Al-Azhar University. After returning, he became a member of the sentence committee. He later served as Minister of Justice from 10 September 1953 and as Attorney General from 30 May 1956.
Maldivian cuisine, also called Dhivehi cuisine, is the cuisine of the Republic of Maldives and of Minicoy, India. The traditional cuisine of Maldivians is based on three main items and their derivatives: coconuts, fish and starches.
Buddhism was the predominant religion in the Maldives until at least the 12th century CE. It is not clear how and when Buddhism was introduced into the islands.
Koimala Siri Mahaabarana Mahaa Radun or Koimala or Koimala Kalo is the last pre-Islamic and the earliest verifiable ruler of the Maldives. He reigned from A.D. 1117 to A.D. 1141.
The Giraavaru people are indigenous people of the Giravaaru islands that is part of Maldives. They are considered to be the earliest island community of the Maldives, predating Buddhism and the arrival of Indo-Aryan speakers in the archipelago. Their ancestors were ancient Tamil people who they referred to as 'Tamila'. Other mainstream Maldivians considered them to be of lower social status. They lived on the island of Giravaru until 1972, but were later relocated to Male', the nation's capital where they were assimilated in with the local social groups.
The Malé Friday Mosque or the Malé Hukuru Miskiy also known as the Old Friday Mosque is one of the oldest and most ornate mosques in the city of Malé, Kaafu Atoll, Maldives. Coral boulders of the genus Porites, found throughout the archipelago, are the basic materials used for construction of this and other mosques in the country because of its suitability. Although the coral is soft and easily cut to size when wet, it makes sturdy building blocks when dry. The mosque was added to the tentative UNESCO World Heritage cultural list in 2008 as unique examples of sea-culture architecture.
Xavier Romero Frías is a Spanish writer and scholar. He lived among the Maldivians over a 13-year period. His present residence is in Bangkok, Thailand.
The representation of the Maldivian language in the Latin script varies from one scheme to another.
Launaea sarmentosa is a perennial herb species in the family Asteraceae. It is native to coastal areas in Africa, Madagascar, the Seychelles, Mauritius, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Southeast Asia. It is naturalized in Western Australia.
Gulha is a typical and popular Maldivian short eat.
The Sultanate of Maldives was an Islamic monarchy that controlled the Maldivian Archipelago for 815 years (1153–1968), with interruption.
