Maldives

Imagine cloudless blue skies, shining cobalt seas, glistening white beaches, year-round sunshine and fantastic diving and snorkeling. That’s The Maldives! This island nation, settled in 1500 BC, is made up of 1,190 coral atolls scattered around 26 keys covering 120 square miles. Situated in the stunning blue Indian Ocean southwest of India, it has the lowest overall elevation in the world. It is one of the countries most threatened by climate change and rising sea levels.Malé is the bustling capital city of the country and is well worth exploring. Life moves at a brisk pace in this commercial center of the Maldives. Here you’ll find that the islands’ laid-back resorts and barefoot culture is replaced by business attire and brisk bazaars. You’ll find markets, mosques and museums in lieu of jungle hikes and watersports. Tea shops abound for a quick snack while fresh seafood is a staple at most restaurants. When it comes to souvenirs, The Maldives is famous for its exquisite crafts such as lacquer work and woven mats.