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Malé, capital of Maldives photo by Shahee Ilyas –

Top 10 Intriguing Facts about Male Island, Maldives

Male Island is a no-brainer for tourists seeking respite from the busy metropolises of the West amidst natural beauty. The Maldives’ huge Male island is located in the Kaafu Atoll.

It is densely populated and highly urbanized. There are many things to do in Male because it has its unique personality that is worth investigating. You can spend some time here for blissfulness, with colourful dwellings, graffiti, and an entirely communal vibe.

There are numerous Male Island resorts to pick from for a memorable stay. During peak season, it is a good idea to book Male Island hotels ahead of time to prevent last-minute complications. Male offers the best chance to see the Maldives away from the resort buffet and infinity pool.

Male is a hive of activity, the engine driving Maldives’ economy and the forum for the country’s saga-worthy political struggles. Male is also pleasingly quirky – alcohol-free cafes and restaurants jostle with shops and lively markets and the general capital-city hubbub is very much present.

This island city may not have a huge number of sights, but it offers a very real chance to get a feel for the Maldives and to meet Maldivians. Here are the top 10 intriguing facts about the Island. 

1.  Male is the national capital of the Maldives

Male City Aerial, The Capital city of Maldives photo by Ibrahim Asad –

Male is situated on the southernmost tip of the North Male Atoll (Kaafu Atoll), directly across from the Maldives International Airport. The pint-sized city is the throbbing, mercantile capital of the Maldives’ famous tropical islands.

It is adjacent to an airport island (Velana International Airport) created on the sea to enable international travel, and both are managed and maintained by the city’s municipality.

As the seat of government for the Maldivians, it has central courts, a government hospital, public and private schools with instruction in English, and a vocational training school focused on engineering. 

2.  Male is the eighth most densely populated island in the world

It is the eighth most densely populated island in the world and the most populous city of the Maldives. With a population of 252,768 and an area of 8.30 square kilometres (3.20 sq. mi), it is also one of the most densely populated cities in the world.

Male Island is a densely crowded and fascinating place, notable mainly for its stark contrast to the laid-back pace of island life elsewhere in the country.

3. It’s the only island city in the world devoid of mountains

Paddlers with Male Skyline at Rear – Viliggili Island – Off Male – Maldives photo by
Adam Jones –

It’s the only island city in the world devoid of mountains, highlands, and rivers. It is a sea-dominated flat land. The surging waves of the sea and lush green vegetation instil natural charm and pristine beauty to it. Male (Kaafu) Atoll (coral formation)
is one of the 20 atoll groups of Maldives.

4. The city was once called Mahal

It was formerly known as the King’s Island, from which old royal dynasties governed and from which the palace was located. The city was then known as Mahal. It was once a walled city encircled by defences and gates (doroshi).

The Royal Palace (Gan’duvaru), as well as the magnificent forts (Koshi) and bastions (buruzu), were destroyed when the city was rebuilt under President Ibrahim Nasir’s authority in the aftermath of the monarchy’s overthrow in 1968. However, several structures persisted, like the Male Friday Mosque.

The island has grown significantly in recent years due to land-filling efforts. Male has been the site of numerous political protests and historic events over the years. Visitors can have a sunbath or go for a relaxing dip in the glistening waters.

5. The Island’s space was recovered from the sea to carter for its population

Malé Island photo by Syced –

Administratively, the city consists of a central island, an airport island, and four other islands governed by the Male City Council. Thanks to technological advances, the island has been expanded, with land reclaimed from the sea to accommodate
the city’s growing population and increased tourist numbers.

6. Male Island is a trade and tourist centre 

Photo by Ali Maah on

The Maldives is well-known for its vibrant culture, gorgeous beaches, expansive flora, and unique landmarks. Apart from its many beautiful monuments, the Maldives is also well-known for its water sports and other adventurous activities.

With all these features, Male Island has morphed into a reputable tourist destination. Due to its underwater scenery and clean water, Male Island is ranked among the best recreational tourist destinations in the world.

Tourism is the largest industry in the Maldives, accounting for 28% of GDP and more than 60% of the Maldives’ foreign exchange receipts. The GDP per capita expanded by 265% in the 1980s and a further 115% in the 1990s.

Over 90% of government tax revenue comes from import duties and tourism-related taxes. 

7. Ancient wonders awaiting Discovery can be found on the Island

The Maldives National Museum, located on Male Island, which was designed and constructed by the Chinese in the middle of the 20th century has a gallery that showcases some of the earliest weapons, household items, and religious relics.

The sole surviving building of what was once the Sultan’s palace is now the Maldivian National Museum, housing a scruffy, haphazard collection of royal
regalia and old photographs, including three moon rocks and a faded Maldivian flag that went to the moon.

At least there’s air-con and some semblance of English explanation.

8.  Male Island was flooded in 2004

Photo by Juan Manuel Sanchez on

After the Maldives was hit by a large tsunami brought on by an earthquake in the Indian Ocean close to Indonesia in December 2004, a substantial portion of the city was submerged. Males seawall, however, prevented more damage.

9. It has regulations on the dressing code for the locals

Because Islam is their official religion, they have some particular regulations that apply to inhabited islands. And because the clothing code on Male, the archipelago’s
most populated island, is stricter than on other islands.

Men should wear at least T-shirts and shorts below the knee while ladies are encouraged to cover their breasts and thighs.

10.  Male Island is famous for its breathtaking magnificent sandy beaches

Photo by Matheen Faiz on

White sand beaches line the Male coastline, which looks out over
the stunningly blue Indian

.