Male

The capital city of Maldives is a modern cosmopolitan city, alive with activity almost twenty four hours a day. History proclaims that Male' was not always the capital city. It is said that the island of 'Rasgetheemu', meaning 'Kings Island' was where a Sri Lankan prince by the name of Koimala Kalo was proclaimed the first king, hence making her the capital island. Male' only became the capital after the king moved his throne there.

Male' now houses a population of more than 60,000 people in her 3.5 km2 land area. Even though the population of Male' has grown 10 times that in the 1920's, the island does not give an impression of being overcrowded.

One can say Male' is probably the safest, least stressful capital in the modern world. Anyone can walk the streets day and night without the fear of harassment or hassle. It is part of the incredible magic of Male' that this small, over-populated island can teach the world about coexistence and courtesy, qualities rare in some places around the globe. Male' is also the communication hub to the rest of the Republic. The latest technology is available, and communication is fast and efficient.

Places of Interest
The National Museum: Inside the Sultan Park, which housed the former Sultan's Palace, is the Maldivian National Museum where you can find an interesting collection of artifacts and archeological finds that reflect important aspects of the history of Maldives. The Museum is open on all weekdays.

Medhu Ziyaaraiy - the shrine of Barbary: Here lies the tomb of the Moroccan traveler, Abdul Barakaath Yoosuf Al Barbary, who is credited with converting the country to Islam. This is regarded as a very sacred site among the historical areas of Male'.

The Grand Mosque or Islamic Center: Built in 1984, this three story center houses an Islamic Library, a conference hall, classrooms and the Grand Mosque, the biggest in the country. The Mosque is named after the Sultan Mohamed Thakurufaanu who saved the Maldives from the Portuguese in AD 1573. The dome of the Islamic Center dominates the skyline hence making it visible to a large area of Male'.

The Friday Mosque or Hukuru Miskiy and the minaret: Probably the third oldest mosque, Hururu Miskiy has been the center for Islam for many hundreds of years. The inside of the mosque is full of carvings and inscriptions that provide various clues to the history of the country. In the confines of the mosque are also buried many of the famous characters of the Maldivian History.

Theemuge, the President's Palace: Male's most impressive building is Theemuge, which houses the President and his family. The revious President's Palace is now being converted into an office area.

The Local Market and the Fish Market: These are two places here one can observe a lot of activity. The Local Market is where the trade of such goodies as fruits, vegetables, firewood etc takes place. The Fish Market, which is washed clean at night, is full of activity during the daytime. This is where the fishermen come and sell the days catch. Souvenir Shops: These are in plenty and one can purchase lots of items to take back home, as a reminder of a place that has a sense of an untouched natural beauty.