Sinking Maldives

Last weekend I went back to the Maldives for five days of pure indulgence. For a diver – and an old one at that since I started diving thirty years ago, when diving equipment paled in comparison with today's easy-to-use equipment – the Maldives are a must. Clear, warm waters, an explosion of colours - coral and fish – a delight for the senses, emotions guaranteed with every dive. Manta rays, turtles, sharks, cod-fish, clown fish, lion fish, dolphins, whale sharks to name a few… My first trip to these wonderful coral islands was twenty years ago. The atolls have not changed much, except maybe for increased tourism. Their beauty is staggering. Unfortunately, if climate change continues at the current rate and sea level continues to rise, they may very well find themselves under water in the future. Scary. The Maldivian Government has started to address the issue and in 2008, the President announced plans to look into purchasing land in India, Sri Lanka, and Australia.

A few facts you may not know about the Maldives:

They were an independent sultanate from 1153 to 1968 and a British protectorate from 1887 until independence on 25 July 1965
The islands spread over roughly 90,000 square kilometers
With an average ground level of 1.5 metres above sea level, it is the lowest country on the planet
Only 200 of the 1,190 or so islands are inhabited
The Maldives' population is roughly 300,000 (100,000 in the capital Male)
Tourism accounts for 28% of GDP
Islam is the only official religion of the Maldives; the open practice of all other religions is forbidden
The official and common language is Dhivehi
108 people died in the 2004 tsunami