|
The
Maldives is a chain of 26 coral atolls south-west of
Sri Lanka, extending across the equator in a north-south
strip 754km (468mi) long and 118km (73mi) wide. The
1192 low-lying coral islands are so small that dry land
makes up less than 4% of the country's total territory.
Some islands are uninhabited sandbars with a patch of
scrub, while others are several km across and quite
well vegetated.
 Most
of the time the lagoons are a brilliant blue, with amazing
coral reefs and abundant marine life. Although strict
local regulation of fishing and commercial exploitation
has kept the marine environment in a near-pristine state,
in 1998 the reefs began feeling the effects of El Ninõ.
A rise in sea temperature, lasting two weeks, stripped
the reefs of a symbiotic algae that caused 'bleaching'
of the coral polyps. While bleaching can be devastating,
most of the Maldive coral reefs emerged unscathed, and
it appears the process has not harmed any other marine
life. Marine biologists and reef-watchers believe the
process to be cyclical and are watching the growth of
the new coral with avid interest. In short, the reefs
are still a scuba diving and snorkelling wonder world,
although they have temporarily lost some of their technicolour
splendour.
Though many of the bigger islands look like the picture-perfect,
palm-fringed tropical fantasy, most have poor, sandy
soil which supports only a limited range of plants -
bamboo, pandanus, banana, mangroves, breadfruit trees,
banyans, tropical vines and numerous coconut palms.
The larger, wetter islands have small areas of rainforest.
The main crops are limited to sweet potatoes, yams,
taro, C millet and watermelon, though a few more fertile
islands have citrus fruits and pineapples.
Natural fauna is sparse - giant fruit bats, colorful
lizards and the occasional rat. Domestic animals include
cats, a few chickens, goats and some rabbits. The most
exciting wildlife is under the water. Anyone with a
mask and snorkel will see butterfly fish, angel fish,
parrot fish, rock cod, unicorn fish, trumpet fish, bluestripe
snapper, Moorish idols, oriental sweetlips and more.
Larger life forms, eagerly sought by scuba divers, include
sharks, stingrays, manta rays, turtles and dolphins.
Generally, the year is divided into two monsoon periods:
the north-east monsoon or ruvai lasts from December
to March, which are the drier months; the south-west
monsoon or ulhangu lasts from April to November, and
is wetter, with more storms and occasional strong winds.
Daytime temperatures are about 28°C (82°F) all
year. The humidity is slightly lower in the dry season
but most days there's a cooling sea breeze.
|
