The Maldives is commonly known as paradise, mainly because of its beaches, blue lagoon and extensive reefs that make it one of the most popular places on earth for newlyweds on honeymoon and the ultra-wealthy.
The Republic of the Maldives is positioned in the Indian Ocean and has very few counterparts in the world in terms of its unique geography and topography.
The country is made up of a chain of nearly 1,200 islands, with most uninhabited. None of the islands measure more than 1.8 metres (six feet) above sea level, making the country vulnerable to a rise in sea levels associated with global warming.
The economy revolves around tourism, and scores of islands have been developed for the top end of the tourist market.
There are over 2,000 species of fish found in the waters surrounding the islands, including mantra rays, stingrays and eagle rays, as well as many kinds of anemones and jellyfish.
Octopus and squid are common, so too are giant clams, although the number of sharks in the Maldives has steadily decreased in recent decades due to the process of shark finning.
The abundance of marine life is a source of attraction for not only experienced divers and snorkelers but also those wanting to experience life underwater for the first time.
The crystal clear water and around 70 different species of colourful coral reefs make up the perfect place to discover the world underwater.
Alongside the abundance of sea life there are also land mammals, such as flying foxes, one shrew species and some snakes and geckos, which are endemic to the island.
Most of the mammals and reptiles found in the Maldives are in the water, with the most common birds being mostly pelagic or oceanic.
If swimming is not your thing then the Maldives offers the perfect views to sit back and relax and soak up the sun for the perfect tan.
Most resorts have become luxurious and offer massages either on the beach, or in your villa, leaving you to relax with a cocktail and soak up the rays.
It might be paradise, but the Maldives is sinking according to experts. Like several other South Asian and Oceanic archipelagos, it suffers from a combination of high surface erosion and rising sea levels.
There have been many studies on the environmental impacts of global warming and especially on sea level rises which is alarming news for low lying islands like the Maldives, most of which are less than a metre above sea level.
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