What is the capital of the Maldives?

The capital of the Maldives is Malé, a small, densely populated island at the heart of the archipelago in the Indian Ocean. Malé is not only the seat of the Maldivian government, but also the country’s economic, administrative and cultural center. Despite its small size, around 9 km², the city is home to almost 40% of the country’s total population, making it one of the most densely populated capitals in the world.

Malé is located in the Kaafu atoll, more precisely on the island of Malé itself, but its conurbation now includes other neighboring islands such as Hulhumalé and Villingili, linked by bridges and ferry services. Velana International Airport, the main point of entry to the Maldives, is located on the neighboring island of Hulhulé and is linked to Malé by a modern bridge, the Sinamalé Bridge.

Situated just a few meters above sea level, Malé faces serious challenges from climate change and rising sea levels, just like the rest of the Maldives, which is the lowest-lying country in the world.

Contrary to the Maldives’ paradisiacal image of turquoise lagoons and bungalows on stilts, Malé is a bustling, modern and densely urbanized city. The island is almost entirely covered by buildings, with little green space. The city includes residential buildings, mosques, markets, government institutions, schools and hospitals.

Malé is also a commercial port and the country’s main service center. Although tourism remains concentrated on the island hotels scattered around the atolls, Malé plays a crucial role in the logistics, management and supply of the tourism sector.

Malé is not only an administrative capital, it also has major historical importance. It was the seat of the sultans of the Maldives, whose influence was exerted as early as the 12th century, with the arrival of Islam. Traces of this royal and Islamic past can still be found today, such as the Great Friday Mosque (Hukuru Miskiy), built in the 17th century from carved coral blocks, and the National Museum of the Maldives, which exhibits objects from different periods of Maldivian history.

Life in Malé is very different from that in tourist resorts. Inhabitants live in a confined space, with one of the highest urban densities in the world. Streets are narrow, often crowded with motorcycles and pedestrians. The town’s economy is based on public administration, commerce, fishing, services and links with the tourism industry.

In recent years, the Maldivian authorities have launched several urban expansion and development projects, notably on Hulhumalé, an artificial island designed to relieve congestion in Malé and provide new housing.

Like the rest of the archipelago, Malé is directly threatened by rising sea levels. The city relies on dikes, pumps and a complex sewage system to manage the risk of flooding. The Maldivian government is particularly active in international forums, warning of the consequences of global warming on island states.

Malé, the capital of the Maldives, is much more than just an administrative island; it embodies the country’s history, modernity and challenges. A political and economic center, a dense and dynamic city, Malé contrasts with the images of tranquil lagoons for which the Maldives is known as a tourist destination. Yet it is here that the heart of the island nation beats, between tradition, modernization and the struggle for survival in the face of climatic upheaval.

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