If you have ever dreamed of escaping to a tropical island of year-round sunshine, palm-fringed white beaches and turquoise seas, you should head for the Maldives. This chain of over a thousand coral islands splashed across the Indian Ocean really does resemble paradise. From Male, the cheerful island-capital, to the remotest atolls, this guide plunges into the reefs and shallows of the country's history, culture and natural wonders. Features: History; Culture; Sightseeing; Atolls; Shopping; Sports; Dining Out; Practical Information; Fold-Out Map.