Malé

Malé is the capital and most populous city of the Maldives. It is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, with many people living in a small area of just 8.30 square kilometres. The city is located on the southern edge of North Malé Atoll and includes several islands managed by the Malé City Council.

Historically, Malé was known as the King’s Island and was the center of ancient royal power. The city was once surrounded by walls and forts, and the Royal Palace stood there until changes in the late 1960s. Some important buildings, like the Malé Friday Mosque, remain from earlier times.

Islam has been very important in Malé since the Maldives turned from Buddhism to Islam many years ago. This change shaped the city's culture and architecture, and mosques like the Hukuru Miskiy, built from coral stone, show this influence. Today, Malé continues to be the political and historical heart of the Maldives.

Overview

Although Malé is geographically located in Kaafu Atoll, it is not considered part of it for administrative purposes.

Islands of Malé City

The city of Malé includes several islands:

1. Malé (Central Island)
2. Hulhulé (Airport Island)
3. Hulhumalé
4. Villimalé
5. Gulhifalhu
6. Thilafushi
7. Giraavarufalhu

The central part of the city is formed by the island of Malé. The other islands, such as Hulhulé, Hulhumalé, Villimalé, Gulhifalhu, Thilafushi, and Giraavarufalhu, also belong to the city.

A commercial harbor on the central island is the main hub for the country's business activities. Velana International Airport is located on Hulhulé Island.

The central island is very busy and built-up, with most of its land used for buildings. Nearly one-third of the people in the whole country live in Malé. The city's population has grown from 20,000 in 1987 to 100,000 in 2006. Many people from the Maldives and other countries live in Malé temporarily because it is the center for government and daily life. Most people in Malé live in small houses or apartments, sometimes sharing with family or others. This growth led to the development of new areas like Hulhumalé.

History

Main article: History of the Maldives

The Maldives, a group of islands, gets its name from its capital city, Malé. Long ago, people from places now known as India and Sri Lanka were the first to settle there. They called the islands Maalaitivu, meaning Garland Islands.

A prince named Koimala arrived from the north and settled on a sandbank. The people welcomed him, and he became their leader. Over time, this place grew into the city of Malé. The city has many old stories and important places, like mosques and a special tomb that many visit. Through the years, Malé has changed a lot, growing from a small settlement to a busy city.

Geography

Climate

Malé has a tropical monsoon climate. The city has wet and dry seasons, with the wet season lasting from April through January and the drier season in February and March. Temperatures stay fairly steady all year, with averages around 30 °C during the day and 26.5 °C at night. The city gets about 1,900 millimetres of rain each year.

Subdivisions

The city is divided into six parts. Four of these are on Malé Island: Henveiru, Galolhu, Maafannu, and MacchanGoalhi. The nearby island of Villimalé is another part, and the sixth is Hulhumalé, an artificial island where people began living in 2004. The airport Island Hulhulé is also part of the city. There are plans to develop the Gulhifalhu reef, with work starting in 2008.

The island of Malé is one of the most crowded islands in the world. Because there is no space outside the city, everything, including water and power, must be built inside the city. Water comes from deep wells and is made clean for use. Power is created with diesel generators. Many important government buildings are near the water. Velana International Airport is on nearby Hulhulé Island, which also has a place for seaplanes. Projects to build more land have expanded the harbour.

Economy

Tourism is the biggest industry in the Maldives, making up a large part of the country's money and jobs. Many visitors come to enjoy the beautiful places, especially around Malé, the capital city. The main airline of the Maldives, called Maldivian, and another airline named Villa Air both have their main offices in Malé.

Malé is also where the main harbour and port of the Maldives are located. This port is very important for all the trading and moving of goods. It is part of a big trade route that connects China to Europe through the Suez Canal.

Transport

Road

Malé has many paved roads for cars and other vehicles. These roads have special names like magu, hingun, and goalhi. The roads are very busy, especially on Malé Island.

Malé is connected to nearby islands, such as Hulhulé Island and Hulhumalé, by bridges and roads. This makes it easy to travel between the islands by car.

Public transport

Public transport in Malé mainly uses small buses called minibuses. There are three main minibus lines that go through the city and connect to other areas. These buses are operated by a company called Raajje Transport Link. Children under 18, people with special needs, and people older than 65 can ride for free.

The three bus routes are called the Orchid Route, the Ameenee Route, and the Sosun Route. They are named after the main roads they travel on. All three routes pass through a central road called Majeedhee Magu.

Some buses also go to Hulhumalé and Velana International Airport. These buses are bigger and sometimes use double-decker buses. There is also a special minibus route just for the area called Villimalé.

Air

The main airport of the Maldives, Velana International Airport, is on nearby Hulhulé Island. Since a bridge was built, it is easy to get to the airport from Malé by car. Before the bridge, people used ferries to travel between Malé and the airport.

Ferries and speedboats

There are regular ferry services from Malé to other nearby islands. These ferries are operated by a company called the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company. There are also faster ferries and many private boats that travel between the islands.

Port

Malé is the main port for the Maldives. It is located on land that was built out into the water. Most cargo that comes into the Maldives goes through this port. The port is managed by the Maldives Ports Authority.

Government

Malé has its own local government called the Malé City Council. It helps manage the islands of Malé, Hulhumalé, and Villimalé. The council was started in 2011 and has 17 areas, with 15 in Malé, 1 in Hulhumalé, and 1 in Villimalé. The mayor and council members are chosen by people who live there.

In 2021, the mayor was chosen directly for the first time. Mohamed Muizzu was elected, but later left to become president. Adam Azim then became mayor after a special election. The city government has members from different political parties.

Malé is also the main city for the country’s national government. Many important government offices are located there. There are 16 members of parliament who represent Malé.

Notable people

Malé is the home city of notable individuals such as Ali Niyaf, who was born in 1980 and became a neurosurgeon and president of a medical association.