Resorts in the Maldives woo tourists with promises of 'the last paradise on earth', and if your idea of paradise is a pristine tropical island with swaying palm trees, pure white beaches and brilliant turquoise lagoons, then the Maldives will not disappoint.

It's also a major destination for scuba divers, who come for the fabulous coral reefs and the wealth of marine life. But it's not a place for low budget backpackers or amateur anthropologists who want to travel independently and live as the locals do.

Tourism in the Maldives is carefully managed. The lack of local resources makes it necessary to import virtually everything a visitor needs, so it can't really compete on price. The strategy has been to develop a limited number of quality resorts, each on its own uninhabited island, free from traffic, crime and crass commercialism.

The tourism strategy also aims to minimise the adverse effects of tourism on traditional Muslim communities. Tourists can make short guided visits to local fishing villages, but must then return to their resort. To stay longer or to travel to atolls outside the tourist zone requires a good reason, a special permit, and a local person to sponsor the visitor.

Warning

Extensive damage to the Maldives from the 2004 tsunami is being slowly repaired. Travellers are urged to keep up to date with tsunami-related information, stories and downloads by checking Lonely Planet's tsunami information page at Tsunami Updates.

Full country name: Republic of Maldives
Area: 298 sq km
Population: 301,475
Capital City: Male
People: Sinhalese, Dravidian, Arab, African
Language: Divehi, English
Religion: Sunni Muslim
Government: republic
Head of State: President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom

GDP: US$500 million
GDP per capita: US$1,840
Annual Growth: 5.8%
Inflation: 6.3%
Major Industries: fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat building, coconut processing, garments, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sand mining, coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes, fish
Major Trading Partners: Sri Lanka, US, Germany, Singapore, UK, India, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand