Experience the beauty and tranquility of the Maldives, an archipelago of islands located in the Indian Ocean. With its crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and lush tropical vegetation, the Maldives is the perfect destination for a relaxing getaway.
In the independent republic of Maldives, all islands except for 9 were hit by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. 82 people were killed and 24 were reported missing, and are now presumed dead after the archipelago was hit by a tsunami caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake on 26 December 2004. Two-thirds of the capital city Malé was flooded during the first hours of the day. Other outlying low-level atolls were badly affected, and some low-lying islands, including some of the major resorts, were submerged at the peak of the tsunami.