History of Male Maldives.

During a visit to the Maldives you should visit the capital of this island nation. Male is the smallest capital in the world. Its length is 2.5 kilometers by 1 kilometer. In addition, it is not only the chief but also the only city in the Maldivian nation. Male is a distinctive city for the eastern countries, with their low light-colored buildings, narrow serpentine streets, and almost golden dome visible from everywhere Islamic Center. Near the mosque is the Islamic Center in the name of Good Friday. In this mosque are the graves of national heroes of the country, as well as belonging to the ruling family of people. Capital of the Maldives has its own museum, which presents sculptures made of stone, coral pieces, brought from Buddhist temples and thrones, which once sat the rulers of the Maldives.

Presented in the museum exhibits tell about the history of the islands, which were discovered by navigators even for two thousand years before Christ. Ancient mariners used the Maldives as a transit point, where it was possible to replenish food stocks and get a little rest. Even today on some of the southern atolls of the archipelago can be found the remains of Buddhist temples. Starting from the tenth century AD, the Maldives started visiting merchants from the Arab countries. In those days, Maldives played the role of a prototype of today's money printing machine - on the island in large numbers were cowrie shells, which merchants of that time used as currency. Arab merchants had considerable cultural influence by bringing Islam to the archipelago. And in 1153, Islam became the state religion in the Maldives.

According to legend, once, long ago, every year for sea genie Rannamaari, people on the Male chose a beautiful girl. She was left overnight in a temple, but the next morning was always found dead. But one day, Abu al-Barakat, an Arab by descent, had pity the next girl, and decided to take her place in the temple. Throughout the night Barakat read the Koran, and when the Male residents of the following morning entered the house, they found Barakat alive and healthy. According to legend, the mighty power of the Muslim holy book had so impressed the local ruler, that he ordered to all the inhabitants of the islands in the Islamic religion, and declared himself sultan.