Male, the capital of the Maldives , is the commercial centre, seat of government and the location of many important historical and religious landmarks.

With an area of just over 1.77 square kilometres, it is home to over sixty thousand people, and is the busiest and most populous island in the archipelago.

It has been known as the Sultan's Island in the past.

The Grand Friday Mosque, Masjid-al-Sultan Mohammed Thakurufaanu-al-A "z" zam is the biggest mosque in the Maldives . It also includes the Islamic Centre. This Grand Mosque with its dominant golden dome decorates the facade of Male'. It can accommodate over five thousand worshippers at a time. Nearly all visitors to Male' take time to visit this magnificent landmark.

The old Friday Mosque with its unique minaret and the tombs of national heroes and members of royalty resting in the quietness of its compound, gives the visitor a glimpse of the past. The art in the mosque and royal burial grounds are unique and invaluable.

Other important sites in Male' include the tombs of legendary saints, Mulee-aage - the Presidential Palace and the National Museum in the Sultan Park which shows the glories of a different era. All these are within a ten minute stroll.

The fruit and vegetable market and the firewood market are busy and colourful places where islanders from outer atolls trade their goods. The fish market nearby, is always immaculately clean, until the fish is landed in the busy hours of late afternoon when fisher-folk begin to arrive with the day's catch. The fishermen cutting and cleaning the fish have developed the process to an art. It is a clean and well maintained area that generates much interest from visitors and provides a glimpse into the life of typical Maldivian fisher-folk.

Male' is the best place for shopping if you are interested in buying imported goods. Most of the shops that specialize in tourists do sell a lot of local handicrafts and souvenirs. It is always best to browse through some shops before making a choice. The shops that are recommended by guides or shop assistants volunteering to be guides are not necessarily the best places for shopping.

If you are looking for duty free shops, there are some located at the Male' International Airport . They offer a pretty good range of goods from cameras, cosmetics, electrical and electronic equipment, cigarettes and other merchandise.