马尔代夫（英文原版，Maldives,Lonely Planet系列）

　　This title has a complete diving guide with advice on sites, safety and marine conservation; details on the range of water activities including snorkelling, surfing and windsurfing; information to help choose the right resort; transport tips to help explore; and a guide to the capital, Male.

　　Whether you are a honeymooner or hardcore diver, a cultural tourist or contemporary castaway, this book will help you find your piece of paradise in the turquoise seas of the Maldives archipelago.

　　-accurate and detailed maps showing atolls, reefs, resorts and dive sites
　　-the best spots for surfing, snorkelling, sailing and diving
　　-colour guide to Maldivian reef fish
　　-important advice on marine conservation
　　-tips on exploring Male', the enigmatic capital

　　Maldives
　　Archipelago country, north-central Indian Ocean southwest of Sri Lanka. It is a chain of about 1,200 small coral islands and sandbanks (some 200 of which are inhabited), grouped in clusters, or atolls. Area (land): 115 sq mi (298 sq km). The islands extend more than 510 mi (820 km) north-south and 80 mi (130 km) east-west. Population (2005 est.): 294,000. Capital: Male. The population is ethnically mixed; ancestors include Dravidian and Sinhalese peoples as well as Arabs, Chinese, and others from surrounding Asian areas. Languages: Divehi (official), Arabic. Religion: Islam (official; predominantly Sunni). Currency: rufiyaa. All the islands are low-lying, none rising more than 6 ft (1.8 m) above sea level. The atolls have sandy beaches, lagoons, and a luxuriant growth of coconut palms, together with breadfruit trees and tropical bushes. One of the world's poorest countries, the Maldives has a developing economy based on fishing, tourism, boatbuilding, and boat repairing. It is a republic with one legislative house; its head of state and government is the president. The archipelago was settled in the 5th century BC by Buddhists probably from Sri Lanka and southern India; according to tradition, Islam was adopted in 1153. The Portuguese held sway in Male in 1558–73. The islands were a sultanate under the Dutch rulers of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) during the 17th century. After the British gained control of Ceylon in 1796, the area became a British protectorate, a status formalized in 1887. The islands won full independence from Britain in 1965, and in 1968 a republic was founded and the sultanate abolished. The Maldives joined the British Commonwealth in 1982. Its economy has gradually improved, aided by the growth of tourism. In 2004 the archipelago was damaged by a large tsunami.

　　

　　James Lyon
　　James Lyon Paul Smitz is a main author of　some books published by the Lonely Planet Publications Ltd.
　　When Tony and Maureen Wheeler arrived in Sydney the day after Christmas 1972 after a six month Asia overland trip from Europe they had 27 cents left between them. In late 1973 they started Lonely Planet Publications to publish Across Asia on the Cheap, the story of their trip from London to Australia. From that self-published guidebook Lonely Planet Publications has grown to become the world’s largest independent guidebook publisher with more than 500 titles in print, over 400 staff and offices in London and Oakland as well as the head office in Melbourne.