Male', the capital of the Maldives is located almost in the centre of the nation, on the east side of Kaafu atoll. It is the commercial centre 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 75,000 people. It is the busiest and the most populous island in the archipelago. In the past, it has been known as the Sultan's island.

For the purpose of administration the island is divided into four districts. Henveiru occupies the North-East side and Maafannu the North-West. The two smaller wards Galolhu and Machchangolhi, lie in the centre and to the south. Recently the Island of Vilingili has been added as an extension to Male'. Vilingili is been developed as an urban area since Male' no longer can accommodate the growing population and housing.

All over Maldives houses are given names and numbers. However, numbers are used rarely and all houses are referred by there given names and most of them have Dhivehi (Maldivian) names, but some reflect the British influence often quite incongruously and sometimes poetically. Heart, Snow Down, Sky Villa, Rose Burn, Night Flower, Blue Bell, Lightning Villa, Marine Villa, Dreamy Light and Forget Me Not are some names you might see on, above or by the side of the house doors.

The ambience of this small, unsoiled semi-urban environment with the historical sites and a museum with artefacts of the distinctive Maldivian culture dating as far back as 5000 BC, has unexpectedly caught the imagination of many a visitor such as Thor Hyerdal.

There are no beaches on Male’; instead seawalls surround all its sides. However, a newly landscaped artificial beach area and adjoining breakwater stretching all the way round to the harbour in the southwest of the island provide a pleasant jogging route, especially popular in the evenings when it is cooler. Male’ is still relatively green and pleasant. The streets in the residential areas are shaded with trees, at places forming an arch overhead. A fair number of main streets are lined with big trees providing shade on both sides. Even a stroll around it would offer interesting sites and shots for the memories; the fish market and the local market at the northern waterfront, the new harbour in the south-west corner and the 400-year old Friday Mosque, to name a few. A stroll around the residential areas or shopping streets would provide an insight into the life and livelihood of the residents of the capital. Or simply sit down and relax at one of the small parks dotted around the capital and just observe the pace of life. You may be surprised at the large number of motorized vehicles in Male’. If you prefer, you could make a tour of the capital by taxi. Many taxi centers operate a number of comfortable, well-maintained taxis. The maximum rates that can be charged are set by the government; the basic fare for a single journey for four persons or less, from one point to another is MRf.15.00, luggage carried in the trunk is charged at the rate of MRf.5.00 per item, the basic charge increases to MRf.20.00, from 12.00 midnight to 06.00 in the morning and charters cost MRf.85.00 per hour