First settlers
Early inhabitants are thought to have arrived from South Asia, and Buddhism was widespread for centuries. Ruins of ancient stupas have been found on several islands.
Wish you could see these old coral ruins!
Geography & Travel Quiz
Bing Maldives Quiz Test Your Island Knowledge
Twelve islands sit on the ring of our quiz atoll. Pick them in any order, answer the question waiting on each shore, and see how deep your knowledge of the Maldives really goes.
Dive in ↓Picture a scattering of coral islands so low and so small that, from the window of a seaplane, they look like drops of sand spilled across a turquoise floor. That is the Maldives: an island nation in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka and India, made of roughly 1,190 coral islands arranged in a long double chain of atolls. It is famous for overwater villas and white beaches, but its story runs much deeper, through ancient trade routes, a unique language and script, and a front-row seat to the world’s changing climate.
This Bing Maldives Quiz mixes multiple-choice and true-or-false questions on geography, history, culture and marine life. Every answer comes with a short explanation, and the guide that follows the quiz covers how atolls form, the country’s history, its reef residents and the best time to visit.
Good to know: this is an independent educational quiz and is not created by, affiliated with or endorsed by Microsoft or Bing. Figures such as island counts are rounded, commonly cited estimates.
0 m · The quiz
Take the Bing Maldives Quiz
Tap any island on the atoll to reveal its question. Correct answers turn an island green and send your diver 5 metres deeper; misses turn it coral. Visit all twelve to see your final depth.
The Quiz Atoll12 islands to explore
SurfaceDepth: 0 m60 m
Welcome aboard
Your boat is anchored in the lagoon. Choose an island to begin.
- Nine multiple-choice and three true-or-false questions
- Answer in any order; there is no timer
- Each correct answer takes you 5 metres deeper, up to 60 m
5 m · Geography
How Atolls Are Born: The Geography of the Maldives
The word “atoll” itself comes from the Dhivehi word atholhu, which tells you how central these ring-shaped reefs are to Maldivian identity. The country’s islands sit on top of a vast underwater ridge in the Indian Ocean, and they stretch across a long north–south chain, with the southernmost atolls lying just below the equator.
The classic explanation of how atolls form was proposed by Charles Darwin in the 1830s, and later research has supported its broad outline. It happens in three stages over millions of years:
1Fringing reefCorals grow in the warm, shallow water around a volcanic island.
2Barrier reefThe island slowly sinks, but the reef keeps growing upward, leaving a lagoon in between.
3AtollThe volcano disappears below the sea, leaving a ring of reef and sandy islets around a lagoon.
Today the country has around 1,190 islands, of which roughly 200 are inhabited and well over 100 are run as resorts. For administration, the 26 natural atolls are grouped into a smaller number of administrative atolls, each identified by a letter of the Thaana alphabet as well as a name, which is why you may see the same atoll called by two different names.
10 m · HistoryEarly 1153 1340s Shells 1887 1965 1972 2004 2018
A Short History of the Maldives, in Postcards
Sitting on Indian Ocean sea lanes, the Maldives has been visited by sailors and traders for well over two thousand years. These milestones come up again and again in quizzes.
Conversion to Islam
Tradition dates the islands’ conversion to Islam to 1153, beginning a sultanate that would last, with interruptions, for around 800 years.
The call to prayer drifts over the lagoon.
Ibn Battuta’s stay
The Moroccan traveler Ibn Battuta spent time in the Maldives and served as a judge, leaving one of the earliest detailed written accounts of island life.
Even the judge loves the fish curry.
Cowrie capital
For centuries the Maldives exported huge quantities of cowrie shells, which were used as money in trading networks stretching from Bengal to West Africa.
Paid for lunch with shells. Kidding!
British protection
The sultanate became a British protectorate, keeping control of internal affairs while Britain handled defence and foreign relations.
Quiet streets, busy harbour.
Independence
Full independence came on 26 July 1965, still celebrated as Independence Day. The sultanate was abolished and a republic declared in 1968.
Fireworks over Malé tonight!
The first resort
The country’s first tourist resort opened in 1972, launching an industry that, alongside fishing, now drives the economy.
Our villa is literally on the water.
The tsunami
The Indian Ocean tsunami of 26 December 2004 caused deaths and widespread damage across many islands, highlighting how exposed low-lying nations are to the sea.
The islands rebuilt together.
A bridge to the capital
The Sinamalé Bridge opened, linking crowded Malé with Hulhulé, home of the main international airport, and the reclaimed island of Hulhumalé.
No more ferry queues to the airport!
15 m · Culture
Language, Food and Everyday Culture
Dhivehi & Thaana
Dhivehi is an Indo-Aryan language related to Sinhala. Its Thaana script is written from right to left, and some of its letters developed from numerals.
The dhoni
The traditional wooden sailing boat, once built from coconut-palm timber, is still a symbol of island life. Today most dhonis are motorized.
Mas huni
A favorite breakfast of shredded tuna, grated coconut, onion and chili, eaten with flatbread called roshi. Tuna and coconut are the backbone of Maldivian cooking.
Bodu beru
Meaning “big drum,” this lively drumming and dance tradition builds from slow rhythms to a fast, energetic finish.
Coral stone mosques
Malé’s Hukuru Miskiy (Old Friday Mosque), built in the 17th century from carved coral stone, showcases a remarkable local craft.
Pole-and-line fishing
Maldivian tuna is traditionally caught one fish at a time with poles and lines, a method valued for limiting bycatch.
20 m · Marine lifeBaa Atoll South Ari Atoll Across the atolls Night beaches
Meet the Reef Residents
The Maldives’ reefs support an extraordinary range of marine life, and several species have become symbols of the country.
Manta rays
Hanifaru Bay, within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is famous for seasonal feeding gatherings of reef manta rays, usually during the southwest monsoon.
Whale sharks
The world’s largest fish is a filter-feeder that eats plankton. South Ari Atoll is one of the few places where sightings are possible throughout the year.
Sea turtles
Green and hawksbill turtles are the species most often seen by snorkelers and divers, grazing on seagrass and sponges.
Glowing shores
On some nights, tiny bioluminescent plankton make waves sparkle blue as they break, a sight often called a “sea of stars.”
30 m · The deep end
Climate, Seasons and the Future of the Islands
The Maldives is the lowest-lying country on Earth. Most of its land sits only a metre or two above sea level, which makes rising seas, stronger storm surges and coral bleaching existential concerns rather than distant ones. Major bleaching events in 1998 and 2016 damaged many reefs, though some areas have shown encouraging recovery.
~1–2 mTypical height of the land above sea level
90,000+ km²Of ocean territory, with only about 300 km² of land
2009The year the cabinet met underwater to highlight climate change
That underwater meeting, held in October 2009 off the island of Girifushi, saw ministers in scuba gear sign a call for global emission cuts. Since then, projects such as the reclaimed island of Hulhumalé, built higher than many older islands, have become part of the country’s long-term planning.
When to visit: the two monsoons
Northeast monsoon · Iruvai
Roughly December to April
Generally drier and sunnier with calmer seas. This is the peak travel season.
Southwest monsoon · Hulhangu
Roughly May to November
Wetter and windier, with more rain showers, but often lower prices and the main manta season in Baa Atoll.
40 m · Surface tips
Tips for Acing Maldives Trivia
- Learn the word origin. “Atoll” comes from Dhivehi, a classic trick question.
- Remember the superlatives. Lowest-lying country in the world and smallest Asian country by land area.
- Pair animals with places. Mantas with Baa Atoll and Hanifaru Bay; whale sharks with South Ari.
- Anchor three dates. 1153 (Islam), 1965 (independence) and 1972 (first resort).
- Mind the equator. The southernmost atolls, including Addu, lie in the Southern Hemisphere.
Ready for another round? The Daily Entertainment Quiz serves up fresh questions on movies, music, TV and celebrities, while the Daily Current Events Quiz tests how closely you have followed the latest U.S. and world headlines.
50 m · Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bing Maldives Quiz?
It is a free, 12-question educational quiz on the geography, history, culture and marine life of the Maldives, with an explanation after every answer. It is independent and not affiliated with Microsoft or Bing.
How many islands are in the Maldives?
The Maldives has roughly 1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 natural atolls. Only about 200 are inhabited by local communities, while many others are used as resorts or remain uninhabited.
What is the capital of the Maldives?
The capital is Malé, a compact island city that is one of the most densely populated places in the world. It is linked by bridge to the airport island of Hulhulé.
What language is spoken in the Maldives?
The official language is Dhivehi, written in the Thaana script from right to left. English is widely used in business, education and tourism.
Why is the Maldives considered at risk from climate change?
It is the lowest-lying country in the world, with most land only a metre or two above sea level, so sea-level rise, storm surges and coral bleaching pose serious threats.
When is the best time to visit the Maldives?
The drier northeast monsoon, roughly December to April, is the most popular time. The southwest monsoon brings more rain but also the main manta ray season in Baa Atoll.