In a country like the Maldives, where the average surface area barely rises a meter above the water, a 5.1 meter high hill is almost a mountain massif. Mount Villingili, which can be found on the island state’s only golf course, officially received a certificate as both the highest peak in the Maldives and the smallest mountain in the world.
Mount Villingili is named after the Villingili Resort & Spa hotel complex of the Hong Kong chain Shangri-La, on whose premises it is located. Despite its rather modest dimensions, Mount Villingili trumps the previous highest point in the Maldives: the previous record holder towered a full 2.4 meters above sea level.
The Villingili Resort & Spa uses the new attraction directly as a tourist magnet: visitors can take part in a special Mount Villingili tour and solemnly climb the highest point in the Maldives. As a reward for their efforts, they then receive a certificate that officially confirms their achievement – a clever business idea and the perfect souvenir.
It all comes down to perspective. Interesting how a person could be golfing and still be a mountain climber at the same time!
