Maldives Promotion House – Waldorf Astoria Maldives is introducing the beautiful new Underwater Kingdom coffee table book to all of its luxury villas and outlets.

A stunning book documenting the underwater world of the Maldives, The Underwater Kingdom presents some 300 powerful and emotive images gathered over a decade. Scubazoo, the acclaimed underwater photographic team, presents an unrivalled view of the natural world under these idyllic islands, and addresses the urgent need for global action to help preserve their unique diversity.

The superb collection of photographs found throughout Maldives: The Underwater Kingdom is provided by underwater photography specialists Scubazoo. Following on from their acclaimed book Reef published with DK and appearing in 10 languages selling over 200,000 copies world-wide, this leading team of marine photographers has recorded these beautiful underwater ecosystems. Covering almost every atoll to capture the amazing marine diversity of the Maldives, it also highlights what it has to lose.

The Maldives is one of the top diving and snorkeling destinations in the world, but as the planet is ravaged by the effects of over-population and headlong development, the islands appear to be in line for the first wave of attacks. Global warming and the inevitable rising sea levels is the very real fear for this low-lying country. The Maldivian government has already implemented precautions to protect its marine life and has committed to become carbon neutral by 2020. This book is not only a beautiful tour underwater, but it is also a serious call to action.

Maldives: The Underwater Kingdom progresses in a series of photographic sections, describing the range of seascapes, the diversity of animals found there, their survival techniques, behavioral patterns and future conservation efforts. The images are accompanied by informative text from the photographers on all aspects of the Maldives. The book showcases the many aspects of that fragile ecosystem starting with its lagoons, sea grass beds, reefs, channels, caves and atolls. The marine life which depends upon the integrity of these varied environments is presented with breathtaking imagery, from the most detailed close-up of coral polyps to awesome shots of the world’s biggest fish – the whale shark.

Waldorf Astoria General Manager Alan Stocker says “We are thrilled to have such a beautiful book available in each of the guest villas and happy that it is promoting the protection of our very fragile environment here in the Maldives.  The Waldorf Astoria is very proud to be part of such a project by protecting the environment, educating our guests about the delicate underwater world and providing a wonderful read”