Maldives Atolls

The Maldives has 26 naturally occurring atolls which are divided into 20 administrative ones:

1. Haa Alifu Atoll – (Thiladhunmathee Uthuruburi)

2. Haa Dhaalu Atoll – (Thiladhunmathee Dhekunuburi)

3. Shaviyani Atoll – (Miladhunmadulu Uthuruburi)

4. Noonu Atoll – (Miladhunmadulu Dhekunuburi)

5. Raa Atoll – (Maalhosmadulu Uthuruburi)

6. Baa Atoll – (Maalhosmadulu Dhekunuburi)

7. Lhaviyani Atoll – (Faadhippolhu)

8. Kaafu Atoll – (Malé Atholhu)

9. Alif Alif Atoll – (Ari Atholhu Uthuruburi)

10. Alif Dhaalu Atoll – (Ari Atholhu Dhekunuburi)

11. Vaavu Atoll – (Felidhe Atholhu)

12. Meemu Atoll – (Mulaku Atholhu)

13. Faafu Atoll – (Nilandhe Atholhu Uthuruburi)

14. Dhaalu Atoll – (Nilandhe Atholhu Dhekunuburi)

15. Thaa Atoll – (Kolhumadulu Atholhu)

16. Laamu Atoll – (Hadhdhummathi Atholhu)

17. Gaafu Alif Atoll – (Huvadhu Atholhu Uthuruburi)

18. Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll – (Huvadhu Atholhu Dhekunuburi)

19. Gnaviyani Atoll – (Foahmulah)

20. Seenu Atoll – (Addu Atholhu)

An atoll is a group of islands with a reef that nearly or entirely encloses a ring-like lagoon. The English word ‘atoll’ originated from the Dhivehi (official language of Maldives) word ‘Atholhu’.