Atolls of the Maldives

The Maldives has 26 Natural Atolls which have been divided into 20 administrative atolls. The northern most atoll is Thiladhunmathi and the southern most is Addu. The smallest atoll is Fua Mulaku with only one island (the largest island in the Maldives). The biggest atoll in the Maldives and the whole world is Huvadhu which is just south of the one and a half degree channel.

Each atoll is administered by an Atoll Chief (Atholhu Veriyaa). The president (Maumoon Abdul Gayoom) appoints atoll chiefs to each atoll, who administers it as may be decreed and directed by the president. The Ministry of Atoll Administration and its Northern and Southern Regional Offices, Atoll Offices and Island Offices are collectively responsible to the President for Atolls Administration. The administrative head of the island is the Island Chief (Katheeb), appointed by the Ministry of Atolls Administration. The Island Chief’s immediate superior is the Atoll Chief.

Atoll Names.................Administrative Name

Thiladhunmathi Uthuru.............Haa-Alif

Thiladhunmathi Dhekunu............Haa-Dhaalu

Miladhunmadulu Uthuru............Shaviyani

Miladhunmadulu Dhekunu...........Noonu

Maalhosmadulu Uthuru.............Raa

Maalhosmadulu Dhekunu............Baa

Faadhippolhu.....................Lhaviyani

Malé Atoll.......................Kaafu

Ari Atoll Uthuru.................Alif-Alif

Ari Atoll Dheknu.................Alif-Dhaal

Felidhé Atoll....................Vaavu

Mulaku Atoll.....................Meemu

Nilandhé Atoll Uthuru............Faafu

Nilandhé Atoll Dhekunu...........Dhaalu

Kolhumadulu......................Thaa

Hadhdhunmathi....................Laamu

Huvadhu Atoll Uthuru.............Gaafu-Alif

Huvadhu Atoll Dhekunu............Gaafu-Dhaalu

Fua Mulaku.......................Ñaviyani

Addu.............................Seenu