Atolls in the Maldives

The Maldivians first uses the word “atoll” this word describe in Dhivehi (local language) as “atholhu” meaning a ring like coral island and reef that nearly or entirely encloses a lagoon. There are 26 atolls from south to north of Maldives as shown in the map and Maldives is long narrow country. Atolls are surrounded by deep ocean water and range in diameter from about 1 km (0.62 mi) to over 100 km (62 mi). They are especially common in the western and central Pacific Ocean and are believed to form along the fringes of underwater volcanoes. Some atolls are in the form of a number of islands by time and in the form of isolated reefs, which could be classified as smaller atoll formations. There are broad and deep waterways in between some atolls.

Maldives Atoll Names
The atolls are started from North to South.

Haa Aliff
Tiladummati North (Admiralty); Ihavandhippolhu, Ihavandiffulu, Thiladhunmathee Uthuruburi, Thiladhunmathi North (variant)

Haa Daalu
Tiladummati South (Admiralty); Thiladhunmathee Dhekunuburi, Thiladhunmathi South (variant)

Shaviyani
Miladummadulu North (Admiralty); Miladhunmadulu North, Miladhunmadulu Uthuruburi, Shaviyan (variant)

Noonu
Miladummadulu South (Admiralty); Miladhunmadulu Dhekunuburi, Miladhunmadulu South, Nuun (variant)

Raa
Malosmadulu North (Admiralty); Maalhosmadulu North, Maalhosmadulu Uthuruburi (variant)

Baa
Malosmadulu South (Admiralty); Maalhosmadulu Dhekunuburi, Maalhosmadulu South (variant)

Laviyani
Fadiffolu (Admiralty); Faadhippolhu, Lhaviyani (variant)

Kaafu
North and South Male (Admiralty); Male (variant)

Alif
Ari and Rasdu (Admiralty); Ari (variant)

Aliff Aliff
Alif Uthuru, Ari Atholhu Uthuruburi, Ari Atoll Uthuru Gofi, Ari North (variant)

Aliff Daalu
Alif Dhekunu, Ari Atholhu Dhekunuburi, Ari Atoll Dhekunu Gofi, Ari South (variant)

Waavu
Felidu (Admiralty); Felidhe, Felidhu, Vaavu (variant)

Meemu
Mulaku (Admiralty); Miim, Mulakatholhu (variant)

Faafu
Nilandu North (Admiralty); Faaf, Faafa, Nilandhe Atholhu Uthuruburi, Nilandhe North (variant)

Daalu
Nilandu South (Admiralty); Nilandhe Atholhu Dhekunuburi, Nilandhe South (variant)

Thaa
Kolumadulu (Admiralty); Kolhumadulu (variant)

Laamu
Haddummati (Admiralty); Hadhdhummathi, Hadhdhunmathee, Hadhunmathi (variant)

Gaafu Aliff
Suvadiva North (Admiralty); Huvadhoo North, Huvadu North, North Huvadhu (variant)

Gaafu Daalu
Suvadiva South (Admiralty); Huvadhoo South, Huvadu South, South Huvadhu (variant)

Naviyani
Fua Mulaku (Admiralty); Foahmulah, Foammulah, Fuahmulah, Fuvahmulah, Gnaviyani, Gnyaviyalu (variant)

Seenu
Addu (Admiralty); Addoo, Siin (variant)