Written and Fact-checked by Whereig Editors | Last Updated On: May 27, 2026
The Maldives is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean, consisting of 26 atolls. An atoll is a ring-shaped coral reef that surrounds a lagoon. Each atoll is made up of multiple islands. Here are the major atolls in the Maldives:
Maldives is an island nation in the Indian Ocean southwest of Sri Lanka and India. The country is divided into 20 administrative atolls and 1 city administration for governance and regional administration. Malé is the national capital and also the largest urban center in the Maldives.
The country includes coral islands, lagoons, reefs, white-sand beaches, and low-lying tropical atolls spread across the Indian Ocean. Different atolls are known for tourism resorts, fishing, marine biodiversity, and island communities.
Key Facts
- National capital: Malé
- Total population: 560,000 (Official estimate 2025)
- Total area: 298 km² land area (115 sq miles)
- Currency: Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR)
- Bordering countries: None - island nation
- Total Administrative Divisions: 21
- Total Islands: 1,100+
List of Administrative Atolls and Capitals of Maldives
Total administrative divisions shown: 21 | Combined population: 560,000 | Combined land area: 298 km²
| # | Administrative Atoll / City | Capital Island | Region | Area (km²) | Population (Latest Census) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Addu City | Hithadhoo | Southern Maldives | 14 | 38,000 |
| 2 | Alif Alif Atoll | Rasdhoo | Central Maldives | 5 | 12,000 |
| 3 | Alif Dhaal Atoll | Mahibadhoo | Central Maldives | 7 | 15,000 |
| 4 | Baa Atoll | Eydhafushi | Western Maldives | 6 | 14,000 |
| 5 | Dhaalu Atoll | Kudahuvadhoo | Central Maldives | 5 | 8,000 |
| 6 | Faafu Atoll | Nilandhoo | Central Maldives | 4 | 5,000 |
| 7 | Gaafu Alif Atoll | Vilingili | Southern Maldives | 8 | 13,000 |
| 8 | Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll | Thinadhoo | Southern Maldives | 9 | 18,000 |
| 9 | Gnaviyani Atoll | Fuvahmulah | Southern Maldives | 5 | 14,000 |
| 10 | Haa Alif Atoll | Dhidhdhoo | Northern Maldives | 7 | 19,000 |
| 11 | Haa Dhaalu Atoll | Kulhudhuffushi | Northern Maldives | 9 | 24,000 |
| 12 | Kaafu Atoll | Thulusdhoo | Central Maldives | 9 | 25,000 |
| 13 | Laamu Atoll | Fonadhoo | Southern Maldives | 8 | 16,000 |
| 14 | Lhaviyani Atoll | Naifaru | Northern Maldives | 4 | 13,000 |
| 15 | Malé City | Malé | Capital Region | 9 | 250,000 |
| 16 | Meemu Atoll | Muli | Central Maldives | 3 | 7,000 |
| 17 | Noonu Atoll | Manadhoo | Northern Maldives | 5 | 12,000 |
| 18 | Raa Atoll | Ungoofaaru | Northern Maldives | 6 | 16,000 |
| 19 | Seenu Atoll | Hithadhoo | Southern Maldives | 10 | 30,000 |
| 20 | Shaviyani Atoll | Funadhoo | Northern Maldives | 5 | 17,000 |
| 21 | Thaa Atoll | Veymandoo | Central Maldives | 6 | 14,000 |
Largest Administrative Divisions by Land Area
- Addu City - 5 sq mi (14 km²)
- Seenu Atoll - 4 sq mi (10 km²)
- Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll - 3 sq mi (9 km²)
- Haa Dhaalu Atoll - 3 sq mi (9 km²)
- Kaafu Atoll - 3 sq mi (9 km²)
- Malé City - 3 sq mi (9 km²)
- Gaafu Alif Atoll - 3 sq mi (8 km²)
- Laamu Atoll - 3 sq mi (8 km²)
Most Populous Administrative Divisions
- Malé City - Population: 250,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- Addu City - Population: 38,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- Seenu Atoll - Population: 30,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- Kaafu Atoll - Population: 25,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- Haa Dhaalu Atoll - Population: 24,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- Haa Alif Atoll - Population: 19,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll - Population: 18,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- Shaviyani Atoll - Population: 17,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
Smallest Administrative Divisions by Land Area
- Meemu Atoll - 1 sq mi (3 km²)
- Faafu Atoll - 2 sq mi (4 km²)
- Lhaviyani Atoll - 2 sq mi (4 km²)
- Alif Alif Atoll - 2 sq mi (5 km²)
- Dhaalu Atoll - 2 sq mi (5 km²)
- Gnaviyani Atoll - 2 sq mi (5 km²)
Administrative Divisions by Regional Grouping
- Capital Region: Malé City
- Central Maldives: Alif Alif, Alif Dhaal, Dhaalu, Faafu, Kaafu, Meemu, Thaa
- Northern Maldives: Haa Alif, Haa Dhaalu, Lhaviyani, Noonu, Raa, Shaviyani
- Southern Maldives: Addu City, Gaafu Alif, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani, Laamu, Seenu
- Western Maldives: Baa Atoll
Landlocked Administrative Divisions
- None - all administrative divisions are island or coastal territories.
Administrative Divisions with Coastline
- All administrative atolls and city divisions in the Maldives have coastline and ocean access.
Administrative Divisions Sharing Borders with Other Countries
- None - Maldives is an island nation in the Indian Ocean with no land borders.
Sources
- Maldives Bureau of Statistics
- World Bank - Maldives Data
- CIA World Factbook - Maldives
- Encyclopaedia Britannica - Maldives
- Government of Maldives
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