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’.