Atolls
The Maldives has 26 naturally occurring atolls which are divided into 20 administrative ones:
| 1. | Haa Alifu Atoll – |
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| 2. | Haa Dhaalu Atoll – (Thiladhunmathee Dhekunuburi) |
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| 3. | Shaviyani Atoll – (Miladhunmadulu Uthuruburi) |
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| 4. | Noonu Atoll – (Miladhunmadulu Dhekunuburi) |
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| 5. | Raa Atoll – (Maalhosmadulu Uthuruburi) |
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| 6. | Baa Atoll – (Maalhosmadulu Dhekunuburi) |
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| 7. | Lhaviyani Atoll – (Faadhippolhu) | |
| 8. | Kaafu Atoll – (Malé Atholhu) |
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| 9. | Alif Alif Atoll – (Ari Atholhu Uthuruburi) |
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| 10. | Alif Dhaalu Atoll – (Ari Atholhu Dhekunuburi) |
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| 11. | Vaavu Atoll – (Felidhe Atholhu) |
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| 12. | Meemu Atoll – (Mulaku Atholhu) |
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| 13. | Faafu Atoll – (Nilandhe Atholhu Uthuruburi) |
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| 14. | Dhaalu Atoll – (Nilandhe Atholhu Dhekunuburi) |
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| 15. | Thaa Atoll – (Kolhumadulu Atholhu) | |
| 16. | Laamu Atoll – (Hadhdhummathi Atholhu) |
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| 17. | Gaafu Alif Atoll – (Huvadhu Atholhu Uthuruburi) |
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| 18. | Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll – (Huvadhu Atholhu Dhekunuburi) |
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| 19. | Gnaviyani Atoll – (Foahmulah) |
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| 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’.
