The Maldives islands are formed around a ring shaped coral reef encircling a lagoon.
This reef structure, typical of Maldives, is called an  Atoll. In fact, the
English word 'atoll' itself is derived from the Maldivian or Dhivehi word for
it - Atholhu.
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) |
|
