Each administrative atoll is marked, along with the thaana letter used to identify the atoll. Former administrative divisions are labelled in light blue. Full view of the map

Maldives This article is part of the series: Politics and government of the Maldives Thaana (written ‎ in Thaana) is the writing system for the Dhivehi language spoken in the Maldives. ... Image File history File links Maldives_National_Emblem. ... The politics of the Maldives take place in the framework of a presidential republic, whereby the President is the head of government. ... Constitution President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom Majlis Political parties Elections Atolls Foreign relations Foreign aid Other countries · Politics Portal view • talk • edit

Geographically, the Maldives are formed by a number of natural atolls plus a few islands and isolated reefs which form a pattern from North to South. For administrative purposes, the Country has been organized into twenty one administrative divisions (20 administrative "atolls" and Male' city). The President of the Maldives is the ceremonial head of state and first citizen of Maldives and the supreme commander of the Maldivian armed forces. ... Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (Dhivehi: މައުމޫނު އަބްދުލް ގައްޔޫމް) (born December 29, 1937), has been the president of the Republic of Maldives since November 11, 1978, having succeeded Ibrahim Nasir. ... The Majlis of the Maldives is comprised of 48 members. ... Political parties in Maldives lists political parties in Maldives. ... Elections in Maldives gives information on election and election results in Maldives. ... Geographic distribution of the Natural Atolls of the Maldives Geographically, the Maldives are formed by a number of natural atolls plus a few islands and isolated reefs which form a pattern stretching from 7 degrees 10 North to 0 degrees 45 South. ... Maldives follows a nonaligned policy and is committed to maintaining friendly relations with all countries. ... Before the 1980s, the Maldives received limited assistance from UN specialized agencies. ... Information on politics by country is available for every country, including both de jure and de facto independent states, inhabited dependent territories, as well as areas of special sovereignty. ... Atoll in the western Pacific Ocean Photo: www. ...

Use of the word "Atoll"

Since the administrative divisions of Maldives are called 'Atolls', but are not always consisting of an atoll proper, they should not be confused with the natural Atolls of the Maldives. Even though sometimes the natural atoll overlaps with the administrative division, like in Lhaviyani-Faaadhippolhu, there are many inconsistencies that can be puzzling, like a slice of an atoll, or even a single island, being referred to as Atoll instead of 'province' or 'district'. Geographic distribution of the Natural Atolls of the Maldives Geographically, the Maldives are formed by a number of natural atolls plus a few islands and isolated reefs which form a pattern stretching from 7 degrees 10 North to 0 degrees 45 South. ...

Codes and Names of the Administrative Divisions

The introduction of code-letter names has been a source of much puzzlement and misunderstandings, especially among foreigners. Many people have come to think that the code-letter of the administrative atoll is its new name and that it has replaced its geographical name. Under such circumstances it is hard to know which is the correct name to use.

Every administrative division of the Maldives has the following:

1. A name, for example Thiladhunmati Uthuruburi (meaning Thiladhunmathi North).
2. A Maldivian code letter, for example: Haa Alifu. When there are two letters, the second stands either for 'North' (Alifu) or for 'South' (Dhaalu).
3. A Latin code letter, for example: (A).

The first corresponds to the geographical Maldivian name of the Atoll. The second is a code adopted for convenience. It began in order to facilitate radio communication between the atolls and the central administration. As there are certain islands in different atolls that have the same name, for administrative purposes this code is quoted before the name of the island, for example: Baa Funadhoo, Kaafu Funadhoo, Gaafu-Alifu Funadhoo. Since most Atolls have very long geographical names it is also used whenever the name of the atoll has to be quoted short, for example in the atoll website names. This code denomination has been very much abused by foreigners and tourists who didn't understand the proper use of these names and have often totally ignored the Maldivian true names in publications for tourists. Maldivians may use the letter code name in colloquial conversation, but in serious geographic, historical or cultural writings, the true geographical name always takes precedence.

The Latin code letter is normally used in Boat registration plates. The letter stands for the atoll and the number for the island.

Each atoll is administered by an Atoll Chief (Atholhu Veriyaa) appointed by the President (Maumoon Abdul Gayoom). Atoll chiefs administer as directed by the president. The Ministry of Atoll Administration and its Northern and Southern Regional Offices, Atoll Offices and Island Offices are collectively responsible to the President for Atolls Administration. The administrative head of each island is the Island Chief (Katheeb), appointed by the President. The Island Chief's immediate superior is the Atoll Chief.

Traditionally, Maldivians call the atolls ending in '-madulhu' or '-mathi' by their name without adding the word 'Atoll' at the end. For example, it is correct to write simply Kolhumadulhu, without adding the word 'Atholhu' or 'Atoll'. This is also the case in the atoll known as Faadhippolhu. Haa Alif Atoll is the northern-most atoll of the Maldives. ... Haa Dhaalu Atoll is located in northern Maldives. ... Shaviyani Atoll is located in northern end of the Maldives. ... Noonu Atoll is an atoll from the Maldives. ... Raa Atoll is an atoll from the Maldives. ... Baa Atoll is an atoll from the Maldives. ... Lhaviyani Atoll is an atoll from the Maldives. ... Kaafu Atoll is an atoll from the Maldives. ... Alif Alif Atoll is an atoll from the Maldives. ... Alif Dhaal Atoll is an atoll from the Maldives. ... Vaavu Atoll is an atoll from the Maldives. ... Meemu Atoll is an atoll from the Maldives. ... Faafu Atoll is an atoll from the Maldives. ... Dhaalu Atoll is an atoll from the Maldives. ... Thaa Atoll is an atoll from the Maldives. ... Laamu Atoll is an atoll from the Maldives. ... Gaafu Alif Atoll is an atoll from the Maldives. ... Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll is an atoll from the Maldives. ... Gnaviyani Atoll or Fuvammulah is the smallest atoll in the Maldives, situated in the channel between Huvadhu and Addu. ... Addu Atoll (local administrative name Seenu Atoll) is the southernmost atoll of the Republic of Maldives. ... Malé (Dhivehi: މާލެ), (pronounced: Maa-lay) population 81,647 (2004), is the capital of the Republic of Maldives located at the southern edge of North Male Atoll Kaafu Atoll. ...

References

• Divehiraajjege Jōgrafīge Vanavaru. Muhammadu Ibrahim Lutfee. G.Sōsanī. Male' 1999.

External links

• http://www.atolls.gov.mv