Atolls

Maldives has 26 natural atolls which have been divided into 20 administrative atolls and one city. The northern most atoll is Haa Alif Atoll and the southern most is Seenu Atoll. The smallest atoll is Gnaviyani Atoll with only one island (the largest island in Maldives). The largest atoll in Maldives (and the world) is Gaafu Alif Atoll which is just south of the One and a Half Degree Channel.

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.

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 name corresponds to the geographical Maldivian name of the Atoll. The Maldivian code letter which 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. 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 table below shows the official name and codes for each atoll.