List of islands of the Maldives

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of islands of the Maldives. There are 1,192 in total, of which 187 are inhabited.[1] They are listed by administrative division/atoll. The islands are divided into:

  • Inhabited islands- those officially recognized as towns, villages, fishing, and farming communities with permanent human habitation. They all have an island office and island chiefs (councilor and katheeb).[2]
  • Uninhabited islands- islands with no permanent human habitations. They are sometimes used for agricultural and industrial purposes, and more recently as tourist resorts and picnic islands. Some of these islands are valuable breeding grounds for various species of seabirds and sea turtles.
  • Disappeared islands- islands which during recorded history, have been completely eroded away, claimed by the sea due to the sea level rise or assimilated by other islands. Some of these islands were previously inhabited and have been important in the history of the country. Some natural atolls are named after them (islands of Thiladhoo and Addu after which Thiladhunmati and Addu atoll are named respectively) while others are thought to have been the sites of the first settlements in the Maldives (Ihadhoo- meaning seen first and possibly the first settlement of the Maldives).[3]

Islands by area size[]

This list ranks the top 10 islands of the Maldives by area.

Some islands in the Maldives, although geographically one island, is divided into two administrative islands (for example, Gan and Maandhoo in Laamu Atoll). For such cases, this list ranks the entire (combined) area of the geographical island.

Inland water bodies such as lakes and ponds are included in the total area.

Rank Island Atoll Total area (km2) [4] Total area (sq mi) Population (2014) [5]
1 Gan-Maandhoo Laamu 7.3 2.81 2,809 (Gan)
2 Hithadhoo Seenu 5.4 2.08 10,398
3 Fuvahmulah Gnaviyani 4.9 1.89 13,037
4 Hulhumalé Kaafu 4.0 1.54 14,843
5 Hulhumeedhoo Seenu 3.9 1.50 3,113 (Combined)
6 Isdhoo-Kalaidhoo Laamu 3.6 1.38 1,461 (Combined)
7 Gan Seenu 3.3 1.27 -
8 Hanimaadhoo Haa Dhaalu 3.1 1.19 1,618
9 Hulhulé Kaafu 3.0 1.15 -
10 Filladhoo-Dhapparu Haa Alif 2.6 1.00 562 (Filladhoo)

Note: The combined area of Malé, Hulhulé and Hulhumalé exceeds 9 km2, which surpasses the area of the largest natural island in the Maldives. However, these three as a whole are considered to be a city, not an island.

North Thiladhunmathi (HA) (Haa Alif Atoll)[]

Inhabited Islands[]

  • Baarah
  • Dhiddhoo (capital of Haa Alifu Atoll)
  • Filladhoo
  • Hoarafushi
  • Ihavandhoo
  • Kelaa
  • Maarandhoo
  • Mulhadhoo
  • Muraidhoo
  • Thakandhoo
  • Thuraakunu
  • Uligamu
  • Utheemu
  • Vashafaru

Uninhabited Islands[]

  • Alidhoo
  • Alidhuffarufinolhu
  • Berinmadhoo
  • Beenaafushi
  • Dhapparu (now connected to Filladhoo)
  • Dhapparuhuraa
  • Dhigufaruhuraa
  • Dhonakulhi
  • Ellaidhoo
  • Gaafushi
  • Gaamathikulhudhoo
  • Gallandhoo
  • Govvaafushi
  • Hathifushi
  • Huraa
  • Huvahandhoo
  • Innafinolhu
  • Kudafinolhu
  • Maafahi
  • Maafinolhu
  • Madulu
  • Manafaru
  • Matheerah
  • Medhafushi
  • Mulidhoo
  • Naridhoo
  • Umaraiffinolhu
  • Ungulifinolhu
  • Vagaaru
  • Velifinolhu

Disappeared Islands[]

  • Gasthirifinolhu
  • Gudhanfushi
  • Nasfaru
  • Thiladhoo (now part of Dhiddhoo)
  • Thinadhoo

South Thiladhunmathi (HDh) (Haa Dhaalu Atoll)[]

Inhabited Islands[]

Uninhabited Islands[]

  • Bodunaagoashi
  • Dafaru Fasgandu
  • Dhorukanduhuraa
  • Faridhoo
  • Fenboahuraa
  • Hirinaidhoo
  • Hondaafushi
  • Hondaidhoo
  • Innafushi
  • Kattalafushi
  • Kaylakunu
  • Kudamuraidhoo
  • Kudanaagoashi
  • Kurinbi
  • Maavaidhoo
  • Muiri
  • Rasfushi
  • Ruffushi
  • Vaikaramuraidhoo
  • Veligandu
  • Kunburudhoo (previously inhabited)

Disappeared Islands[]

  • Bileddhoo

North Miladhunmadulu (Funadhuffaaru) (Sh) (Shaviyani Atoll)[]

Inhabited Islands[]

Uninhabited Islands[]

  • Bis Huraa
  • Dhigu Rah
  • Dhiguvelldhoo
  • Dholhiyadhoo
  • Dholhiyadhoo Kudarah
  • Dhonveli-huraa
  • Ekasdhoo
  • Eriyadhoo
  • Farukolhu
  • Fushifaru
  • Firunbaidhoo
  • Gaakoshinbi
  • Gallaidhoo
  • Hirubadhoo
  • Hurasfaruhuraa
  • Kabaalifaru
  • Keekimini
  • Killissafaruhuraa
  • Kudalhaimendhoo
  • Madidhoo
  • Madikurendhdhoo
  • Mathikomandoo
  • Maakandoodhoo
  • Medhurah
  • Medhukunburudhoo
  • Migoodhoo
  • Naainfarufinolhu
  • Nalandhoo
  • Naruibudhoo
  • Neyo
  • Vagaru

Disappeared Islands[]

  • Bileddhoo

South Miladhunmadulu (Velivandhippolhu) (N) (Noonu Atoll)[]

Inhabited Islands[]

Uninhabited Islands[]

Disappeared Islands[]

North Maalhosmadulu (R) (Raa Atoll)[]

Inhabited Islands[]

Uninhabited Islands[]

Disappeared Islands[]

South Maalhosmadulu (B) (Baa Atoll)[]

Inhabited Islands[]

Uninhabited Islands[]

  • Ahivaffushi
  • Aidhoo
  • Anhenunfushi
  • Bathalaa
  • Bodufinolhu
  • Boifushi
  • Dhakendhoo
  • Dhandhoo
  • Dhigufaruvinagandu
  • Dhunikolhu
  • Enboodhoo
  • Fehenfushi
  • Finolhas
  • Fonimagoodhoo
  • Fulhadhoorah kairi finonolhu
  • Funadhoo
  • Gaagandufaruhuraa
  • Gaavillingili
  • Gemendhoo
  • Hanifaru
  • Hanifarurah
  • Hibalhidhoo
  • Hirundhoo
  • Horubadhoo
  • Hulhudhoo
  • Innafushi
  • Kanifusheegaathu finolhu
  • Kanifushi
  • Kashidhoogiri
  • Keyodhoo
  • Kihaadhufaru
  • Kihavah-huravalhi
  • Kudadhoo
  • Kunfunadhoo
  • Landaagiraavaru
  • Lunfares
  • Maaddoo
  • Maafushi
  • Maamaduvvari
  • Maarikilu
  • Madhirivaadhoo
  • Medhufinolhu
  • Mendhoo
  • Milaidhoo
  • Miriandhoo
  • Muddhoo
  • Muthaafushi
  • Nibiligaa
  • Olhugiri
  • Thiladhoo
  • Ufuligiri
  • Undoodhoo
  • Vakkaru
  • Velivarufinolhu
  • Veyofushee
  • Vinaneih-faruhuraa
  • Voavah

Disappeared Islands[]

Faadhippolhu (Lh) (Lhaviyani Atoll)[]

Inhabited Islands[]

Uninhabited Islands[]

Disappeared Islands[]

Male' (K) Atoll (Kaafu Atoll)[]

Inhabited Islands[]

Uninhabited Islands[]

  • Aarah
  • Akirifushi
  • Asdhoo
  • Baros
  • Bandos
  • Biyaadhoo
  • Bodubandos
  • Bodufinolhu
  • Boduhithi
  • Boduhuraa
  • Bolifushi
  • Dhigufinolhu
  • Dhoonidhoo
  • Ehrruh-haa
  • Enboodhoo
  • Enboodhoofinolhu
  • Eriyadhoo
  • Farukolhufushi
  • Feydhoofinolhu
  • Fihalhohi
  • Funadhoo
  • Furan-nafushi
  • Gasfinolhu
  • Giraavaru
  • Girifushi
  • Gulheegaathuhuraa
  • Helengeli
  • Henbadhoo
  • Hulhulé
  • Huraagandu
  • Ihuru
  • Kagi
  • Kalhuhuraa
  • Kandoomaafushi
  • Kanduoih-giri
  • Kanifinolhu
  • Kanuhuraa
  • Kodhipparu
  • Kudabandos
  • Kudafinolhu
  • Kudahithi
  • Kudahuraa
  • Lankanfinolhu
  • Lankanfushi
  • Lhohifushi
  • Lhosfushi
  • Maadhoo
  • Madivaru
  • Mahaanaélhihuraa
  • Makunudhoo
  • Makunufushi
  • Maniyafushi
  • Medhufinolhu
  • Meerufenfushi
  • Nakachchaafushi
  • Olhahali
  • Olhuveli
  • Oligandufinolhu
  • Ran-naalhi
  • Rasfari
  • Thanburudhoo
  • Thilafushi
  • Thulhaagiri
  • Vaadhoo
  • Vaagali
  • Vabbinfaru
  • Vabboahuraa
  • Vammaafushi
  • Velassaru
  • Velifaru
  • Veliganduhuraa
  • Vihamanaafushi
  • Villingilimathidhahuraa
  • Villingilivau
  • Ziyaaraiffushi

Disappeared Islands[]

North Ari Atoll (AA) (Alif Alif Atoll)[]

Inhabited Islands[]

Uninhabited Islands[]

  • Alikoirah
  • Bathalaa
  • Beyrumadivaru
  • Dhin-nolhufinolhu
  • Ellaidhoo
  • Etheramadivaru
  • Fusfinolhu
  • Fushi
  • Gaagandu
  • Gaathufushi
  • Gangehi
  • Halaveli
  • Kandholhudhoo
  • Kudafolhudhoo
  • Kuramathi
  • Maagaa
  • Maayyafushi
  • Madivarufinolhu
  • Madoogali
  • Mathivereefinolhu
  • Meerufenfushi
  • Mushimasgali
  • Rasdhoo madivaru
  • Velidhoo
  • Veligandu
  • Vihamaafaru

Disappeared Islands[]

South Ari Atoll (ADh) (Alif Dhaal Atoll)[]

Inhabited Islands[]

Uninhabited Islands[]

  • Alikoirah
  • Angaagaa
  • Ariadhoo
  • Athurugau
  • Bodufinolhu
  • Bodukaashihuraa
  • Bulhaaholhi
  • Dhehasanulunboihuraa
  • Dhiddhoofinolhu
  • Dhiffushi
  • Enboodhoo
  • Finolhu
  • Gasfinolhu
  • Heenfaru
  • Hiyafushi
  • Hukurudhoo
  • Hurasdhoo
  • Huruelhi
  • Huvahendhoo
  • Innafushi
  • Kalhuhandhihuraa
  • Kudadhoo
  • Kudarah
  • Maafushivaru
  • Machchafushi
  • Medhufinolhu
  • Mirihi
  • Moofushi
  • Nalaguraidhoo
  • Rahddhiggaa
  • Rangali
  • Rangalifinolhu
  • Rashukolhuhuraa
  • Theluveligaa
  • Tholhifushi
  • Thundufushi
  • Vakarufalhi
  • Vilamendhoo
  • Villingili
  • Villinglivaru

Disappeared Islands[]

  • Kudadhoo

Felidhu Atoll (V) (Vaavu Atoll)[]

Inhabited Islands[]

Uninhabited Islands[]

  • Aarah

Disappeared Islands[]

Mulakatholhu (M) (Meemu Atoll)[]

Inhabited Islands[]

Uninhabited Islands[]

  • Kurali

Disappeared Islands[]

North Nilandhe Atoll (F) (Faafu Atoll)[]

Inhabited Islands[]

Uninhabited Islands[]

  • Badidhiffusheefinolhu
  • Dhiguvarufinolhu
  • Enbulufushi
  • Faanuvaahuraa
  • Filitheyo
  • Himithi
  • Jinnathugau
  • Kandoomoonufushi
  • Maafushi
  • Maavaruhuraa
  • Madivaruhuraa
  • Makunueri
  • Minimasgali
  • Villingilivarufinolhu
  • Voshimasfalhuhuraa

Disappeared Islands[]

South Nilandhe Atoll (D) (Dhaalu Atoll)[]

Inhabited Islands[]

Uninhabited Islands[]

  • Aloofushi
  • Bodufushi
  • Bulhalafushi
  • Dhebaidhoo
  • Dhoores
  • Enboodhoofushi
  • Faandhoo
  • Gaadhiffushi
  • Hiriyanfushi
  • Hudhufusheefinolhu
  • Hulhuvehi
  • Issari
  • Kandinma
  • Kanneiyfaru
  • Kedhigandu
  • Kiraidhoo
  • Lhohi
  • Maadheli
  • Maafushi
  • Maagau
  • Maléfaru
  • Meedhuffushi
  • Minimasgali
  • Naibukaloabodufushi
  • Olhuveli
  • Thilabolhufushi
  • Thinhuraa
  • Uddhoo
  • Valla
  • Vallalhohi
  • Velavaroo (Velavaru)
  • Vonmuli

Disappeared Islands[]

  • Madivaruhuraa

Kolhumadulu (Th) (Thaa Atoll)[]

Inhabited Islands[]

Uninhabited Islands[]

  • Kandaru
  • Medhafushi

Disappeared Islands[]

Hadhdhunmathi (L) (Laamu Atoll)[]

Inhabited Islands[]

Uninhabited Islands[]

  • Athahédha
  • Berasdhoo
  • Bileitheyrahaa
  • Bodufenrahaa
  • Bodufinolhu
  • Boduhuraa
  • Bodumaabulhali
  • Bokaiffushi
  • Dhekunu Vinagandu
  • Faés
  • Fonagaadhoo
  • Fushi
  • Gaadhoo
  • Gasfinolhu
  • Guraidhoo
  • Hanhushi
  • Hedha
  • Holhurahaa
  • Hulhimendhoo
  • Hulhisdhoo
  • Hulhiyandhoo
  • Kalhuhuraa
  • Kalhaidhoo
  • Kandaru
  • Kudafares
  • Kudafushi
  • Kudahuraa
  • Kudakalhaidhoo
  • Kukurahaa
  • Maakaulhuveli
  • Maandhoo
  • Maaveshi
  • Mahakanfushi
  • Medhafushi
  • Medhoo
  • Medhufinolhu
  • Medhuvinagandu
  • Munyafushi
  • Olhutholhu
  • Olhuveli
  • Thunburi
  • Thundudhoshufushi Nolhoo/
  • Uthuruvinagandu
  • Uvadhevifushi
  • Vadinolhu
  • Veligandufinolhu
  • Ziyaaraiffushi

Disappeared Islands[]

North Huvadhu Atoll (GA) (Gaafu Alif Atoll)[]

Inhabited Islands[]

Uninhabited Islands[]

Disappeared Islands[]

South Huvadhu Atoll (GDh) (Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll)[]

Inhabited Islands[]

Uninhabited Islands[]

Disappeared Islands[]

  • Keyhuvadhoo

Fuvahmulah (Gn) (Gnaviyani Atoll)[]

Inhabited Islands[]

Taking into consideration the geography of the island along with its size and population, the 8 wards of Fuvahmulah are officially recognised as administrative divisions which act as the replacement for islands in other atolls. They are Dhadimago, Diguvāndo, Hōdhado, Mādhado, Miskimmago, Funādo, Mālegan, Dūndigan. For each ward a chief ('Katheeb') was appointed as in charge of the day-to-day affairs of the respective ward and held accountable for an Atoll chief. According to the Decentralisation Act 2010 an island council too have to be elected for each division of the island. There was formerly a ninth ward named Dhashokubaa which was merged with Miskimmago.[6]

Addu Atoll (Seenu Atoll)[]

Inhabited Islands[]

Uninhabited Islands[]

  • Aboohéra - (within or part of Hithadhoo)
  • Gan
  • - (within or part of Hithadhoo)
  • Maamendhoo -(within or part of Hithadhoo)
  • - (within or part of Hithadhoo)
  • - (within or part of Hithadhoo)
  • - (within or part of Hithadhoo)
  • - (within or part of Hithadhoo)
  • Villingili

Disappeared Islands[]

  • Addu

References[]

  1. ^ https://statisticsmaldives.gov.mv/maldives-in-figures-june-2021/
  2. ^ Godfrey, Tim. Maldives, Travellers and Divers Map: Islands, Resorts, Dive Sites, Protected Marine Areas, Surfing Locations. Apollo Bay, Vic., Australia: Atoll Editions, 1999. ISBN 1-876410-30-2
  3. ^ Divehiraajjege Jōgrafīge Vanavaru. Muhammadu Ibrahim Lutfee. G.Sōsanī. Malé 1999.
  4. ^ "Maldives Geographical Land Area Survey 2019". 13 February 2019.
  5. ^ "Maldives 2014 Census - National Bureau of Statistics" (PDF).
  6. ^ Xavier Romero-Frias, The Maldive Islanders, A Study of the Popular Culture of an Ancient Ocean Kingdom, Barcelona 1999, ISBN 84-7254-801-5
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