Is Maldives an Atoll?

The Maldives are formed by 20 natural atolls, along with a few islands and isolated reefs today which form a pattern stretching from 7 degrees 10′ North to 0 degrees 45′ South. The largest of these atolls is Boduthiladhunmathi, while the atoll containing the most islands is Huvadhu.

Are the Maldives volcanic islands?

The Maldive Islands are a series of coral atolls built up from the crowns of a submerged ancient volcanic mountain range. All the islands are low-lying, none rising to more than 6 feet (1.8 metres) above sea level. Barrier reefs protect the islands from the destructive effects of monsoons.

How many atolls are there in the Maldives?

Maldives Geography

The Maldives is a chain of 26 coral atolls that extends over 750 km of the Indian Ocean, to just south of the equator. Of the 1192 islands only about 290 are inhabited, including about 90 with tourist resorts.