Pushpitha Wijesinghe
As a collection of over 20 natural atolls the Maldives is a pristine holiday hub unlike any other. From the popular resort hubs to lesser known corners of paradise the country's atolls are as follows.
As one of the more unusually shaped atolls in the archipelago the Thiladhunmati Atoll is made up of nearly 40 separate moderately large islands.
Made up of two islets named Etthingili and Alifushi the Etthingili Alifushi Atoll is collectively known as 'The Powell Islands'. Alifushi is the only island that is currently inhabited among the two.
Located in the northernmost reaches of the archipelago the natural atoll is 22km long and is home to 25 islets.
Located in the western reaches of the country the Māmakunudhoo Atoll also known as Makunudhoo is home to four islands named Edipparufushi, Makunudhoo, Fenboahuraa and Innafushi.
Nearly 71km long and 26km in width Maalhosmadulu Uthuruburi atoll contains a number of oval shaped reefs that are oddly located along its western fringes.
Also known as the Southern Maalhosmadulu Atoll is also home to a large number of Farus while the inner lagoon is equally picturesque.
Known as Goifulhafehendhu Atoll or the Horsburgh Atoll this atoll is relatively small and is made up of seven islands.
Nestled between two neighbouring atolls the Fasdhūtherē Atoll contains eleven islands of which only one is inhabited.
Synonymous with the elliptical shaped reef within its confines that has caused many a ship wreck this atoll is best known as the home of the Gaafaru reef.
Home to two islands dubbed Kaashidhoo Huraa and Kaashidhoo of which only the latter remains at present.
As one of the smaller atolls in the archipelago Faadhippolhu Atoll is home to nearly 52 islands. Five islands are inhabited.
Perhaps better known as the North Malé Atoll Male'atholhu Uthuruburi is where the country's capital Male is found. This atoll is home to nearly 50 islands.
Made up of ten islands Felidhe Atoll is one of the larger atolls in the Maldives. Encircled by barrier reefs the atoll's Fottheyo Muli cape in the east is the country's eastern tip.
As an isolated circular shaped atoll the Thoddu Atolls serves as the western entry point of the Kardiva Channel. Home to a narrow reef it is one of the few atolls that are devoid of a lagoon.
Also dubbed Rasdhukuramathi Atoll this rather minute atoll contains an almost circular lagoon that is 7km in width which is littered with patches of colourful coral reefs.
Made up of 50 islets the Ari Atoll is a well-known hub for divers and snorkelers as its lagoon and sea beds contain substantial coral reefs. Located in its southern fringes Maafushivaru Maldives is among the Maldives island resorts located on the atoll.
A smaller atoll within the Maldives the elliptical shaped Vattaru Atoll is home to just one island and an inner lagoon.
An impressive 48km in length the Haddhunmathi Atoll is contains a lagoon with shoaled areas and is often compared to Kolhumadulhu in appearance.
Located in a world of its own away from the principles atolls of the Maldives the Malaku Atoll is encircled by barrier reefs. Separated from other atolls by a number of channels including Kudahuvadhoo Kandu and Hatharu-Atholhu Medu Kandu the atoll made up of 21 islets.
Also known as the Southern Nilandhe Atoll the Nilandhe Atholhu Dhekunuburi is larger than the Northern Nilandhe Atoll which is separated from its southern counterpart by the Dheburudheetheree Kandu channel.
Detached from Ari Atoll by the Ariadhoo Kandu channel the Nilandhe Atholhu Uthuruburi is 29km length atoll with four islands to its name.
With a majority of its islands located along its southern fringes Kolhumadulu is51km in length.
Typical in its shape the Haddhunmathi Atoll is similar to Kolhumadulu in appearance.
As the most expansive atoll in the country the Huvadhoo Atoll is also the largest in the world.
