In Sanskrit the “Garland of Maldives” translates to Maladvipa, which is recognized as the origin of the island nation’s unique name. The phrase expresses the double chained series that number up-to 26 geographical atolls. However, you would notice that most atolls are referred using Dhivehi Alphabetical letters that round up to 20 atolls. What changed?

An atoll is defined as a ring-shaped reef, island or chain of islands formed of coral. Naturally, the Maldive islands have 26 different atolls of different sizes and types. There are atolls that consist of only one island and there are huge atolls in area consisting of many atolls. However, administratively supervising these atolls were difficult, thus atolls were divided into 20 administrative atolls under Dhivehi alphabetic nomenclature. Small island-atolls were registered under nearby larger islands and larger islands were divided.

The northernmost atoll Ihavandhippolhu Atoll and the Nothern Thiladhunmathi Atoll is now known as Haa Alif while the Southern Thiladhunmathi Atoll and Maamakunudhoo Atoll are known as Haa Dhaal Atoll. Miladhunmadulu was divided into a Northern and Southern end representing Shaviyani and Noonu Atoll. Ethingili Alifushi Atoll and Maalhosmadulu Uthuruburi (Northern) Atoll are now part of Raa atoll while Fasdhuethere Atoll Goidhoo Atoll and Maalhosmadulu Dhekunuburi (Southern) Atoll are part of the popular Baa Atoll. Kaashidhoo Atoll, Gaafaru Atoll, both Northern and Southern Male’ Atolls are conjoined as Kaafu Atoll including the Capital City Male’. Next to Kaafu Atoll is Ari Atoll home to the turquoise lagoons, which is divided into Alif Alif Atoll (Northern) and Alif Dhaal Atoll (Southern). Thoddu atoll and Rasdhu Atoll are also part of Alif Alif Atoll. Moderately sized atolls such as Felidhu Atoll, Mulaku Atoll, Nilandhu Atolhu Dhekunuburi, Nilandhu Atholhu Uthuruburi, Kolhumadulu and Haddhunmathi are now Vaavu Atoll (including Vattaru Atoll), Meemu Atoll, Faafu Atoll, Dhaalu Atoll, Thaa Atoll and Laamu Atoll. (Vattaru Atoll is part of Vaavu Atoll). Huvadhoo Atoll, the second largest atoll in the Maldives and the ninth largest atoll in the world is divided into Gaafu Alif (northern) and Gaafu Dhaal (southern) Atolls.

Fuvamullah Atoll is considered as Lhaviyani Atoll but recently recognized as Fuvammulah City while Addu Atoll is considered as Seenu Atoll but recognized as Addu City. It is rather complicating to understand at first, but knowing the nomenclature and how urbanization has changed how we recognize some of these atolls, is very interesting.