The pearl of the Indian Ocean
The Maldives form a vast archipelago of 26 atolls in the Indian Ocean. Most of the 1,190 islands are mere confetti of white sand topped with coconut palms. The island state has just under 200 inhabited islands and around 130 island hotels. The atolls are divided into two rows, stretching 822 kilometers on a north-south axis, with 130 kilometers separating the farthest islands on an east-west axis. The Maldives atolls form a natural barrier separating the Arabian Sea to the west and the Lacquedive Sea to the east. Lost in the blue immensity, the country lies 612 kilometers southwest of the Indian coast and 755 kilometers west-southwest of Sri Lanka. The Maldives archipelago is crossed by the equator to the south. Only Fuvammulah Island and Addu Atoll lie below the imaginary line. The total land area is 298 km², making the Maldives one of the smallest states in the world. The Maldivian coastline forms a ribbon barely 650 kilometers long. However, if we take into account the maritime zones, the archipelago covers an area of 90,000 km², the equivalent of Jordan.
The amazing formation of the Maldives
It took no less than 30 million years for the Maldives to form. Each of the 26 egg-shaped atolls rests on a steep ridge on the ocean floor. Millions of years ago, coral colonized the edges of marine volcanoes, with only the cone protruding above the water. At the same time, the oceanic crust cooled, causing the seafloor to subside. The tops of the volcanoes gradually sank until they collapsed completely. All that remains are vast atolls where the coral fringe is flush with the ocean surface. Deep gashes in the volcano's slopes, caused by powerful currents, open up passages that ensure an exchange between the tranquil interior waters and the more tumultuous ocean waters. These passes, called kandu in Dihiveli, are traversed by currents that attract fish, sharks and manta rays. Plankton often abounds, as do fish of all sizes, providing delicious meals for large predators. Inside the atolls, and below the surface, rocky peaks lined with coral and algae are called thila when they lie between 5 and 15 meters below the surface, or giri when they are less than 2 meters below. The atoll is now outlined, with steep drop-offs on the outside and shallow waters on the inside, supported by a rugged volcanic floor. The islands are still missing. Corals, which are living organisms, are born, grow and die. These soft polyps develop a hard limestone skeleton as they grow. Currents will clump a layer of dead coral and sediment on the surface of the coral reef. Erosion polishes the dead surface coral into sand. Parrotfish are also involved in the formation of the Maldives' extra-fine sand. They feed on micro-algae that grow alongside the coral. By munching on the algae, they absorb the nutrients and spit out the fine particles of limestone from the corals. It takes 30,000 years for the cycle of coral degradation into sand to be complete. The Maldivian islands are therefore sandbanks formed by currents and winds, resting on top of a coral reef, which explains their great fragility. The average height of the Maldives is just 2 meters above sea level, making it the lowest country in the world. The highest point is 2.30 meters, on the island of Wilingili in the Addu atoll. Malicious tongues attribute the archipelago's highest peak to the island of Thilafushi. Located opposite the capital Malé, it collects all the country's waste and is nicknamed the "garbage island".
The Maldives atolls
The Maldives is made up of 26 atolls and three isolated islands, divided into 20 administrative regions. The capital, Malé, is located in the center of the country. The island of just 8.3 km² is the world's smallest capital, but also one of the most densely populated. In 2020, it had 227,486 inhabitants, compared with just 20,000 in 1987. It is home to a third of the country's population. The capital island's strong demographic growth bears witness to the country's intense development over a very short period of time. Malé was once the royal island, home to the palace and a fort. During the country's political transition in 1968, the island became the capital of the Republic of Maldives. Many of the historic buildings were razed to the ground, to be replaced by modern buildings of little charm. Velana international airport is located just opposite Malé, on the island of Hulhulé. The two islands are now linked by a bridge. The northern atolls form a long necklace that runs from Thavandhippolhu atoll down to Laamu atoll. The northern part, bordered by the Lacquedive Sea, comprises the atolls of Thavandhippolhu, Haa Alifu and Haa Dhaalu, Shaviyani, Noonu, Lhaviyani, Kaafu, Malé Sud, Vaavu, Meemu and Laamu. The western part, bordering the Arabian Sea, includes the atolls of Maamakundhoo, Raa, Baa, Goidhoo, Rasdhoo, Ari, Nilandhoo North and Nilandhoo South and Thaa. The southern part of the Maldives, bisected by the equator, comprises four atolls: Gaafu Alifu and Gaafu Dhaal, Gnaviyani and Addu. The atolls are referred to either by their geographical name or their administrative division, which sometimes complicates understanding. The three isolated islands are Kaashidhoo (north of Kaafu), Thodhoo (north of Rasdhoo) and Fuvammulah (between the atolls of Gnaviyani and Addu). Inhabited islands are scattered throughout the atolls. Villages on these islands are built in a checkerboard pattern around the harbor. Part of the island is still preserved for market-gardening and fruit-growing. Few islands are large enough to have an airport or paved road. The islands of Gan, Feydhoo, Maradhoo and Hithadhoo are linked by a 17-kilometer road - a Maldivian record!
