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.
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.
List of Inhabited Islands And Districts By Population
North Thiladhunmathi (HA) (Haa Alif Atoll)
Inhabited Islands
Uninhabited Islands
Disappeared Islands
South Thiladhunmathi (HDh) (Haa Dhaalu Atoll)
Inhabited Islands
Uninhabited Islands
Disappeared Islands
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
- Keekimimi
- Kudafaruboduhuraa
- kudafaruhuraagandu
- kudafaruhuraa
- Killissafaruhuraa
- Kudalhaimendhoo
- Madidhoo
- Madikurendhdhoo
- Maleehuraa
- Mathikomandoo
- Maakandoodhoo
- Medhurah
- Medhukunburudhoo
- Migoodhoo
- Naainfarufinolhu
- Naalaahuraa
- Nalandhoo
- Naruibudhoo
- Neyo
- thabeyhuraa
- Vagaru
Disappeared Islands
- Gallaidhookudarah
- Gonaafushi
- Killisfaru'rahgandu
South Miladhunmadulu (N) (Noonu Atoll)
Inhabited Islands
Uninhabited Islands
- Badadhidhdhoo
- Bodufushi
- Bodulhaimendhoo
- Bomasdhoo
- Burehifasdhoo
- Dheefuram
- Dhelibehuraa
- Dhekenanfaru
- Dhigurah
- Dhonaerikandoodhoo
- Ekulhivaru
- Farumuli
- Felivaru
- Fodhidhipparu
- Fushivelavaru
- Gallaidhoofushi
- Gemendhoo
- Goanbilivaadhoo
- Hulhumeedhoo
- Huivani
- Hulhudhdhoo
- Huvadhumaavattaru
- Iguraidhoo
- Kuddarah
- Kadimmahuraa
- Kalaidhoo
- Karimma
- Kedhivaru
- Koalaa
- Kolhufushi
- Kudafunafaru
- Kudafushi
- Kunnamaloa
- Kuramaadhoo
- Kuredhivaru
- Loafaru
- Maafunafaru
- Maakurandhoo
- Maakanaafushi
- Maavelavaru
- Medhafushi
- Medhufaru
- Maafarudhoo
- Minaavaru
- Orimasvaru
- Orivaru
- Raafushi
- Raalulaakolhu
- Randheli
- Thaburudhoo
- Thaburudhuffushi
- Tholhendhoo
- Thoshigadukolhu
- Vattaru
- Vavathi
- Vihafarufinolhu
Disappeared Islands
- Kulhimila (unconfirmed)
- Kudavattaru (unconfirmed)
North Maalhosmadulu (R) (Raa Atoll)
Inhabited Islands
Uninhabited Islands
- Aarah
- Arilundhoo
- Badaveri
- Bodufarufinolhu
- Bodufenmaaenboodhoo
- Bodufushi
- Boduhaiykodi
- Boduhuraa
- Ekurufushi
- Etthingili
- Dhigali
- Dhoragali
- Dheburidheythereyvaadhoo
- Dhikkurendhdhoo
- Dhinnaafushi
- Faarafushi
- Fasmendhoo
- Fenfushi
- Filaidhoo
- Fuggiri
- Furaveri
- Gaaudoodhoo
- Giraavaru
- Goyyafaru
- Goiymaru
- Guboshi
- Hiraveri
- Hulhudhoo
- Huruvalhi
- Ifuru
- Kandholhudhoo
- Kaddogadu
- Kothaifaru
- Kottafaru
- Kottefaru
- Kudafushi
- Kudahaiykodi
- Kudakurathu
- Kudalhosgiri
- kudafenmaaenboodhoo
- Kudathulhaadhoo
- Kukulhudhoo
- Kuroshigiri
- Lhaanbugali
- Lhaanbugau
- Lhohi
- Liboakandhoo
- Lundhufushi
- Maafaru
- Maamigili
- Maamunagaufinolhu
- Maanenfushi
- Maashigiri
- Madivaafaru
- Mahidhoo
- Meedhupparu
- Minaadhoo
- Muravandhoo
- Mullaafushi
- Neyo
- Thaavathaa
- Ugulu
- Uthurumaafaru
- Vaffushihuraa
- Vandhoo
- Veyvah
- Viligili
- Wakkaru
Disappeared Islands
- Boduhuraa
- Ethigandujehihuraa
- Fasgandufarufinolhu
- Furaverumeehungemaafaru
- Gaaviligiligaathurah
- Huruvalhigaathurah
- Inguraidhookudadhiffushi
- Kandhoomeehungelhaanbugali
- Kurredhupparu
South Maalhosmadulu (B) (Baa Atoll)
Inhabited Islands
Uninhabited Islands
Disappeared Islands
- Boadhaafusheefinolhu
- Dhoogandufinolhu
- Dhorukandu'dhekunuhuraa
- Dhorukandu'uthuruhuraa
- Goidhoohuraa
- Hithadhoohuraa
- Hithadookudarah
- Kalhunaiboli
- Lhavadhookandurah
- Velavaru
Faadhippolhu (Lh) (Lhaviyani Atoll)
Inhabited Islands
Uninhabited Islands
- Aligau
- Bahurukabeeru
- Bodhuhuraa
- Bodufinolhu
- Bodufaahuraa
- Bodugaahuraa
- Dhidhdhoo
- Dhirubaafushi
- Diffushi
- Faadhoo
- Fainuaadham-Huraa
- Fehigili
- Felivaru (capital of the Uthuru Province)
- Fushifaru
- Gaaerifaru
- Govvaafushi
- Hadoolaafushi
- Hiriyadhoo
- Hudhufushi
- Huravalhi
- Kalhumanjehuraa
- Kalhuoiyfinolhu
- Kanifushi
- Kanuhuraa
- Komandoo
- Kudadhoo
- Kuredhdhoo
- Lhohi
- Lhossalafushi
- Maabinhuraa
- Maavaafushi
- Madhiriguraidhoo
- Madivaru
- Maduvvari
- Maidhoo
- Mayyafushi
- Medhadhihuraa
- Medhafushi
- Meedhaahuraa
- Mey-yyaafushi
- Musleygihuraa
- Ookolhufinolhu
- Raiyruhhuraa
- Selhlhifushi
- Thilamaafushi
- Varihuraa
- Vavvaru
- Veligadu
- Veyvah
- Vihafarufinolhu
Disappeared Islands
- Aligauhuraagandu
- Bahurukabiru
- Bulhalaafushi
- Ruhelhifushi
Male' (K) Atoll (Kaafu Atoll)
Inhabited Islands
Uninhabited Islands
Disappeared Islands
- Bisfushi
- Gaadhoo (now part of Hulhulé)
- Gulhifalhurah
- Kaashidhookudarah
- Kaddhipparu
- Kuda Malé (now part of Malé)
- Kudavattaru
- Kuredhivinahuraagandu
- Oiidhuni
- Dhabilalhidhoo
North Ari Atoll (AA) (Alif Alif Atoll)
Inhabited Islands
Uninhabited Islands
Disappeared Islands
- Bathalaamaagau
- Faanumadugau
- Fushifarurah
- Gaahuraafussari
- Gonaagau
- Huraadhoo
- Kubuladhi
- Kudafalhufushi
- Kurolhi
- Orimasfushi
- Ukulhasgaathufushi
South Ari Atoll (ADh) (Alif Dhaal Atoll)
Inhabited Islands
Uninhabited Islands
Disappeared Islands
- Aafinolhu
- Ariadhoo
- Aufushi
- Faruhukuruvalhi
- Hithifushi
- Huraadhoo
- Kalaafushi
- Kudadhoo
- Medhafushi
- Theyofulhihuraa
Felidhu Atoll (V) (Vaavu Atoll)
Inhabited Islands
Uninhabited Islands
- Aarah
- Alimathaa
- Anbaraa
- Bodumohoraa
- Dhiggiri
- Foiytheyobodufushi
- Fussfaruhuraa
- Hingaahuraa
- Hulhidhoo
- Kuda-anbaraa
- Kudhiboli
- Kunawashi
- Maafussaru
- Medhugiri
- Thunduhuraa
- Raggadu
- Ruhhurihuraa
- Vashugiri
- Vattaru'rah
Disappeared Islands
- Aahuraa
- Hinagaakalhi
- Kahanbufushi
- Kalhuhuraa
- Kolhudhuffushi
- Kudadhiggaru
- Kudafussfaruhuraa
Mulakatholhu (M) (Meemu Atoll)
Inhabited Islands
Uninhabited Islands
- Boahuraa
- Dhekunuboduveli
- Dhiththudi
- Erruh-huraa
- Fenboafinolhu
- Fenfuraaveli
- Gaahuraa
- Gasveli
- Gongalu Huraa
- Haafushi
- Hakuraahuraa
- Hurasveli
- Kekuraalhuveli
- Kudadhigandu
- Kurali
- Kudausfushi
- Maahuraa
- Maalhaveli
- Maausfushi
- Medhufushi
- Raabandhihuraa
- Seedhihuraa
- Seedhihuraaveligandu
- Thuvaru
- Uthuruboduveli
- Veriheybe
Disappeared Islands
- Boduvela
- Dhonveliganduhuraa
- Vah'huruvalhi
North Nilandhe Atoll (F) (Faafu Atoll)
Inhabited Islands
Uninhabited Islands
Disappeared Islands
South Nilandhe Atoll (Dh) (Dhaalu Atoll)
Inhabited Islands
Uninhabited Islands
Disappeared Islands
Kolhumadulu (Th) (Thaa Atoll)
Inhabited Islands
Uninhabited Islands
- Bodufinolhu
- Bodurehaa
- Dhiffushi
- Dhonanfushi
- Dhururehaa
- Ekuruffushi
- Elaa
- Fenfushi
- Fenmeerufushi
- Fonaddoo
- Fondhoo
- Fonidhaani
- Fushi
- Gaalee
- Gaathurehaa
- Hathifushi
- Hiriyanfushi
- Hodelifushi
- Hulhiyanfushi
- Kaaddoo
- Kadufushi
- Kafidhoo
- Kakolhas
- Kalhudheyfushi
- Kalhufahalafushi
- Kandaru
- Kani
- Kanimeedhoo
- Kolhufushi-1
- Kolhufushi-2
- Kudadhoo
- Kudakaaddoo
- Kudakibidhoo
- Kurandhuvaru
- Kuredhifushi
- Lhavaddoo
- Maagulhi
- Maalefushi
- Mathidhoo
- Medhafushi
- Olhudhiyafushi
- Olhufushi
- Olhufushi-finolhu
- Olhugiri
- Ruhththibirah
- Thinkolhufushi
- Ufuriyaa
- Usfushi
- Vanbadhi
Disappeared Islands
- Filaagandu
- Kandoodhookuraa
- Keyovah'rah
- Kolhuvanbadhi
- Kudaburunee
- Kudadhiyanmigili
Hadhdhunmathi (L) (Laamu Atoll)
Inhabited Islands
Uninhabited Islands
Disappeared Islands
- Aahuraa
- Aarahaa
- Boduboahuraa
- Bodumahigulhi
- Dhurudhandaaikandaagerah
- Hassanbey'rah
- Ihadhoo
- Kerendhoo
- Kokrahaaoiyythaafinolhu
- Kudamahigulhi
- Sathugalu
- Vadinolhuhuraa
North Huvadhu Atoll (GA) (Gaafu Alif Atoll)
Inhabited Islands
Uninhabited Islands
Disappeared Islands
- Aligalehuttaa
- Falhukolhurataa
- Galuréhaa
- Havvaadhiyekuyyaakéeranahthedhinerehaa
- Kakadiherehuttaa
- Odafuttaa
- Parehulhedhoo
- Thabaidhoo
- Vagaathugalfuttaa
- Viligili
South Huvadhu Atoll (GDh) (Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll)
Inhabited Islands
Uninhabited Islands
Disappeared Islands
- Boduréhaabokkoyyaa
- Hevanaréhaa
- Isdhuvaa
- Maaodagalaa
- Keyhuvadhoo
- Kudakokeréhaa
- Kudhéhaadhu
- Uheréhaa
- Aydeedodasistamodasofdafodas
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.[7]
Addu Atoll (Seenu Atoll)
Inhabited Islands
Uninhabited Islands
- Aboohéra - (within or part of Hithadhoo)
- Boda Hajara
- Bodahéraganda
- Dhigihéra
- Dhiyarudi
- Fahikédéhéraganda
- Gan
- Gaukendi - (within or part of Hithadhoo)
- Geskalhahéra
- Gomahera
- Hankedé
- Hankedé Hajara
- Herathera
- Hikahera
- Ismehela Hera
- Kafathalhaa Héra
- Kabboahera
- Kandihera
- Kédévaahéra
- Koahera
- Kandihéréganda
- Koattay
- Maahera
- Maamendhoo -(within or part of Hithadhoo)
- Madihéra
- Mulikédé
- Odessau-boda - (within or part of Hithadhoo)
- Odessau-kudhu - (within or part of Hithadhoo)
- Rasgedhara - (within or part of Hithadhoo)
- Rujjehera - (within or part of Hithadhoo)
- Savaaheli
- Vashahéra
- Villingili
- Naanu
Disappeared Islands
- Aminaamanike Heraganda
- Feylihikkikudhumaahéra
- Geskalhahéra-kudakalhahéra
- Thinruh Heragada
See also
References
- ^ "Maldives Bureau of Statistics > Maldives in Figures – June 2021".
- ^ 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
- ^ Divehiraajjege Jōgrafīge Vanavaru. Muhammadu Ibrahim Lutfee. G.Sōsanī. Malé 1999.
- ^ "Maldives Geographical Land Area Survey 2019". 13 February 2019.
- ^ "Maldives 2014 Census - National Bureau of Statistics" (PDF).
- ^ "population of maldives 2022 - 2014" (PDF).
- ^ Xavier Romero-Frias, The Maldive Islanders, A Study of the Popular Culture of an Ancient Ocean Kingdom, Barcelona 1999, ISBN 84-7254-801-5
