| |
Maldives consist of 26 atolls which have been divided into 20 administrative districts and one capital city (Malé). The northern most atoll is Haa Alif and the southern most is Seenu. The smallest atoll is Meemu Atoll with only one islet (the largest in the Maldives). The largest atoll in both the Maldives and the whole world is Gaafu Alif which is just south of the one and a half degree channel.
Each atoll is administered by an Atoll Chief (Atholhu Veriyaa). The president (Maumoon Abdul Gayoom) appoints atoll chiefs to each atoll, who administers it as may be decreed and directed by the president. The Ministry of Atoll Administration and its Northern and Southern Regional Offices, Atoll Offices and Island Offices are collectively responsible to the President for Atolls Administration. The administrative head of the island is the Island Chief (Katheeb), appointed by the Ministry of Atolls Administration. The Island Chief's immediate superior is the Atoll Chief.*Malé (city)
The names of most of the atolls are simply the names of letters of the Thaana alphabet. Thaana is used to write Dhivehi, the language of the Maldives, and is related to both the Arabic and Devanagari alphabets.* http://www.atolls.gov.mv
|
