#ihavandhippolhu

[hopefulkidshark]

Maldives islands: The Maldives is a country and archipelagic state in South Asia in the Indian Ocean. The Maldives is named after the main island and capital of Male. The word "Maldives" means "the islands (dives) of Male". The name may derive from the Sanskrit word "maladvipa" meaning "garland of islands". Dhivehi Raajje in Dhivehi means "Kingdom of the Dhivehi people". The Maldives is southwest of Sri Lanka and India. The Maldives' chain of 26 atolls stretches across the equator from Ihavandhippolhu Atoll in the north to Addu Atoll in the south. Wikipedia

[triton-maldives]

About Maldives

The Maldives is an archipelagic state and country in South Asia, situated in the Indian Ocean. It lies southwest of Sri Lanka and India, about 750 kilometres (470 miles; 400 nautical miles) from the Asian continent's mainland. The Maldives' chain of 26 atolls stretches across the equator from Ihavandhippolhu Atoll in the north to Addu Atoll in the south. According to legends, the first settlers of the Maldives were people known as Dheyvis. The first Kingdom of the Maldives was known as Dheeva Maari. During the 3rd century BCE visit of emissaries, it was noted that the Maldives was known as Dheeva Mahal. Comprising a territory spanning roughly 90,000 square kilometres (35,000 sq mi) including the sea, land area of all the islands comprises 298 square kilometres (115 sq mi), the Maldives is the smallest country in Asia as well as one of the world's most geographically dispersed sovereign states and as well as one of the smallest Muslim-majority countries by land area and, with a population of 521,021, the 2nd least populous country in Asia. Malé is the capital and the most populated city, traditionally called the "King's Island" where the ancient royal dynasties ruled for its central location.

[molhadhoo]

. ▪️#Molhadhoo މޮޅަދޫ# . . . . . . . . . . . Repost 📸 @ihu_san11 #HaaAlifAtoll #VisitMolhadhoo #ihavandhippolhu #visitihavandhippolhu #Thiladhunmathi #VisitThiladhunmathi #Maldives #maldivesislands #visitmaldives #islandlife #locallife #localisland (at Ha. Molhadhoo) https://www.instagram.com/p/CA7hX_2pztY/?igshid=avwzfpi0jka4

[ramzoozi]

The Maldives, is a small island nation in South Asia, located in the Arabian Sea of the Indian Ocean. It lies southwest of Sri Lanka and India, about 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) from the Asian continent. The chain of 26 atolls stretches from Ihavandhippolhu Atoll in the north to Addu Atoll in the south to the equator. Comprising a territory spanning roughly 298 square kilometres (115 sq mi), the Maldives is one of the world's most geographically dispersed sovereign states as well as the smallest Asian country by land area and population, with around 515,696 inhabitants. Malé is the capital and the most populated city. @earth @earthpix @earth_shotz ℹ️ Did you know ℹ️ Malé is traditionally called the "King's Island" where the ancient royal dynasties ruled for its central location @nature @nature_brilliance @travelandleisure @beautifuldestinations @cntraveler @cnntravel @droneloversonly #Droneglobe #dronenature #earthoutdoors10k #droneoftheday #dronesdaily #fromwhereidrone #gameofdronez #dronepals #surfpics #flightography #depthsofearth #visualsofearth #dronesofearth #moodnation #nature #igtones #djimavic #createscenery #earthfocus #discoverearth #drone #ig_discover #earthpix #cultureofcreatives #dji #maldives🇲🇻 #Maldives #Ramadan (at Maldives, Indian Ocean) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_VvqPRgijU/?igshid=s4cdmgmqs6x4

[sosyetiktinerci]

Maldives, officially the Republic of Maldives, is a small archipelagic state in Indian Subcontinent situated in the Indian Ocean. It lies southwest of Sri Lanka and India, about 700 kilometres (430 mi) from the Asian continent's mainland. The chain of 26 atolls stretches from Ihavandhippolhu Atoll in the north to Addu Atoll in the south (across the Equator). Comprising a territory spanning roughly 298 square kilometres (115 sq mi), Maldives is one of the world's most geographically dispersed sovereign states as well as the smallest Asian country by land area and, with around 557,426 inhabitants, the 2nd least populous country in Asia. Malé is the capital and the most populated city, traditionally called the "King's Island" where the ancient royal dynasties ruled for its central location #djimavicpro2 #dji #djiglobal #djidronephotography #djimavicair #maldives #maldivler #maldivesislands #maladives #maladeviagem #naturephotography #dronevideo #dronefootage #honeymoon #beautifuldestinations #bulanmadu #maldivlertatili #balayı #maldivlerde #maldives🇲🇻 #beach #praia #playa #beachresort #tatil #gezi #gezgin #traveller #dronefoto #4k (Maldives) https://www.instagram.com/p/CSZkkwwjH8S/?utm_medium=tumblr

[kxngkhaosx]

#Repost @travelzap • • • • • • Follow👉 @travelzap 🌏 The Maldives, is a small island nation in South Asia, located in the Arabian Sea of the Indian Ocean. It lies southwest of Sri Lanka and India, about 1,000 kilometres from the Asian continent. The chain of 26 atolls stretches from Ihavandhippolhu Atoll in the north to Addu Atoll in the south to the equator. Comprising a territory spanning roughly 298 square kilometres, the Maldives is one of the world's most geographically dispersed sovereign states as well as the smallest Asian country by land area and population, with around 515,000 inhabitants. ➖ Double❤️tap if you love this place😍 Tag your travel partner🤩 ➖ ➖ Follow👉 @travelzap ➖ ➖ 📸 @kyrenian #travel #travelgram #traveling #travelphotography #travelling #travelblogger #traveler #traveller #wanderlust #traveltheworld #travelblog #travels #traveladdict #travellife #travelphotography #explore #travelawesome #travelpic #travelers #photooftheday #picoftheday #traveldeeper #adventure #travellers #photography #nature #visitmaldives #maldivesresorts #maldivesbeach #maldivesislands https://www.instagram.com/p/CBkdACmjbK0XxXAQ1d8_MnC8Yhz-4jPT10y-8I0/?igshid=e0ucm11o1py6

[whyspeakin]

Northern Atolls Maldives

Northern Atolls Maldives

  Northern Atolls Maldives Explained in Details

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLMzIV2Dg0E

Northern Atolls Maldives Map

The least developed region of the Maldives, the Northern Atolls are pure tropical island escapism territory. While traditionally the tourism zone has only ever included the three atolls directly to the north of North Male' Atoll, there are another six even further north that has been gradually opening up to tourism as new islands are earmarked for development by the government. These atolls remain almost totally unknown by foreigners, and this is a great place to visit for a taste of untouched, traditional Maldivian life.  Maldivian history owes much to this part of the country - Mohammed Thakurufaanu, the man who drove the Portuguese out in the 16th century, was born on the island of Utheemu in Haa Alif Atoll, which remains a place of historical pilgrimage today for Maldivians who come to see his small wooden mansion. There's also huge diving potential throughout the region; there are wrecks along the western fringe of the atolls, but these are only now being properly explored and documented. In the Northern Atolls, there are only 16 functioning resorts at present, making this an uncrowded and truly remote part of the country to visit. Tourism is slowly set to expand here, with a number of islands earmarked for development in previously tourist-free Haa Dhaal and Shaviyani Atolls. About 200km beyond Lhavandhippolhu Atoll, at the country's northern tip, lies the Lak­shadweep Islands, which have had a long association with the Maldives. Formerly known as the Laccadives, these islands are now Indian territory, but geologically they are part of the mostly submerged Laccadive-Chagos ridge that underlies all of the Maldives and extends down to the Chagos Archipelago.

HAA ALIF ATOLLS

                                            Ihavandhippolhu Traditionally known as Ihavandhippolhu and North Thiladhunmathee Atolls, the very northern tip of the Maldives is generally known to one and all as Haa Alif Atoll, even though this refers to an administrative dis­trict that actually comprises the small, Trap- Ezoid-shaped Lhavandhippolhu Atoll and the northern tip of North Thiladhunmathee Atoll, which together have 16 inhabited is­lands and a population of just under 14,000. On Minicoy, the largest island of the Lak­shadweep Islands, people speak a language very similar to Divehi and readily under­stand the Maldivian language themselves Uligamu The second northernmost island, Uligamu (population 267) is the ‘clear in’ port for private yachts - it has health and immigra­tion officers as well as National Security Service (NSS) personnel, so yachts should be able to complete all formalities here (see pl81). Following a feasibility study, the government has decided to establish a yacht marina in the Northern Atolls, but Uligamu has been ruled out for financial and environmental reasons. The capital island is Dhidhdhoo (popula­tion 2500), which offers good anchorage for passing yachts. Huvarafushi, the next largest island, is noted for its music, dancing and sporting activities, and it also has a fish-freezing plant. The island of Utheemu (population 520) is the birthplace of Sultan Mohammed Thakurufaanu, who, with his brothers, overthrew Portuguese rule in 1573. A me­morial to this Maldivian hero, with a small museum and library, was opened in 1986. Thakurufaanu’s wooden palace has been re­stored and Maldivians come to pay homage to their national hero. Kelaa {population 1200) was the northern British base during WW1I, mirroring Gan at the other end of the archipelago. The mosque here dates from the end of the 17th century. Yams and Cadjan (mats made of coconut palm leaves) are the island’s products. Resorts If you’re arriving after a long-haul flight in the Maldives, bear in mind that selecting a resort in the far north of the country will add on at least two hours to your journey each way - often more, depending on flight timings. Many travellers have complained that this made all the difference to their moods on arrival and suggested we men­tion it here! Cinnamon island Resort & Spa Location: Alidhoo island  www.dnnamonhotels.com https://www.cinnamonhotels.com/cinnamondhonvelimaldives Distance: Airport transfer by plane then speedboat total 80min Capacity: 100 rooms A flagship hotel for the Sri Lankan Cinnamon Hotels group. Alidhoo is an al­most perfectly circular island, with heavy foliage in its centre and a dazzling beach in parts, meaning that it certainly looks the part from afar. However, the island it­self has no lagoon, with the resuit that it is particularly vulnerable to shifting sands at any time of the year and so the beach moves and can sometimes be a little small and disappointing. The accommodation is of high standard, though, ranging from smart and spacious beach villas that have their own outdoor jacuzzis to duplex water villas, all decked out in bright tropical colours and with some terrific ocean views. The lack of a lagoon means that swimming in the sea is not always the experience it should be, though the resort does have a fantastic and large infinity pool. The food gets rather mixed reports - the mainstay is a decent buffet, whiie the a la carte restaurants get better feedback. Other facilities include a dive school, water sports centre, library, sumptuous Mandara Spa and the usual host of excursions. This is a decent upper- to mid-level place with serious top-end aspirations. Given the long journey up to the north, however, con­sider carefully if you want to come all this extra way.

Island Hideaway

Island Hideaway Location: Dhonakhli island https://www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com/ Distance: Airport transfer by plane then speedboat total 80min Capacity: 43 rooms Certainly true to its name - located about as remote as you can imagine in the Maldives’ most northerly atoll. But while some re­sorts might Blanche at the idea of being so far removed from Male’ and the busy international airport. Island Hideaway has effortlessly capitalised on it, after all, many guests arrive here by private jet at the nearby Hanimaadhoo airport, or by yacht, which can be berthed at the resort itself (there are 30 berths for yachts up to 80m - all state of the art and installed by Walcon Marine). When Island Hideaway opened in 2005 it was a sensation and has remained a much-talked-about benchmark in Maldivian lux­ury since then. Set on a gorgeous crescent­shaped island with beaches 1.5km long on both sides, this is without a doubt one of the most beautiful resorts in the country. The five categories of rooms start with the standard Funa Pavilions on the beach which at 176 sq metres are still rather large. These white-walled houses have sepa­rate bedrooms and living rooms, teak floors throughout, slate and onyx finished out­door bathrooms, ail possible conveniences from DVD players to espresso machines, and feature their own gardens. The aston­ishingly grand water villas and the incred­ible two Hideaway Palaces (1420 sq metres of faintly ridiculous exclusivity coming in at around US$4000 per night) make up the top end of the resort’s accommodation. The pampering extends to the Mandara Spa, the infinity pool, a range of restaurants and boutiques. The pristine reefs around the island and the untouched sites further afield make another great reason to come here, while the Meridis Diving School www. meridis.de is exceptionally smart with lux­ury boats and tiny groups, but inevitably expensive. Some visitors have complained that there are a lot of kids here - unusual perhaps for a resort in this category; it’s certainly fair to say that the resort is a child- friendly and has a great (free) kids club. So there you have it: this resort is one of the most exclusive and reclusive in the country (discretion and understatement being its unofficial slogan). So if having a handmade soap menu seems normal to you, you’ll fit right in.   Beach House at Manataru Location: Manafaru Island; www.be3chhausecollection.com Distance:  Airport transfer by plane then speedboat total 120min The most northerly resort in the country. It opened in late 2007, clearly, with an eye to trumping nearby Island Hideaway as the luxury resort, everyone was talk­ing about. It hasn’t quite worked out like that, however. We’ve heard quite a few complaints from people who’ve paid these prices (the rack rates are slightly higher here than at Island Hideaway) and felt the place wasn’t really up to scratch, though in fairness management does seem determined to overcome these teething problems and fix what’s wrong. Bear in mind that due to its location this resort takes longer to reach from Male’ International Airport than any other in the country, and so guests should rightly expect everything to be top-notch once they arrive. The rooms are without a doubt gor­geously designed, with the starting category alone being an enormous 152 sq meters, going up to the 693 sq meter Grand Beach Pavilion. The look is minimal but stylish with Asian touches such as dark wood fit­tings and rattan chairs. The resort also has all the facilities you’d expect at these prices three restaurants, three bars, a gorgeous spa, dive centre and butler service 'to an­ticipate your needs’. There is no house reef, however, mean­ing that the sea can be rather rough and that there’s little to see for snorkellers. Another eyebrow-raiser is that wi-fi is an incredible US$27.50 per day. Service and food have been said to be hit and miss in the past, and while this can be said for many resorts, it’s unusual to hear such a complaint about a place in this price bracket.  

HAA DHAAL

Haa Dhaal is an administrative district com­prising some 16,000 people spread over 16 inhabited islands and made up of South Thi-Ladhunmathee Atoll (the central section of an elongated reef and lagoon formation ex­tending over 150km north to south) and the far smaller Maamakunudhoo Atoll (a narrow oval of reefs, about 20km to the west). Kulhuduffushi is the capital island and also the most populous, with 7000 peo­ple. It has been chosen by the government as the Maldives’ northern regional centre and has a hospital, secondary school, and all basic services. The traditional speciali­ties here are rope making and shark fish­ing, though a national ban introduced in 2009 by the Maldivian government has forced local shark fishermen to hunt for other fish. The regional airport is on Hanimaadhoo (population 1200). Maldiv­ian has flights to and from Male’ on most days - and this is the only runway in all the Northern Atolls, so flights are busy. There was a hotel being built on Hanimaadhoo at the time of writing, which will provide FITs with the opportunity to stay over in a medium-sized Maldivian town en route to their resort if they’d like to see more of the local culture. The highest natural point in the Maldives, at about 3m above sea level, is on Faridhao (population 87), where there are ancient Buddhist ruins. On Kumundhoo there’s a stone circle that seems to be the base of Bud­dhist stupa, and Hawitta (artificial mound) remains can still be seen on Vaikaradhoo. The area around Haa Dhaal suffers se­vere storms, and quite a few vessels have gone down in these waters. Maamakunud­hoo Atoll is the graveyard of several ships, including the English ships Persia Mer­chant, wrecked here in 1658, and the Hay-ston, which ran onto a reef in 1819. In each instance, survivors were rescued by local people and treated with kindness, a source of great local pride. The islands of Hondaafushi, Naagoashi and Kudamuraidhoo have been allocated as resorts and the building is currently underway.  

SHAVIYANI

Looking at a modern map, the Shaviyani administrative district, made up of Milad-Hunmadulu Atoll and Thiladhunmathee Atoll, appears to be part of one elongated atoll enclosing a single, very long lagoon. Shaviyani administrative district comprises 15 inhabited islands with a total of 11,940 people. This atoll is most famous today as a major breeding ground for turtles, which breed successfully on its pristine beaches. The capital is Funadhoo (population 1520), a pretty island with the ruins of an ancient mosque and 13th-century tombstones. Narudhoo (population 426) is a tiny island with a natural freshwater lake on it - one of the very few places in the whole country where water collects above ground. The main mosque on the island of Kan-ditheemu (population 1150) incorporates the oldest known example of the Maldives’ unique Thaana script - it’s an inscription on a doorframe, which notes that the roof was constructed in 1588. Another famous island is uninhabited Nalandhoo, where the Thaku-rufaanu brothers hid their boat between guerrilla battles with the Portuguese. Zitahli Resort & Spa Dholhiyadhoo Mal­dives  www.zitahlidholhiyacihoo.com  the first resort in the atoll. Capacity: 100-room luxury The beautiful crescent island of Dhol- Hiyadhoo. A further four islands in the atoll have been earmarked for development into re­sorts.   Gaakoshibi Farukolhu Kam- baalifaru and Vagaru Capacity: 35-room Per Aquum spa resort called Maakaana.  

NOONU

The southern end of the Miladhunmadulu- Thiladhunmathee Atoll complex is called South Miladhunmadulu, and it forms the Noonu administrative district, compris­ing 13 inhabited islands with a combined total of just over 10,000 people. The capi­tal island, Manadhoo, has 1200 people, but Holhudhoo (population 1500) and Velidhoo (population 1700) are more populous. On the island of Landhoo (population 580) are the remnants of a hawitta supposedly left by the fabled Redin, a people who figure in Maldivian folklore. The hawitta is a 15m- high mound known locally as maa badhige (great cooking place). Thor Heyerdahl writes extensively about the tall, fairhaired Redin in his book The Maldive Mystery. He believes them to have been the first inhabitants of the Maldives, as long ago as 2000 BC. There are now two brand-new resorts open in Noonu, with a further four in the pipeline.    Irufushi Beach & Spa Resort Location: Medhafustii Island Website: www.irufushi.com Distance: Air­port transfer by seaplane 45min, This enor­mous development is impressive, from beach villas with charming thatched roofs to water bungalows with their own private pools. Decor is in a minimalist tropical-Asian style, with lots of black wood, rattan furniture and brightly coloured accents. As with many new resorts, there have of course been teething problems - we’ve heard some fairly unimpressed reports about the food and service in the restau­rants. While there is a range of restaurants, all-inclusive guests can only eat at the main buffet, which doesn’t seem to change much. Other facilities include a great spa, an ex­pensive diving school and water sports cen­tre. The house reef is perfectly OK without being spectacular, although there are some good dive sites nearby.    Zitahli Kuda-Fanafaru Maldives Location:  Kudafunafaru island Website:  www.zitahlikudafunafaru.com Distance: Airport transfer by seaplane 45min Noonu’s similarly new but far smaller and more exclusive- feeling resort, and the first of three Zitahli properties to open in the Maldives. The is­land itself is a real stunner, with wide pow­der-white beaches and thick foliage on a perfect lagoon. The rooms are similarly impressive - all are massive, from the 175 sq metre Deluxe Beach Villas to the Super Deluxe Beach Villa with its own pool at a massive 220 sq metres - you won’t feel crowded here! The design of the rooms is as fabulous as you’d expect at these prices, with higher catego­ries coming with their own large private pools and featuring every amenity you can think of - from espresso machines to rain showers to DVD players. The resort of­fers a full range of facilities from a dive school (very expensive) to a spa, freshwater swimming pool and water sports centre. Again, we've heard guests talk about bad service here, which seems to be typical for non-global brands. North and South Male Atolls Read the full article

[desniyarch]

I Heaven or Ihavandhippolhu

A case in point is China’s involvement in the Ihavandhippolhu Integrated Development Project or iHavan, a link to the MSR, which lies in the northernmost atoll of the Maldives on the seven degree channel through which the main East-West shipping routes connect Southeast Asia and China to the Middle East and Europe. iHavan, located centrally at the IOR, has over US$ 18 trillion worth of goods passing through its waters annually. Reportedly it gets huge concessional loans and aid financing from China. These financial aids, apparently, were given at a very high rate of interest that Male certainly would not be able to meet without a unilateral waiver. Experts say this is a common tactic applied by China to of relaxing loan conditions in exchange for control over maritime projects it helps finance. This also fits in well with Male’s ambition of transforming itself into an international trade hub on par with Singapore. By endorsing MSR, Maldives seeks to promote itself as a vital trade and transit port.

http://mantraya.org/maldives-helping-china-counter-american-design/

[molhadhoo]

. ▪️#Molhadhoo މޮޅަދޫ# Repost 📸 @ibrahim_rifath #HaaAlifAtoll #VisitMolhadhoo #ihavandhippolhu #visitihavandhippolhu #Thiladhunmathi #VisitThiladhunmathi #Maldives #maldivesislands #visitmaldives #islandlife #locallife #localisland (at Ha. Molhadhoo) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCD8_64JoJN/?igshid=yzs3o77y0e3q

[nonbinary-nature-lover-jeri]

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A post shared by Jeri Rae Cheney (@jeri.rae)

Maldives 🇲🇻 Saturday At Noon Maldives 🇲🇻 Saturday At Noon A relaxing look at the coast of an island in the Maldives around noon today, Saturday. “The Maldives, officially the Republic of Maldives, is a small island nation in South Asia, situated in the Arabian Sea of the Indian Ocean. It lies southwest of Sri Lanka and India, about 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) from the Asian continent. The chain of 26 atolls stretches from Ihavandhippolhu Atoll in the north to Addu Atoll in the south to the equator. Comprising a territory spanning roughly 298 square kilometres (115 sq mi), the Maldives is one of the world's most geographically dispersed sovereign states as well as the smallest Asian country by land area and population, with around 515,696 inhabitants. Malé is the capital and the most populated city, traditionally called the "King's Island" where the ancient royal dynasties ruled for its central location This is a capture from a live cam hosted by EarthCam on the LiveCams - HD app. #Maldives #IndianOcean #TropicalIsland #RelaxingClip

[zevordofzeday]

maldives

The Maldives (/ˈmɔːldiːvs/, US: /ˈmɔːldaɪvz/ (listen); Dhivehi: ދިވެހިރާއްޖެ Dhivehi Raajje), officially the Republic of Maldives, is a small island nation in South Asia, located in the Arabian Sea of the Indian Ocean. It lies southwest of Sri Lanka and India, about 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) from the Asian continent. The chain of 26 atolls stretches from Ihavandhippolhu Atoll in the north to Addu Atoll in the south to the equator. Comprising a territory spanning roughly 298 square kilometres (115 sq mi), the Maldives is one of the world's most geographically dispersed sovereign states as well as the smallest Asian country by land area and population, with around 515,696 inhabitants. Malé is the capital and the most populated city, traditionally called the "King's Island" for its central location.[citation needed]

[angelanormandy]

The Beautiful And Environmentally Rich Island Of The Maldives!

"The Maldives, officially the Republic of Maldives, is a small country in South Asia, located in the Arabian Sea of the Indian Ocean. It lies southwest of Sri Lanka and India, about 1,000 kilometres from the Asian continent. The chain of 26 atolls stretches from Ihavandhippolhu Atoll in the north to Addu Atoll in the south. Comprising a territory spanning roughly 298 square kilometres, the Maldives is one of the world's most geographically dispersed sovereign states as well as the smallest Asian ..."   [See more on en.wikipedia.org · Text under CC-BY-SA license  Calling code: +960   Government: Unitary presidential republic     Currency: Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR)  Official languages: English · Dhivehi   Maldives - Wikipedia  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maldives]   Enjoy, bon voyage whenever the opportunity presents itself, and thanks for watching!   http://bit.ly/2BnpFfz

[maskontravel-blog]

Maldives, is a South Asian country, located in the Indian Ocean, situated in the Arabian Sea. It lies southwest of Sri Lanka and India. The chain of 26 atolls stretches from Ihavandhippolhu Atoll in the north to the Addu City in the south. 📸 by @Shifaazshamoon, ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••#excursion #maskontravel #foto #maldives #travel (at Maldives) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrKNsJoFAow/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=10kcgt3t3gbc1

[iashe-uk]

Section: "Did you know that..."

    The Maldives is a South Asian island  country, located in the Indian Ocean, situated in the Arabian Sea. It lies  southwest of India and Sri Lanka. The chain of twenty-six atolls stretches  from Ihavandhippolhu Atoll in the north to the Addu City in the south.  Comprising a territory spanning roughly 298 square kilometres (115 sq mi),  the Maldives is one of the world's most geographically dispersed countries,  as well as the smallest Asian country by both land area and population, with  a little over 393,500 inhabitants. Malé is the capital and most populated  city, traditionally called the "King's Island" for its central  location.

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