The Maldives cover an area of 90,000
sq.km and lie between Latitude 7 degree 6' 30" N to 0 degree 42' 30" S, and
Longitude 72 degree 32' 30" E to 73 degree 46' 15" E. Estimates of the number of
islands differs, depending on the definition of an island. Officially there are 1190
islands having "some form of vegetation on them, whether grass or bushes or
trees". Of this number 991 are uninhabited and 199 inhabited (Statistical Year book
of Maldives 1994).
Unofficially there are 1120 islands,
but the actual number varies from one year to the next as islands are continually being
washed away and new ones formed. The islands are are divided into 26 geographic Atolls.
Minicoy is the 27th Atoll but it was linked to India in 1753 during the time of sultan al
Mukarram Mohamed Imadudeen III (1750 - 1757 AD). For convenience, these Atolls are divided
into 19 administrative groups and named according to the letters of the Maldivian
alphabet. In the resort Atolls, Felidhoo Atoll is now referred to as Vaavu, Ari Atoll as
Alifu, Male' Atoll as Kaafu, Faadhippolhu Atoll as Lhaviynai, south Maalhosmadulu Atoll as
Baa and Addoo Atoll as Seenu.
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