The geography of Maldives plays a key role in making it a tropical paradise and here are some captivating insights into some of these elements.
Surrounded by the Sea
A low-lying island nation, the Maldives is in the Indian Ocean, around 430 km from India and 717 km from Sri Lanka. While its territory covers a total area of 90,000 sq km, the actual landmass makes up only 298 sq km; what this means is that around 99% of the country is made up of the sea!
Countless Islands
The country has 1,192 islands spread across its territory though most of them are uninhabited. The remaining are used for human habitation, agricultural purposes or tourism; in the Maldives, luxury hotels are each located on a private island including the likes of Adaaran Club Rannalhi which provide sublime getaways.
Atolls
The islands are geographically divided within 26 natural atolls that are another key geographical feature. A characteristic of these atolls is that they have a lagoon encircled by a coral reef, divided by deep channels. Amidst this atoll ring are a string of islands, each with a reef that also encircles the lagoon of the island.
Reefs
Reefs are an integral part of the geography here. Generally, there are two reef types, namely the outer reef and the house reef; the latter, found near an island, protects the beach and lagoon from the ocean currents and waves. These reefs are home to colourful coral and marine species which is why you shouldn’t miss snorkelling or diving!
