Out of 1,192 islands of the Maldives, 187 are inhabited. 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").Godfrey, Tim. Maldives, Travellers and Divers Map: Islands, Resorts, Dive Sites, Protected Marine Areas, Surfing Locations. Apollo Bay, Vic., Australia: Atoll Editions, 1999. 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).Divehiraajjege Jōgrafīge Vanavaru. Muhammadu Ibrahim Lutfee. G.Sōsanī. Malé 1999.
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, are 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.
RankIslandAtollTotal areaPopulation(2022)(km2)(sq mi)1Gamu-MaandhooLaamu7.32.814,815 (Gan)2HithadhooSeenu5.42.0813,7593FuvahmulahGnaviyani4.91.899,1774HulhumaléKaafu4.01.5465,7145HulhumeedhooSeenu3.91.503,074 (combined)6Isdhoo-KalaidhooLaamu3.61.381,584 (combined)7GanSeenu3.31.27 -8 HanimaadhooHaa Dhaalu3.11.192,6649 HulhuléKaafu3.01.15 -10 Dhidhdhoo Haa Alif2.151.004800
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 together are considered to be a city, not an island.
List of inhabited islands and districts by population Atoll or cityIslandPopulation20222014Malé (City)Malé (Island) Henveiru (District) Galolhu (District) Machchangolhi (District) Maafannu (District) 34,081
28,600
27,824
46,928 31,391
25,788
26,002
42,788Hulhumalé (Island) Hulhumalé (District) Hulhule (District) 65,724
802 17,149
367Villimalé (District - Island)Gulhi Falhu (District - Island) - -Thilafushi (District - Island) - -Giraavarufalhu (District - Island) - -Harbours (District)Addu Atoll - Seenu Atoll (Addu City)Hithadhoo (Addu Atoll)Maradhoo (Island)
Maradhoo (District) Maradhoo-Feydhoo (District) 2,547
1,396 2,374
1,228Feydhoo (Addu Atoll)Hulhumeedhoo (Island)
Hulhudhoo (Addu Atoll) (District) Meedhoo (Addu Atoll) (District) 1,182
1,892 1,242
1,871Alif Alif AtollBodufolhudhoo697608Feridhoo543441Himandhoo884724Maalhos (Alif Alif Atoll)516434Mathiveri874662RasdhooThoddooUkulhasDhaalu AtollBandidhoo630793Hulhudheli761719KudahuvadhooMaaenboodhoo675621Meedhoo (Dhaalu Atoll)929Rinbudhoo317277Faafu AtollBileddhooDharanboodhooFeealiMagoodhoo (Faafu Atoll)Nilandhoo (Faafu Atoll)Gaafu Alif AtollDhaandhooDhevvadhoo598584GemanafushiKanduhulhudhoo616533Kolamaafushi635958Kondey328272MaamendhooNilandhoo (Gaafu Alif Atoll)542600VillingiliGnaviyani AtollFuvahmulah (City)Haa Alif AtollBaarahDhiddhoo (Haa Alif)Filladhoo559584HoarafushiIhavandhooKelaaMaarandhoo (Haa Alif)667671Mulhadhoo286230Muraidhoo534467Thakandhoo279354Thuraakunu427421Uligamu400383Utheemu612569Vashafaru476449Haa Dhaalu AtollFiney409409HanimaadhooHirimaradhoo293335Kulhudhuffushi (City)Kumundhoo996886Kurinbi492463Makunudhoo (Haa Dhaalu Atoll)Naivaadhoo495417Nellaidhoo859Neykurendhoo641743NolhivaramuNolhivaranfaruVaikaradhoo776783Kaafu AtollDhiffushi (Kaafu Atoll)GaafaruGulhi976912Guraidhoo (Kaafu Atoll)HimmafushiHuraaKaashidhooMaafushiThulusdhooLhaviyani AtollHinnavaruKurendhooNaifaruOlhuvelifushi696521Meemu AtollDhiggaru (Meemu Atoll)984Kolhufushi790735Maduvvaree (Meemu Atoll)318369MulahMuli940860Naalaafushi430424Raimmandhoo170112Veyvah304263Vaavu AtollFelidhoo (Vaavu Atoll)618506Fulidhoo399372Keyodhoo (Vaavu Atoll)642675Rakeedhoo77106Thinadhoo (Vaavu Atoll)259152Maldives (total)515,122402,071
North Thiladhunmathi (HA) (Haa Alif Atoll)
Inhabited Islands Baarah Dhiddhoo (capital of Haa Alifu Atoll) Filladhoo Hoarafushi Ihavandhoo Kelaa Maarandhoo Mulhadhoo Muraidhoo Thakandhoo Thuraakunu Uligamu Utheemu Vashafaru
Uninhabited Islands
Disappeared Islands Gasthirifinolhu Gudhanfushi Thiladhoo (now part of Dhiddhoo) Thinadhoo
South Thiladhunmathi (HDh) (Haa Dhaalu Atoll)
Inhabited Islands Hanimaadhoo Finey Naivaadhoo Nolhivaranfaru Nellaidhoo Nolhivaram Kurinbi Kulhudhuffushi City (capital of Haa Dhaalu Atoll and that of the Mathi-Uthuru Province) Kumundhoo Neykurendhoo Vaikaradhoo Makunudhoo Hirimaradhoo
Uninhabited Islands
Disappeared Islands Bileddhoo
North Miladhunmadulu (Funadhuffaaru) (Sh) (Shaviyani Atoll)
Inhabited Islands Bileffahi Feevah Feydhoo Foakaidhoo Funadhoo (capital of Shaviyani Atoll) Goidhoo Kanditheemu Komandoo Lhaimagu Maaungoodhoo Maroshi Milandhoo Narudhoo Noomaraa
Uninhabited Islands
Disappeared Islands Gallaidhookudarah Gonaafushi Killisfaru'rahgandu
South Miladhunmadulu (N) (Noonu Atoll)
Inhabited Islands Foddhoo Henbadhoo Holhudhoo Kendhikulhudhoo Kudafari Landhoo Lhohi Maafaru Maalhendhoo Magoodhoo Manadhoo (capital of Noonu Atoll) Miladhoo Velidhoo
Uninhabited Islands
Disappeared Islands Kulhimila (unconfirmed) Kudavattaru (unconfirmed) Koalaa
North Maalhosmadulu (R) (Raa Atoll)
Inhabited Islands Alifushi Angolhitheemu Fainu Hulhudhuffaaru Inguraidhoo Innamaadhoo Dhuvaafaru Kinolhas Maakurathu Maduvvaree Meedhoo (vice capital of Raa Atoll) Rasgetheemu Rasmaadhoo Ungoofaaru (capital of Raa Atoll) Vaadhoo
Uninhabited Islands
Disappeared Islands Boduhuraa Ethigandujehihuraa Fasgandufarufinolhu Furaverumeehungemaafaru Gaaviligiligaathurah Inguraidhookudadhiffushi Kandhoomeehungelhaanbugali Kurredhupparu
South Maalhosmadulu (B) (Baa Atoll)
Inhabited Islands Dharavandhoo Dhonfanu Eydhafushi (capital of Baa Atoll) Fehendhoo Fulhadhoo Goidhoo Hithaadhoo Kamadhoo Kendhoo Kihaadhoo Kudarikilu Maalhos Thulhaadhoo
Uninhabited Islands
Disappeared Islands Boadhaafusheefinolhu Dhoogandufinolhu Dhorukandu'dhekunuhuraa Dhorukandu'uthuruhuraa Goidhoohuraa Hithadhoohuraa Hithadookudarah Kalhunaiboli Lhavadhookandurah Velavaru
Faadhippolhu (Lh) (Lhaviyani Atoll)
Inhabited Islands Hinnavaru Kurendhoo Maafilaafushi Naifaru (capital of Lhaviyani Atoll) Olhuvelifushi Ookolhufinolhu
Uninhabited Islands
Disappeared Islands Aligauhuraagandu Bahurukabiru Bulhalaafushi Ruhelhifushi Olhugiri
Malé (K) Atoll (Kaafu Atoll)
Inhabited Islands Dhiffushi Gaafaru Gulhi Guraidhoo Himmafushi Hulhumalé Huraa Kaashidhoo Malé (capital of the Maldives) Maafushi (capital of the Medhu-Uthuru Province) Thulusdhoo (capital of Kaafu Atoll) Villimalé (formerly known as Villingili)
Uninhabited Islands
Disappeared Islands Bisfushi Farukolhufushi(now part of hulhumale) Gaadhoo (now part of Hulhulé) Gaamaadhoo (now part of Himmafushi) Gulhifalhurah Kaashidhookudarah Kaddhipparu Kuda Malé (now part of Malé) Kudavattaru Kuredhivinahuraagandu Oiidhuni Dhabilalhidhoo
North Ari Atoll (AA) (Alif Alif Atoll)
Inhabited Islands Bodufolhudhoo Feridhoo Himandhoo Maalhos Mathiveri Rasdhoo (capital of Alif Alif Atoll) Thoddoo Ukulhas Fesdhoo
Uninhabited Islands
Disappeared Islands Bathalaamaagau Faanumadugau Fushifarurah Gaahuraafussari Gonaagau Huraadhoo Kubuladhi Kudafalhufushi Kurolhi Orimasfushi Ukulhasgaathufushi
South Ari Atoll (ADh) (Alif Dhaal Atoll)
Inhabited Islands Dhangethi Dhiddhoo Dhigurah Fenfushi Haggnaameedhoo Kunburudhoo Maamingili Mahibadhoo (capital of Alif Dhaal Atoll) Mandhoo Omadhoo
Uninhabited Islands
Disappeared Islands Aafinolhu Aufushi Faruhukuruvalhi Hithifushi Huraadhoo Kalaafushi Kudadhoo Medhafushi Theyofulhihuraa
Felidhu Atoll (V) (Vaavu Atoll)
Inhabited Islands Felidhoo (capital of Vaavu Atoll) Fulidhoo Keyodhoo Rakeedhoo Thinadhoo
Uninhabited Islands
Disappeared Islands Aahuraa Hinagaakalhi Kahanbufushi Kalhuhuraa Kolhudhuffushi Kudadhiggaru Kudafussfaruhuraa
Mulakatholhu (M) (Meemu Atoll)
Inhabited Islands Mulak Maduvvaree Dhiggaru Kolhufushi Muli (capital of Meemu Atoll) Naalaafushi Raimmandhoo Veyvah
Uninhabited Islands
Disappeared Islands Boduvela Dhonveliganduhuraa Vah'huruvalhi
North Nilandhe Atoll (F) (Faafu Atoll)
Inhabited Islands Bileddhoo Dharanboodhoo Feeali Magoodhoo Nilandhoo (capital of Faafu Atoll)
Uninhabited Islands
Disappeared Islands Boduhuraa Dhiguvaru Feealeehuraa Hukeraa Kudafari Madivarufinolhu
South Nilandhe Atoll (Dh) (Dhaalu Atoll)
Inhabited Islands Bandidhoo Hulhudheli Kudahuvadhoo (capital of Dhaalu Atoll) Maaenboodhoo Meedhoo Rinbudhoo Vaanee
Uninhabited Islands
Disappeared Islands Maadhelihuraa Madivaru Madivaruhuraa Naibukaloakudafushi
Kolhumadulu (Th) (Thaa Atoll)
Inhabited Islands Burunee Vilufushi Madifushi Dhiyamingili Guraidhoo Gaadhiffushi Thimarafushi Veymandoo (capital of Thaa Atoll) Kinbidhoo Omadhoo Hirilandhoo Kandoodhoo Vandhoo
Uninhabited Islands
Disappeared Islands Filaagandu Kandoodhookuraa Keyovah'rah Kolhuvanbadhi Kudaburunee Kudadhiyanmigili
Hadhdhunmathi (L) (Laamu Atoll)
Inhabited Islands Dhanbidhoo Fonadhoo (capital of Laamu Atoll) Gan (capital of the Mathi-Dhekunu Province) Hithadhoo
Isdhoo
Kunahandhoo Maabaidhoo Maamendhoo Maavah Mundoo
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 Dhaandhoo Dhevvadhoo Gemanafushi Kanduhulhudhoo Kolamaafushi Kondey Maamendhoo Nilandhoo Villingili (capital of Gaafu Alif Atoll)
Uninhabited Islands
Disappeared Islands Aligalehuttaa Falhukolhurataa Galuréhaa Giyadhoo Giyadhoogaathuinnaratuhuttaa Havvaadhiyekuyyaakéeranahthedhinerehaa Kakadiherehuttaa Odafuttaa Parehulhedhoo Thabaidhoo Thiladhurehaa Vagaathugalfuttaa Viligili
South Huvadhu Atoll (GDh) (Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll)
Inhabited Islands Fares-Maathodaa Fiyoaree Gadhdhoo Hoandeddhoo Madaveli Nadellaa Rathafandhoo Thinadhoo (capital of Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll and of the Medhu-Dhekunu Province) Vaadhoo
Uninhabited Islands
Disappeared Islands Boduréhaabokkoyyaa Hevanaréhaa Isdhuvaa Maaodagalaa Keyhuvadhoo Kudakokeréhaa Kudhéhaadhu Uheréhaa Aydeedodasistamodasofdafodas Barahuttaa
Fuvahmulah (Gn) (Gnaviyani Atoll)
Inhabited Islands Fuvahmulah (capital of Gnaviyani Atoll):
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.Xavier Romero-Frias, The Maldive Islanders, A Study of the Popular Culture of an Ancient Ocean Kingdom, Barcelona 1999,
Addu Atoll (Seenu Atoll)
Inhabited Islands