Administrative divisions of the Maldives
Encyclopedia
The Administrative Divisions of the Maldives refers to the various units of government that provide local government
services in the Maldives
. According to the Decentralization Act 2010
, the administrative divisions of the Maldives would consist of atolls, islands, and cities; each administered by their own local council
, under the basic terms of home rule
. Geographically, the Maldives
are formed by a number of natural atolls
plus a few islands and isolated reefs which form a pattern from North to South. Currently, there are 189 islands, 19 atolls and 2 cities in the Maldives
.
, by the new government of Mohamed Nasheed
. This maneuver was the first time that governing power has been moved away from the capital Male' since 1117 A.D. However, the bill submitted by the government to decentralize the country according to this system was rejected by the opposition-majority parliament
, who amended the bill, restricting decentralization as seven provinces. The final bill that was passed by the parliament and ultimately ratified by the president, saw the decentralization of the country as 21 separate atolls.
The seven provinces were:-
President Nasheed
was the architect of this decentralisation process. This is the first time in the history of the Maldive Islands since 1117 A.D., that governing power has been moved away from the capital Male'. The seven provinces closely correspond to the historic divisions of Uthuru Boduthiladhunmathi. Dhekunu Boduthiladhunmathi, Uthuru Medhu-Raajje, Medhu-Raajje, Dhekunu Medhu-Raajje, Huvadhu (or Uthuru Suvadinmathi) and Addumulah (or Dhekunu Suvadinmathi).
Therefore, the final organization of the administrative divisions were as below:
The island of Felivaru
, in Lhaviyani Atoll
did not participate in the election, since being a newly declared inhabited island, did not have any person registered as a citizen of the island. As of November 2011, the island council election for Felivaru
is yet to take place.
. While naturally, an "island” refers to a land-mass surrounded by water, an “island” in the administrative sense, refers to a specified inhabited area within an administrative atoll, which is governed over by an “island council”. While the majority of “island” class constituencies are indeed natural islands, there are 8 constituencies at “island” class, that are not naturally islands. (The 8 wards of Fuvahmulah Island are administratively considered “islands”)
There are 189 such islands, each with it’s own island council. (Except for Felivaru
, Lhaviyani Atoll
)
. While naturally, an “atoll” refers to a ring of islands, an “atoll” in the administrative sense, refers to a group of “island” class constituencies, not necessarily within the requirements of a natural atoll. While the majority of administrative atolls are indeed natural atolls, there are natural atolls which have 2 to 3 administrative atoll divisions, in addition to 1 “atoll” which is naturally an island. (The 19th administrative atoll, Fuvahmulah)
Each administrative atoll has an “atoll council” which monitors the work of the “island councils” in the atoll, and keep communications with the central government.
There are 19 atolls in Maldives.
There are two cities in Maldives. They are Male’ and Addu.
The seven National Administrations are:-
Each administration is headed by a state minister assigned by the president.
Each atoll has a capital island. All islands of every atoll have their own official name.
All cities have an official name, and names for their subdivisions. They also have a latin code letter assigned to them.
Traditionally, Maldivians call the atolls ending in '-madulu' or '-mathi' by their name without adding the word 'Atoll' at the end. For example, it is correct to write simply Kolhumadulu, without adding the word 'Atholhu' or 'Atoll'. This is also the case in the atoll known as Faadhippolhu
as well as the small detached atoll of Fuvahmulah.
Local government
Local government refers collectively to administrative authorities over areas that are smaller than a state.The term is used to contrast with offices at nation-state level, which are referred to as the central government, national government, or federal government...
services in the Maldives
Maldives
The Maldives , , officially Republic of Maldives , also referred to as the Maldive Islands, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean formed by a double chain of twenty-six atolls oriented north-south off India's Lakshadweep islands, between Minicoy Island and...
. According to the Decentralization Act 2010
Administrative divisions of the Maldives
The Administrative Divisions of the Maldives refers to the various units of government that provide local government services in the Maldives. According to the Decentralization Act 2010, the administrative divisions of the Maldives would consist of atolls, islands, and cities; each administered by...
, the administrative divisions of the Maldives would consist of atolls, islands, and cities; each administered by their own local council
Local government
Local government refers collectively to administrative authorities over areas that are smaller than a state.The term is used to contrast with offices at nation-state level, which are referred to as the central government, national government, or federal government...
, under the basic terms of home rule
Home rule
Home rule is the power of a constituent part of a state to exercise such of the state's powers of governance within its own administrative area that have been devolved to it by the central government....
. Geographically, the Maldives
Maldives
The Maldives , , officially Republic of Maldives , also referred to as the Maldive Islands, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean formed by a double chain of twenty-six atolls oriented north-south off India's Lakshadweep islands, between Minicoy Island and...
are formed by a number of natural atolls
Atolls of the Maldives
The Maldives are formed by a number of natural atolls plus atolls in the form of a few islands and isolated reefs today which form a pattern stretching from 7 degrees 10' North to 0 degrees 45' South....
plus a few islands and isolated reefs which form a pattern from North to South. Currently, there are 189 islands, 19 atolls and 2 cities in the Maldives
Maldives
The Maldives , , officially Republic of Maldives , also referred to as the Maldive Islands, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean formed by a double chain of twenty-six atolls oriented north-south off India's Lakshadweep islands, between Minicoy Island and...
.
During the Gayyoom Regime
During the regime of Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom, the administrative divisions consisted of 20 administrative atolls, all controlled by the central government in Male'. Each atoll was headed by an atoll chief, but they were heavily criticized by locals for being heavily under the influence of the central government and acting rather as spokespersons than chiefs.Seven Provinces
Before the Decentralization act was ratified in May 2010, seven provinces were established in 2008, in an attempt of decentralizationDecentralization
__FORCETOC__Decentralization or decentralisation is the process of dispersing decision-making governance closer to the people and/or citizens. It includes the dispersal of administration or governance in sectors or areas like engineering, management science, political science, political economy,...
, by the new government of Mohamed Nasheed
Mohamed Nasheed
Mohamed Nasheed is a Maldivian politician. He is the current President of the Maldives. He is the founder of the Maldivian Democratic Party and was its presidential candidate in the October 2008 presidential election, defeating long-time President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in a second round of voting...
. This maneuver was the first time that governing power has been moved away from the capital Male' since 1117 A.D. However, the bill submitted by the government to decentralize the country according to this system was rejected by the opposition-majority parliament
Majlis of the Maldives
The Majlis of the Maldives or the People’s Majlis is the main legislature body of the Maldives. The Majlis has the authority to enact, amend and revise laws, except the constitution of the Maldives. Majlis is composed of 77 members...
, who amended the bill, restricting decentralization as seven provinces. The final bill that was passed by the parliament and ultimately ratified by the president, saw the decentralization of the country as 21 separate atolls.
The seven provinces were:-
- Upper North Province
- North Province
- North Central Province
- Central Province
- South Central Province
- Upper South Province
- South Province
President Nasheed
Mohamed Nasheed
Mohamed Nasheed is a Maldivian politician. He is the current President of the Maldives. He is the founder of the Maldivian Democratic Party and was its presidential candidate in the October 2008 presidential election, defeating long-time President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in a second round of voting...
was the architect of this decentralisation process. This is the first time in the history of the Maldive Islands since 1117 A.D., that governing power has been moved away from the capital Male'. The seven provinces closely correspond to the historic divisions of Uthuru Boduthiladhunmathi. Dhekunu Boduthiladhunmathi, Uthuru Medhu-Raajje, Medhu-Raajje, Dhekunu Medhu-Raajje, Huvadhu (or Uthuru Suvadinmathi) and Addumulah (or Dhekunu Suvadinmathi).
Decentralization
On October 15 2010, the government released a finalized list of the administrative constituencies established under the Decentralization Act. It listed 184 administrative constituencies. Out of these constituencies:- 2 constituencies were declared “cities”, as according to the criteria for determining cities in this act. These two constituencies were Male’ and Seenu AtollSeenu AtollAddu Atoll, previously also known as Seenu Atoll , is the southernmost atoll of the Maldives. Addu Atoll, together with Fuvahmulah, located 30 km north of Addu Atoll, extend the Maldives into the Southern Hemisphere. Addu Atoll is located approximately 478 km south of Malé....
. After a referendum among the people, Seenu Atoll was renamed "Addu City”. Each city would be served by a city council. - 181 constituencies were declared “islands”, as according to the criteria for determining islands in this act. These islands are grouped together into 18 atolls. Each atoll shall be served by an atoll council, under which each island has it’s own island council.
- 1 constituency, Fuvahmulah, was declared an “atoll”, and was split into 8 administrative “wards”. Each ward will have it’s own island council, who shall be governed by an atoll council. Fuvahmulah serves as the country’s 19th atoll.
Therefore, the final organization of the administrative divisions were as below:
- 2 cities
- 189 islands (including the 8 wards of Fuvahmulah)
- 19 atolls
Local Council Election 2011
On 5th February 2011, the country's first ever Local council elections were held to elect 188 island councils, 19 atoll councils and 2 city councils.The island of Felivaru
Felivaru
' is owned by the government of Maldives. The company specializes in producing highest quality canned tuna and cooked loins for local and export markets....
, in Lhaviyani Atoll
Lhaviyani Atoll
Lhaviyani Atoll or Faadhippolhu Atoll is an administrative division of the Maldives.Lhaviyani Atoll is located between 5° 15" and 5° 35" N and between 73° 20" and 74° 40" E. The capital of the atoll is Naifaru...
did not participate in the election, since being a newly declared inhabited island, did not have any person registered as a citizen of the island. As of November 2011, the island council election for Felivaru
Felivaru
' is owned by the government of Maldives. The company specializes in producing highest quality canned tuna and cooked loins for local and export markets....
is yet to take place.
Island
The administrative definition of an “island” differs from the actual meaning of the word, islandIsland
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
. While naturally, an "island” refers to a land-mass surrounded by water, an “island” in the administrative sense, refers to a specified inhabited area within an administrative atoll, which is governed over by an “island council”. While the majority of “island” class constituencies are indeed natural islands, there are 8 constituencies at “island” class, that are not naturally islands. (The 8 wards of Fuvahmulah Island are administratively considered “islands”)
There are 189 such islands, each with it’s own island council. (Except for Felivaru
Felivaru
' is owned by the government of Maldives. The company specializes in producing highest quality canned tuna and cooked loins for local and export markets....
, Lhaviyani Atoll
Lhaviyani Atoll
Lhaviyani Atoll or Faadhippolhu Atoll is an administrative division of the Maldives.Lhaviyani Atoll is located between 5° 15" and 5° 35" N and between 73° 20" and 74° 40" E. The capital of the atoll is Naifaru...
)
Atoll
The administrative definition of an “atoll” differs from the actual meaning of the word, atollAtoll
An atoll is a coral island that encircles a lagoon partially or completely.- Usage :The word atoll comes from the Dhivehi word atholhu OED...
. While naturally, an “atoll” refers to a ring of islands, an “atoll” in the administrative sense, refers to a group of “island” class constituencies, not necessarily within the requirements of a natural atoll. While the majority of administrative atolls are indeed natural atolls, there are natural atolls which have 2 to 3 administrative atoll divisions, in addition to 1 “atoll” which is naturally an island. (The 19th administrative atoll, Fuvahmulah)
Each administrative atoll has an “atoll council” which monitors the work of the “island councils” in the atoll, and keep communications with the central government.
There are 19 atolls in Maldives.
City
A city is an inhabited area with a population of 25,000+. The criteria also includes a certain level of economic development and facilities available. A city has a “city council” which governs over the affairs of the city”, and keeps communication with the central government. A city will not be included within an administrative atoll. A city has further subdivisions called “wards” or “districts”.There are two cities in Maldives. They are Male’ and Addu.
National Administration
Although the earlier provincial decentralization was rejected by Parliament, the President reinstated the concept through “National Administrations”. The National Administrations of Maldives are in the same divisions as the earlier provinces, and the previous province offices were reinstated as the office of that National Administration. Therefore, there exists 7 national administrations, to which the atoll councils will report to, accordingly. The National Administrations will act as an extension of the central government based in Male’, for the convenience of dealing with regional affairs. The National Administrations operate under the Ministry of Home Affairs.The seven National Administrations are:-
- Upper North National Administration
- North National Administration
- North Central National Administration
- Central National Administration
- South Central National Administration
- Upper South National Administration
- South National Administration
Each administration is headed by a state minister assigned by the president.
Codes and Names of the Administrative Divisions
Every administrative atoll of the Maldives have the following:- An official name, for example Thiladhunmathi Uthuruburi (meaning Thiladhunmathi North).
This corresponds to the geographical Maldivian name of the Atoll. - A Maldivian code letter, for example: Haa Alifu. When there are two letters, the second stands either for "North" (Alifu) or for "South" (Dhaalu).
This code was adopted for convenience. It began in order to facilitate radio communication between the atolls and the central administration. As there are certain islands in different atolls that have the same name, for administrative purposes this code is quoted before the name of the island: for example, Baa Funadhoo, Kaafu Funadhoo, Gaafu-Alifu Funadhoo.This code denomination has been very much misused by foreigners and tourists who do not understand the proper use of these names, and the true Maldivian names have often been ignored in publications for tourists. Maldivians may use the letter code name in colloquial conversation, but in serious geographic, historical or cultural writings, the true geographical name always takes precedence.
- A Latin code letter, for example: (A’).
The Latin code letter is normally used in boat registration plates. The letter stands for the atoll and the number for the island.
Each atoll has a capital island. All islands of every atoll have their own official name.
All cities have an official name, and names for their subdivisions. They also have a latin code letter assigned to them.
Traditionally, Maldivians call the atolls ending in '-madulu' or '-mathi' by their name without adding the word 'Atoll' at the end. For example, it is correct to write simply Kolhumadulu, without adding the word 'Atholhu' or 'Atoll'. This is also the case in the atoll known as Faadhippolhu
Faadhippolhu Atoll
Faadhippolhu Atoll is an administrative division of the Maldives. It corresponds to the natural atoll of the same name.There is an industrial island with tuna canning facilities located at Felivaru....
as well as the small detached atoll of Fuvahmulah.
Atolls
| Latin Letter | Code Abbr. | Local letter | Code Name | Official Name | Capital |
| A | HA | ހއ | Haa Alif Haa Alif Atoll Haa Alif Atoll - officially referred as Thiladhunmathi Uthuruburi is the northernmost administrative division of the Maldives.... |
Thiladhunmathi Uthuruburi | Didhdhoo Dhiddhoo (Haa Alif Atoll) Dhiddhoo is the capital of Haa Alif Atoll administrative division in the Maldives. The island lies on the north western tip of Tiladummati Atoll and separated from the Ihavandhippolhu Atoll by the deep Gallandhoo Kandu channel.... |
| B | HDh | ހދ | Haa Dhaalu Haa Dhaalu Atoll Haa Dhaalu Atoll - officially referred as Thiladhunmathi Dhekunuburi is an administrative division of the Maldives... |
Thiladhunmathi Dhekunuburi | Kulhudhuffushi |
| C | Sh | ށ | Shaviyani Shaviyani Atoll Shaviyani atoll is geographically located within the naturally occurring northern mostatoll formation of Thiladhunmathi. A total of 52 islands, 15 inhabited and... |
Miladhunmadulu Uthuruburi | Milandhoo |
| D | N | ނ | Noonu Noonu Atoll Southern Miladhunmadulu Atoll or Noonu is an administrative division of the Maldives corresponding to the southern section of Miladhunmadulu Atoll. The capital is Manadhoo.... |
Miladhunmadulu Dhekunuburi | Manadhoo |
| E | R | ރ | Raa Raa Atoll Northern Maalhosmadulu Atoll or Raa Atoll is an administrative division from the Maldives. The capital is Ungoofaaru. It includes Northern Maalhosmadulu Atoll proper and the island of Alifushi.1... |
Maalhosmadulu Uthuruburi | U'ngoofaaru |
| F | B | ބ | Baa Baa Atoll Baa Atoll is an administrative division of the Maldives. It consists of three separate natural atolls, namely southern Maalhosmadulu Atoll , the Fasdūtherē Atoll and the smaller... |
Maalhosmadulu Dhekunuburi | Eydhafushi |
| G | Lh | ޅ | Lhaviyani Lhaviyani Atoll Lhaviyani Atoll or Faadhippolhu Atoll is an administrative division of the Maldives.Lhaviyani Atoll is located between 5° 15" and 5° 35" N and between 73° 20" and 74° 40" E. The capital of the atoll is Naifaru... |
Faadhippolhu | Naifaru |
| H | K | ކ | Kaafu Kaafu Atoll Kaafu Atoll is an administrative division of the Maldives. It consists of Kaashidhoo Island, Gahaafaru Atoll, and Malé Atoll... |
Malé Atholhu | Maafushi Maafushi (Kaafu Atoll) Maafushi is one of the inhabited islands of Kaafu Atoll and the proposed capital for the Medhu Uthuru Province of the Maldives. It was heavily damaged in the 2004 tsunami which impacted on over 100,000 of the Maldives 300,000 population... |
| U | AA | އއ | Alif Alif Alif Alif Atoll Northern Ari Atoll or Alifu Alifu Atoll is an administrative division of the Maldives. It was created on March 1, 1984 combining northern section of Ari Atoll, the small Rasdhukuramathi Atoll, and the isolated island of Thoddoo... |
Ari Atholhu Uthuruburi | Rasdhoo Rasdhoo Rasdhoo is an inhabited island of the Maldives. It is also the capital of the Alif Alif Atoll administrative division. It is the only inhabited island of a small natural atoll known as Rasdhoo, Rasdu or Ross Atoll located a few miles off NE Ari Atoll.-References:* Divehi Tārīkhah Au Alikameh... |
| I | ADh | އދ | Alif Dhaal Alif Dhaal Atoll Southern Ari Atoll or Alifu Dhaalu Atoll is an administrative division of the Maldives.The separation of Ari Atoll on March 1, 1984, into a Northern and a Southern section formed the two most recent administrative divisions of the Maldives, namely Alifu Alifu Atoll and Alifu Dhaalu Atoll... |
Ari Atholhu Dhekunuburi | Mahibadhoo |
| J | V | ވ | Vaavu Vaavu Atoll Vaavu Atoll is an administrative division of the Maldives comprising the natural atolls of Felidhu Atoll and the Vattaru Reef.It is the smallest administrative atoll in terms of population.... |
Felidhu Atholhu | Felidhoo |
| K | M | މ | Meemu Meemu Atoll Mulaku Atoll or Meemu Atoll is an administrative division of the Maldives. It corresponds to the natural atoll of the same name, also known as Mulak Atoll or 'Mulakatolhu'.... |
Mulak Atholhu | Muli |
| L | F | ފ | Faafu Faafu Atoll Northern Nilandhe Atoll, Nilande Atoll North or Faafu Atoll is an administrative division of the Maldives.It corresponds to the natural atoll of the same name.Certain islands of this atoll used to be inhabited, like Himithi... |
Nilandhe Atholhu Uthuruburi | Nilandhoo Nilandhoo (Faafu Atoll) Nilandhoo is in Faafu Atoll.Nilandhoo is the capital of faafu atoll. There are 5 inhabited island in which Nilandhoo takes the lead being the capital of faafu atoll. About the population of the islands Nilandhoo takes the lead too with its land size comparing to other islands of faafu atoll... |
| M | Dh | ދ | Dhaalu Dhaalu Atoll Southern Nilandhe Atoll, Nilande Atoll South or Dhaalu' Atoll is one of the atolls of the Maldives. It corresponds to the natural atoll of the same name.-Geography:... |
Nilandhe Atholhu Dhekunuburi | Kudahuvadhoo |
| N | Th | ތ | Thaa Thaa Atoll Kolhumadulu Atoll, letter code Thaa is an is an administrative division of the Maldives. It corresponds to the natural atoll of the same name. The ancient name of the island was Kolhumaduva during the time of King Koimala who united all atolls of the Maldives under one Kingdom for the first... |
Kolhumadulu | Veymandoo |
| O | L | ލ | Laamu Laamu Atoll Haddhunmathi Atoll or Laamu Atoll is an administrative division of the Maldives. It corresponds to the natural atoll of the same name. The administrative capital is located in Fonadhoo Island.... |
Haddhunmathi | Fonadhoo |
| P | GA | ގއ | Gaafu Alif Gaafu Alif Atoll Northern Huvadhu Atoll or Gaafu Alifu is an administrative division of the Maldives created on February 8, 1962 when Huvadhu Atoll was divided into two districts. Gaafu Alifu corresponds to the northeastern section of this large natural atoll north of the line extending between the channels of... |
Huvadhu Atholhu Uthuruburi | Villingili Villingili (Gaafu Alif Atoll) Villingili is one of the inhabited islands of Gaafu Alif Atoll. It is located on the Northeastern rim of Huvadu Atoll. Traditionally this island is also known as 'Huvadu Atoll Vilingili'.... |
| Q | GDh | ގދ | Gaafu Dhaalu Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll Southern Huvadhu Atoll or Gaafu Dhaalu is an administrative district of the Maldives formed by the southwestern section of Huvadhu Atoll. It was created on February 8, 1962 when Huvadhu Atoll was divided into two districts... |
Huvadhu Atholhu Dhekunuburi | Thinadhoo Thinadhoo (Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll) Thinadhoo is the capital of Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll and the proposed capital for the Mathi-Dhekunu Province of the Maldives. It has its own dialect of Dhivehi which is considerably different from northern and mid-Maldivian speech... |
| R | Gn | ޏ | Gnaviyani Gnaviyani Atoll Gnaviyani Atoll is one of the administrative divisions of the Maldives corresponding to the natural atoll, Fuvahmulah. Surfacewise this is the smallest administrative unit in the Maldives, situated in the Equatorial Channel between Huvadhu Atoll and Addu Atoll... |
Fuvahmulah | Fuvahmulah |
Cities
| Latin Letter | Code Abbr. | Local letter | Code Name | Official Name | Capital |
| T | - | - | Malé Malé Malé , is the capital and most populous city in the Republic of Maldives. It is located at the southern edge of North Malé Atoll . It is also one of the Administrative divisions of the Maldives. Traditionally it was the King's Island, from where the ancient Maldive Royal dynasties ruled and where... |
Malé City Malé Malé , is the capital and most populous city in the Republic of Maldives. It is located at the southern edge of North Malé Atoll . It is also one of the Administrative divisions of the Maldives. Traditionally it was the King's Island, from where the ancient Maldive Royal dynasties ruled and where... |
- |
| S | S | ސ | Seenu Seenu Atoll Addu Atoll, previously also known as Seenu Atoll , is the southernmost atoll of the Maldives. Addu Atoll, together with Fuvahmulah, located 30 km north of Addu Atoll, extend the Maldives into the Southern Hemisphere. Addu Atoll is located approximately 478 km south of Malé.... /Addu |
Addu City | - |