The Maldives has 26 Natural Atolls which have been divided into 20 administrative atolls. The northern most atoll is Thiladhunmathi and the southern most is Addu. The smallest atoll is Fua Mulaku with only one island (the largest island in the Maldives). The biggest atoll in the Maldives and the whole world is Huvadhu which is just south of the one and a half degree channel.

Malé Atoll (Kaafu)
Malé, population 81600 (2004), is the capital of the Republic of Maldives. The city is located on Malé Island in the Malé Atoll. A seaplane base and a ship anchorage are located on the island. Malé is the center of trade in coconuts, coir, palm mats, copra, and cowry shells. Malé International Airport is on adjacent Hulule Island.

Huvadhu Atoll Uthuru (Gaafu-Alif)
Huvadhu or Huvadhoo- the largest atoll in the Maldives and in the whole world. Now divided into two administrative areas, Gaaf Alif in the north, and southern Gaaf Dhaal. On its reef rim are many inhabited islands including Thinadhoo, Gaddhoo, and Vaadhoo.

Fua Mulaku (Ñaviyani)
Fua Mulaku or Gnaviyani Atoll is the smallest atoll in the Maldives, situated in the Equatorial channel between Huvadhu and Addu. It is made up on only one island, also called Fua Mulaku. The is the largest island in the Maldives and one of the most fertile. The dialect of Dhivehi language spoken in Fua Mulaku is referred to as Mulaku and more closely resenbles the Addu than the Malé dialect.

Addu (Seenu)
Addu or Seenu Atoll is the southern most atoll of the Republic of Maldives. Only 6 of the islands in the Atoll are inhabited and they are Meedhoo, Hithadhoo, Maradhoo, Feydhoo, Gan and Hulhudhoo with the total population just over 18,000. Along with Huvadhu Atoll and Fua Mulaku, Addu is separated from the other Maldivian atolls by the one and half degree channel.