Geography of Maldive Islands
The Maldives cover an area of 90,000 sq.km and lie between Latitude 7 degree 6' 30" N to 0 degree 41' 30" S, and Longitude 72 degree 32' 30" E to 73 degree 45' 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". The actual number varies at times as islands are sometimes washed away and new ones are formed.
The islands 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.

Formation of Maldive Islands
The sea covers 99% of the Maldives and inside its blue depths lies the mysteries and riddles related to the formation of the Maldives. The islands are formed around a ring shaped coral reef encircling a lagoon. This reef structure, typical of Maldives, is called an atoll. In fact, the English word 'atoll' itself is derived from the Maldivian or dhivehi word for it-atholhu. There are 26 natural atolls in the Maldives.

There are still ongoing debates about the formation of atolls. According to Charles Darwin's theory, when submerged volcanoes rise from the sea, a coral reef grew on its edge. When the volcanoes submerged,

the coral reefs encircling a water-filled basin remained. Consequently, islands were formed on the reefs as the tides and currents brought dead coral onto sandbars. These were in turn colonised by plants.

During a seismic survey by Esso in 1980, a well sunk near Bandos Island concluded that a volcanic base lay beneath 2100 meters of limestone, supporting the subsidence theory of Darwin.

A different view has been provided by Hans Hass. According to him, layers of coral reefs might have built up on top of the submerged mountains until they rose to the surface. The hardest and highest corals remained while the weaker corals in the center of the coral platforms broke down. The remaining corals at the outer edges formed rings that were to form the outer rims of atolls. Islands were formed as debris and sand accumulated on to the remaining reefs.

The reef is cut by deep channels, which the locals have mastered to navigate. Protective reefs safeguard the islands from the elements. However, the islands are susceptible to erosion. The islands are low-lying; emerging almost two meters above the sea level. It is frequent that one part of the island to erode while onto another part

the currents and tides deposit sand expanding the island.Over the course of time, some islands may erode completely, while others may be formed gradually on a sandbank. There are still many islands and sandbanks at various stages of formation. Hence, the Maldives is a dynamic country in the making.

Coral reefs are created by a tiny animal, called a polyp, which secretes a hard limestone skeleton and provides the reef framework. Fragile branching coral may grow between 20 to 30 centimeters per year, while massive boulder-shaped coral may grow only a few millimeters per year. Coralline algae, which thrives in areas exposed to wave action and places too deep and dark for the coral, cement framework of dead and broken coral together forming a solid limestone base.
The type and shape of the reef developed depends to a great extent on the depth and shape of the ocean floor, the currents, the recent geological history of the area and degree of exposure to wave action. Yet coral reefs have not always existed as they do today.

During the ice ages, falls in sea-levels forced reef building coral away from the reefs to colonize new areas. At the same time reefs were left high out of the water. The limestone reefs were readily eroded by fresh water and this led to the formation of caves and canyons of all shapes and sizes. After they were again flooded by the sea, marine life re-established itself and layers of coral and coralline algae continue to grow upon the eroded gutters and valleys. These eroded substrata largely govern the shapes of modern reefs. Today, many of these features remain submerged providing divers with spectacular natural attractions.

Six inches deep humus forms the initial layers of the soil. Sandstone of about 2 feet is found below and after it sand is accompanied with fresh water. The salinity of the soil along the beach restricts the growth to few plants. Normally, shrubs and small hedges occupy the area. More inwards, banyan, mangroves, screw pine and other lush vegetation are found. For the coconut palms there seems to be no restrictions. It is found almost everywhere and have contributed significantly to the local lifestyle, even earning the status of the national tree.
While vegetation in the islands is limited, it is supplemented by the riches of the sea; varieties of corals, abundant colourful fish and other organisms that makes the Maldives 'the home of the children of the sea'.