Districts of Maldives

Exploring the ‘Districts in Maldives’ – A Look at the Administrative Divisions

The Maldives is administratively divided into 21 administrative divisions or districts, including Male, the capital. This island nation spans across the equator in the Indian Ocean and is made up of over 1,100 coral islands grouped into 26 natural atolls. Let’s take a look at these administrative ‘districts in Maldives’ and what makes them unique.

Male – The Tiny Capital District

Male is the tiny island capital of Maldives and also the most densely populated region in the country. This capital ‘district of Maldives occupies just 5.8 square kilometers but packs over 130,000 residents! Male is the economic and political hub as well as the heart of tourism infrastructure. The capital region is well connected to population centers on other atolls. The cityscape features colorful saffron and white buildings amidst the blue ocean waters.

Northern Atolls Administration

The Northern division includes 6 atolls including the famous tourist atolls of South Nilandhe, North Nilandhe, and Kaafu. Some of the most popular resorts are spread across the northern ‘districts in Maldives’. The region is less developed compared to Male but attracts visitors for its stunning white sand beaches, surf breaks, and pristine diving spots. Local island industries include boat building, fisheries, and traditional palm weaving.

Central Atolls Governance

The central administrative region presides over 8 atolls at the geographic center of Maldives. The legendary passenger vessel Queen of Maldives connects several central atolls functioning almost like a marine capital. Fishing, shipping, and tourism are the prime economic drivers of these mid-region ‘districts in Maldives’. Local culture is vibrant here with many festivals centered on boats and the marine bounty.

Southern Districts and Atolls

The southern administrative division of the Maldives oversees the 5 southernmost atolls of the archipelago. These ‘districts in Maldives’ showcase rich coral reefs and abundant aquatic life including whales and dolphins. The atolls located near the equator are tropically warm year-round making them excellent vacation spots. Islands here are relatively underdeveloped with an economy based on boat building, fishing, and some tourism. The traditional culture stays strong in the southern districts.

Maldives Administrative Division – Decentralization Reforms

The government recently carved out more ‘districts of Maldives’ for decentralized governance owing to its far-flung geography. Previously, Atoll divisions and elected island councils handled local administration. However reforms aim to bring decision-making closer to people by restructuring districts and increasing their financial autonomy.

The plans envision developing each district economically by boosting infrastructure as well as jobs in tourism, fisheries, and communication. Decentralization hopes to help retain the uniqueness of various regions while boosting human development indices uniformly.

Visit the Diverse Districts of Maldives!

The administrative ‘Districts in Maldives offer much geographic, cultural, and ecological variety for visitors to experience. Make sure your itinerary spans the northern, central, and southern districts to enjoy different facets of this Indian Ocean archipelago!