Maldives 

Introduction

The Republic of Maldives is a unitary state located in the Indian Ocean. It has a population of 298,842 on a land area of 300 sq km over 1,190 atolls of which 199 are inhabited. The highest point in the Maldives is less than two metres above sea level. 

There are 20 administrative units, 20 known as atolls and the city of Malé is the capital. The atolls are: Alifu; Baa; Dhaalu; Faafu; Gaafu Alifu; Gaafu Dhaalu; Gnaviyani; Haa Alifu; Haa Dhaalu; Kaafu, Laamu, Lhaviyani; Meemu; Noonu; Raa; Seenu; Shaviyani; Thaa; and Vaavu.

Summary 

There are administrative units that carry out the local administration in cooperation with government offices. The head of these units, called atolls, are atoll chiefs. The president appoints atoll chiefs. Malé municipality functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The president of the Maldives announced a reform agenda in 2004, identifying strategies to reinforce democratic processes and enhance good governance. This agenda includes strengthening atoll and island administrations through elected councils and the enactment of laws to facilitate decentralisation.

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