12/15/2022
The whole of the Maldives forms part of a large archipelago of geologically linked islands but they are formed in characteristic shapes known as atolls. Atolls are frequently encountered in coral island groups and individual atolls often form a circular shape enclosing an area of sheltered water. The islands themselves also typically form a roughly circular shape with a central lagoon which may be completely or partially enclosed. In many cases several different islands may share the same lagoon and there are many other small islands which do not conform to this pattern.