North Male Atoll is the principal atoll of the Maldives and includes
Male, the island capital. The administrative capital is on the island of
Thulusdhoo. There are 50 islands in North Male Atoll and several small islets of
these 8 are inhabited, including the airport and out of the 42 uninhabited
islands, 27 are resorts and of the remaining 15 most are privately leased with
some buildings on them.
The North Male Atoll includes Gaafaru, 69 km long and 39 km at its widest
point. Many resort islands are close enough to the airport for transfers to be
made by traditional dhoanis, but the more distant ones usually use speedboats
and seaplanes to save time. Transfers to the more distant islands by engine
dhoani can take just over four hours.