Malé


Island Summary
Belongs to	Kaafu Atoll
Location
Population	81,647 (2004)
Length
Width

Malé (Dhivehi: މާލެ), population 81,647 (2004), is the capital of the Republic of Maldives. The city is located on Malé Island in the Kaafu Atoll. Although Malé is geographically located in Kaafu Atoll, administratively it is not considered part of it. A commercial harbour is located in the Island. It is the heart of all commercial activities in the country. Many government buildings and agencies are located on the waterfront. Malé International Airport is on adjacent Hulhule Island which includes a seaplane base for internal transporation. Several land reclamation projects have expanded the harbour. Malé is located at 4°10' North, 73°30' East (4.1667, 73.5). ^*

The island is heavily urbanised, the city taking up essentially its entire landmass.

The town is divided into four divisions namely, Henveiru, Galolhu, Maafannu and Machangolhi

On December 26 2004, one of the deadliest natural disasters in modern history, the Indian Ocean earthquake, struck off the western coast of Sumatra. The earthquake and subsequent tsunamis reportedly killed over 220,000 people around the rim of the Indian Ocean. Malé was affected by the resulting tsunami, which flooded two-thirds of the city.

The name

The name Malé is taken from the word "Mahaalay" which has come from Sanskrit language. In Sanskrit, "Maha" means Big or Great and "aaley" means house. "Maha" + "aaley" = "Mahaalay". Mahaalay means big house. Generally word Mahaalay is used for palace of king or capital (king's island) in Sanskrit language, i.e. Mahaalay of King Asok.

External links

Satelite view of Malé - at WikiMapia = Google Maps + Wiki
General information about Maldives and Male

Islands of the Maldives | Capitals in Asia | Coastal cities

Gourt Home::Gourt :: Malé

The name

See also

External links