Maldives consists of 1,192 coral islands grouped in a double chain of 26 atolls, along the north-south direction, spread over roughly
90,000 square kilometres, making this one of the world's most dispersed
countries. It lies between latitudes 1°S and 8°N, and longitudes72° and 74°E. The atolls are composed of live coral reefs and sand
bars, situated atop a submarine ridge 960
kilometres long. Source
