Geography of Maldives
Location
Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India
Geographic Coordinates
3 15 N, 73 00 E
Geographical Area
Land
300 Sq Km.
Water
Unknown
Land Boundary
Unknown
Border Countries
Length of Coastline
644 Km.
Terrain
Flat, with white sandy beaches
Elevation Extremes
Lowest Point
Indian Ocean 0 m
Highest Point
unnamed location on Wilingili island in the Addu Atoll 2.4 m
Natural Resources
Fish
Land Use
Arable Land
13%
Permanent Crops
30%
Other
57%
Irrigated Land
Unknown
Natural Hazards
Low level of islands makes them sensitive to sea level rise
Environmental Issues
Depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies; global warming and sea level rise; coral reef bleaching
