In 1834–1836, British captain Robert Moresby undertook the laborious and difficult cartography of the Maldive Islands, drawing the first accurate maritime charts of this complicated Indian Ocean atoll group. The atolls of the Maldives are very complex structures and formerly they were very dangerous for navigators. This is also the case in the atoll known as Faadhippolhu. For example, it is correct to write simply Kolhumadulhu, without adding the word 'Atholhu' at the end. Traditionally, Maldivians call the atolls ending in '-madulu' or '-mathi' by their name without adding the word "Atoll" at the end. "Atoll" (from Dhivehi: atholhu) is now used in many languages worldwide. The origin of the word "atoll" itself is in the language of the Maldives. There are broad and deep channels in between some atolls. The atolls of the Maldives form a quite regular chain and, especially in the northern and central atolls, an arrayed structure is apparent.
All land above the surface in the Maldives is of coralline origin. Some atolls are in the form of a number of islands by time and in the form of isolated reefs, which could be classified as smaller atoll formations. The largest of these atolls is Boduthiladhunmathi, while the atoll containing the most islands is Huvadhu. The Maldives are formed by 20 natural atolls, along with a few islands and isolated reefs today which form a pattern stretching from 7 degrees 10′ North to 0 degrees 45′ South. 1814 map of 'The Maldiva Islands' by Captain James Horsburgh.
0 kommentar(er)
