or MALEDIVIA ISLANDS, a remarkable group of islands in the Indian Ocean, extending almost in a straight line between Lat. 7° 6' N. and 0° 40' S., Long. 72° 48' and 73° 48' E.; 466 geographical miles in length, and 46 or 48 miles in breadth. These islands lie in circular groups or atolls, formed by coral reefs, and divided from each other by channels of great depth. The water inside the atolls is generally shallow and calm, though on the surrounding reefs the waves beat with considerable violence. The reefs are not unbroken, and there are many openings which permit the entrance of ships; while the depth within is in most cases sufficient to allow them to cross from one part to another. Four safe channels through the Maldives have been explored by European vessels, and there are other two which are believed to be safe, but which have not as yet been explored. The number of the atolls is 17, and the islands, which are situate for the most part on the coral reefs, are reckoned by the natives to be 12,000 in number, but are believed to amount in reality to three or four times as many. The name is believed to be derived from two words in the Malabar language signifying a thousand islands, from their great number. The atolls are generally circular or oval in their shape, and their circumference is on an average 90 miles. The largest island is Mali, N. Lat. 4° 10', E. Long. 73° 40'. It is about 7 miles in circumference, and has a population of about 1500 or 2000. The islands are all of a circular form, and are characterized by a lagoon or lake in the centre, which is found even in the smallest of them.

The soil is sandy, mixed with vegetable remains; and at the depth of about 3 feet a layer of sandstone occurs. All the islands of any size are richly clothed with palms, fig trees, bread-fruit trees, &c., and they are all covered with a thick jungle. On some of them there are plantations of Indian corn and sugar-canes, and a small quantity of cotton is grown, together with millet; but as the soil is not adapted to the growth of rice and wheat, these grains are imported. The food of the inhabitants consists chiefly of fish and coconuts. A small number of cattle are kept on some of the islands of the largest atolls; but there are no sheep or goats. Notwithstanding their tropical situation, the climate of these islands is not remarkable for great heat; the nights are cool, and the plentiful dews prevent the temperature from exceeding a moderate degree of heat. The inhabitants have attained to some degree of civilization, and carry on a considerable amount of commerce among themselves and with the mainland of India. The different islands have each a peculiar trade of their own, and the communication is kept up by means of boats. The commerce with India is also carried on chiefly by native boats, for though Indian vessels used formerly to frequent these islands, the navigation was found to be so difficult and dangerous, that this practice has been discontinued. The principal articles of export are coconuts and cowries, together with quantities of salt fish; while grain, cotton, silk, tobacco, and various other European goods are imported. The inhabitants are quiet and inoffensive, and little accustomed to war. They are strict Musulmans; but, contrary to the usual practice in such countries, the women are not kept in seclusion. The people are governed by a monarch, who is styled Sultan of the Thirteen Atolls and Twelve Thousand Isles, but who acknowledges his dependence on the British government of Ceylon, to which he annually sends tribute. Pop. of the whole group, from 150,000 to 200,000.