Malé

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Malé

Malé

Malé, an island and atoll, is the capital and most populous city of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean. The city lies on the North Malé Atoll, some 645 km southwest of Sri Lanka. As the seat of the Maldives government, it houses central courts, a government hospital, public and private schools, and a vocational school for engineering. It is also a commercial and tourist center, with steamship lines linking it to Sri Lanka and India. The city is administratively made up of a central island, an airport island and four other islands, over which the Malé City Council presides. Malé traditionally was the island of the king, where ancient royal dynasties ruled from and where the palace stood. The city was then called Mahal. It was formerly a walled city enclosed by fortifications and gates. The royal palace, with its picturesque forts and bastions, was demolished when the city was transformed under President Ibrahim Nasir following the abolition of the monarchy in 1968. But some buildings remain, notably the Malé Friday Mosque. While Malé is geographically located in the Kaafu Atoll, it is not administratively part of it. The archipelago's unique character means that it is always close to the incredible beauty of the coral reefs. The crystal-clear waters around the capital might appear calm compared to the bustling metropolis, but beneath the surface the Maldives really come alive. Snorkeling excursions and diving tours operate from Malé and its suburbs, and the northern Malé Atoll is one of the country's few major snorkeling sites.