North Nilandhoo
- ISS002-709-44
- 12 July 2001
North Nilandhoo Atoll is a medium-sized atoll formation located on the western arm of the double chain of atolls that occupy the central region of the Maldives. The atoll is situated 5 km north — across the Dheburideetheree channel — form its larger neighbour of South Nilandhoo, 16 km south — across the Ariadhoo Channel — from Ari and 37 km west from Mulaku. It forms the Faafu administrative unit.
The atoll is composed of 16 major reef segments and several smaller reefs that enclose a central lagoon containing numerous large faros reefs. Most of the perimeter reefs also enclose their own internal lagoons. North Nilandhoo measures 30 km north to south and has a maximum width of 24 km across the centre. There are 23 islands in total, with a combined area of 1.8 km². The island of Nilandhoo, located on the southern extremity of the atoll, is the largest island with an area of 0.536 km².
image: earth sciences and image analysis laboratory, nasa johnson space center
