Male (Kaafu Atoll Maldives)

Male is an island, port city and the capital of Maldives - an island group of atolls and small islands. Densely settled almost to its very shores, the "island city" has population around 135,000 on land area approx 6 km2 (2,2 ml2). By population density (23,000 per km2 / 60,000 per ml2), Male City is ranked world's 18th most densely populated. First in that list is the Philippines capital Manila - over 1,6 million residents on approx 39 km2 (15 ml2), which means over 43,000 per km2 (111,000 per ml2).

Male Island is part of the Kaafu Atoll, but administratively it's not part of it. The city features a tangle of small streets, beautifully-carved mosques and cluttered outdoor bazaars. City's main tourist attractions include National Museum (ancient stone carvings, artifacts of former sultans), Sultan Park, Islamic Centre, Grand Friday Mosque. Male Island also has beautiful lagoons and sandy beaches lined with coconut palms.

Administratively, Male City ("metro area") includes four islands - Male Island (central, where the harbour port is located), a separate "airport island" plus 2 other isles. Around 1/3 of the Maldives' population lives in Male City.