The Maldives is an island country in the north-central Indian Ocean with 1,192 tiny coral islands that form 26 natural atolls. The coral reefs of the Maldives are the seventh largest in the world and cover an area of approximately 8,900 km2, making it the fifth most diverse ecosystem of the world’s reef areas. The Maldives is known for its white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, shallow lagoons, and coral reefs.