What is an atoll?
An atoll is a large ring-shaped coral reef, encircling or nearly encircling a shallow lagoon. This massive coral growth is commonly found along a submerged mountain range or volcano in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The word atoll is the only English word that has been derived from the Maldivian language. 7. What is the weather like in the Maldives / Seychelles? Year-round hot and humid. The Maldivian climate is determined by the monsoons, though milder and not as defined as in its neighbouring countries. The southwest monsoon May to October brings some rain and wind, while the northeast monsoon November to April delivers the dry season with very light wind. The temperature varies little throughout the year, with an annual average of 30.4 degrees Celsius maximum and 25.9 degrees Celsius minimum. On the capital island of Mal, the average humidity is at 70 75%, while on the southern atolls along the equator it is often over 85% on a clear day. In 1996, the annual rainfall stood at just o
