The most northerly atolls have more of a desert island feel, being so geographically isolated from the capital Male in the central region of the Maldives. Historically, the relative proximity of these islands to India has been significant: it is believed that Buddhism, which was the predominant religion until the 12th Century, was first introduced to the northern island of Ihavandhu by a Southern Indian prince. And the Maldivian language, Dhivehi, which has Indo-Iranian roots with Arabic influences, is likely to have evolved in this northern region.
There are various resorts in the northern islands offering a very secluded experience.
