The Maldives has the smallest highest natural point of any sovereign state, rising only about 2.4 metres above sea level.
The highest point is on Villingili Island in Addu Atoll. This exceptionally low elevation results from the Maldives’ formation as coral atolls built around submerged volcanic foundations. Most of the country’s islands are only slightly above the surrounding ocean.
The figure is sometimes reported as 2.3 or 2.4 metres because surveys and rounding differ. Either way, the Maldives is widely recognized as the world’s lowest-lying country by maximum natural elevation.
This geography makes coastal flooding and saltwater intrusion serious risks. The country has promoted international attention on climate change because even modest sea-level rise can affect freshwater supplies, housing, roads, and beaches across its widely scattered islands.