Little-known city where 21,000 people live that's part of luxury islands Brits love to visit

The , a tourist hotspot made up of 1,200 coral islands encircled by crystal clear waters, saw approximately 1.4 million tourists by September 18, 2024, marking a 10 percent increase from the same date in 2023. Despite its size, the Maldives has a population density of 4,557 people per square mile.

Half of the Maldives' population resides in one particular region, which has seen steady development over the years, making it one of the world's most densely populated cities. The capital city, Male, is the largest of the 200 islands and home to between 210,000 and 250,000 people, despite its dense nature.

Measuring roughly 0.7 miles by 1.1 miles, Male is one of the world's most densely inhabited cities. Development in Male has led to an increase in jobs and health services, contributing to its dense population.

Many people have relocated to the region from other parts of the , with education being a significant draw. Another factor contributing to its density is the lack of surrounding countryside areas in Male, with all infrastructure located within the city itself, including two of the largest .

Male, the capital of the Maldives, is home to the country's largest airport, university, port, fish market, and mosques. It also houses the government of Male, reports . According to Britannica, Male serves as a trade and tourist centre, with steamship lines connecting it to India and Sri Lanka.

The city's International Airport caters to both domestic and international flights, and its seaplane terminal is the main hub for the Maldives. As the Maldives' economy heavily relies on tourism, this significantly impacts government revenue, leading to increased development in surrounding areas. This, in turn, affects bureaucracy and administration, resulting in an even denser population in Male.

It comes as it's come to light that you can . However, you'll need pretty deep pockets if you want this dream to become a reality. The private island has a pretty steep price tag of $45million. That's almost £35million.

Soneva Jani is located on the island of Medhufaru in the Maldives' Noonu Atoll, which sits 105 miles north of the capital city of Malé. The private North Island retreat is a breathtaking oasis of verdant tropical forest and powder-white beaches, kissed by the Maldivian sun and surrounded by the sparkling turquoise waters of a private lagoon. Sitting at the northern tip of Soneva Jani, it will feature a 3,717 sq m built-up area and a total land area of 33,437 sq m.