Dhaalu Atoll

Dhaalu Atoll
Country Maldives
Corresponding geographic atoll(s) Nilandhe Atholhu Dhekunuburi
Location 2° 50' N and 72° 50' N
Capital Kudahuvadhoo
Government
 • Atoll chief Mohamed Shafeeu
Population
 • Total 5,305
Letter code M
Dhivehi letter code Dh (ދ)
• Number of islands 56
• Inhabited islands Bandidhoo * Hulhudheli * Kudahuvadhoo * Maaenboodhoo * Meedhoo * Rinbudhoo * Vaanee
• Uninhabited islands Aluvifushi, Bodufushi, Bulhalafushi, Dhebaidhoo, Dhoores, Enboodhoofushi, Faandhoo, Gaadhiffushi, Gemendhoo (abandoned), Hiriyanfushi, Hudhufusheefinolhu, Hulhuvehi, Issari, Kandinma, Kanneiyfaru, Kedhigandu, Kiraidhoo, Lhohi, Maadheli, Maafushi, Maagau, Maléfaru, Meedhuffushi, Minimasgali, Naibukaloabodufushi, Olhuveli, Thilabolhufushi, Thinhuraa, Uddhoo, Valla, Vallalhohi, Velavaroo, Vonmuli
Resort islands, airports and industrial islands are also considered uninhabited.

Dhaalu' Atoll (also known as Southern Nilandhe Atoll or Nilandhe Atholhu Dhekunuburi) is one of the atolls of the Maldives. It corresponds to the natural atoll of the same name.

Traders and children waiting at the harbour of Rinbudhoo (Dhaalu Atoll)
The uninhabited island of Maafushi in South Nilande Atoll

Geography

It stretches 23km (14 mi) from east to west, and 38km (24 mi) north to south. Out of a total of 56 islands, seven of the islands are inhabited, with a total population of around 6694. The capital island is Kudahuvadhoo, located at the atoll's southern tip.

Hulhudheli and Rinbudhoo (Rimbudu) islands, located to the west of this atoll, are islands traditionally renowned for the skill of their jewellers.

The formerly inhabited island of Gemendhoo on the eastern fringe of the atoll is surrounded by a long line of 11 uninhabited islands. The route from Bulhalafushi to Naibukaloabodufushi passes through these islands and can be walked in low tide.

Dhaalu Atoll Hospital is located in the island of Kudahuvadhoo.[1]

History

Some of the islands in this atoll have remains from the Buddhist period, but none of them have been properly excavated yet. Mysterious mounds known as hawittas are found in Kudahuvadhu. The old mosque of Kudahuvadhoo, possesses some of the finest masonry in the country.

Opened to tourism in 1998, the atoll has become a popular location for SCUBA diving.

Gemendhoo was abandoned after the tsunami of 2004 destroyed the buildings.

References

  1. ↑ Dhaalu Atoll Hospital

Coordinates: 2°54′N 72°54′E / 2.9°N 72.9°E / 2.9; 72.9

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 2/29/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.