Maldives, officially the
Republic of Maldives, is an archipelagic country in the Indian subcontinent of
Asia, situated in the Indian Ocean. It lies southwest of Sri Lanka and India,
about 750 kilometres (470 miles; 400 nautical miles) from the Asian continent's
mainland. The chain of 26 atolls stretches from Ihavandhippolhu Atoll in the
north to Addu Atoll in the south (across the Equator). Comprising a territory
spanning roughly 90,000 square kilometres (35,000 sq mi) including the sea,
land area of all the islands comprises 298 square kilometres (115 sq mi),
Maldives is one of the world's most geographically dispersed sovereign states
and the smallest Asian country as well as one of the smallest Muslim countries
by land area and, with around 557,751 inhabitants, the 2nd least populous
country in Asia. Malé is the capital and the most populated city, traditionally
called the "King's Island" where the ancient royal dynasties ruled
for its central location.
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. Dhaalu
Atoll stretches 23km (14 mi) from east to west, and 38km (24 mi) north to
south. Out of a total of 56 islands in the atoll, 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 the 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 during low tide.
Dhaalu Atoll Hospital is
located in the island of Kudahuvadhoo. Dhaalu Atoll is accessible through
regular domestic flights from Velana International Airport to Dhaalu Airport
located on Kudahuvadhoo as well as local ferry services.
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 Boxing Day
tsunamis destroyed the buildings.
Rinbudhoo was also badly
hit by the tsunami and half of the population were migrated to thulusdhoo. It
is said Rinbudhoo was one of the islands having the highest density of population
back in the early days. but now its just the opposite. The Island has an almost
300 years old masjid built with curved stones.
Dhaalu Atoll is home to
several luxury tourist resorts including St Regis Vommuli Maldives, Niyama
Private Islands Maldives, Kandima Maldives, Angsana Velavaru, Vilu Reef, and
Aaaveee. Several other resorts are under development.
Sources :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maldives
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhaalu_Atoll
Comments
Post a Comment