Vaadhoo | |
|---|---|
  Vaadhoo Location in Maldives | |
| Coordinates:00°13′45″N73°16′30″E / 0.22917°N 73.27500°E /0.22917; 73.27500 | |
| Country | Maldives |
| Administrative atoll | Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll |
| Distance to Malé | 437.12 km (271.61 mi) |
| Government | |
| • Council | Vaadhoo Council |
| Area | |
• Total | 1.673 km2 (0.646 sq mi) |
| Dimensions | |
| • Length | 2.320 km (1.442 mi) |
| • Width | 1.130 km (0.702 mi) |
| Population (2014)[1] | |
• Total | 712 (including foreigners) |
| • Density | 426/km2 (1,100/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+05:00 (MST) |
Vaadhoo (Dhivehi: ވާދޫ ) is an inhabited island ofGaafu Dhaalu region in the atoll ofHuvadhu,Maldives. It has its own dialect ofMaldivian, which is considerably different from northern and Mid-Maldivian speech.
ImportantBuddhist remains have been found on this island, including:
Thor Heyerdahl visited this island and investigated the ancient Buddhist ruins in the 1980s accompanied byMohamed Lutfi. Some carved coral stones representing Buddha's foot (Buddhapada) includeVajrayana symbols that were found. However, the ruins have not been well researched yet.
The island is 437.12 km (272 mi; 236 nmi) south of the country's capital,Malé.[2]
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 662 | — |
| 2014 | 661 | −0.2% |
| 2006–2014: Census populations Source:[3] | ||
Vaadhoo Jamaaluddin School, a government primary and secondary school, which is the second primary school opened in Gdh Vaadhoo. The school is named after the famous religious scholar Mohamed Jamaluddin, better known as Vaadhoo Dhanna Kaleyfaanu and the first Educator of the Maldives.The school first name was called "Vaadhoo Makthab" later changed for "Jamaaluddin School" and currently known as "Vaadhoo Jamaaluddin School".
