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Dhaalu Atoll | |
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 Location of Dhaalu in Maldives | |
| Country | Maldives |
| Corresponding geographic atoll(s) | Nilandhe Atholhu Dhekunuburi |
| Location | 2°50′40″N72°55′50″E / 2.84444°N 72.93056°E /2.84444; 72.93056 |
| Capital | Kudahuvadhoo |
| Government | |
| • Atoll Chief | Ahmed Shafiu[1] |
| Population | |
• Total | 5,305 |
| Letter code | M |
| Dhivehi letter code | Dh (ދ) |
| • Number of islands | 56 |
| • Inhabited islands | Bandidhoo *Hulhudheli *Kudahuvadhoo *Maaenboodhoo *Meedhoo *Rinbudhoo |
| • Uninhabited islands | Aluvifushi,Ayyakaloahuraa,Boarikifinolhu,Bodufushi,Bulhalafushi,Dhebaidhoo,Dhoores,Enboodhoofushi,Faandhoo,Fenfushi,Gaadhiffushi,Gemendhoo (abandoned),Hinaidhoo,Hiriyanfushi,Hudhufusheefinolhu,Hulhuvehi,Issari,Kandinma,Kanneiyfaru,Kedhigandu,Kiraidhoo,Lhohi,Maadheli,Maafushi,Maagau,Maléfaru,Meedhuffushi,Minimasgali,Naibukaloabodufushi,Olhuveli,Thilabolhufushi,Thinhuraa,Thambalhaidhoo,Uddhoo,Vaanee,Valla,Vallalhohi,Velavaroo,Vonmuli |
| Resort islands(*), airports(¤) and industrial islands are also considered uninhabited. | |
Dhaalu Atoll (also known asSouthern Nilandhe Atoll orDhivehi:ނިލަންދެ އަތޮޅު ދެކުނުބުރި,Nilandhe Atholhu Dhekunuburi) is one of the atolls of theMaldives. It corresponds to the natural atoll of the same name.
Dhaalu Atoll stretches 23 km (14 mi) from east to west, and 38 km (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 isKudahuvadhoo, 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 ofGemendhoo 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.[1]
Dhaalu Atoll is accessible through regular domestic flights fromVelana International Airport toDhaalu Airport located onKudahuvadhoo 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 as well as a copperplate 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 forscuba diving.
Gemendhoo was abandoned after theBoxing 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 luxurytourist resorts including St Regis Vommuli Maldives,Niyama Private Islands Maldives, Kandima Maldives, Angsana Velavaru, Vilu Reef, and Aaaveee. Several other resorts are under development.[2]
One of the most prominent lifestyle resorts in the atoll isKandima Maldives, known for its wide range of activities and modern design. Opened in 2017, the resort spans nearly 3 kilometres and offers 270 rooms, making it one of the largest in the Maldives.[3]
Dhaalu Atoll Hospital is the regional hospital in the atoll, being located in the atoll's capital,Kudahuvadhoo. The hospital offers general medicine and specialized services along with paediatrics, anesthesiology, surgery and gynecology, along with the inauguration of dental services by formerpresident,Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.[4]
