Dharavandhoo (Dhivehi: ދަރަވަންދޫ) is one of the inhabited islands of Baa Atoll.

Dharavandhoo ދަރަވަންދޫ
Inhabited island
Dharavandhoo Aerial View (Recent)
Dharavandhoo Location in Maldives
Coordinates: 05°09′30″N 73°07′50″E
Country	Maldives
Administrative atoll	Baa Atoll (South Maalhos Madulu)
Distance to Malé	116.53 km (72.41 mi)
Area
• Total	0.4550 km2 (0.1757 sq mi)
Dimensions
• Length	1.330 km (0.826 mi)
• Width	0.480 km (0.298 mi)
Population  (2014)[1]
• Total	857 (including foreigners)
Time zone	UTC+05:00 (MST)

Geography

The island is 116.53 km (72 mi; 63 nmi) north of the country's capital, Malé.[2]

Ecology

This island is surrounded by clear waters known as Dharavandhoo Thila and Hanifaru Bay; which are famous amongst divers around the world, for it is a sanctuary for a variety of marine life, including manta rays and whale sharks. This globally renowned eco-life zone is now strictly protected by law.

Demography

Governance

The island is administered by an Island Council consisting of five councillors elected by the people of the island.

Economy

The economy is mainly based on tourism related activities, fishery and agriculture, though most of the educated run their own businesses or are employed with work in Male (the capital city of Maldives).

The island has a powerhouse, run by a utility company.

Education

Dharavandhoo has a Children's Nursery School. The education system is only available up to secondary school; further education is sought from Male' or elsewhere.

Healthcare

The island has its own health centre.

Transportation

Dharavandhoo Airport was opened on 17 October 2012. Inner harbour was first dredged by MTCC, in the last four months of 1997. There is also a breakwater jetty.

Sport

Dharavandhoo has two football grounds.

Religion

The island has two mosques.

Culture

The citizens of the island are all Dhivehi speaking.

Poetry and literature

This section contains information of unclear or questionable importance or relevance to the article's subject matter. (September 2012)

Dharavandhoo is a significant island in poetry and Dhivehi literature. Most popular poets and linguists were found in Dharavandhoo's Hussain Edhurukaleyfaanu family. The most famous Maldivean scholar is Shaikh Hussain Salahudhdheen (father of Hon. Ibrahim Shihab, Hon.Adnan Hussain, First lady Her Excellency Fathimath Saeed (Wife of Amimn Didi), First lady Her Excellency Mariyam Saeed (Wife of President Ibrahim Nasir)and His Brother Abdullah Kamaludhdheen (father of Chief Justice Shaikh Mohamed Jameel Didi and Moosa Jameel)'s mother Thuththu Manike is a grand daughter of Dharavandhoo Edhuru kaleyfaanu. Famous poets Mr.Yoosuf Alifulhu and Mr.Saeed Alifulhu are also from EdhuruKaleyfaanu family. Mr.Ahmed Nashid and Mr.Abdullah Muaz are also well known poets in Maldives.

Gallery

• 
  Dharavandhoo Airport Runway near Completion
• 
  Dharavandhoo Main Road in 90s (from near Baa Atoll School)
• 
  The first Democratic President Mohamed Nasheed in Dharavandhoo (2010)
• 
  Dharavandhoo Friday Mosque
• 
  Dharavandhoo break-water Harbour Jetty before the renovation in 2012
• 
  Dharavandhoo Thila: Puffer Fish
• 
  Dharavandhoo Thila: Whale Shark

References

External links

• https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=5.168566,73.144484&spn=0.062573,0.090895&t=h&z=14&lci=com.panoramio.all
• https://web.archive.org/web/20081121040725/http://www.baa.gov.mv/contents/islands/dharavandhoo.html
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/231176730273332/

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[de] Dharavandhoo