Dhaalu Atoll (also known as Southern Nilandhe Atoll or , ) is one of the atolls of the

Maldives The Maldives, officially the Republic of Maldives, and historically known as the Maldive Islands, is an Archipelagic state, archipelagic country in South Asia located in the Indian Ocean. The Maldives is southwest of Sri Lanka and India, abou ...

. It corresponds to the natural atoll of the same name.

Geography

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 is

Kudahuvadhoo Kudahuvadhoo () is one of the inhabited islands of Dhaalu Atoll in the Maldives. It is also the capital of Dhaalu Atoll. History Buddhist Period The Buddhist era on the island of Kudahuvadhoo lasted from around 400 AD to 1258 AD, with sailor ...

, 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 Velana International Airport (VIA), also known as Malé-Velana International Airport () is the main international airport in the Maldives. It is located on Hulhulé Island in the southern Malé Atoll (or Kaafu Atoll), nearby the capital island ...

Dhaalu Airport Dhaalu Airport is an international airport located on the island of Kudahuvadhoo in Dhaalu Atoll in the Republic of Maldives. It was built by Reollo Investments Pvt. Ltd. and is operated by Dhaalu Airport Holdings. History The airport bega ...

located on

as well as local ferry services.

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 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 for

scuba diving Scuba diving is a Diving mode, mode of underwater diving whereby divers use Scuba set, breathing equipment that is completely independent of a surface breathing gas supply, and therefore has a limited but variable endurance. The word ''scub ...

. 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.

Tourism

Dhaalu Atoll is home to several luxury

tourist resort A resort (North American English) is a self-contained commercial establishment that aims to provide most of a vacationer's needs. This includes food, drink, swimming, accommodation, sports, entertainment and shopping, on the premises. A hotel ...

s including St Regis Vommuli Maldives, Niyama Private Islands Maldives, Kandima Maldives, Angsana Velavaru, Vilu Reef, and Aaaveee. Several other resorts are under development.

Health care

Dhaalu Atoll Hospital is the regional hospital in the atoll, being located in the atoll's capital,

. The hospital offers general medicine and specialized services along with paediatrics, anesthesiology, surgery and gynecology, along with the inauguration of dental services by former

president President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) * President (education), a leader of a college or university *President (government title) President may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Film and television *'' Præsident ...

Ibrahim Mohamed Solih Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (; born 4 May 1964), popularly known as Ibu, is a Maldivian politician who served as the 7th President of the Maldives from 2018 to 2023. Solih was a parliamentarian for 15 years, he represented the Hinnavaru constitue ...

References

* ''Divehi Tārīkhah Au Alikameh''. Divehi Bahāi Tārikhah Khidmaiykurā Qaumī Markazu. Reprint 1958 edn. Malé 1990. * ''Divehiraajjege Jōgrafīge Vanavaru''. Muhammadu Ibrahim Lutfee. G.Sōsanī. *

Xavier Romero-Frias Xavier or Xabier may refer to: Place * Xavier, Spain People * Xavier (surname) * Xavier (given name) * Francis Xavier (1506–1552), Catholic saint ** St. Francis Xavier (disambiguation) * St. Xavier (disambiguation) * Xavier (footballer, born ...

, ''The Maldive Islanders, A Study of the Popular Culture of an Ancient Ocean Kingdom''. Barcelona 1999. {{Atolls of the Maldives Administrative atolls of the Maldives Atolls of the Maldives