Dharavandhoo

{{Short description|Island of the Maldives}}

{{More citations needed|date=May 2024}}{{Infobox settlement

| name = Dharavandhoo

| native_name = ދަރަވަންދޫ

| native_name_lang = dv

| settlement_type = Inhabited island

| image_skyline = Dharavandhoo Aerial View.jpg

| image_caption = Dharavandhoo Aerial View (Recent)

| pushpin_map = Maldives

| pushpin_relief = y

| pushpin_mapsize = 250

| pushpin_label_position = left

| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Maldives

| coordinates = {{coord|05|09|30|N|73|07|50|E|region:MV|display=inline,title}}

| subdivision_type = Country

| subdivision_name = Maldives

| subdivision_type1 = Geographic atoll

| subdivision_type2 = Administrative atoll

| subdivision_name2 = Baa Atoll (South Maalhos Madulu)

| subdivision_type3 = Distance to Malé

| subdivision_name3 = {{convert|116.53|km|mi|abbr=on}}

| seat_type = Capital

| parts_type = Geographic atolls

| parts_style = list

| leader_title = Council

| leader_title3 = Mayor

| leader_title4 = Island Chief

| unit_pref = Metric

| area_total_km2 = 0.4550

| length_km = 1.330

| width_km = 0.480

| population_footnotes = {{cite web|url=http://statisticsmaldives.gov.mv/nbs/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Census-Summary-Tables1.pdf|title=Table PP5: Resident Population by sex, nationality and locality (administrative islands), 2014|page=34|work=Population and Households Census 2014|publisher=National Bureau of Statistics|access-date=12 August 2018}}

| population_total = 857 (including foreigners)

| population_as_of = 2014

| population_density_km2 = auto

| timezone = {{abbr|MST|Maldives Standard Time}}

| utc_offset = +05:00

| postal_code_type = Assigned Letter

| postal2_code_type = Assigned Letter {{small|(Dhivehi)}}

| area_code_type = Area code(s)

| blank_name_sec2 = Number of Islands

| blank1_name_sec2 = Inhabited

| blank2_name_sec2 = Uninhabited

| blank3_name_sec2 = Total

}}

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

Geography

The island is {{convert|116.53|km|mi nmi|0|abbr=on}} north of the country's capital, Malé.{{cite web|url=http://boulter.com/gps/distance/?from=4.175278+73.508889&to=5.103783+73.070367&units=k|title=Coordinate Distance Calculator|work=Boulter.com|access-date=12 August 2018}}

=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

{{Historical populations

|align = center

|2006 |740

|2014 |744

|footnote = 2006-2014: Census populations

|source = {{cite web|url=http://statisticsmaldives.gov.mv/yearbook/2017/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2017/08/3.3.pdf|title=Table 3.3: Total Maldivian Population by Islands|work=National Bureau of Statistics|access-date=12 August 2018}}

}}

Governance

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

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.

Gallery

File:Dharavandhoo Airport Runway near Completion.jpg|Dharavandhoo Airport runway, nearing completion

File:Dharavandhoo Main Road in 90s.jpg|The Dharavandhoo main road, pictured in the 1990s from near Baa Atoll school

File:President in Dharavandhoo.jpg| President of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed visits Dharavandhoo in 2010.

File:Dhara Friday Mosque.jpg|Dharavandhoo Friday Mosque

File:Dharavandhoo Old Harbour.jpg|The Dharavandhoo break-water harbour jetty in 2012, prior to renovation

References

{{Reflist}}