Fonadhoo (Laamu Atoll)

Fonadhoo (Dhivehi: ފޮނަދޫ) is the capital island in Laamu atoll of the Maldives.

Fonadhoo
capital island
Fonadhoo
Location in Maldives
Coordinates: 01°50′00″N 73°30′00″E
CountryMaldives
Administrative atollLaamu Atoll
Distance to Malé258.97 km (160.92 mi)
Government
  CouncilAhmed Riyaz
Area
  Total1.68 km2 (0.65 sq mi)
Dimensions
  Length4.000 km (2.485 mi)
  Width0.480 km (0.298 mi)
Population
 (2014)[1]
  Total2,266 (including foreigners)
Time zoneUTC+05:00 (MST)

The island has three villages: Barasil (northernmost), Medhuavah (in the middle) and Kurigam (southernmost). The population of the island was around 2000 in 2013.

History

Most of the history (geological and behavioural) of Fonadhoo and its people has not been recorded. The island is considered a Gaamathee Rah - an island formed on a coral mountain, facing one side to the bay (Etherevari) and the other side to the open sea (Fuhtaru-Huvadhoo Kandu). It is believed that the island has a rich culture and is very much related to the history of the Maldives. Important historical places in the island include the Old Friday Mosque, a few sheltered tombs (Magbarah) and old mosques and cemeteries in many parts of the island.

Geography

The island is 258.97 km (161 mi; 140 nmi) south of the country's capital, Malé.[2] Being the administrative capital of Laamu Atoll, the atmosphere is vibrant with a lot of vegetation.

Demography

Historical population
YearPop.±%
2006 1,762    
2014 2,101+19.2%
2006-2014: Census populations
Source: [3]

Economy

Most of the people are civil servants or work in Kadhdhoo Domestic Airport or in Maandhoo Fisheries Complex. Some are small scale farmers and others self-employed. At present and since the last decade there are no open sea fishing boats. A few boat owners exist with small reef fishing boats and two boats that cargo goods to and from Male'. The island has a low per capita income but has a regular flow of income which contributes to its slow progress.

Education

Starting from the days of Bodu Madharusa, the island has had a government school which includes grades 1 to 12. There are two other preschools (arafa Preschool in Medhuavah and Barru Preschool in Barasil). The island has an average level of education with very few degree and masters holders and no PhD holders to date.

Transport

The island is connected by causeway to Gan island and Kadhdhoo.[4]

Notable people

One of the important personalities of Fonadhoo is Abdul Kareem Kaleyfaanu of Finivaage. He was among the first batch of Dhaarul Igama (دارالأقامۃ) students. He served the government for 48 years. Within this period he sincerely served as the Bodu Katheebu (Island Chief) for 37 years. When he died on 31 July 2004, he was a state pensioner holding the post of Raajjethereyge Khaassa Eheetheriyaa (Special Envoy of the islanders) at the Ministry of Atolls Administration (now Ministry of Home Affairs). He contributed to the literature of Maldives by writing articles of different genres for the Faithoora magazine and several poems. Much of his work is not published. He was married to Aminath Ahmed (Aimina Manike) with 7 children and 13 grandchildren.

References

  1. "Table PP5: Resident Population by sex, nationality and locality (administrative islands), 2014" (PDF). Population and Households Census 2014. National Bureau of Statistics. p. 35. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  2. "Coordinate Distance Calculator". Boulter.com. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  3. "Table 3.3: Total Maldivian Population by Islands" (PDF). National Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  4. Maldives Post-Tsunami Environmental Assessment. UNEP. 2005. p. 69. ISBN 9789280725797. OCLC 968476613.


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