Gan | |
Native Name Lang: | dv |
Settlement Type: | Uninhabited island |
Pushpin Map: | Maldives |
Pushpin Relief: | y |
Pushpin Mapsize: | 250 |
Pushpin Label Position: | left |
Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Maldives |
Coordinates: | 0.2772°N 73.4328°W |
Subdivision Type: | Country |
Subdivision Name: | Maldives |
Subdivision Type1: | Geographic atoll |
Subdivision Type2: | Administrative atoll |
Subdivision Name2: | Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll |
Subdivision Type3: | Distance to Malé |
Subdivision Name3: | 438km (272miles) |
Seat Type: | Capital |
Parts Type: | Geographic atolls |
Parts Style: | list |
Leader Title: | Council |
Leader Title3: | Mayor |
Leader Title4: | Island Chief |
Unit Pref: | Metric |
Population Total: | 0 |
Population Density Km2: | auto |
Utc Offset: | +05:00 |
Postal Code Type: | Assigned Letter |
Postal2 Code Type: | Assigned Letter |
Area Code Type: | Area code(s) |
Blank Name Sec2: | Number of Islands |
Blank1 Name Sec2: | Inhabited |
Blank2 Name Sec2: | Uninhabited |
Blank3 Name Sec2: | Total |
Gan is one of the uninhabited islands of Southern Huvadhu Atoll, in the Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll administrative division of the Maldives and is the largest natural island in Huvadhu Atoll.
Gan Island was formerly inhabited, but its inhabitants moved to neighboring islands after a severe epidemic at the end of the 18th century. Before that point, there is evidence of continuous human habitation since very ancient times. There are still large cultivated fields of yams, manioc and coconut trees on this island, which are used by neighboring islanders from Gadhdhoo
The origin of the word "Gan" is in the Sanskrit word "Grama", meaning "village". This island should not be confused with other Maldive islands called "Gan" in Addu Atoll and Haddummati Atoll.
There are several ancient Buddhist ruins on this island, including one of the largest stupas in the Maldives:
Thor Heyerdahl visited this island and investigated one of the ruined stupas there in the 1980s accompanied by Mohamed Lutfi. This included the foundation of the perimeter of the vihara or temple compound. However, most ruins have not yet been well researched. A folklore talks about the island becoming inhabited with the arrival of some majestic beasts.