Himandhoo (Alif Alif Atoll) Explained

Himandhoo
Native Name Lang:dv
Settlement Type:Inhabited island
Pushpin Map:Maldives
Pushpin Relief:y
Pushpin Mapsize:250
Pushpin Label Position:left
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Maldives
Coordinates:3.9208°N 72.7431°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Maldives
Subdivision Type1:Geographic atoll
Subdivision Type2:Administrative atoll
Subdivision Name2:Alif Alif Atoll
Subdivision Type3:Distance to Malé
Subdivision Name3:89.57km (55.66miles)
Seat Type:Capital
Parts Type:Geographic atolls
Parts Style:list
Leader Title:Council
Leader Title3:Mayor
Leader Title4:Island Chief
Unit Pref:Metric
Length Km:0.750
Width Km:0.425
Population Footnotes:[1]
Population Total:724 (including foreigners)
Population As Of:2014
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

Himandhoo (Dhivehi: ހިމެންދޫ) is one of the inhabited islands of the Alif Alif Atoll in the Maldives.

Geography

The island is 89.570NaN0 west of the country's capital, Malé.[2] A short seaplane journey from Velana International Airport would take approximately 25–45 minutes to reach this pristine piece of land in the Northern Alif Atoll. Speedboat transfer options are also available to reach the island.

Economy

Tourism

The island has long attracted international travellers to its dive spots and white sand beaches. The island is popular with visitors for its reef for snorkelers, beaches, and a lagoon for kite and wind surfers.

History

In 2007 a standoff occurred when Maldivan authorities investigating the 2007 Malé bombing attempted to enter the Dar-al-Khuir mosque on the island. A 40-hour standoff ensued between authorities and male congregants, ending in the arrest of 60 men and boys, and injuries to 30 police officers.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Table PP5: Resident Population by sex, nationality and locality (administrative islands), 2014. 35. Population and Households Census 2014. National Bureau of Statistics. 12 August 2018.
  2. Web site: Coordinate Distance Calculator. Boulter.com. 12 August 2018.
  3. Chan Tau Chou. Maldives faces social divide. Al Jazeera English. 6 November 2007.