Eydhafushi

Eydhafushi (Dhivehi: އޭދަފުށި) is the capital of Baa Atoll. The city is geographically located at the southern edge of Baa Atoll (Southern Maalhosmadulu Atoll or Maalhosmadulu Dhekunuburi). It has the highest population in the atoll and most of the government offices and public facilities.

Eydhafushi
Inhabited island
Eydhafushi
Location in Maldives
Coordinates: 5°6.227′N 73°4.222′E
CountryMaldives
Administrative atollBaa Atoll
Distance to Malé113.62 km (70.60 mi)
Area
 • Total0.550 km2 (0.212 sq mi)
Dimensions
 • Length1.22 km (0.76 mi)
 • Width0.60 km (0.37 mi)
Population
 (2014)[1]
 • Total2,658 (including foreigners)
Time zoneUTC+05:00 (MST)

History

Little is known about the history of Eydhafushi. The island's current population has been pretty recent, with estimated immigration of nearby islanders from the 17th–19th century.

In the 1968, people from the nearby Maaddoo island, Funadhoo and Undoodhoo were immigrated to Eydhafushi under the supervision of the Maldivian government as they sought a better standard of living.[2]

Geography

The island is 113.62 km (71 mi; 61 nmi) northwest of the country's capital, Malé.[3]

Eydhafushi is located at 05° 06' 10" north latitude and 73° 05' 15" east longitude. After land reclamation, the total area of Eydhafushi is now 58 ha (140 acres), including the part of the island expanded in 2015 by reclaiming the lagoon surrounding the island.[4]

Ecology

One of the growing issues at Eydhafushi is the rising temperatures. The island is sometimes referred by people as "hell" due to the extremely high temperatures, especially during mid-day. Due to lack of living space, in the past trees at homes were cut down. Recently, the tall trees on the streets were also cut down to lay tar on the main roads. There were no sufficient greening programs held to make up for the cutting down of trees, hence resulting in dusty streets and growing temperatures.

Even after the reclamation project, there were no greening programs conducted to overcome the issue of the rising temperatures. Soneva Fushi resort planted trees at the island’s harbour a few years ago. However, the program did not proceed smoothly due to lack of proficient support.

Demography
Historical population
YearPop.±%
2006 2,409—    
2014 2,554+6.0%
2006-2014: Census populations
Source: [5]

Governance

Eydhafushi shares a parliamentary district with Hithaadhoo and Maalhos called Eydhafushi Dhaairaa. The current member of parliament is Mr. Ahmed Saleem (Redwave Saleem) elected as a member of PPM.

Municipal Council

The island is administered by 5 elected councillors who are elected for a term of 3 years. The current members were elected from the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), and Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).[6]

Atoll Council

The atoll is administered by 3 councillors. All of them represent the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).[7]

Economy

Fishing

In the past, fishing was the major income generator for the local people. However, the tourism industry has grown at an immense rate in the last few years leading to an increase in employment of young people offering good competitive salaries.

Retail

Eydhafushi has more than 20 shops and markets that serve the island population along with the whole atoll population. These include food and consumer product stores, hardware stores, electronic shops, building materials, fabric stores, boutiques and automobile showrooms.

Tourism

The island current economy is supported by people working in the resorts and construction industry. With the increasing number of tourist resorts nearby, the local people began to prefer working in the resorts mainly due to the better salaries the jobs offer.

Most of the young people from the island join the resorts just after finishing school. These young people also have the chance to apply to multiple apprenticeship programs offered by some of most well known resorts in the country, such as the Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru and Soneva Fushi.[8]

Education

Primary and Secondary education
Main article: Baa Atoll Education Centre

The island boasts one of the most renowned school in Maldives, Baa Atoll Education Centre. Baa Atoll Education Centre is the first Maldivian government school established outside of Male' was inaugurated on 24 February 1978 by the then Minister of Education Honourable Abdul Sattar Moosa Didi. The school currently teaches up to 12th standard.

Pre School

Bahiyya Pre School and BAEC provide education for small children.

Places of interest
  • The Dhiraagu communications antenna: along with the Ooredoo communications antenna on the island. Dhiraagu structure stands 400 feet tall.
  • Secretariat of the Baa Atoll council: The highest administrative unit of the atoll as a whole.
  • Secretariat of the Island Council:(Eydhafushi Council Idhaaraa): The headquarters of the island council appointed 5 members to serve the community of island residents.
  • Dhiraagu Operations Center, Eydhafushi
  • Bahiyya Pre School - One of the leading pre-schools (Kindergarten) in Maldives
  • Ooredooo Experience Eydhafushi
  • State Trading Organisation Eydhafushi Branch
  • Post office
  • Baa Atoll Education Centre
  • Bank of Maldives Eydhafushi Branch
  • Eydhafushi Police Station
  • Eydhafushi Youth Center
  • Masjid Al Yoosuf

Notable residents

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. 34. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
  2. "އޭދަފުށި | Secretariat of Eydhafushi Council". eydhafushi.gov.mv. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  3. "Coordinate Distance Calculator". Boulter.com. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
  4. "25 hectares reclaimed in Eydhafushi". SunOnline International. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  5. "Table 3.3: Total Maldivian Population by Islands" (PDF). National Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
  6. "ކައުންސިލް މެންބަރުން - Secretariat of The South Maalhosmadulu Atoll Council" (in Divehi). Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  7. "ކައުންސިލް މެންބަރުން - Secretariat of The South Maalhosmadulu Atoll Council" (in Divehi). Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  8. "The Future of Hospitality". www.fourseasons.com. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  9. "Redwave Pvt Ltd". www.redwavemaldives.com. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  10. "Crown Company - The Board of Directors". crowncompany.com. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
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