Kihaadhoo (Dhivehi: ކިހާދޫ) is one of the inhabited islands of Baa Atoll.

Kihaadhoo
ކިހާދޫ
Baa Kihaadhoo
View of Kihaadhoo from west side
Kihaadhoo is located in Maldives
Kihaadhoo
Kihaadhoo
Location in Maldives
Coordinates: 05°12′56″N 73°07′30″E / 5.21556°N 73.12500°E / 5.21556; 73.12500
CountryMaldives
Geographic atollMaalhosmadulu Dhekunuburi
Administrative atollBaa Atoll
Distance to Malé122.67 km (76.22 mi)
Government
 • CouncilAhmed Rasheed (P), Abdulla Faisal, Mohamed Ashraf, Mohamed Shareef, Abdulla Muaz
Area
 • Total0.265 km2 (0.102 sq mi)
Dimensions
 • Length0.840 km (0.522 mi)
 • Width0.490 km (0.304 mi)
Population
 (2014)[1]
 • Total360 (including foreigners)
Time zoneUTC+05:00 (MST)
Assigned Letter
F-6

History

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It was evident that the people have lived in the eastern part of the island at first, and moved to the current place about 80 years ago. The migration was mainly due to contamination of groundwater and increased death rate. There were so many stories regarding the migrations and the recent migration was only about 35 years ago when people of Kihaadhoo was taken to Baa Hithaadhoo from which they came back due to discriminations and minority issues.

Geography

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The island is 122.67 km (76 mi; 66 nmi) north of the country's capital, Malé.[2] The Island Kihaadhoo is located in northern central of South Maalhosmadulu or Baa Atoll. The island is relatively large with 31.4 hectares of land to its small population of around 500. The closest inhabited island is Dhonfanu, to which its takes only few minutes to go by a dhoani. The island has a small harbour for transporting goods and people from nearby islands.

Demography

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Historical population
YearPop.±%
2006 275—    
2014 345+25.5%
2022 481+39.4%
2006-2014: Census populations
Source: [3] [4]

Economy

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The main income for people of Kihaadhoo includes tourism, fishing and some agricultural activities. The island is famous in weaving from coconut leaves and it holds a strong name in the Maldivian society.

Education

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Kihaadhoo school which is now built at the western part of the island provide education for all school age children of Kihaadhoo and some students from neighboring places.

Local Tourism

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With the introduction of local tourism, Kihaadhoo has witnessed the establishment of its first guest house in 2022. The island has many activities for tourists including fishing, snorkelling and experiencing local food. The house reef of Kihaadhoo is a popular place for snorkelling among tourists from nearby resorts. The island also has a tourist beach where tourists can enjoy a relaxed environment.

References

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  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. ^ "Coordinate Distance Calculator". Boulter.com. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
  3. ^ "Table 3.3: Total Maldivian Population by Islands" (PDF). National Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
  4. ^ "Island Level Indicator Sheet". Maldives Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 11 June 2024.