Ihavandhoo (Haa Alif Atoll)
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Ihavandhoo އިހަވަންދޫ |
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|---|---|
| Island | |
 Ihavandhoo
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| Coordinates: 6°57′17″N 72°55′33″E / 6.95472°N 72.92583°ECoordinates: 6°57′17″N 72°55′33″E / 6.95472°N 72.92583°E | |
| Country | Maldives |
| Geographic atoll | Ihavandhippolhu Atoll |
| Administrative atoll | Haa Alif Atoll |
| Government | |
| • Council | Ihavandhoo Island Council |
| Dimensions | |
| • Length | 0.88 km (0.55 mi) |
| • Width | 0.86 km (0.53 mi) |
| Population (2006) | |
| • Total | 2,447 |
| Time zone | MST (UTC+05:00) |
| Area code(s) | 650, 20 |
Ihavandhoo is an inhabited island in Maldives. It is located in the northern-most geographic atoll in the country, and is administratively part of Haa Alif Atoll. It is an island-level administrative constituency governed by the Ihavandhoo Island Council.
The story of Mohamed Thakurufaanu (Boduthankurufaanu), the Maldivian hero who defeated the Portuguese rule in Maldives, reveals that mother of Mohamed Thakurufaanu was an Ihavandhoo lady. The island has a mosque built by Sultan Ibrahim Muhirudheen in 1701 using brain corals. Through restorations, its origin is maintained as the mosque is the only remaining archaeological evidence in Ihavandhoo island.
Traditionally, the island has been a pure fishing island, with the majority of the working age group being experienced fishermen. Ihavandhoo also accounts for the country's export of tuna (chilled and frozen) and dried fish. The government owned fisheries company, Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company also operates in the region.
Opened on 14 May 1979, Ihavandhoo School serves as the public school in the island, providing primary to higher secondary education. Initially, the school was named "Ihavandhoo Madharusaa", when it was owned by the local people. The school started offering secondary grades in 1999, preparing students for international GCE Ordinary Level examinations, with A-Level grades in 2003. The school became a government owned school in 2005.
Today, this school has almost the largest student population in the entire atoll (757 students in 2011), and is the only permanent higher secondary education provider in the entire atoll.
One of the major environmental problems faced by Ihavandhoo islanders has been soil erosion. A harbour has been dug to solve the problem of getting into the island. An area of 141500 sq.feet was dredged in 1992. The harbour was repaired in 2000. This harbour plays an important role in the economy of the island especially the fact that majority of the islands working population are fishermen who had to use the harbour every day.
On 11 November 2010, the government started a project costing USD4,490,678.94 to build a new harbour. The project is yet to be finished. According to MTCC (The contractor of the project)as of 7 September 2011, 36% of breakwater construction has been completed. This new harbour has an area of 35945 sq.meters.
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