There are broad channels between the
Atolls of the Maldives
The Maldives are formed by 20 natural atolls, along with a few islands and isolated reefs today which form a pattern stretching from 7 degrees 10′ North to 0 degrees 45′ South. The largest of these atolls is Boduthiladhunmathi, while the a ...
known locally as 'kandu'. The deepness and broadness of the channels vary from channel to channel.
Māmalē Kandu
Māmalē Kandu (also known as Maliku Kandu)
Divehi is the broad Minicoy Channel between
Minicoy
Minicoy, locally known as Maliku (), is an island in Lakshadweep, India. Along with Viringili, it is on ''Maliku atoll'', the southernmost atoll of Lakshadweep archipelago. Administratively, it is a census town in the Indian union territory of ...
(Maliku in Dhivehi) and Ihavandippolhu (
Northern Thiladhunmathi Atoll
Haa Alif Atoll - officially referred as Thiladhunmathi Uthuruburi (Northern Thiladhunmathi Atoll) is the northernmost administrative division of the Maldives.
As the administrative division known as Haa Alif it includes Ihavandhippolhu, the nort ...
) in the north of the
Maldives
Maldives (, ; dv, ދިވެހިރާއްޖެ, translit=Dhivehi Raajje, ), officially the Republic of Maldives ( dv, ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާ, translit=Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa, label=none, ), is an archipelag ...
. The name is given after the
Malabar
Malabar may refer to the following:
People
* Malabars, people originating from the Malabar region of India
* Malbars or Malabars, people of Tamil origin in Réunion
Places
* Malabar Coast, or Malabar, a region of the southwestern shoreline o ...
merchant Maamaley Marakkaaru who controlled most of the sea trade along this route before the arrival of the Portuguese in the Indian Ocean.
[Divehiraajjege Jōgrafīge Vanavaru. Muhammadu Ibrahim Lutfee. G.Sōsanī.] The international
maritime boundary
A maritime boundary is a conceptual division of the Earth's water surface areas using physiographic or geopolitical criteria. As such, it usually bounds areas of exclusive national rights over mineral and biological resources,VLIZ Maritime Bound ...
between the Maldives and
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
runs through the channels
In the British
Admiralty charts
Admiralty charts are nautical charts issued by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) and subject to Crown Copyright. Over 3,500 Standard Nautical Charts (SNCs) and 14,000 Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) are available with the Admira ...
it is called ''Eight Degree Channel''. It is so named as it lies on the
8-degree line of Latitude, north of the
equator
The equator is a circle of latitude, about in circumference, that divides Earth into the Northern and Southern hemispheres. It is an imaginary line located at 0 degrees latitude, halfway between the North and South poles. The term can als ...
. Another local name for this channel is Addigiri Kandu.
This channel appeared in old French maps with the name ''Courant de Malicut''.
History
Traditionally the northernmost atoll of the Maldives was
Minicoy
Minicoy, locally known as Maliku (), is an island in Lakshadweep, India. Along with Viringili, it is on ''Maliku atoll'', the southernmost atoll of Lakshadweep archipelago. Administratively, it is a census town in the Indian union territory of ...
(Maliku). Fishermen from
Thuraakunu
Thuraakunu ( Dhivehi: ތުރާކުނު) is the northernmost island in Maldives, one of the fourteen inhabited islands of Haa Alif Atoll and is geographically part of the ''Ihavandhippolhu'' Atoll in the Maldives. It is an island-level administra ...
and from Minicoy often crossed the Maliku Kandu on their boats to visit each other's islands. Marriage alliances were common.
Nowadays Minicoy is a part of
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
and communication between Minicoy and Maldives by sea is highly restricted.
Gallhandhoo Kandu
The channel between Ihavandhippolhu and Thiladhunmathi Atolls.
Baraveli Kandu
The channel between Noonu Atoll, Lhaviyani Atoll; Noonu Atoll and Raa Atoll
Kaashidhoo Bodu Kandu
The channel between Faadhippolhu and Kaashidhoo.
Kaashidhoo Kuda Kandu
Due to the island of Kaashidhoo being south of the in between of Lhaviyani Atoll Aligau and Gaafaru Falhu the main Kaashidhoo Kandu divides into two parts. From the two parts, Kuda Kaashidhoo Kandu is the channel south of Kaashidhoo island.
Hani Kandu
The channel in between Kaafu Atoll Gaafaru and North Male' Atoll.
Dheburidheytherey Kandu
The narrow channel between Raa Atoll and Baa Atoll (Fasdhoothere).
Geydhoshu Kandu
The narrow and deep channel in between Fasdhoothere and Souther Maalhosmadulu Atoll.
Vaadhoo Kandu
The channel between North Male' Atoll and South Male' Atoll.
Alihuras Kandu
The channel in between Vaavu Atoll and Meemu Atoll from the eastern set of atolls and Ari Atoll and Nilandhe Atoll from the western set.
Fulidhoo Kandu
The channel to the south of South Male' Atoll and to the north of Vaavu Atoll.
Ariadhoo Kandu
The channel between Alif Atolls and Faafu Atoll.
Vattaru-uthuru Kandu
The channel between the tip of the Meemu Atoll Raiymandhoo 'Muli' and the reef of 'Fohtheufalhu'.
Vattaru-dhekunu Kandu
The channel between Meemu Atoll and Vattaru Falhu.
Fushi Kandu
The channel between Faafu Atoll and Dhaalu Atoll.
Kudahuvadhoo Kandu
The channel in between Kolhumadulu, Meemu Atoll and Dhaalu Atoll.
Veymandoo Kandu
The channel between Thaa Atoll and Laamu Atoll.
Huvadhu Kandu
Huvadhu Kandu or Suvadiva Channel is the broad channel that separates the northern and central
Maldives
Maldives (, ; dv, ދިވެހިރާއްޖެ, translit=Dhivehi Raajje, ), officially the Republic of Maldives ( dv, ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާ, translit=Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa, label=none, ), is an archipelag ...
from the southern atolls.
This channel lies between
Haddhunmathi Atoll
Haddhunmathi or Laamu Atoll (Dhivehi: ހައްދުންމަތި އަތޮޅު) is an administrative division of the Maldives. The administrative capital is Fonadhoo Island. It corresponds to the natural atoll of the same name.
It is mostly rimmed ...
and
Huvadhu Atoll
Huvadhu, Suvadive, Suvaidu or Suvadiva is the atoll with most islands in the world. The atoll is located in the Indian Ocean. It is south of the Suvadiva Channel in the Republic of Maldives with a total area of 3152 km2, of which 38.5 ...
and it is one of the broadest channels between the atolls of Maldives.
In the British
Admiralty charts
Admiralty charts are nautical charts issued by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) and subject to Crown Copyright. Over 3,500 Standard Nautical Charts (SNCs) and 14,000 Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) are available with the Admira ...
it is called One and a Half Degree Channel. On old French maps it appeared as Courant de Souadou.
Sperm whales
The sperm whale or cachalot (''Physeter macrocephalus'') is the largest of the toothed whales and the largest toothed predator. It is the only living member of the Genus (biology), genus ''Physeter'' and one of three extant species in the s ...
are a common sight on the surface of the Suvadiva Channel.
In the middle of the vast emptiness of the Huvadu channel there is a small bank known as Medutila (also called Derahaa). This place is the peak of a submarine mountain, and perhaps an atoll in the process of formation. This submerged bank is very difficult to spot for at its shallowest point there is a depth of 6 fathoms (11 m). It looks like a paler blue patch surrounded by huge expanses of the deepest ocean. There, no island can be seen in the horizon for many dozens of miles.
[ Romero-Frias, Xavier (2012) ''Folk Tales of the Maldives'']
NIAS Press
, ,
Addu Kandu
Addu Kandu is the traditional name of the broad channel between
Huvadhu Atoll
Huvadhu, Suvadive, Suvaidu or Suvadiva is the atoll with most islands in the world. The atoll is located in the Indian Ocean. It is south of the Suvadiva Channel in the Republic of Maldives with a total area of 3152 km2, of which 38.5 ...
and
Addu Atoll
Addu Atoll, also known as Seenu Atoll, is the southernmost atoll of the Maldives. Addu Atoll, together with Fuvahmulah, located 40 km north of Addu Atoll, extend the Maldives into the Southern Hemisphere. Addu Atoll is located 540 k ...
in the south of
Maldives
Maldives (, ; dv, ދިވެހިރާއްޖެ, translit=Dhivehi Raajje, ), officially the Republic of Maldives ( dv, ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާ, translit=Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa, label=none, ), is an archipelag ...
.
In the British
Admiralty charts
Admiralty charts are nautical charts issued by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) and subject to Crown Copyright. Over 3,500 Standard Nautical Charts (SNCs) and 14,000 Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) are available with the Admira ...
it is called Equatorial Channel because the
Equator
The equator is a circle of latitude, about in circumference, that divides Earth into the Northern and Southern hemispheres. It is an imaginary line located at 0 degrees latitude, halfway between the North and South poles. The term can als ...
passes through the upper part of the channel.
With Addu Kandu the Equatorial Channel divides to form another important channel named Mulah Kandu. Geographically Addu Kandu and Mulah Kandu are one. But as Fuvahmulah lies north-east of Addu Atoll and more southwards from the center of the channel it's the part of the channel between Fuvahmulah and Addu Atoll which is considered Mulah Kandu.
This channel appeared in old French maps with the name Courant de Addoue.
Mulah Kandu
Mulah Kandu is the channel between
Fuvahmulah
Fuvahmulah (Dhivehi: ފުވައްމުލައް) is an island (atoll) in the Maldives. It is under Maldives’ administrative divisions of Gnaviyani Atoll or Nyaviyani Atoll. The inhabitants speak a distinctive form of the Dhivehi language, known as ...
and
Addu Atoll
Addu Atoll, also known as Seenu Atoll, is the southernmost atoll of the Maldives. Addu Atoll, together with Fuvahmulah, located 40 km north of Addu Atoll, extend the Maldives into the Southern Hemisphere. Addu Atoll is located 540 k ...
.
Addu Kandu and Mulah Kandu are geographically one channel. But because
Fuvahmulah
Fuvahmulah (Dhivehi: ފުވައްމުލައް) is an island (atoll) in the Maldives. It is under Maldives’ administrative divisions of Gnaviyani Atoll or Nyaviyani Atoll. The inhabitants speak a distinctive form of the Dhivehi language, known as ...
lies north-east of
Addu Atoll
Addu Atoll, also known as Seenu Atoll, is the southernmost atoll of the Maldives. Addu Atoll, together with Fuvahmulah, located 40 km north of Addu Atoll, extend the Maldives into the Southern Hemisphere. Addu Atoll is located 540 k ...
, the part of the channel in between
Fuvahmulah
Fuvahmulah (Dhivehi: ފުވައްމުލައް) is an island (atoll) in the Maldives. It is under Maldives’ administrative divisions of Gnaviyani Atoll or Nyaviyani Atoll. The inhabitants speak a distinctive form of the Dhivehi language, known as ...
and
Addu Atoll
Addu Atoll, also known as Seenu Atoll, is the southernmost atoll of the Maldives. Addu Atoll, together with Fuvahmulah, located 40 km north of Addu Atoll, extend the Maldives into the Southern Hemisphere. Addu Atoll is located 540 k ...
is considered as Mulah Kandu by Geographers. The part of the channel in between
Huvadhu Atoll
Huvadhu, Suvadive, Suvaidu or Suvadiva is the atoll with most islands in the world. The atoll is located in the Indian Ocean. It is south of the Suvadiva Channel in the Republic of Maldives with a total area of 3152 km2, of which 38.5 ...
and
Addu Atoll
Addu Atoll, also known as Seenu Atoll, is the southernmost atoll of the Maldives. Addu Atoll, together with Fuvahmulah, located 40 km north of Addu Atoll, extend the Maldives into the Southern Hemisphere. Addu Atoll is located 540 k ...
with no barrier is considered as Addu Kandu. Both the channel divisions together are known as the Equatorial Channel because the Equator lies between
Huvadhu Atoll
Huvadhu, Suvadive, Suvaidu or Suvadiva is the atoll with most islands in the world. The atoll is located in the Indian Ocean. It is south of the Suvadiva Channel in the Republic of Maldives with a total area of 3152 km2, of which 38.5 ...
and
Fuvahmulah
Fuvahmulah (Dhivehi: ފުވައްމުލައް) is an island (atoll) in the Maldives. It is under Maldives’ administrative divisions of Gnaviyani Atoll or Nyaviyani Atoll. The inhabitants speak a distinctive form of the Dhivehi language, known as ...
.
Mulah Kandu is one of the deepest and roughest channel in the Maldives. The island of Fuvahmulah lies in this channel and the channel continues to the eastern tip of Addu Atoll Meedhoo ''Koagannu Faru''.
Fuvahmulah in the Mulah Kandu is the first atoll of Maldives in the Southern Hemisphere and the nearest atoll to the equator. Being so close to the Equator makes Mulah Kandu among the roughest channels in Maldives due to the high pressure winds evolving in the Equator. As a result,
Fuvahmulah
Fuvahmulah (Dhivehi: ފުވައްމުލައް) is an island (atoll) in the Maldives. It is under Maldives’ administrative divisions of Gnaviyani Atoll or Nyaviyani Atoll. The inhabitants speak a distinctive form of the Dhivehi language, known as ...
was often inaccessible to seafarers and travelers in the past. Today, there is a domestic airport in Fuvahmulah and daily flights from Malé are available twice a day.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Channels Of The Maldives