Eydhafushi (

Dhivehi Dhivehi, also spelled Divehi, may refer to: *Dhivehi people, an ethnic group native to the historic region of the Maldive Islands. *Dhivehi language, an Indo-Aryan language predominantly spoken by about 350,000 people in the Republic of Maldives ...

: އޭދަފުށި) is the capital of

Baa Atoll Baa Atoll (includes Southern Maalhosmadulu Atoll or Maalhosmadulu Dhekunuburi, Fasdhūtherē Atoll, and Goifulhafehendhu Atoll) is an administrative division of the Maldives. It consists of three separate natural atolls, namely southern Maalhosmad ...

. The island is geographically located at the southern edge of

(Southern Maalhosmadulu Atoll or Maalhosmadulu Dhekunuburi). It has the highest population in the atoll and most of the government offices and public facilities.

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.

Geography

The island is northwest of the country's capital,

Malé Malé (, ; dv, މާލެ) is the capital and most populous city of the Maldives. With a population of 252,768 and an area of , it is also one of the most densely populated cities in the world. The city is geographically located at the southern ...

. Eydhafushi is located at 05° 06' 10" north latitude and 73° 05' 15" east longitude. After

land reclamation Land reclamation, usually known as reclamation, and also known as land fill (not to be confused with a waste landfill), is the process of creating new land from oceans, seas, riverbeds or lake beds. The land reclaimed is known as reclamati ...

, the total area of Eydhafushi is now , including the part of the island expanded in 2015 by reclaiming the lagoon surrounding the island.

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

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).

Atoll Council

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

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.

Education

Primary and Secondary education

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 State schools (in England, Wales, Australia and New Zealand) or public schools (Scottish English and North American English) are generally primary or secondary schools that educate all students without charge. They are funded in whole or in pa ...

established outside of Male' was inaugurated on 24 February 1978 by the then Minister of Education Honourable

Abdul Sattar Moosa Didi Abdul Sattar Moosa Didi (alternative name: ''Amir Abdul Sattar Faamudheyri Kilegefaanu'') was Maldivian diplomat and politician. He was born 1936 or 1937. He died in November 2015 in Bangkok. Life Didi started his public service career as secret ...

. 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 Al-Yoosuf Mosque is a mosque in Eydhafushi, Baa, Maldives opened in the 1970s, accommodating more than 210 worshippers. See also * Islam in the Maldives * History of Maldives The history of the Maldives is intertwined with the history of t ...

Notable residents

* Abdul Wahid Hussain *

Mohamed Jameel Mohamed Jameel (born 4 October 1975) is a Maldivian footballer nicknamed "Jambey", who plays as a defender for New Radiant. He was a member of the Maldives national football team. He is from the island of Eydhafushi, Baa Atoll. International ...

Mohamed Sifan Mohamed Sifan (born 8 March 1983) is a Maldivian footballer, nicknamed "Kudattey", who currently plays for New Radiant SC. He also plays for the Maldives national football team. He is from the island of Eydhafushi, Baa Atoll. International g ...

Shafiu Ahmed Shafiu "Shaafee" Ahmed (born 16 March 1987) is a Maldivian footballer, who is currently playing for New Radiant SC. Shaafee is also a player of Maldives national football team. He is from the island of Eydhafushi, Baa Atoll Baa Atoll (includes ...

Ali Fasir Ali Fasir ( dv, ޢަލީ ފާސިރު; born 4 September 1988) nicknamed "Sentey", is a Maldivian footballer who plays as a winger or striker for Club Valencia, which he captains, and the Maldives national team. Fasir began his career at Club ...

* Hamza Mohamed * Ahmed Saleem (Redwave Saleem) - Managing Director of Redwave Pvt. Ltd. & MP for Eydhafushi Constituency at

People's Majlis The People's Majlis ( dv, ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލިސް; ''Rayyithunge Majilis'') is the unicameral legislative body of Maldives. The Majlis has the authority to enact, amend and revise laws, as outlined in the Constitution of t ...

(2009–present) * Ahmed Nazeer - Director of CROWN COMPANY Pvt.Ltd.

References

{{Islands of the Maldives Populated places in the Maldives Islands of the Maldives