South Central Province was one of the seven short-lived

provinces of the Maldives Countries' first-level (top-level) administrative division Administrative division, administrative unit,Article 3(1). country subdivision, administrative region, subnational entity, constituent state, as well as many similar terms, are gene ...

. The provinces were created in a decentralization attempt by the

Nasheed A nasheed (Arabic: singular ', plural ', meaning: "chants") is a work of vocal music, partially coincident with hymns, that is either sung ''a cappella'' or with instruments, according to a particular style or tradition within Islam. Nasheed ...

administration in 2008. It was governed by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Ms. Thilmeeza Hussain. Rejecting this change, the

Parliament In modern politics, and history, a parliament is a legislative body of government. Generally, a modern parliament has three functions: Representation (politics), representing the Election#Suffrage, electorate, making laws, and overseeing ...

saw the abolition of the province system in 2010, through a newly enacted Decentralization Act. It consisted of Gaafu Alif and Gaafu Dhaalu Atolls. Its capital was

Gan The word Gan or the initials GAN may refer to: Places *Gan, a component of Hebrew placenames literally meaning "garden" China * Gan River (Jiangxi) * Gan River (Inner Mongolia), * Gan County, in Jiangxi province * Gansu, abbreviated ''Gā ...

. Its population (2006 census) was 20,483.Provinces of Maldives
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References

{{Authority control Provinces of the Maldives