Nellaidhoo (Haa Dhaalu Atoll)

Inhabited island in Thiladhummathi Atoll, Maldives

06°43′00″N 72°56′44″E / 6.71667°N 72.94556°E / 6.71667; 72.94556CountryMaldivesGeographic atollThiladhummathi Atoll Administrative atollHaa Dhaalu AtollDistance to Malé287.89 km (178.89 mi)Dimensions

• Length0.780 km (0.485 mi) • Width0.480 km (0.298 mi)Population

(2014)^[1]

• Total859 (including foreigners)Time zoneUTC+05:00 (MST)

Nellaidhoo is one of the inhabited islands of Haa Dhaalu Atoll administrative division and geographically part of Thiladhummathi Atoll in the north of the Maldives.

Geography

The island is 287.89 km (179 mi; 155 nmi) north of the country's capital, Malé.^[2]

Environment

On 8 December 1821, an extremely strong cyclone hit Nellaidhoo and many other islands in northern Maldives, causing severe damage. In 2006 the government of Maldives listed Nellaidhoo as one of the islands under significant threat from sea level rise due to global warming. The government planned to relocate the population to larger islands with more facilities and better protection against rising sea levels. On 6 September 2006, the residents of the island protested outside the island office as their opinion was not consulted before considering the relocation.^[3]

Demography

Historical population
Year	Pop.	±%
2006	717	—
2014	827	+15.3%
2006–2014: Census populations Source: ^[4]

Economy

Nellaidhoo is historically famous for fishing. However, fishing has decreased in importance. The younger generation, especially, engage more with tourism. Many people are involved in the construction industry. Women play a key role on the island, looking after children and doing work such as thatch weaving and coir rope making. Nowadays making snacks and selling is also common work for the women.

Sport

Football and Bashi are the common sports in the island and rarely netball and volleyball too. Nellaidhoo has won the H.Dh. Atoll Inter School Football Tournament named as "Kulhudhuffushi Bodukaleyfanu cup" in 1993 and FAM H.Dh Atoll Tournament in 2001 and 2002.

References

^ "Table PP5: Resident Population by sex, nationality and locality (administrative islands), 2014" (PDF). Population and Households Census 2014. National Bureau of Statistics. p. 33. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
^ "Coordinate Distance Calculator". Boulter.com. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
^ Nellaidhoo office opens, Miadhu News, 11 September 2006.
^ "Table 3.3: Total Maldivian Population by Islands" (PDF). National Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 9 August 2018.