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Eydhafushi (Dhivehi: އޭދަފުށި) is the capital of Baa Atoll, which is an administrative division of the Maldives. The island is geographically located at the southern edge of Baa Atoll (Southern Maalhosmadulu Atoll or Maalhosmadulu Dhekunuburi). It has the highest population in the atoll and most of the government offices and public facilities.
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Eydhafushi | |
|---|---|
  Eydhafushi Location in Maldives | |
| Coordinates: 5°6.227′N 73°4.222′E | |
| Country | Maldives |
| Administrative atoll | Baa Atoll |
| Distance to Malé | 113.62 km (70.60 mi) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.550 km2 (0.212 sq mi) |
| Dimensions | |
| • Length | 1.22 km (0.76 mi) |
| • Width | 0.60 km (0.37 mi) |
| Population (2014)[1] | |
| • Total | 2,658 (including foreigners) |
| Time zone | UTC+05:00 (MST) |
Little is known about the history of Eydhafushi. The island's current population has been relatively 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.[2]
The island is 113.62 km (71 mi; 61 nmi) northwest of the country's capital, Malé.[3]
Eydhafushi is located at 05° 06' 10" north latitude and 73° 05' 15" east longitude. After land reclamation, the total area of Eydhafushi is now 58 ha (140 acres), including the part of the island expanded in 2015 by reclaiming the lagoon surrounding the island.[4]
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.
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 2,409 | — |
| 2014 | 2,554 | +6.0% |
| 2006-2014: Census populations Source: [5] | ||
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).[6]
Atoll Council
The atoll is administered by 3 councillors. All of them represent the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).[7]
Fishing
In the past, fishing was the major income for the local people. The tourism industry has grown in the last few years leading to an increase in employment.
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.[8]
Baa Atoll Education Centre is the first Maldivian government school established outside of Male', and was inaugurated on 24 February 1978 by the then Minister of Education Abdul Sattar Moosa Didi. The school currently teaches up to 12th grade.[9]
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