Travel
Journey across the Addu Atoll
FAR from any continental land mass, the islands of Addu have long been linked to a string of pearls set in the azure waters of the Indian Ocean.
Addu atoll situated 400 miles south of Male' has been a strategic location in the islands of Maldives. This equatorial islands beauty lies in its position in the archipelago.
Addu or Seenu Atoll comprises Hithadhoo, Mardhoo, Feydhoo, Gan, villingili, Huludhoo and Medhoo islands. Most of the islands are formed from coral layers rising sharply from the plateau. The capital of Addu is Gan Island.
Gan Island was used as a naval base during the British period of the colonial rule. Gan, Feydhoo, Mardhoo and Hithadhoo are connected by a 12km causeway. Huludhoo, Medhoo and Villingili are accessible only by ferry.
Most islands in the Addu Atoll are dry and sandy. The most common tree is the coconut tree. The Addu Islands have a population of 30,000 representing 10% of the total Maldivian population.
People of Addu have their own unique character. They are a small community unified by a common history. Intelligent and hard working people of Addu are respectful of each other. They indulge themselves in some form of art such as dancing, music or painting.
It seems that the island's first settlers were Aryan immigrants from India who were believed to have colonized Sri Lanka around 500 B.C. Outside nations influenced Addu life significantly. The Persian and Arab travellers influenced the conversion of the Addu people to Islam in 1153 A.D.
After the conversion of the first known king of the Maley Dynasty these rulers became known as the Sultans. The Maley or Theemuge Dynasty lasted 235 years. Under the rule of 26 different sultans. The Hilali Dynasty ruled for over a period of 170 years until the Portuguese conquest.
The Utheem Dynasty ruled for 127 years until the Huraage Dynasty. The Huraage Dynasty prevailed until 1968.
During the Huraage Dynasty, diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka were established. The two countries formed an alliance, that continued throughout Sri Lanka's Dutch and British colonial periods.
Addu Atoll has many places of interest. Some areas of interest include the Gan war memorial, Gan garment industrial zone, 900 year old Kogannu cemetery in Meedhu Island and the bustling city of Hithadhoo. villingili, Feydhoo and Mardhoo are all year round beach destinations with brilliant sunshine, dry weather and perfect sea conditions.
Fishing is the traditional livelihood of the people of Addu.
The traditional boat used for fishing is called dhoni. Fishing provides job opportunities for the vast majority of the islanders.
As with fishing, boat building is also a craft native to the people of Addu Atoll. In Addu all field crops are raised largely by natural rainfall. Water from the underground water tables lies near the surface. Some islands have ponds and lakes.
To protect unspoiled ecological wonders, people of Addu use mainly organic fertilizer and crop rotation cultivation.
Planting for the most parts of the year occurs during the south west monsoon season. Coconut, banana, chillies, cucumber, cabbage and onions are the main agro based industries in the islands of Addu.
An excellent administrative framework has been outlined by the Atoll Chiefs Minister's office in Hithadhoo.
It gives a new impetus and dimension to the Addu islands investment climate. Delightful paradoxes, unexpected contrast and many other qualities make the equatorial islands of Addu a unique vacation destination.
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