Maradhoo

• Diameter (north to south): 1,655m
• Width (at widest point): 560m
• Shape: it looks a little bit like a shoe
• Population: 3,289

• Area of land: 93 hectares
Some significant places in Maradhoo:
• Bondoge was used as a criminal detention center by British RAF forces during and after the second world war. The building is the largest in the island.
• Maradhoo slipway is a slipway once used by the British navy, now used by a private company. It is the only facility of its kind in Addu and is a major maintenance base for the sea vessels of the whole atoll and the nearby atolls.
• Maradhoo office

• Maradhoo's landscape mainly features palm trees and tropical shrubs as in other islands in Addu Atoll.
• Green vegetation surrounds most of the housing compounds, especially coconut palm and banana trees.
• Maradhoo's location makes it strategically important for the atoll as the main bridging point between the main industrial island Gan and the atoll's
administrative capital Hithadhoo.
• Maradhoo is the main fishing village in the atoll and supplies fish to nearby Maradhoo-Feydhoo and Feydhoo.
• Maradhoo has good coral reefs and is a famous diving spot in Addu.
• Maradhoo is 535 km from Male. When the British arrived and made Gan a RAF base, they moved the inhabitants of Gan to Feydhoo and the inhabitants of Feydhoo to a small section in Maradhoo, which is now a separate island called
Maradhoo-Feydhoo.

Maradhoo is an inhabited island in Addu Atoll. It is in the western island chain of Addu Atoll and is 535 km from Male. It has a population of 3,289 and has an area of 589,749 m2 . It is an important island in the atoll because it is the bridging point between the atoll’s capital Hithadhoo and Gan International Airport. A significant place of Maradhoo is the Maradhoo slipway, which is the only such facility in the atoll. Bodoge, which was used by the British as a criminal detention center in World War 2, is another place to be noted. Maradhoo is also famous for its beautiful coral reefs and is a famous diving point in Addu. When the British arrived and made Gan a RAF base, they moved the inhabitants of Gan to Feydhoo and the inhabitants of Feydhoo to a small section in Maradhoo, which is now a separate island called Maradhoo-Feydhoo. One of the most famous people who lived in Maradhoo was Gaadhiree Kaleygefaanu. The story about him was that he was an Arab, sailing on a ship in the Indian ocean, and his ship was caught in a storm and got washed onto an uninhabited island now called Hajara, which is an Arabic name. The story is that he brought Islam to Maradhoo even before Maldives converted to Islam. In my views, Maradhoo is a unique island among the other islands in Maldives. It has unique culture, an amazing history and, best of all, friendly people.

Written by: Ismail Izyan Ilyas from Coding and Critical Thinking - Junior

Maradhoo is situated in the heart of the southernmost atoll, Addu. It is known for its fishing industry and exclusive diving spots. Surrounded by pearl white beaches and clear blue seas, it is an all-time favorite of many tourists and visitors from across the world.

Details of a famous person from the island.

Aminath Ameeza Khaleel. She became the first katheeba of Maldives in 2000 and has shown exemplary qualities of a leader. She was awarded Addu Kanbaidhi Award in social field by Addu City WDC, and also the Addu Award in social field by Addu City Council. Currently, she is the Head of Maradhoo Avashu Office and Assistant Council Executive in Addu City Council.