Northern Maalhosmadulhu Atoll
Encyclopedia
Northern Maalhosmadulu Atoll (code name Raa) is an atoll
from the Maldives
. It includes Northern Maalhosmadulu Atoll proper and the island of Alifushi.
1. Alifushi and Etthingili (Powell Islands in the Admiralty Chart
) stand on a detached reef of their own with very deep waters (no sounding) between this faru and the northern end of the main Atoll.
2. Northern Maalhosmadulu Atoll is 35 miles in length from N to S, and 15 miles across at its broadest part. Its western fringe is composed of a series of round or oval reefs (farus) irregularly placed (a feature peculiar to all the larger Northern Atolls). The centre is heavily dotted with coral patches (giri), some submerged and some awash. The concentration of giri is especially dense towards its SW quarter, close to Kandholhudhu Island (where there is the place most crowded with small reefs and shoals in the whole Maldives), but its narrower northern end is quite clear of reefs. The general depths of the lagoon are from 23 to 27 fathoms.
The capital of Northern Maalhosmadulu Atoll is Ungoofaaru
. Recently, the island has been reclaimed up to the edge of the reef in order to provide land for social and economic activities for the growing population.
Alifushi, located at the northern end of the atoll, is an island which has been traditionally famous for its skilled boatbuilding carpenters. It now houses shipyards.
, an almost forgotten captain and draughtsman, who with much patience and hard work charted all the Atolls of the Maldives
.
The main tourist resort island on Northern Maalhosmadulu Atoll is Meedhupparu
.
Atoll
An atoll is a coral island that encircles a lagoon partially or completely.- Usage :The word atoll comes from the Dhivehi word atholhu OED...
from the Maldives
Maldives
The Maldives , , officially Republic of Maldives , also referred to as the Maldive Islands, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean formed by a double chain of twenty-six atolls oriented north-south off India's Lakshadweep islands, between Minicoy Island and...
. It includes Northern Maalhosmadulu Atoll proper and the island of Alifushi.
1. Alifushi and Etthingili (Powell Islands in the Admiralty Chart
Admiralty chart
Admiralty charts are nautical charts issued by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office and subject to Crown Copyright. Over 3,000 charts are available and cover virtually the entire world in various levels of detail depending on the density of traffic and hazards...
) stand on a detached reef of their own with very deep waters (no sounding) between this faru and the northern end of the main Atoll.
2. Northern Maalhosmadulu Atoll is 35 miles in length from N to S, and 15 miles across at its broadest part. Its western fringe is composed of a series of round or oval reefs (farus) irregularly placed (a feature peculiar to all the larger Northern Atolls). The centre is heavily dotted with coral patches (giri), some submerged and some awash. The concentration of giri is especially dense towards its SW quarter, close to Kandholhudhu Island (where there is the place most crowded with small reefs and shoals in the whole Maldives), but its narrower northern end is quite clear of reefs. The general depths of the lagoon are from 23 to 27 fathoms.
The capital of Northern Maalhosmadulu Atoll is Ungoofaaru
Ungoofaaru (Raa Atoll)
Ungoofaaru is the capital of Northern Maalhosmadulhu Atoll.It is located on the Eastern rim of this atoll and is the location for Ungoofaaru Regional Hospital, the largest hospital in the Northern Province....
. Recently, the island has been reclaimed up to the edge of the reef in order to provide land for social and economic activities for the growing population.
Alifushi, located at the northern end of the atoll, is an island which has been traditionally famous for its skilled boatbuilding carpenters. It now houses shipyards.
Moresby Channel (Hanikandu)
Hanikandu is the channel between Northern Maalhosmadulu Atoll and "Fasdhūtere" Atoll, beyond its southern border. This channel is also known as Moresby Channel in the honor of Robert MoresbyRobert Moresby
Robert Moresby was a distinguished captain of the British Royal Navy. He was also an excellent hydrographer, maritime surveyor and draughtsman....
, an almost forgotten captain and draughtsman, who with much patience and hard work charted all the Atolls of the Maldives
Atolls of the Maldives
The Maldives are formed by a number of natural atolls plus atolls in the form of a few islands and isolated reefs today which form a pattern stretching from 7 degrees 10' North to 0 degrees 45' South....
.
Tourism
Formerly this atoll was off-limits for tourists, but since the late 1990s there was a change in government policy.The main tourist resort island on Northern Maalhosmadulu Atoll is Meedhupparu
Meedhupparu
Meedhupparu is a coral island on the east of the Northern Maalhosmadulhu Atoll in the Maldives.Native wildlife consists mostly of crows, fruitbats, crabs and geckos....
.