Hoarafushi
ހޯރަފުށި
| |
|---|---|
An aerial view of the island
| |
  Hoarafushi Location in Maldives | |
| Coordinates: 6°58′50″N 72°53′45″E / 6.98056°N 72.89583°E / 6.98056; 72.89583 | |
| Country | Maldives |
| Geographic atoll | Ihavandhippolhu Atoll |
| Administrative atoll | Haa Alif Atoll |
| Distance to Malé | 317.57 km (197.33 mi) |
| Government | |
| • Council | Secretariat of the Hoarafushi Council |
| Dimensions | |
| • Length | 1.75 km (1.09 mi) |
| • Width | 0.45 km (0.28 mi) |
| Population
(2019)[1]
| |
| • Total | 4,500 (excluding foreigners) |
| Time zone | UTC+05:00 (MST) |
| Area code(s) | 650, 20 |
Hoarafushi (Dhivehi: ހޯރަފުށި ) is an inhabited island of Haa Alif Atoll, Maldives, and is geographically part of the Ihavandhippolhu Atoll. The island is famous for its scenic attractions. Hoarafushi Airport was established in 2020. It is an island-level administrative constituency governed by the Hoarafushi Island Council.
The island is named after the great frigatebird, known as the hoarainDhivehi, which used to be seen there.
According to the 1912 census, Hoarafushi was the fourth-largest locality in the Maldives, with a population of 1,811.[2] The island used to be an educational hub. The people of Hoarafushi claim to have originated from Gudhanfushi, a vanished island adjacent to Huvahandhoo in the same reef. The population moved to Huvuhandhoo as Gudhanfushi eroded away before moving onto Hoarafushi. In 2006 the inhabitants of Berinmadhoo were relocated to Hoarafushi.
Hoarafushi is located at the northern most Ihavandhippolhu Atoll. The island is situated within the largest fringing reef of Maldives extending over 22 km. Hoarafushi consist of 3 islands naturally joined the main island Hoarafushi adjacent to Bodufinolhu connected in the late (1700) and Kudafinolhu in (2013). The island has a land area of 105 hectares. 317.57 km (197 mi; 171 nmi) north of the country's capital, Malé.[3]
The Regional Airports Company (RACL) inaugurated an Aviation Academy on Ha. Hoarafushi, Maldives, featuring the country's first automatic fire simulator.[4] Named the Ahmed Fayaz Fire Simulator after former RACL Fire and Safety Director Ahmed Fayaz, the academy aims to provide comprehensive aviation programs sanctioned by the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority, including civil aviation-approved certificate courses.[5] Basic firefighting courses commenced in July 2022, with plans to expand training to aircraft rescue, firefighting, and emergency medical services.[6]
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1912 | 1,811 | — |
| 1921 | 1,177 | −35.0% |
| 1931 | 1,602 | +36.1% |
| 1985 | 1,650 | +3.0% |
| 1990 | 1,995 | +20.9% |
| 1995 | 2,098 | +5.2% |
| 2000 | 2,221 | +5.9% |
| 2006 | 2,204 | −0.8% |
| 2014 | 3,291 | +49.3% |
| 2016 | 3,388 | +2.9% |
| 2018 | 4,379 | +29.3% |
| 2019 | 4,500 | +2.8% |
| 1911-2014-2016-2019-2021: Census populations Source: [7] | ||
The Hoarafushi island has 4 well known educational institutions.
|
| ||
|---|---|---|
| Haa Alif |
|
|
| Haa Dhaalu |
| |
| Shaviyani |
| |
| Noonu |
| |
| Raa |
| |
| Baa |
| |
| Lhaviyani |
| |
| Kaafu |
| |
| Alif Alif |
| |
| Alif Dhaalu |
| |
| Vaavu |
| |
| Meemu |
| |
| Faafu |
| |
| Dhaalu |
| |
| Kolhumadulu (Thaa) |
| |
| Laamu |
| |
| Gaafu Alif |
| |
| Gaafu Dhaalu |
| |
| Gnaviyani |
| |
The capitals of each atoll are in underline. This list excludes first-level administrative divisions, Malé and Addu cities. | ||
