Kulhudhuffushi (Dhivehi: ކުޅުދުއްފުށި) is the capital of Haa Dhaalu Atoll administrative division on Thiladhunmathi Atoll in the north of the Maldives. Kulhudhuffushi is known as the "Heart of the North". The island is famous for its mangroves (kulhi), after which the island itself is named.

Kulhudhuffushi
ކުޅުދުއްފުށި
Kulhudhuffushi City
Kulhudhuffushi is located in Maldives
Kulhudhuffushi
Kulhudhuffushi
Location in Maldives
Coordinates: 6°37′21.04″N 73°4′12.9″E / 6.6225111°N 73.070250°E / 6.6225111; 73.070250
CountryMaldives
Geographic atollThiladhummathi Atoll
Administrative atollHaa Dhaalu Atoll
Distance to Malé274.96 km (170.85 mi)
Government
 • TypeMayor–council government
 • BodyKulhudhuffushi City Council
 • MayorMohamed Athif[1] (MDP)
Dimensions
 • Length2.900 km (1.802 mi)
 • Width1.800 km (1.118 mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
 • Total
15,875 (including foreigners)
Time zoneUTC+05:00 (MST)
Websitekulhudhuffushicity.gov.mv

History

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In the years 1812, 1819 and 1921, the island was affected by heavy rains and storms, causing substantial damage. The island was also affected during the Keylakunu storm which lost half the population of the island. Since then the island has been famous for unity and hardworkers around the Maldives. The ancient people of the island of Kulhudhuffushi were famous for the courage and bravery during the wars fought against the enemies of the nation. Apart from that, the people of Kulhudhuffushi City led the whole atoll Thiladhunmathi in a rebellion act held against the Malé government during the 1940s because of the unjust governance for the people of the north at the time.

Geography

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The island is 274.96 km (171 mi; 148 nmi) north of the country's capital, Malé.[3]

The island is one of the biggest and most populous islands in the Northern part of the Maldives. The island itself is the administrative capital of the South Thiladhunmathi Atoll

Transport

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The new Kulhudhuffushi Airport (IATA: HDK, ICAO: VRBK) has been opened in August 2019 and now serves the island.

Demography

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Historical population
YearPop.±%
2006 6,998—    
2014 8,226+17.5%
2022 10,251+24.6%
2006-2014-2022: Census populations
Source: [4]

Economy

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Kulhudhuffushi City is the economic capital of the northern Maldives. Residents of the city and surrounding settlements are mostly employed in the service or produce sectors; such as the local Saturday Market. Saturday market is a market which is held in every Saturday at "Bandaara road" Kulhudhuffushi, where local farmers products and domestic food is available. Hundreds of islanders of Thiladhunmathi visit for shopping and business to Kulhudhuffushi City mostly on Saturdays.

People from the island are known and famous for shark fishing, blacksmith works, producing coir rope, building boats and working in cargo vessels. The culture of the island have its own uniqueness until now.

Education

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H.Dh Kulhudhuffushi includes 5 schools.

No. Island Name Grades Founded
1 Kulhudhuffushi Ameer Ameen School Pre-School c. 1944
2 Kulhudhuffushi H.Dh Atoll Education Centre / AEC Primary School, Grades 1-10, and also Kindergarten (between age 4-6) March 1, 1979
3 Kulhudhuffushi Afeefuddin School Primary School, Grades 1 - 10 April 25, 2004
4 Kulhudhuffushi Jalaluddin School Secondary School,Grades 1 - 12 February 15, 1998
5 Kulhudhuffushi MNU Campus Maldivian National University 2003
6 Kulhudhuffushi Villa College Campus Villa College 2007
7 Kulhudhuffushi MI College Campus Certificate 1 to Bachelor Degree 2012

Health

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Kulhudhuffushi Regional Hospital is an A-category hospital that serves the residents of the island and the islands of the region.

Sport

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Azneem Ahmed qualified for the 100-meter sprint in the 2012 London Olympics. Kulhudhuffushi is regarded as the basketball champions of the Maldives.[5] Adam Ismail was a footballer during late 1950s at the time when Maldives got independence and started playing international football and also a martial artist. Football is the most widely played sport and the island holds the highest number of quality football grounds around the nation except Male'. The national 2015 President's Cup Group A matches were held in Kulhudhuffushi.[6]

Notable residents

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Bus Service

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Bus MTCC bus service has started in Kulhudhuffushi City[7]

References

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  1. ^ "ކައުންސިލަރުންގެ މައުލޫމާތު" [Councilors]. -Local Government Authority (in Divehi). Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  2. ^ "Table PP5: Resident Population by sex, nationality and locality (administrative islands), 2014" (PDF). Population and Households Census 2014. National Bureau of Statistics. p. 33. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  3. ^ "Coordinate Distance Calculator". Boulter.com. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  4. ^ "Table 3.3: Total Maldivian Population by Islands" (PDF). National Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  5. ^ http://www.mba.org.mv/
  6. ^ 2015 President's Cup. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  7. ^ "Bus Service Started at Kulhudhuhfushi". Minivan. September 9, 2023. Retrieved 2023-09-28.