Omadhoo (Alif Dhaal Atoll) Explained

Omadhoo
Native Name Lang:dv
Settlement Type:Inhabited island
Pushpin Map:Maldives
Pushpin Relief:y
Pushpin Mapsize:250
Pushpin Label Position:left
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Maldives
Coordinates:3.7908°N 72.9639°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Maldives
Subdivision Type1:Geographic atoll
Subdivision Type2:Administrative atoll
Subdivision Name2:Alif Dhaal Atoll
Subdivision Type3:Distance to Malé
Subdivision Name3:73.96km (45.96miles)
Seat Type:Capital
Parts Type:Geographic atolls
Parts Style:list
Leader Title:Council
Leader Title3:Mayor
Leader Title4:Island Chief
Unit Pref:Metric
Length Km:0.950
Width Km:0.300
Population Footnotes:[1]
Population Total:883 (including foreigners)
Population As Of:2014
Population Density Km2:auto
Utc Offset:+05:00
Postal Code Type:Assigned Letter
Postal2 Code Type:Assigned Letter
Area Code Type:Area code(s)
Blank Name Sec2:Number of Islands
Blank1 Name Sec2:Inhabited
Blank2 Name Sec2:Uninhabited
Blank3 Name Sec2:Total

Omadhoo (Dhivehi: އޮމަދޫ) is one of the inhabited islands of Alif Dhaal Atoll in the Maldives.

Geography

The island is 73.960NaN0 southwest of the country's capital, Malé.[2]

Demography

According to the latest census conducted in 2018, the total population of Omadhoo is at 1089 out of which 840 are Maldivians, and above 150 foreigners.

Governance

In accordance with the recently passed Decentralization Act of Maldives, Omadhoo is governed by an elected Island Council composed of three councillors. The council is headed by the president of the council. The Island Council reports to the Local Government Authority (LGA).

Economy

As of January 2018 there are nine guest house in Omadhoo. The guest houses provide the island with direct employment, and many other indirect economic benefits to the island. Most guest houses are funded by direct investments by local residents of the island. However, recently there have been investments by businessmen in Male' and elsewhere.

Guest houses provide various excursions, including: whale shark watching, manta rays, off island snorkeling, fishing, scuba diving, sand bank and picnic island visiting (including overnight staying).

Education

Omadhoo is served by combined one preschool and one primary/secondary school, Omadhoo School.

Transport

Omadhoo is connected by ferry service from Malé. Some private companies provide scheduled speedboat service.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Table PP5: Resident Population by sex, nationality and locality (administrative islands), 2014. 35. Population and Households Census 2014. National Bureau of Statistics. 12 August 2018.
  2. Web site: Coordinate Distance Calculator. Boulter.com. 12 August 2018.