Southern Atolls
At the northwestern end of Fuvahmulah, the absolutely stunning Thoondu Beach is a wide band of dazzling white overlooked by swaying palms. It's famous in…
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Southern Atolls
The Southern Atolls have a justified reputation for independent mindedness. In 1959, the southernmost atolls broke away from Male's rule to form the short-lived United Suvadive Republic before being forcibly taken back under the control of the central government a few years later.
Attractions
Must-see attractions
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Southern Atolls
At the northeastern tip of the atoll, the interesting island of Isdhoo is home to a hawitta (ancient artificial mound). Buddha images have been found on…
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Southern Atolls
This traditional, largely agricultural island is notable for its four ancient hawittas (Buddhist prayer mounds). Norwegian ethnographer Thor Heyerdahl…
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Southern Atolls
At 8km long, Gan – not to be confused with the other two Gans in the south – is the longest island in the country and one of the most interesting too,…
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Southern Atolls
On the southern edge of the atoll, the capital island of Nilandhoo is home to the second-oldest mosque in the country, Aasaari Miskiiy, built during the…
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Southern Atolls
On Gadhdhoo (population 1500), women make superb examples of the mats known as thundu kunaa, which are woven from special reeds found on an adjacent…
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Southern Atolls
In the south of Huvadhoo Atoll, only about 20km from the equator, the island of Vaadhoo has two hawittas (stone prayer mounds) and a mosque that dates…
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