Haa Alif Atoll


Haa Alif Atoll is the code name based on the letters of the Maldivian alphabet commonly used to refer to the administrative division officially known as Northern [Thiladhunmathi Atoll] in the Maldives.
It is the northernmost of the 19 administrative divisions of the country, and is the third-largest administrative division in terms of population and land area.
This administrative division consists of Ihavandhippolhu, the northernmost geographical atoll of the Maldive archipelago, and the northern section of Thiladhunmathi atoll. The capital of North Thiladhunmathi Atoll is the island of Dhidhdhoo where the Secretariat of North Thiladhunmathi Atoll Council is located.

Geography

The Northern Thiladhunmathi Atoll administrative division consists of a total of 43 islands spread over two natural geographic atolls, namely Northern Thiladhunmathi, and Ihavandhippolhu.
Northern Thiladhunmathi is the northernmost portion of the huge Thiladhunmathi Atoll. Thiladhunmathi Atoll was administratively divided into northern and southern divisions in 1958.
Ihavandhippolhu lies to the north of Northern Thiladhunmathi, with the Ihavandhoo Kandu channel separating the two, and is the northernmost atoll of the Maldives. It is a small natural atoll 22 km in length. It has 25 islands lying all around the boundary reef. One long barrier reef forms the western side of the atoll. There are several coral patches in the lagoon and the general depth in the centre is 20 to 30 fathoms.
Ihavandhippolhu is separated from the Lakshadweep Islands of India by the broad channel known as Māmalē Kandu (or Maliku Kandu).

Islands

Of the 43 islands in the North Thiladhunmathi Atoll administrative division, 14 of them are inhabited and are classified as administrative island constituencies. Each of these constituencies have an island council which responds to the North Thiladhunmathi Atoll Council which has its headquarters on Dhidhdhoo.

Uninhabited Islands

All uninhabited islands in Haa Alif Atoll are under the control of the North Thiladhunmathi Atoll Council.

Resort Islands

Other Uninhabited Islands
NameCurrent usageCoordinatesGeographical AtollRemarks
Alidhuffarufinolhu-North Thiladhunmati
Beenaafushi-North Thiladhunmati
Dhapparuhura-North Thiladhunmati
Dhigufaruhura-North Thiladhunmati
Gaafushi-North Thiladhunmati
Gaamathikulhudhoo-Ihavandhippolhu
Gallandhoo-Ihavandhippolhu
Govvaafushi-Ihavandhippolhu
Hathifushi-IhavandhippolhuWas previously inhabited. Population relocated to Hanimaadhoo.
Huvahandhoo-Ihavandhippolhu
Innafinolhu-Ihavandhippolhu
Kandaalifinolhu-North Thiladhunmati
Kudafinolhu-Ihavandhippolhu
MaafahiFisheriesNorth ThiladhunmatiLeased for long-term fisheries and agriculture.
Maafinolhu-Ihavandhippolhu
Maarandhoofarufinolhu-North Thiladhunmati
MaduluAgricultureIhavandhippolhuLeased for long-term fisheries and agriculture.
Matheerah-Ihavandhippolhu
MedhafushiAgricultureIhavandhippolhuLeased for long-term fisheries and agriculture.
Mulidhoo-North Thiladhunmati
NaridhooResort North Thiladhunmati
Umareifinolhu-Ihavandhippolhu
Un'gulifinolhu-Ihavandhippolhu
Van'gaaru-Ihavandhippolhu
Velifinolhu-Ihavandhippolhu

Disappeared Islands

These are islands which during recorded history, have been completely eroded away, claimed by the sea due to the sea-level rise associated with global warming or assimilated by other islands.
  • Gasthirifinolhu
  • Gudhanfushi
  • Huraa
  • Nasfaru
  • Thiladhoo
  • Thinadhoo

Administration

Atoll Council

The North Thiladhunmathi Atoll administrative division is governed by an Atoll Council. The atoll council was created in 2011 with the enactment of the Decentralization Bill, which saw the introduction of local governance to the country. The secretariat of the atoll council is located on Dhidhdhoo.
The atoll is further divided up into 5 political wards each with one councillor.

Members