Baarah
Baarah (Dhivehi: ބާރަށް) is an inhabited island in Haa Alif Atoll in the northern Maldives. It is an island-level administrative constituency governed by the Baarah Island Council.
Baarah ބާރަށް | |
---|---|
island | |
Baarah Location in Maldives | |
Coordinates: 6°49′8″N 73°12′30″E | |
Country | Maldives |
Geographic atoll | Thiladhunmathi Atoll |
Administrative atoll | Haa Alif Atoll |
Distance to Malé | 294.23 km (182.83 mi) |
Government | |
• Council | Baarah Island Council |
Dimensions | |
• Length | 2.4 km (1.5 mi) |
• Width | 1.5 km (0.9 mi) |
Population (2014)[1] | |
• Total | 1,215 (including foreigners) |
Time zone | UTC+05:00 (MST) |
Area code(s) | 650, 20 |
History
Historically, Baarah was the island where the vessel Kalhuohfummi was built in the latter half of the 16th century. The ship played a key role in Sultan Muhammad Thakurufaanu's war against the Portuguese invasion of the country. The sails of the ship were made on the island of Maroshi further south.
Geography
The island is 294.23 km (183 mi; 159 nmi) north of the country's capital, Malé.[2] The island is shaped like the letter 'C'.
Ecology
A large part of the shores are covered by a mangroves predominantly occupied by Rhizophora mucronata and Hibiscus tiliaceus. The soil around these areas is rich in hydrogen sulphide and is often avoided by islanders. The ecosystem is under threat due to logging, garbage dumping and poor management.
Demography
Now, the population has increased to 2000.
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
2006 | 1,203 | — |
2014 | 1,181 | −1.8% |
2006-2014: Census populations Source: [3] |
References
- "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 9 August 2018.
- "Coordinate Distance Calculator". Boulter.com. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
- "Table 3.3: Total Maldivian Population by Islands" (PDF). National Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 9 August 2018.