Kaashidhoo (Kaafu Atoll)

For other islands, see Kaashidhoo (disambiguation).

Kaashidhoo (Dhivehi: ކާށިދޫ) is one of the inhabited islands of Kaafu Atoll.^[2]

Kaashidhoo ކާށިދޫ
Inhabited island
The remains of ancient Buddhist temples (Kuruhinna Tharaagandu) on the island of Kaashidhoo
Kaashidhoo Location in Maldives
Coordinates: 04°57′20″N 73°27′53″E
Country	Maldives
Administrative atoll	Kaafu Atoll
Distance to Male	86.42 km (53.70 mi)
Dimensions
• Length	2.825 km (1.755 mi)
• Width	1.025 km (0.637 mi)
Population  (2022)[1]
• Total	2,528 (including foreigners)
Time zone	UTC+05:00 (MST)

Kaashidhoo is a local island in the north of North Male Atoll, Maldives. In fact, this is mini-atoll with its own lagoon. The island is large, while the village occupies only a small part of it

History

In the first millennium AD, Buddhist culture was established in the Maldives. The earliest archeological evidence of human activity at Kaashidhoo is of a Buddhist monastery complex that has been dated between 205 and 560 AD, based on radiocarbon dating of shell deposits taken from the foundations of multiple structures.^[3] A Chinese bronze coin was found at the Kaashidhoo excavation site, which was found to be a 10th-century cash-coin from the Northern Song dynasty of Emperor T'ai Tsung.^[3] Trade occurred with India and China, followed by a rise in trade with Persian and Arab merchants during the period of 850 to 1150 AD.^[3] The excavation project at Kaashidhoo focused on conserving the area for research and to help protect the site from erosion and weathering.^{[citation needed]} Since the site is built almost entirely of coral stone, the conservation work is essential to making sure that generations of Maldivians can continue to view this important site.^{[citation needed]}

Geography

The island is 86.42 km (54 mi; 47 nmi) north of the country's capital, Malé.^[4]

Kaashidhoo is included in the Malé Atoll.^{[citation needed]} However, it is an atoll by itself geographically. For the ease of administration, the island is placed under Kaafu Atoll.^[2]

Kaashidhoo Kandu

The Kaashidu Kandu, also known as Kardiva Channel, is the broad channel separating some of the central atolls of Maldives.^{[citation needed]}

Demography

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
2006	1,696	—
2014	1,728	+1.9%
2022	2,528	+46.3%
2006-2022: Census populations Source: [1][5]

See also

• Kaashidhoo Bodu Kandu
• Kaashidhoo Kuda Kandu
• Kuruhinna Tharaagandu