Gnaviyani Atoll

Gnaviyani Atoll (Dhivehi: ޏ. އަތޮޅު, pronounced ɳaʋijan̪i at̪oɭu, Nyaviyani) is one of the administrative divisions of the Maldives. It is a natural atoll called Fuvahmulah. This atoll is very small and is the smallest administrative area in the Maldives.

Gnaviyani Atoll is found on the Equatorial Channel, also known as Addu - Mulah Kandu. It is located between two larger areas, Huvadhu Atoll and Addu Atoll. Because of its size and place, it is a special and important part of the Maldives.

Geography

Fuvahmulah is the 25th natural atoll in the Maldives. Long ago, it was a small coral atoll with an open southern end called Diyarehifaando. Inside, there was a saltwater lagoon that served as a natural harbor. Over time, a channel connecting the lagoon to the ocean closed because of large coral boulders. This caused the inside of the island to become lower than its edges. As the lagoon lost its saltiness, it turned into two small lakes, wetlands, and marshy taro fields. Today, Fuvahmulah is a small atoll that has filled in with silt, much like Nukutavake in the Central Pacific.

Municipal Divisions

Fuvahmulah was traditionally divided into nine parts, called wards. These wards were Dhadimago, Diguvāndo, Hōdhado, Dhashokubaa, Mādhado, Mālegan, Dūndigan, Miskimmago, and Funādo. Over time, the number of wards was reduced to eight when Dhashokubaa was combined with Miskimmago.

Each ward has its own leader called a chief, known as a “Katheeb”. With the introduction of local government rules in the Maldives, each ward now has its own elected council. There is also a council for the whole atoll.