Vaadhoo ( Dhivehi: ވާދޫ ) is an inhabited island of Gaafu Dhaalu region in the atoll of Huvadhu, Maldives. It has its own dialect of Maldivian, which is considerably different from northern and Mid-Maldivian speech.

History

Archaeology

Important Buddhist remains have been found on this island, including: Thor Heyerdahl visited this island and investigated the ancient Buddhist ruins in the 1980s accompanied by Mohamed Lutfi. Some carved coral stones representing Buddha's foot (Buddhapada) include Vajrayana symbols that were found. However, the ruins have not been well researched yet.

Geography

The island is 437.12 km south of the country's capital, Malé.

Demography

Education

Vaadhoo Jamaaluddin School, a government primary and secondary school, which is the second primary school opened in Gdh Vaadhoo. The school is named after the famous religious scholar Mohamed Jamaluddin, better known as Vaadhoo Dhanna Kaleyfaanu and the first Educator of the Maldives. The school first name was called "Vaadhoo Makthab" later changed for "Jamaaluddin School" and currently known as "Vaadhoo Jamaaluddin School".