|
Gan |
|
|---|---|
| Island Summary | |
| Belongs to | Laamu Atoll |
| Location | |
| Area | |
| Population | 2516 |
| Length | 6800m |
| Width | 1400m |
| Distance from Malé | 247.02km |
| Administrative Information | |
| Island Chief | |
| Island office phone | +960 6800027 |
| Island office fax | +960 6800027 |
- For other islands see Gan
Gan (Dhivehi: ގަން) is one of the inhabited islands of Haddhunmathi Atoll, administrative code Laamu. Gan is the longest island of the Maldives. It is divided in wards, the northernmost of which is called Thundi.
Archaeology
The temple compound at one of the Buddhist sites in Gan Island
Gan Island has large ruins from the historical Maldivian Buddhist era. They were the best preserved ruins from the Buddhist past in the Maldives when H. C. P. Bell excavated some of the island's Buddhist sites in 1923, especially one of the stupas and a vihara at a place called Kuruhinna. Recently much vandalism has taken place at those unprotected sites and only scattered stones and mounds of coral rubble remain.
See also
References
- Bell, H.C.P. The Maldive islands. Monograph on the History, Archaeology and Epigraphy. Reprint 1940 edn. Malé 1986.
- Romero-Frias, Xavier. The Maldive Islanders, A Study of the Popular Culture of an Ancient Ocean Kingdom. Barcelona 1999.
