Gan (Div: ގަން) is the southernmost island of Addu Atoll, as well as the southernmost island of the Maldives. It is relatively large by Maldive standards.
Gan Island is the second largest island of the atoll, after Hithadhoo, and measures 2,2561 km² in area. Gan Island was formerly inhabited, but its inhabitants were moved to neighboring islands after the British naval and airbase was built. It had been having continuous human habitation since ve...
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Gan (Div: ގަން) is the southernmost island of Addu Atoll, as well as the southernmost island of the Maldives. It is relatively large by Maldive standards.
Gan Island is the second largest island of the atoll, after Hithadhoo, and measures 2,2561 km² in area. Gan Island was formerly inhabited, but its inhabitants were moved to neighboring islands after the British naval and airbase was built. It had been having continuous human habitation since very ancient times. There were large cultivated fields of yams, manioc and coconut trees on this island. The origin of the word "Gan" is in the Sanskrit word "Grama", meaning "village".
Gan Island has now a hotel catering for tourists and is connected by causeways to the neighboring islands of Feydu, Maradu and Hithadhoo.
This island should not be confused with other Maldive islands called "Gan" in Huvadhu Atoll and Haddummati Atoll.
In 1922 H. C. P. Bell visited this island and investigated the ancient Buddhist ruins there. These included the...
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