Thimarafushi (Thaa Atoll)

Maldives Island
ImageExists=No
island

island=Thimarafushi
atoll=Thaa Atoll
location=coord|2|11|50|N|73|08|30|E| area=14.5 hec
population=2408
length=750m
width=330m
male-distance=222.37 km
island_chief=
phone= [phone]
fax= [phone]

The island of Thimarafushi (Dhivehi: ތިމަރަފުށި), (pronounced thi-ma-ra-fu-shi) is one of the inhabited islands of the Maldives. Geographically located in the Thaa Atoll, (coord|2|11|50|N|73|08|30|E) which is also known as the Kolhumadulu Atoll, the island has a recorded population of 2,408 people as at July 2006.

Population

Women

The number of women is comparatively small compared to the population of males in the island. The number of females under 18 years of age was 422. While the age group of 18-65 females comprised 611 women, the elderly females numbered 46. Therefore, the total population of females in the island is 1,079.

Men

Statistical records as at June 2006 show that the number of boys (aged below 18) was 520. The adult male population (18-65) was 745, and the male senior citizens (65+) added up to 64. Therefore, the male population of the island is 1,329.

According to the population chart shown below, the small island of Thimarafushi has a developing community’s population structure.

Economic Activities

Though the islanders of this beautiful island mainly depend upon the primary sector of the economic activities, they are also involved in the secondary and tertiary sector as well. While fishing has become their main source of income, contract work, shipping and business has also taken their place in the economic activities of the island.

Health and Medicine

According to the information as at June 2006, it is recorded that the island has one health centre, which is owned by the government, containing one doctor, one nurse, one community health worker, two family health workers and five midwives. Thimarafushi also has one pharmacist.Though the standards of western medicine are considered poor in the island, they have their own herbologists serving the islanders. Most of the island's citizens consult the herbologists for injuries and other health-related matters. The islanders travel to Thaa. Veymandoo for health matters which cannot be attended to by their own island's health-care personnel.

Transportation

Thimarafushi has 164 bicycles, of which 162 are privately-owned while the remaining two are owned by the government. One pick-up truck is also owned by the government, four motor cycles are privately owned, and there are two other vehicles which are registered under private ownership.

As Maldives is famous for its surrounding sea and its bountiful treasures under water, Thimarafushi has its own sea transport vehicles too. It owns two launches used for various purposes and 9 mechanized Dhoani used for fishing. Neither a single number of sailing Dhoani, Vadhu Dhoani, Bokkuraa nor Sathari Dhoani was recorded in the statistics sheets of the Maldives on June 2006. It has three other boats which travels between Malé and atolls.

Water and Sewerage

The people of Thimarafushi collect rain water for their daily consumption. There are 39 public rain water tanks and 325 private rain water tanks located in the island.

The sewerage system in the island is not connected to the sea, hence lowering the chances of polluting the sea water surrounding the island. According to recorded statistics as at June 2006, the number of houses with toilets was 298. The number of houses with water pumps has risen to 171, proved with figures on statistic sheets as at June 2006.