Settlement history
The following is a brief timeline of settlement history in Addu from 1620 to 2025.
Communities relocated and new administrations formed
Since Hithadhoo was established in 1620, several community relocations have occurred in Addu. These relocations were mainly due to the British RAF establishing Gan Airport during WWII and the subsequent reestablishment of the British military base in Gan in 1957.
1620–1648
King Imaadudeen I establishes the present Hithadhoo settlement.
1799
Hankede abandoned and people settle in Maradhoo.
1941
150 British Marines arrive in Villingili. The residents of Villingili transferred to Magu'dhoo, Huvadhoo Atoll.
1942
Royal Marine Engineers arrive in Gan. Residents of Gan and Feydhoo moved to Maamendhoo. Three runways constructed in Gan.
1945
British forces leave Addu.
1948
Residents of Gan and Feydhoo return back home.
1957
British begin construction of military base in Gan. Relocation of residents of Gan to Feydhoo, and of Feydhoo to Maradhoo-Feydhoo.
1960
British granted 30 year lease for Gan and Maamendhoo.
1969
Maradhoo and Maradhoo-Feydhoo established as Maradhoo, and Meedhoo and Hulhudhoo as Hulhumeedhoo, as two administrative islands.
1975
Separate administrative offices established for Maradhoo, Maradhoo-Feydhoo, Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo.
1976
British troops leave Gan.
2011
Addu City Council established.
2026
Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo established as separate administrative jurisdictions following a referendum.
25,000 residents
Since the British departed Gan in 1976, decades of outward migration occurred.
1958
6,500
1963
8,547
1966
9,501
1974
13,524
1977
14,094
1985
14,957
1990
15,177
1995
18,004
2000
18,515
2006
18,026
2014
21,275
2022
25,062
Addu’s share of the Maldivian population fell from 9% in 1958 to 5.1% in 2022. Male’s rose from 11% to 40%.