Gan
Gan Island is the southernmost island of Addu Atoll (previously also known as Seenu Atoll), as well as the southernmost island of the Maldives. It is relatively large by Maldive standards.
The origin of the word “Gan” is in the Sanskrit word “Grama”, meaning “village”.
Gan is the second largest island of the atoll, after Hithadhoo, and measures 2.2561 square kilometres (0.87 sq mi) in area. Gan was formerly inhabited, but its inhabitants were moved to neighbouring islands after the British naval and airbase was built. It has had continuous human habitation since very ancient times. There were large cultivated fields of yams, manioc and coconut trees on this island. A former havitta at island’s east end had to be removed to build the runway.
Gan Island has now a hotel catering for tourists and is connected by causeways to the neighbouring islands of Feydu, Maradu and Hithadhoo.
This island is not to be confused with two other Maldive islands called “Gan”, Gan (Huvadhu Atoll) and Gan (Laamu Atoll).
In 1941, during the Second World War, the Royal Navy established a base (“Port T”). An isolated island base with a safe, deep anchorage in a suitably strategic position was required, and Addu met the requirements.
After the British military left, the airstrip was neglected and remained almost unused for many decades. Recently it has been developed into what is now Gan International Airport.
Source : wikipedia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Jb9FGo3j-U
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