Information
City: HulhumaleCountry: Maldives
Continent: Asia
Hulhumale, Maldives, Asia
Overview
Hulhumalé is a man-made island in the Malé Atoll, sitting just 8 kilometers-about a ten‑minute boat ride-north of Malé, the capital of the Maldives.It’s part of the Malé metropolitan area, built to handle the city’s swelling population and the crush of new buildings rising along its narrow streets.The island stands as a showcase of modern urban planning and sustainable growth, built to offer homes, roads, and shared spaces for the Maldives’ growing population.Hulhumalé covers roughly 4.3 square kilometers, with plans already in motion to stretch its boundaries even more.Just northeast of the capital and minutes from Malé International Airport, it links easily to the city and abroad.Built from reclaimed land starting in the early 2000s, the island rose from the sea like a patch of pale sand under the sun.The island was built to create more living space and ease the crush of people in Malé, where streets grew crowded and buildings pressed close.Hulhumalé took shape to house the Maldives’ growing population as the capital overflowed.Over the years, Hulhumalé has expanded with new roads, housing blocks, and bright shopfronts, drawing people from Malé and nearby islands.Hulhumalé is home to roughly 50,000 to 60,000 people today, though planners expect it to welcome hundreds of thousands as new projects rise along its shoreline.Housing ranges from modest apartments to high-end residences, all built to create a modern city where people from different backgrounds can live side by side.Often called a model of sustainable development in the Maldives, the island blends green technology, thoughtful urban design, and a commitment to protecting its turquoise waters and surrounding environment.The island’s growing in stages-phase one’s already finished, and crews are busy with new piers and fresh construction humming in the heat.In Hulhumalé, you’ll find homes for every taste, from sleek high-rise apartments with glass balconies to cozy townhouses and sunlit villas.The island was built to run on its own, complete with schools, a hospital, and sunny parks where kids kick soccer balls in the late afternoon.A modern road network weaves through it, and with buses and taxis now in service, getting around is simple for both locals and visitors.You can also reach the island by ferry from Malé.Hulhumalé has a sewage system, clean running water, and reliable electricity, with upgrades rolling out often to keep pace with its growing population.At the heart of the island, Hulhumalé Central Park stretches out in wide lawns and shaded paths, giving locals a place to relax, play, and enjoy the breeze.The park reflects the island’s pledge to protect the environment and promote green living, and in the Maldives-where turquoise waves already lap higher each year-Hulhumalé’s growth has centered on weaving in sustainable, eco-friendly design.The island’s built to withstand these challenges, with projects like solar-powered water pumps and other steps to shrink its environmental footprint.Hulhumalé was built with sturdy breakwaters and tall sea walls, shielding its shores from pounding waves, storm surges, and the slow bite of erosion.These steps are crucial to keeping the island thriving as the climate shifts.Green spaces-like shaded parks, quiet gardens, and rooftop lawns dotted with wildflowers-help protect its environment for the long haul.Hulhumalé’s development focuses on green living and community spaces to boost quality of life, with solar panels and other renewable energy sources feeding its grid to cut reliance on fossil fuels.Though still expanding, the island already offers standout spots: a wide man-made beach with turquoise views of the Indian Ocean, a central mosque serving its growing population, a busy ferry terminal linking it to Malé and nearby islands, a sprawling park for family picnics and festivals, and a marina where yachts sway gently beside fishing boats.It’s also grown into a vital commercial hub for the Maldives.The government’s rolled out policies to draw businesses and industries to the island, turning it into a cornerstone of the nation’s growth plan-like luring tech firms with tax breaks and a harbor buzzing with cargo ships.Retail on the island is expanding fast, with malls buzzing, shop windows bright, and restaurants serving both locals and visitors.New business districts and office spaces have turned the island into a lively urban hub, where streets hum with scooters and shopfronts glow at dusk.Hulhumalé offers modern healthcare, including a well-equipped hospital, along with both public and private schools, making it a place where families can live, work, and grow.Though more residential than Malé, it’s steadily becoming a convenient base for travelers eager to explore the capital and nearby islands.With its small hotels, family-run cafés, and easygoing beachside activities, the island draws visitors who want a quieter, more local feel.Hulhumalé sits only about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from Malé and the Velana International Airport, making the trip quick and straightforward.Most people reach the island by ferry or private boat, though the government’s pushing to add more public transport for locals and tourists - maybe even a bus that rumbles past the harbor.Hulhumalé sits just minutes from Maldives International Airport, so it’s perfect for residents and visitors alike-step off the plane and you can smell the sea breeze.A steadily expanding fleet of public buses makes getting around quick and easy.As part of the Malé Urban Development Plan, the island is set to evolve into a modern, sustainable, and well-balanced community.Over the next few decades, the island will keep growing, with plans to add more homes-rows of bright windows looking out over the harbor.
Landmarks in hulhumale
