Nilandhe Coast

South Nilandhe is a Maldivian atoll whose reefs and islands lie in the central Indian Ocean. Remains from the Buddhist period survive on several of its islands, including mounds known as hawittas; an old mosque on Kudahuvadhoo is noted for its fine masonry. The wider archipelago supplied cowrie shells to markets across Asia and parts of East Africa. Chinese fleets under Zheng He visited the Maldives in 1411 and 1430, and Portuguese occupation of the islands lasted from 1558 to 1573.