Rasgetheemu (Dhivehi: ރަސްގެތީމު) is an inhabited island located in Maalhosmadhulu Uthuruburi, known administratively as Raa Atoll.

History

Maldivian legend says that a Sinhalese prince got stranded with his bride - the daughter of the Sri Lankan King in Rasgetheemu, the original 'King's Island'.

Etymology

The name comes from Ras + ge + theemu. The word Ras means rule or monarchy, ge literally means house, and theemu meaning island. The word Theemu came from Tamil word Theevu also meaning island. It probably came from the tamil speakers of chola empire which used to rule northern atolls of Maldives. Theemu appears in the names of other islands, including Agolhitheemu, Utheemu.) Historians believe that Rasgetheem means "the King’s Town" or "King’s Island".

Geography

The island lies of the eastern fringe of Raa Atoll, and the island is 189.06 km north of the country's capital, Malé.

Demography