Rasgetheemu (Raa Atoll)

Rasgetheemu (Dhivehi: ރަސްގެތީމު) the first capital island in the Republic of Maldives located in the north province in the north edge of Maalhosmadhulu Uthuruburi Raa Atoll.

Rasgetheemu
Rasgetheemu
Location in Maldives
Coordinates: 5°48′29″N 73°0′12″E
CountryMaldives
Administrative atollRaa Atoll
Distance to Malé189.06 km (117.48 mi)
Government
  CouncilRasgetheemu Council
Dimensions
  Length0.875 km (0.544 mi)
  Width0.425 km (0.264 mi)
Population
 (2014)[1]
  Total958
Time zoneUTC+05:00 (MST)

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 is 189.06 km (117 mi; 102 nmi) north of the country's capital, Malé.[2]

Demography

Historical population
YearPop.±%
2006 504    
2014 487−3.4%
2006-2014: Census populations
Source: [3]

References

  1. "Table PP5: Resident Population by sex, nationality and locality (administrative islands), 2014" (PDF). Population and Households Census 2014. National Bureau of Statistics. p. 34. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
  2. "Coordinate Distance Calculator". Boulter.com. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
  3. "Table 3.3: Total Maldivian Population by Islands" (PDF). National Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 11 August 2018.


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