Saaremaa

Saaremaa
Sabine Hack (= Vonsoeckchen on de.wikipedia) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	Saaremaa
Location	Baltic Sea
Area km2	2673
Highest mount	Viidumäe
Elevation m	54
Country	Estonia
Country admin divisions title	County
Country admin divisions	Saare County
Largest city	Kuressaare
Population	31,435
Population as of	2021

Saaremaa. It is the largest island in Estonia and forms the core of Saare County, situated in the Baltic Sea at the entrance to the Gulf of Riga. The island is renowned for its unique limestone bedrock, pristine forests, and a rich history marked by the influence of the Teutonic Order, Danish, and Swedish rule. Its administrative and cultural center is the town of Kuressaare, home to a remarkably well-preserved medieval bishop's castle.

Geography

The island's terrain is predominantly flat, shaped by ancient glaciation events, with its highest point at Viidumäe Nature Reserve. The coastline is deeply indented, featuring numerous peninsulas, bays, and over 600 surrounding islets and skerries, including the important neighboring island of Muhu, connected via a causeway. Characteristic alvar habitats, karst areas with sinkholes and caves, and expansive coastal meadows define its natural landscape. Major bodies of water include the large Lake Karujärv and the brackish Lake Kaali, which occupies a famous meteorite crater formed by the Kaali impact event.

History

Human settlement dates to the Stone Age, with the island being a stronghold of the Oeselian tribes, notorious as Vikings of the Baltic. The Livonian Crusade brought conquest by the Brothers of the Sword in 1227, after which the island became part of the Bishopric of Ösel–Wiek. Subsequent control passed to the Livonian Order, then to Denmark following the Livonian War, and later to Sweden under the Treaty of Brömsebro. The Great Northern War resulted in its incorporation into the Russian Empire, where it remained until the Estonian War of Independence and the establishment of the First Estonian Republic. During World War II, it was occupied successively by the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany, witnessing significant naval clashes like the Battle of Moon Sound. It was later part of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic before the restoration of Estonian independence in 1991.

Demographics

The population is predominantly Estonian, with a small minority of ethnic Russians. The main population center is Kuressaare, which houses nearly a third of the island's inhabitants and serves as the seat of the local municipal government. Other notable settlements include the towns of Orissaare and Kärla, alongside numerous small villages. The island has a distinct cultural identity, with its own dialect of the South Estonian language group, known as Saaremaa dialect, and traditional folk traditions that are actively preserved.

Economy

The economy is diverse, with a strong foundation in tourism, leveraging assets like the Kuressaare Castle, the Kaali crater field, and the Panga coastal cliffs. Agriculture remains significant, particularly dairy farming and crop cultivation, while the surrounding seas support fishing and fish processing. The island is a major producer of renewable energy, hosting several large wind farms. Kuressaare Airport provides vital air links, and the port of Roomassaare handles cargo and ferry traffic to the mainland, including services to Virtsu and Rohuküla. Local industries also include craft beer brewing, textile production, and the extraction of dolomite.

Culture and landmarks

Cultural life is anchored in Kuressaare, which hosts the annual Saaremaa Opera Days and the Saaremaa Viking Festival. The island's heritage is showcased at the Saaremaa Museum located within Kuressaare Castle, one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in the Baltic region. Notable natural and historical sites include the Angla windmill hill, the Sõrve Peninsula with its Sõrve Lighthouse and World War II memorials, and the Vilsandi National Park, a key site for birdwatching. Traditional sauna culture, especially the distinctive smoke saunas, and local culinary specialties like Saaremaa black bread and juniper-flavored goods are integral to its identity. Category:Islands of Estonia Category:Baltic Sea islands Category:Saare County