Map of the Estonian archipelago (Saaremaa and Hiiumaa)

Landsat satellite photo of Saaremaa

Saaremaa is the largest island (2,673 km²) belonging to Estonia. It is located in the Baltic Sea, south of Hiiumaa island, and belongs to the west Estonian archipelago. The capital of Saaremaa is Kuressaare, which has about 16,000 inhabitants; the whole island has about 40,000 inhabitants. Map Of Estonian archipelago (Saaremaa and Hiiumaa) from http://www. ... Map Of Estonian archipelago (Saaremaa and Hiiumaa) from http://www. ... The Mergui Archipelago An archipelago is a landform which consists of a chain or cluster of islands. ... Tahkuna peninsula is the most northern part of Hiiumaa, Estonia Hiiumaa is the second largest island (989 km²) belonging to Estonia. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 575 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (878 × 916 pixel, file size: 140 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Saaremaa - Landsat satellite photo Source: NASA, public domain https://zulu. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 575 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (878 × 916 pixel, file size: 140 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Saaremaa - Landsat satellite photo Source: NASA, public domain https://zulu. ... The Baltic Sea is located in Northern Europe, from 53°N to 66°N latitude and from 20°E to 26°E longitude. ... Tahkuna peninsula is the most northern part of Hiiumaa, Estonia Hiiumaa is the second largest island (989 km²) belonging to Estonia. ... The Mergui Archipelago An archipelago is a landform which consists of a chain or cluster of islands. ... County Saare County Mayor Urmas Treiel Area 14. ...

Saaremaa is the main island of Saare County, called Saaremaa or Saare maakond in Estonian, and in Finnish Saarenmaa — literally isle's land. The Swedish and German name of the island is Ösel, and the Danish is Øsel. Saare County, or Saare maakond, is a county or maakond of Estonia. ...

Geography

The island forms the main barrier between the Gulf of Riga and the Baltic Sea. To the south of it is the main passage out of the gulf, the Irbe Strait, next to Sõrve Peninsula, the southernmost portion of the island. The highest point on the island is 54 m above sea level. The Gulf of Riga The Gulf of Riga (or Bay of Riga, Latvian RÄ«gas jÅ«ras lÄ«cis, Estonian Liivi Laht) is a bay of the Baltic Sea between Latvia and Estonia. ... The Gulf of Riga, with Irbe Strait on the left of the map Irbe Strait, also known as Irben Strait (Estonian: , Latvian: ), forms the main exit out of the Gulf of Riga to the Baltic Sea, between the Sõrve Peninsula forming the southern end of the island Saaremaa in... Map of communes on Saaremaa. ...

One particularly interesting feature found on the island is the Kaali crater. The main crater is nearly circular. ...

The island has lots of forested terrain. One of the symbols of the island is the juniper. Species Junipers are coniferous plants in the genus Juniperus of the cypress family Cupressaceae. ...

History

Main article: History of Estonia

According to archeological finds, the territory of Saaremaa has been inhabited for at least five thousand years. In old Scandinavian sagas, Saaremaa is called Eysysla which means exactly the same as the name of the island in Estonian: the district (land) of island. This is the origin of the island's name in German and Swedish, Ösel, Danish, Øsel, and in Latin Osilia. The name Eysysla appears sometimes together with Adalsysla, 'the big land', perhaps 'Suuremaa' or 'Suur Maa' in Estonian which refers to mainland Estonia. Sagas talk about numerous skirmishes between islanders and vikings. Saaremaa was the wealthiest county of ancient Estonia and the home of notorious Estonian pirates, sometimes called the Eastern Vikings. The Chronicle of Henry of Livonia describes a fleet of sixteen ships and five hundred Osilians ravaging the area that is now southern Sweden, then belonging to Denmark. In 1206 the Danish Valdemar II the Victorious built a castle on the island. In 1218-19 winter Lithuanians attacked the island over the frozen Irbe strait. In 1227 Saaremaa was conquered by the Livonian Order, but remained a hotbed of Estonian resistance. The Order founded the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek there. When the Order was defeated by the Lithuanian army in the Battle of Saule in 1236, Saaremaa islanders rebelled. The conflict was ended by a treaty that was signed by the Osilians and the Master of the Order. In the following year, the Order was absorbed into the Teutonic Order. In 1270 the island was devastated by Lithuanians, led by Grand Duke Traidenis. The land area that now makes up Estonia was settled immediately after the Ice Age, beginning from around 8500 BC. After being conquered by Danish and German crusaders in 1227, Estonia was ruled initially in the north by Danes, then by German Bishops. ... Estonian pirates appear at least twice in history and legend. ... The Chronicle of Henry of Livonia (Latvian: Indrika hronikas, Latin: Heinrici Cronicon Lyvoniae) is a historic document describing the history of Latvia and Estonia from 1180 to 1227. ... Valdemar II (1170–1241), called Valdemar the Conqueror or Valdemar the Victorious, was the King of Denmark from 1202 until 1241. ... Estonia was a dominion of Denmark during Middle Ages. ... The Teutonic knights in Pskov in 1240. ... The Livonian Brothers of the Sword (Latin Fratres militiae Christi, literally the brothers of the army of Christ), also known as the Christ Knights, Sword Brethren or The Militia of Christ of Livonia, was a military order started in 1202 by Albert von Buxhövden, bishop of Riga (or Prince... The Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek (German: Bistum Ösel-Wiek, Estonian: Saare-Lääne piiskopkond) was a semi-independent principality in what is now Saare and Lääne counties of Estonia. ... Combatants Livonian Brothers of the Sword Samogitians Semigalians Commanders Volquin Vykintas Strength 3000 4000 - 5000 Casualties 50-60 knights killed Unknown The Livonian Confederation in 1260, showing the site for the Battle of Saule. ... The Livonian Brothers of the Sword (Latin Fratres militiae Christi, literally the brothers of the army of Christ), also known as the Christ Knights, Sword Brethren or The Militia of Christ of Livonia, was a military order started in 1202 by Albert von Buxhövden, bishop of Riga (or Prince... For the historical novel, see The Teutonic Knights (novel). ... Grand Duchy of Lithuania Traidenis (Ruthenian Troyden; Belarusian Trajdzien, Трайдзень; ? - 1281) was the Grand Prince of Lithuania from 1270 till 1282 (or 1269 till 1281), Prince of Jatwez and Doynowsk. ...

Most of Saaremaa was ruled directly by the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek, while some parts were enfeoffed to the Livonian Order. In 1559 the bishopric and Saaremaa were sold to Denmark. And thereby some part of the island came under Danish posession. From 1570 to 1645 the whole island were under Danish possession. Estonia was a dominion of Denmark during Middle Ages. ...

In 1645, Saaremaa was ceded from Denmark to Sweden by the Treaty of Brömsebro. In 1721, along with the rest of Swedish Estonia, Saaremaa (then known by its Swedish name of Ösel) was ceded to Imperial Russia by the Treaty of Nystad, becoming a part of the Russian governorate-general of Estonia. The Treaty of Brömsebro of August 13, 1645 ended the Torstenson War between Sweden and Denmark-Norway, which had begun in 1643. ... Estonia was a dominion of Sweden from 1561 until 1719, when it was ceded to Russia in the Treaty of Nystad, following the outcome in the Great Northern War. ... Imperial Russia is the term used to cover the period of history from the expansion of Russia under Peter the Great, through the expansion of the Russian Empire from the Baltic Sea to the Pacific Ocean, to the deposal of Nicholas II of Russia, the last tsar, at the start... The Treaty of Nystad (1721), signed at the present-day Finnish town of Uusikaupunki (Swedish Nystad), ended the Great Northern War, in which Russia received the territories of Estonia, Livonia and Ingria, as well as much of Karelia and Tsar Peter I of Russia replaced King Frederick I of Sweden... Estonia became a governorate-general of Russia in 1710, when it was conquered from Sweden. ...

In the 20th century, Saaremaa was twice occupied by German forces. In World War I, the Estonian islands were conquered in October 1917 and occupied (Operation Albion) until the end of hostilities. “The Great War ” redirects here. ... Combatants Commanders General von Estorff Vizeadmiral Ehrhard Schmidt Strength 23,000 men, 5000 horses, 1400 vehicles, 150 machine-guns, 54 guns, 12 mortars and munitions Operation Albion was the German land and naval operation in September and October 1917 to invade and occupy the Estonian islands of Saaremaa (Ösel), Hiiumaa...

Estonia became independent after the October Revolution and the collapse of Imperial Russia. The new state was pressured into incorporation into the USSR in June 1940, as a result of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Nonaggression Pact. The Germans once again occupied the islands in 1941 (Operation Beowulf) and remained there until expelled by the Red Army in November 1944. “Red October” redirects here. ... Imperial Russia is the term used to cover the period of history from the expansion of Russia under Peter the Great, through the expansion of the Russian Empire from the Baltic Sea to the Pacific Ocean, to the deposal of Nicholas II of Russia, the last tsar, at the start... State motto: Kõigi maade proletaarlased, ühinege Official language According to the constition, all languages were equal. ... Molotov (left), Ribbentrop (in black) and Stalin The Molotov-Ribbentrop pact, also known as the Hitler-Stalin pact or Nazi-Soviet pact, was a non-aggression treaty between Germany and Russia, or more precisely between the Soviet Union and the Third Reich. ... Operation Beowulf refers to two German plans to occupy the islands of Saaremaa, Hiiumaa and Muhu, off the Estonian east coast. ... For other organizations known as the Red Army, see Red Army (disambiguation). ...

Estonian independence was regained on August 20, 1991, in the collapse of the Soviet Union. is the 232nd day of the year (233rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... The rise of Gorbachev Although reform stalled between 1964–1982, the generational shift gave new momentum for reform. ...

Transport to Saaremaa

It is possible to reach Saaremaa by ferry from Virtsu on the Estonian mainland to Muhu island, which is itself connected to Saaremaa via a causeway. Saaremaa can also be reached using a ferry from Sõru on the island of Hiiumaa. The ferryboat Dongan Hills, filled with commuters, about to dock at a New York City pier, ca. ... Muhu, also called Muhumaa, is an island in the Baltic Sea. ... The Hindenburgdamm rail causeway across the Wadden Sea to the island of Sylt in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany In modern usage, a causeway is a road or railway elevated by a bank, usually across a broad body of water or wetland. ... Tahkuna peninsula is the most northern part of Hiiumaa, Estonia Hiiumaa is the second largest island (989 km²) belonging to Estonia. ...

It is also possible to reach Saaremaa by ferry from Ventspils in Latvia. This service started in 2005 and is run by SSC Ferries. Ventspils (Russian: , formerly Виндава; German: Windau, Polish: Windawa, Livonian: Vǟnta) is a city in northwestern Latvia on the coast of the Baltic Sea. ...

There are regular bus services from Tallinn, Pärnu and Tartu on the mainland. County Area 159. ... County Pärnu County Mayor Mart Viisitamm Area 32. ... County Tartu County Mayor Laine Jänes Area 38. ...

An airfield exists at Kuressaare Airport. It is possible to fly from Kuressaare to Tallinn, and there are also seasonal flights to Pärnu and Stockholm. airBaltic part of SAS Group as well as Finnair subsidiary Aero Airlines [1] operate seasonal flights to Riga and Helsinki respectively during the summer season. There was an airfield at Asta (air base) during the Cold War. Kuressaare Airport (IATA: URE, ICAO: EEKE) is an airport in Estonia. ... The correct title of this article is . ... The SAS Group (OSE: SAS, OMX: SAS) is a company based in Stockholm, Sweden. ... Finnair Airbus A320-200 Finnair MD-11, decorated with Moomin characters Finnair is Finlands largest airline and the national flag carrier. ... Aero Airlines is an airline based in Tallinn, Estonia. ... Coordinates: Founded 1201 Government  - Mayor Jānis Birks Area  - City 307. ... Location of Helsinki in Northern Europe Coordinates: , Country Finland Province Southern Finland Region Uusimaa Sub-region Helsinki Charter 1550 Capital city 1812 Government  - City manager Jussi Pajunen Area  - City 187. ... Asta is an air base in Estonia located 12 km north of Kuressaare. ... For other uses, see Cold War (disambiguation). ...

Plans to connect Saaremaa to the mainland either by bridge or tunnel are being studied. The project will cost at least 175 million euros and will be ready no sooner than 2014.

The Latvian airline AirBaltic has launched a direct flight to Saaremmaa (Riga - Kuressaare), directed mostly at health and spa tourists.

Beach ridges on the northern coast of Saaremaa, Estonia. July 27, 2007. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1000 × 750 pixel, file size: 324 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Photograph by Mark A. Wilson, The College of Wooster I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ...

Kuressaare Castle, Saaremaa, Estonia. July 27, 2007. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1000 × 750 pixel, file size: 183 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Photograph by Mark A. Wilson, The College of Wooster I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ...

Soviet WWII memorial, Saaremaa, Estonia. July 27, 2007. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1000 × 750 pixel, file size: 159 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Photograph by Mark A. Wilson, The College of Wooster I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ...

Soviet WWII graves, Saaremaa, Estonia. July 27, 2007. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1000 × 750 pixel, file size: 321 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Photograph by Mark A. Wilson, The College of Wooster I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ...

See also

• List of islands of Estonia
• List of islands in the Baltic Sea
• Saare County
• Extreme points of Europe
• Pöide church

This is a list of islands of Estonia. ... This is a list of islands in the Baltic Sea. ... Saare County, or Saare maakond, is a county or maakond of Estonia. ... // This is a list of the extreme points of Europe, the points that are farther north, south, east or west than any other location in Europe. ... Pöide church Pöide Church (Estonian: Pöide kirik) is located on Saaremaa island, in Pöide Commune, Saare County, Estonia. ...

External links

• Saaremaa
• Avies fly daily between Tallinn and Kuressaare
• Neomobile provide local bus services across the island

Coordinates: 58°25′N, 22°30′E Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ...