Vormsi

From Free net encyclopedia

Image:Estonian archipelago (Saaremaa and Hiiumaa).jpg Estonia's fourth largest island, Vormsi, is located between Hiiumaa and the mainland with a total area of 92 square kilometers. It is part of a rural municipality with the same name in Lääne County.

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History

Vormsi's history as an inhabited island dates back as far as the 13th century. During most of its history,t he island has been inhabited by Estonian Swedes ("rannarootslased" in Estonian or "coastal Swedes" in English), whose population reached 3,000 before World War II. During the war, nearly all of Vormsi's population, along with other Swedes living in Estonia, were evacuated to Sweden. The island's current population is approximately 350 inhabitants.

The island's name is derived from the Swedish name Ormsö ("snake island"). Swedish influence can also be seen in other placenames, as in villages like Hullo (the administrative center), Sviby (the main port), Söderby, Norrby, Diby, Rälby, Borrby, Kärrslätt, Saxby, Busby, Suuremõisa (Magnushof) and Rumpo; and lakes like Prästvik.

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