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Vaindloo

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Island in Estonia For the ship, see EML Vaindlo (M416). Place in Lääne-Viru County, Estonia
Vaindloo (Stenskär)
View of Vaindloo island from the seaView of Vaindloo island from the sea
Vaindloo is located in ScandinaviaVaindlooVaindlooLocation in the Baltic Sea regionShow map of ScandinaviaVaindloo is located in EstoniaVaindlooVaindlooLocation in EstoniaShow map of EstoniaVaindloo is located in EuropeVaindlooVaindlooLocation in EuropeShow map of Europe
Coordinates: 59°48′51″N 26°21′43″E / 59.81417°N 26.36194°E / 59.81417; 26.36194
CountryEstonia
CountyLääne-Viru County
Area
 • Total0.062 km (0.024 sq mi)
Population
 • Totalno permanent population

Vaindloo (alternatively: Vaindloo saar, Swedish: Stenskär) is a small island located in the Gulf of Finland in the Baltic Sea.

Description

Vaindloo belongs to Estonia; it is the northernmost land point of the country. It has an area of 6.2 hectares (15 acres) and marks the northernmost point of the nation of Estonia, situated 26 kilometers (16 mi) north of the Estonian mainland. The island is administratively part of Vainupea village in Haljala Parish, Lääne-Viru County. The island is depicted on the Estonian two-euro coin. The Euro Coin Collector website notes:

“On the 2 Euro coin two small islands, Vaindloo and Nootamaa, are depicted. These, the most Northerly point and most Westerly point of Estonia are not depicted on the other coins.”

Infrastructure

Vaindloo is also notable for its functioning lighthouse, called the Vaindloo tuletorn. It was built in 1871 and is managed by the Estonian Maritime Administration. It replaced a previous timber lighthouse erected in 1718. In addition to the lighthouse, there is an Estonian Border Guard station with a 50-meter-high (160 ft) observation tower and a radar installation.

Environment

Vaindloo is an important breeding sanctuary for such birds as the common tern, Arctic tern, Tengmalm's owl, great tit, purple sandpiper, shore lark, great grey shrike, yellowhammer and others.

See also

References

  1. Eesti Post. Stamps
  2. Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society
  3. BirdLife IBA Factsheet
Islands of Estonia
Gulf of Finland Coat of arms of Estonia
West Estonian archipelago
and the Väinameri Sea
Islands adjacent to
the mainland
Hiiumaa
group
Saaremaa-Muhu
group
Gulf of Riga
Lakes and rivers
Former islands
  • Bold marks currently populated islands.
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