Vormsi
Location of Vormsi (Ormsö) in Estonia
Vormsi is located in Scandinavia
Vormsi
Vormsi
Location in the Baltic Sea region
Vormsi is located in Europe
Vormsi
Vormsi
Location in Europe
Geography
LocationBaltic Sea
Coordinates59°00′N 23°13′E / 59.000°N 23.217°E / 59.000; 23.217
ArchipelagoWest Estonian archipelago
Area93 km2 (36 sq mi)
Administration
CountyLääne County
Demographics
Population415 (15 October 2011)
Pop. density4.5/km2 (11.7/sq mi)
An Estonian cross flag is used on the island
Vormsi is connected to the mainland by MS Ormsö (:et)

Vormsi, also Ormsö (Swedish: Ormsö, German: Worms) is the fourth-largest island of Estonia. It is located between Hiiumaa and the mainland and has a total area of 92 square kilometres (36 square miles). It is part of Vormsi Parish, a rural municipality.

Etymology

Ormsö in Swedish means "Orm's Island", and can be translated also as "Snake Island".[1] The island's Estonian name Vormsi is derived from its German name Worms or its Swedish name Ormsö.

History

Vormsi's history dates back as far as the 13th century. During most of this time, the island was 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, forming the larger region of Aiboland, were evacuated, or fled, to Sweden. The island's current registered population is about 400.

Villages

The villages on the island include: Hullo (the administrative center), Sviby (the main port), Söderby, Norrby, Diby, Rälby, Förby, Borrby, Kärrslätt, Saxby, Suuremõisa (Magnushof, formerly Busby[2]), Rumpo (the main beach area) and Hosby.

Economy

Vormsi is the per capita wealthiest island and region in Estonia outside of the Tallinn metro area, with incomes on the same level as inner Tallinn. This is attributed to the fact that many comparatively wealthy people own summer homes on the island and are registered as residents, so their yearly income tax is forwarded to the island's budget.[3]

Vormsi has no industrial activity. The island earns the majority of its revenues from the taxation of the mainland and overseas income of residents.

Residents

The island of Vormsi has homeowners from several countries and regions: Estonia, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Åland.

Literature

References

  1. ↑ "Vormsi". ttykk.edu. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Ajalugu". talumuuseum.vormsi.ee. Archived from the original on August 9, 2016. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Vormsi vald pealinnaga ühel pulgal". Äripäev. January 9, 2012. Archived from the original on October 23, 2020. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Vormsi.
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