Saaremaa

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or Sarema

Island, Estonia.

The largest of the islands in the Muhu archipelago, which divides the Baltic Sea from the Gulf of Riga, Saaremaa has an area of 1,031 sq mi (2,671 sq km). It was occupied in the 13th century by the Livonian Knights and was ruled successively by Denmark, Sweden, and Russia before becoming part of Estonia in 1918. In 1940 Estonia was incorporated into the U.S.S.R., and the island passed into the Soviet sphere. Saaremaa was occupied by German troops during World War II. In 1991 Estonia became an independent nation, and Saaremaa was once again an Estonian possession. Economic activities include agriculture, livestock raising, and fishing.

More on "Saaremaa" from the 32 Volume Encyclopædia Britannica:

Saaremaa - largest of the islands in the Muhu archipelago that divides the Baltic Sea from the Gulf of Riga. It constitutes the bulk of the Estonian county of Saaremaa (Saare). The island is low-lying and is composed largely of limestones and dolomites. Some of the places with poorer soils are characterized by the alvary-poor bushy vegetation, frequently stony and rocky areas, and occasional pine forests, ...

Muhu - archipelago and island, Estonia, separating the Gulf of Riga from the Baltic Sea. The archipelago's three main islands are Saaremaa, the largest, in the south; Hiiumaa in the north; and Muhu, the smallest, in the east nearest the mainland. Navigable straits separate the islands from each other and from the mainland. Ferries serve the archipelago, and a causeway links the road networks of Saaremaa ...

Estonia - Boating is a passion in Estonia, with yacht clubs dotting the coastline of the mainland and the islands of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa. In fact, the yachting events of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games were held in the waters off Tallinn. Canoeing is also popular, principally on the Vohandu, Piusa, and Ahja rivers in the southern part of the country. Bog walking is widely enjoyed, and bird-watchers frequent ...

Hiiumaa - island of the Muhu archipelago, Estonia. It lies in the Baltic Sea, northwest of the Gulf of Riga. Hiiumaa is the northernmost of the three larger islands forming the archipelago. It is separated from the island of Saaremaa to the south by Soela Strait and from the mainland to the east by Muhu Strait. Hiiumaa is a low-lying island, composed of limestone and marine sedimentaries.

Kaali jarv Craters - group of eight meteorite craters on Saaremaa Island in the Baltic Sea, 12 miles (20 km) northeast of Kingisepp, Estonia. The largest is 333 feet (110 m) in diameter, with a rim 20-23 feet (6-7 m) above the surrounding land. Thought to be an explosion crater because of this high rim and uplifted surrounding strata, it holds a pond about 53 feet (16 m) deep. The other craters are dry and range ...

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