Hiiumaa

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Hiiumaa (Swedish, German: Dagö) is the second largest island belonging to Estonia. It is located in the Baltic Sea, north of the island of Saaremaa, belonging to the west Estonian archipelago (Moonsund archipelago).

Related Topics:
Swedish - German - Island - Estonia - Baltic Sea - Saaremaa - Archipelago

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Hiiumaa is the main island of Hiiu County, called Hiiumaa or Hiiu maakond in Estonian. The Swedish and German name of the island is Dagö (day island). In Finnish it's called Hiidenmaa, literally devil's land.

Related Topics:
Hiiu County - Estonian - Swedish - German - Finnish

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Archaelogical evidence of first human settlement in Hiiumaa dates to as early as the 4th century BC. The first documented record of the island of Dageida was made by contemporary chroniclers in 1228, at the time when Hiiumaa, along with the rest of Estonia, had been conquered by Germanic crusaders. In 1254, Hiiumaa was divided between the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek and the Livonian branch of the Teutonic Order (who were also partly acting on behalf of the Hanseatic League). The island was held by Sweden (1563-1710). Most of the island's previously numerous Swedish-speaking population emigrated or "Estonianised" during the following period of Imperial Russian rule which lasted from 1710 until World War I. Since 1918 Hiiumaa has been a part of independent Estonia.

Related Topics:
4th century - 1228 - Germanic crusaders - 1254 - Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek - Livonian branch - Teutonic Order - Hanseatic League - Sweden - 1563 - 1710 - Swedish-speaking population emigrated - Russia - World War I - 1918

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