Gotska Sandön National Park

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gotska Sandön National Park
Beach on the northwest side
Beach on the northwest side
Gotska Sandön National Park (Sweden)
Paris plan pointer b jms.svg
Coordinates: 58 ° 22 ′ 0 ″  N , 19 ° 15 ′ 0 ″  E
Location: Sweden
Next city: Fårösund , Nynäshamn
Surface: 44.9 km²
Founding: 1909, expanded in 1963 and 1988
i3 i6

The national park is located in the Baltic Sea on the island of Gotska Sandön north of the island of Gotland . 842 hectares of the park are occupied by the sea. The island itself is 40 km north of Fårö , is about 8 km long, 5 km wide and has an area of ​​3,601 hectares. After its establishment, the park was expanded in 1963 and 1988.

nature

The park is characterized by a dune landscape with a pine forest, rich flora and barren sandy beaches. The drifting sand has formed hills along the beach and penetrates the forest in some places. An up to 42 m high and very old dune, Höga åsen , runs across the island and separates its north-western part from the rest of the area. Only about 100 hectares are used as arable or pasture land. There are also some buildings of cultural importance, including a chapel.

There are many endemic animal and plant species on Gotska sandön . Above all, various types of beetles became popular. There is a protected seal colony on the north side of the island , which you are not allowed to approach. It can be observed from a vantage point by a slowly growing fir tree, which is the subject of many paintings and photographs. The seal hunt on the dune used to be an important livelihood for the inhabitants of Gotland , as has been proven by bone finds.

population

For a long time the island was only inhabited temporarily. According to some reports, it was said to have been a haven for pirates and a hunting ground for seals . Today only the lighthouse keepers and the staff of the tourist station live on the island. The tasks of the tourist station include preserving nature and, in summer, guiding groups of visitors.

Gotska Sandön has no port and can only be entered via the beach near the lighthouse. The school building was used until the end of the 20th century and is now a museum.

There are public boat connections from Fårö and Nynäshamn .

photos

Web links

Commons : Gotska Sandön National Park  - Album with pictures, videos and audio files

Remarks