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Heligoland (in German, Helgoland
and in North Frisian, Lun,
Hålilönj) is a small, German, triangular-shaped island approximately
2 km long, though a smaller island east of it is usually also included. The islands (population 1,650) are located in the
Heligoland Bight or German Bight in the south-east corner of the North Sea, approximately two hours' sailing time from the mouth of the river Elbe.
Geography
Heligoland is located 70 km from the German coast line, and actually consists of two
islands: The populated 1.0 km² main island (Hauptinsel) to the west and the Düne to the east, which is somewhat
smaller at 0.7 km², as well as lower, and surrounded by sand beaches. They were connected until 1720, when the natural connection was destroyed by a storm flood. The highest point is on the main island, reaching 61
meters from sea level. The two islands
are part of the district Pinneberg of the German state
of Schleswig-Holstein. The main island has a good harbour and
is frequented mostly by sailing yachts.
History
In 697 AD, Radbod, the last Frisian king, retreated to the then single island after his
defeat by the Franks. By 1231 the island is listed as the property of the Danish king
Valdemar II. From then until 1714 ownership switched several times between Denmark and the Duchy
of Schleswig, with one period of control by the Hanseatic City of Hamburg. From 1714 the island was Danish until
seized by the British in 1807
during the Napoleonic wars.
Britain gave up the islands to Germany in 1890, and gave up their interests in Madagascar to the French,
in return for those countries quitting their claims to the island of Zanzibar in
Africa (currently in Tanzania), largely
so the British could intervene there to suppress the slave trade. A "grandfathering"/optant approach prevented the Heligolanders
(as they were named in the British measures) from forfeiting advantages because of this imposed change of status.
Under the German Empire, the islands became a major naval base, and
during the First World War the civil population was evacuated to the
mainland. The first naval engagement of the war, the Battle of Heligoland Bight was fought nearby in the first month of the war. The islanders
returned in 1918, but during the Nazi era the naval
base was reactivated. During the Second World War the islanders
remained on the main island, but on 18 April 1945 over a thousand allied bombers attacked the islands leaving nothing standing. The civil population was protected
in rock shelters, most of the 128 people killed being anti-aircraft crews. The islands were evacuated the following night.
From 1945 to 1952 the uninhabited islands were
used as a bombing range. On 18 April 1947,
the Royal Navy detonated 6800 tons of explosives in a concerted attempt to
destroy the main island. While the military installations were destroyed, most of the island remained. In 1952 the islands were restored to the German authorities, who had to make a huge amount of munitions safe,
landscape the main island, and rebuild the houses before it could be reinhabited.
It is now a holiday resort once again and enjoys a tax free status, so much of the economy
is founded on sales of cigarettes, alcoholic beverages and perfumes to tourist that visit the islands. The islands are also outside the Schengen area. Its inhabitants are ethnic Friesians who speak
(besides German) a distinctive Heligoland variety of the North Frisian
language(s).
Philately
While a British possession according to the Scott Stamp Catalogue about 20 postage
stamps were issued; a few stamps were printed but never issued. Philatelists
consider authentic used stamps more
valuable then mint stamps, but
forged
postal cancellations are plentiful. There are many varieties and a large volume of reprints. The stamps
were printed in Germany with inscriptions in German but most bear a
portrait of Queen Victoria. Mint stamps
of Heligoland are moderately priced with no great rarities. Because of the many forged cancellations and many reprints collectors of Heligoland stamps are
advised to either become expert or rely upon specialists in the area; much of the philatelic literature is in German. See http://www.qn.net/~fjw/helgoland/helgoland_stamps_intro.html
Bird trap
Heligoland gave its name to the Heligoland trap, used in bird ringing.
External link
Helgoland - Tourist board
(in German)
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