- Saaremaa
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/sahr"euh mah'/, n.an island in the Baltic, at the mouth of the Gulf of Riga, belonging to Estonia. 1048 sq. mi. (2714 sq. km).
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or SaremaIsland, 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.* * *
also called Saare German and Swedish Ösel , Russian Saremalargest of the islands in the Muhu archipelago that divides the Baltic Sea from the Gulf of Riga (Riga, Gulf of). 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, used mainly as natural pasture. The northern and western parts of the island have numerous low hills and ridges, while the eastern and southern regions are lower and more fertile. The island was occupied in 1227 by the Brothers of the Sword, who founded a bishopric there. It came under Danish (1559), Swedish (1645), and Russian (1721) rule before becoming part of Estonia in 1918. On the south coast is the main city, Kuressaare (Kingisepp). Saaremaa is connected by causeway to the neighbouring island of Muhu. Economic activities include agriculture, livestock rearing, and fishing. Area island, 1,032 square miles (2,674 square km); county, 1,128 square miles (2,922 square km). Pop. (2000 est.) county, 36,000.* * *
Universalium. 2010.
