Vaindloo

Vaindloo (alternately: Vaindloo saar, Swedish: Stenskär) is a small island located in the Gulf of Finland in the Baltic Sea. It belongs to Estonia, and is the northernmost land point of the country.

For the ship, see EML Vaindlo (M416).
Vaindloo (Stenskär)
View of Vaindloo island from the sea
Vaindloo
Location in the Baltic Sea region
Vaindloo
Location in Estonia
Vaindloo
Location in Europe
Coordinates: 59°48′51″N 26°21′43″E
CountryEstonia
CountyLääne-Viru County
Area
 • Total0.062 km2 (0.024 sq mi)
Population
 • Totalno permanent population

Vaindloo has an area of 6.2 hectares (15 acres) and marks the northernmost point of the nation of Estonia, situated 26 kilometers (16 mi) north of the Estonian mainland.[1] The island is administered by the community of Vihula in Lääne-Viru County and is an important breeding sanctuary for such birds as the common tern, Arctic tern, Tengmalm's owl, great tit, purple sandpiper, shore lark, great grey shrike, yellowhammer and others.[2] The island is depicted on the Estonian two euro coin.[3]

Vaindloo is also notable for its functioning lighthouse, called the Vaindloo tuletorn, it was built in 1871 and is managed by the Estonian Maritime Administration. A previous lighthouse constructed of timber was erected on Vaindloo in 1718.[4] In addition to the lighthouse, there is a station of the Estonian Border Guard with a 50-meter-high (160 ft) observation tower and a radar on the island.

See also

References
  1. Eesti Post. Stamps
  2. BirdLife IBA Factsheet
  3. Images and explanation on Euro Coin Collector website which notes “On the 2 Euro coin two small islands, Vaindloo and Nootamaa, are depicted. These, the most Northerly point and most Westerly point of Estonia are not depicted on the other coins.”
  4. Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society
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