Vaindloo

Vaindloo (alternately: Vaindloo saar) is a small island located in the Gulf of Finland in the Baltic Sea, belonging to the country of Estonia. Its coordinates are coord|59|48|51|N|26|21|43|E|. [ [http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/sites/index.html?action=SitHTMDetails.asp&sid=18560&m=0 Birdlife IBA Factsheet] ]

Vaindloo has an area of 6.2 hectares and marks the northernmost point of the nation of Estonia, situated sixteen miles north of the Estonian mainland. [ [http://www.post.ee/?id=1946&prod_id=640 Eesti Post. Stamps] ] 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. [ [http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/sites/index.html?action=SitHTMDetails.asp&sid=18560&m=0 BirdLife IBA Factsheet] ]

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. [ [http://wlol.arlhs.com/lighthouse/EST57.html Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society] ] In addition to the lighthouse, there is a station of the Estonian Border Guard with a 50 meter-high observation tower and a radar on the island.

References

ee also

List of islands of Estonia

External links

* [http://www.vironlintuseura.fi/kuvia_vaindloosta.shtml Images of Vaindloo]
* [http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2808942750055282214AjZUSV Webshots. View of Vaindloo]
* [http://www.tageo.com/index-e-en-v-08-d-m3622588.htm Tageo.com. Satellite view of Vaindloo]
* [http://www.lighthousedepot.com/lite_explorer.asp?action=display_details&LighthouseID=3840 Lighthouse Depot: Vaindloo Lighthouse]
* [http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2167132440055282214cgRnTk The Vaindloo Lighthouse]