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Heligoland (Schleswig-Holstein, Germany)

Helgoland

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by Jorge Candeias

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Introduction

Heligoland is an island in the North Sea, strategically placed vis-a-vis the mouths of the Weser, Elbe and Kiel Canal. Heligoland, previously part of Schleswig, was ceded by the Danes to Britain in 1814 as part of the post-Napoleonic settlements. In 1890, as a result of the Zanzibar Treaty, it was ceded to Germany in exchange for commercial rights in Zanzibar and annexed to Schleswig-Holstein (at that time part of Prussia).

Roy Stilling, 15 December 1995 and
Norman Martin, 30 May 1998

Heligoland is a small (1 sq km, pop. 1,650) island, with 61-meter-high cliffs, lying 70 km from the German mainland, formerly a strategic stronghold in the North Sea. A map of the island can be seen at the Heligoland official website (German text only). Heligoland is spelt Helgoland in German and formerly Heyligeland, i.e. "holy land". According to legend, on the island once stood a temple built for the Germanic god Fosite, w