Vormsi
Vormsi is the fourth of the largest islands in Estonian Republic, with an area of 93 km^2. The island is situated off the west coast of Estonia, the three kilometres wide Voosi kurk strait separating it from Noarootsi Peninsula.
Our island is quit young, only 3000 years! Vormsi was settled in XIV century, since that time continuous reshaping of the landscape of the island by man began, what first of all was expressed by the destruction of forests and in ploughing up the land for fields and hayfields instead.
Up to the beginning of the present century a strongly cultivated landscape had been formed here with the population over 2000 people who were mostly Swedes. II World War brought along great changes in the life of the island. The native settlers immigrated to Sweden, the island remained almost empty.
At present 300 people live on the island. Fields and cultural hayfields occupy 10 and forests 50 per cent of the territory of island. There are good facilities for recreation on the island due to its nature. Since 1990 our island belongs to the West-Estonian Biosphere Reservation.
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