Norderney

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This article is about the island. For other uses see Norderney (disambiguation).

Norderney


Country	Germany
State	Lower Saxony
District	Aurich
Population	6,200 (2005)
Area	26.3 km²
Population density	232 /km²
Elevation	0 m
Coordinates	53°42′ N 07°09′ E
Postal code	26548
Area code	04932
Licence plate code	AUR
Mayor	Klaus-Rüdiger Aldegarmann
Website	norderney.de

Norderney as seen from space

Norderney is one of the seven populated East Frisian Islands off the North Sea coast of Germany. It is part of the state of Lower Saxony. The island is 14 km long and about 2.5 km wide, having a total area of about 26.3 km² and is therefore Germany's tenth largest island. Norderney's population amounts to about 6200 people. In 1946 Norderney gained municipal status and belongs to the Aurich "Kreis," or circle. On the northern side of the island lies a 14 km long sandy beach.

The neighboring island to the east is Baltrum, which lies about 800m away. To the west is the island of Juist, about 3km away.

The entire eastern half of Norderney belongs to the Niedersächsisches Wattenmeer National Park. In the park footpaths are not allowed, in order to prevent destruction of plants and animals.

The mainland is easily reached via ferry operated by AG Reederei Nordern-Frisia from the harbor, Norddeich pier near the northern German city of Norden. Norderney also possesses an airport with a 1000 meter long runway.

1 Coat of Arms and Flag
2 History
3 Cultural references
4 Trivia

[edit] Coat of Arms and Flag

The silver coat of arms of the city of Norderney pictures the landmark of Norderney, the "cape building." A dune and water is shown underneath. Such high structures helped mariners identify the island and orient themselves in earlier times. There are similar buildings on Borkum and Wangerooge. The Norderney cape building was built in 1848 from wood, and was replaced in 1870 with a stone building. At night a fire was lit in the top part of the structure. Today lighthouses have taken over this function.

Since July 10, 1928, the "Kap," or cape building has been the coat of arms of Norderney. The island painter Poppe Folkerts designed the coat of arms.

Norderney is one of the smallest German communities to fly its own flag. The small city flag has horizontal blue and white stripes and a black and white checkered area on the left site. The blue color stands for the sea, white symbolizes the color of the sand, and black stands for the Norderney sea sign.

[edit] History

Of the seven East Frisian islands, Norderney is the youngest. The island has only existed in its present form since the middle of the 16th century, being the eastern reminant of the larger island Buise. The larger island of Buise was split into two parts during the Grote Mandrenke flood of 1362, the eastern half at first being called Ostrende. What was left of Buise shrunk in size over the years and finally disappeared into the North Sea during the Petri flood of 1651. Ostrende, on the other hand, grew in size, and is noted in a 1550 census as "Norder neys Oog" (Northern new island), and having a church and 18 houses. The inhabitants at this time worked principally as fishermen. In the second half of the 18th century the sea trade industry grew in importance. Next to fishing, tourism became important to the island economy. In 1797, Norderney became the first German resort on the north sea.

Noderney Timeline

12-1300s - There are no sources at hand concerning the first settlements on Norderney, but most believe that people had established the first durable settlements during the 13th and 14th century. A town developed in the western part of the island, protected by high dunes.
1398 - First documented mention of the island.
1650 - The island is about 8.3km long and the town has about 18 houses and 101 inhabitants.
1717 - Severe storm flood. (Christmas Flood)
1744 to 1806 - East Frisia and its islands belong to Prussia.
1797 - Founding of a sea resort on the island. Meeting and bath houses were built. The resort offered bathing machines for men and women. Islanders boarded guests in their houses.
1799 - One of the first wooden, straw covered resort houses was built.
1800 - Official opening of the resort with 250 guests.
1806 - Napoleon defeats Prussia. East Frisia becomes part of the Kingdom of Holland. The resort operation comes to a standstill.
1811 - Reopening of the resort with 618 guests.
1819 - "Royal Institute of Seabathing."
1830 - Shellfish harvesting becomes the most important activity of the islanders.
1836 - Crown Prince Georg of Hannover, Herzog von Cumberland, visits Norderney for the first time and from 1851 on held court during the summer months on the island. During this time the resort gained a strong following of the rich and famous.
1858 - 950 meter long deck with Promenade is built.
1862 - Building of the island's Windmill.
1866 - Prussia annexes the Kingdom of Hannover. Norderney becomes again a royal prussian sea bathing establishment.
1899 - The island has 4018 inhabitants and 26,000 resort guests. Norderney features a number of improvements, including a hospital, central school building, a water system, electricity for the promenade, a horse place, gas works, a pier.
1901 - Establishment of the angelfish catching operation.
1914 - Resort operations were ceased due to the Great War.
1919 - Resort opens again, but with only 14000 guests.
1921 - The city of Norderney and the northern German Lloyd rent the resort.
1925 - 5564 inhabitants and 38140 guests. Beginning of regular flights to the island via Lufthansa.