Hailuoto
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Hailuoto (Karlö in Swedish) is an island and a municipality in the province of Oulu, Finland. The population of Hailuoto is 986 (2004-12-31) and the municipality covers an area of 196.56 km² (excluding sea areas) of which 2.64 km² is inland water (2004-12-31). The population density is 5.0 inhabitants per km² (2004-12-31).
Hailuoto is located on an island of the same name opposite the city of Oulu in the Gulf of Bothnia. A ferry operates regularly between Hailuoto and Oulunsalo. In winter an official ice road connects the island to the mainland.
Land in the region is constantly rising due to post-glacial rebound. It is estimated that the first parts of Hailuoto appeared from the Baltic Sea about 1700 years ago. Current island of Hailuoto was formed from the merge of many smaller islands. Two large sections, Santonen and Hanhinen merged into the main island (Luoto) only about two centuries ago. The island is continuously expanding and eventually it will join with the continent. Kirkkosalmi, a wetland region between Hanhinen and Luoto is renowned being a very important bird refuge where plenty of rare bird species are observed.
[edit] External links
- Municipality of Hailuoto
- (Finnish) Ferry timetables
- Bothnian Bay Research Station of the University of Oulu
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