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Hiiumaa literally means "Day Island." The town is considered to be the second largest isle in Estonia. Nestled in the waters of the Baltic Sea, Hiiumaa sprawls to nearly 1,000 square kilometers in area, and is populated by 11,000 inhabitants. It is believed that the island has been formed some 450 million years ago from a meteorite explosion, making it one of the oldest islands in the world.
Blessed with natural beauty, Hiiumaa is characterized by a landscape that varies from point to point. Such landscape is home to a diverse flora and fauna, kilometer-long beaches, and a vista of around 200 picturesque islets dotting the turquoise waters beyond.
A highlight of a visit to Hiiumaa is a chance to go on a nature trek on the entire island. The island's topography is mostly flat, with its highest elevation a mere 70 meters high, making it fairly easy to navigate even for first timers. This, in turn, might not sound as good news to the ears of a true-blue climber, who would most likely seek a more dangerous and forbidding terrain. A trek in Hiiumaa could be rewarding, though, as the serene and secluded journey passes through swaths of pine and spruce forests that are estimated to make up at least 60 percent of the island's total land area.
Hiiumaa is also known for its cultural heritage, most notably for its formidable army of lighthouses. The most known of these is the Tahkuna Lighthouse, which stands 42.7 meters high, making it the tallest in the island. Fashioned out of cast iron, it is said to have been built in 1873. Another famous one is the Lighthouse of Kopu, which is perched on the summit of Tornimagi Hill at an altitude of 68 meters. The stone edifice is considered to be the third constantly active lighthouse on the planet, with a history of service dating back to the 15th century.
Tourists may also head to the impressive Suuremoisa Castle, whose grandiose appearance makes it one of the most beautiful in Estonia. Built by Countess Ebba Margaretha Stenbock, it embellishes a distinctive pure Baroque-Rococo style of architecture, making it be regarded as a national treasure. There is also the Kuriste Church, which stands as the sole orthodox church in Hiiumaa. Erected in 1873, it features displays of religious icons and liturgical textiles whose origins can be traced to the 19th century.
One can also visit Hiiumaa's most popular museum, the Hiiumaa Museum Long House, or as it is simply known, the "Long House." Once the center of the island's cloth-weaving industry, the museum takes pride of its collection of photographs and memorabilia that show the history and the development of the local craft.
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