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History of Hailuoto


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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. The current island of Hailuoto was formed from 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 for being an important bird refuge where rare bird species are observed.

Thousands of years ago, Scandinavia was covered by a layer of ice two kilometres thick. When the ice melted, it created an amazing environment: the gulf and sand dunes. The influence of the ice age can still be seen: land masses continue rising from the sea about one centimetre per year. The ice was so heavy that it weighed the continental shelf down and thus the Gulf of Bothnia was born. Hailuoto has literally risen from the sea during the past 2000 years. That phenomenon is still going on and one day Hailuoto will be part of the mainland
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