The island is located east of Terschelling. With the ferry it is accessible from the Frisian Holwerd. The land area is approximately 57 km2 (27 km long and up to 4 km wide) and is home to approximately 3,600 people in four villages (Nes, Ballum, Buren and Hollum). It's just like the other Wadden islands one municipality. The main revenues are from tourism, but there is also agriculture. Like other islands it is first formed during the last ice age, but the first people went there only to live in the 9th century AD, at least as far as known. Initially it were convent residents, but later the island was 'discovered' in the later Middle Ages by counts of Holland. Despite that the island stayed long neutral and independent. Only in 1798 the island was annexed by the Batavian empire. While it is now part of the province of Friesland, the island still try as much as possible to remain independent.

Strategically located island not favourable, that's why there were never real occupation forces. During World War II Germans were there, but that was more because the Netherlands had to be occupied totaly. They do have built a bunker, which is now a museum.

The island was in the 17th and 18th centuries a dropout bases for Whaling, but that ended in 1777 when many islanders were trapped in the Arctic ice. On the island are still some tombs that recall those times. There are also still find plenty commandeur- and captain houses.

Also beachcombing gave the building material for houses. It was mainly to wood from shipwrecks, which washed ashore. Also Terschelling beachcombers came to steal wood here, but it was suppressed by the Ameland Schalken literally. With wood they had stolen again on Terschelling, they built gallows between Ballum and Hollum, where three Terschelling beachcombers were hanged. At Hollum there is statue that remerbers this incident. Also in the agricultural and beachcomber museum 'Swartwoude' there is a display of the beachcombers past.

The only lighthouse (Bornrif) on the island stands in Hollum. The red and white tower is 59 meters high and was built in 1880 by order of King William III. The tower can be visited, but who wants to go to the top, will have to subdue first 236 steps. It is an unmanned tower, but is still used. The lamp is particularly strong with 4.4 million candle units. Incidentally, the lighthouse is covered with a new image due to the Kunstmaand November .

There are quite some horses also at island. They were formerly used for agriculture and for rescue work at sea (pulling the lifeboats). Today the horses are there primarily for recreational use. Once a month there is a demonstration of pulling a lifeboat.

The island is rich in nature. There is also a nature museum. Who wants to traverse nature in a sportive way, can participate in various sports activities (in Dutch)

The only port is located in Nes, on the south side of the island. The ferry is also there. Cycling is the best way to discover the island. There is approximately 100 kilometers of bike paths. There is also a small airport, but that is intended mainly for sport planes for parachuting and rescue helicopter.

First published: 30 October 2016
Last update: 30 October 2016
© A. Heeroma