Alnön

Alnön is a 75 km ², the Swedish port city of Sundsvall offshore island in the Baltic Sea. It is located in the historic Swedish Medelpad Province and Västernorrland County.

The island covers about 15 km long in north-south direction and is up to 6 km wide. Alnö has around 7850 inhabitants.

Geology

The island originated about 570 million years ago by volcanic activity that lasted at least 30 million years. Calcareous magma was transported to the surface by a series of volcanic eruptions. This led to the formation of various calcareous, some rare rock types, such as the Alnöit which the island takes its name. Other occurring rocks are Alnöitbrekzie, Borengit, barite, Juvit, Nefelinsyenit and Sövit.

In wartime, large amounts of limestone were mined for agriculture. And barite was broken at the same time here. In the 17th and 18th century, attempts were made to reduce iron ore here. Indeed, it is to have found in the local kimberlite small diamonds.

Flora and Fauna

The three nature reserves in the island protect places of special significance for Alnös flora and fauna.

The calcareous soils of the island offer good conditions for a diverse flora with many lime-loving plants. In Starrloken can be found growing wild yellow irises.

Stornäset is one of the most important bird resting places Västernorrlands. A short distance beyond is located on the small island Långharsholmen another resting place for migratory birds.

History

Although some, few finds prove that it has already given Alnö in the Neolithic people, is not certain, since when the island was inhabited in the true sense. In Vindhem in the south of the island cairns were found from the Bronze Age, but there anywhere along the coast of Norrland, and give no evidence of ongoing colonization. However grave hills to the north of the island give reason to believe that it was here in the Iron Age farmsteads.

It was not until the 16th century, there are safe to track population Alnös. Thus, the number of the islanders amounted in 1571 to 300 to 350 people who lived on 45 farms.

In the center of the capital of Vi ( or Wii) is the Sågverksmonumentet, reminiscent of the time the sawmills Alnö 1860-1963. The demand for workers in the timber industry made ​​at this time for an abrupt growth in population.

Population development:

Alnöbrücke

Alnön is connected to the mainland via the the Alnösund spanning Alnöbrücke ( Alnöbron ). The multi-span prestressed concrete cantilever bridge is 1042 meters with one of the longest bridges in Sweden and was completed and inaugurated in 1964. The construction of the 42 m high ( clear height 40 m) and 9.4 m wide road bridge, carried out by Skanska AB, lasted about three and a half years.

Tourism

The south of the island offers beautiful beaches at Bänkåsviken, Tranviken, Slädaviken, Hartungviken and Grönviken. One can also find the typical fishing village Spikarna.

62.417.466666666667Koordinaten: 62 ° 24 ' N, 17 ° 28' O

• Island ( Europe)
• Island ( Sweden)
• Island (Baltic Sea)
• Sundsvall municipality