Estonia gained independence on February 24, 1918 after the October Revolution and the collapse of the Russian Empire.
As a result of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, the new state was incorporated into the Soviet Union in June 1940 as the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic.
The island was occupied by Nazi Germany in 1941 (Operation Beowulf); German troops remained there until expelled by the Red Army in the Moonzund Landing Operation in October and November 1944.
The island was occupied by Nazi Germany in 1941 (Operation Beowulf); German troops remained there until expelled by the Red Army in the Moonzund Landing Operation in October and November 1944.
In 1946, Saaremaa was declared a restricted zone closed to foreigners as well as most mainland Estonians.
The first professional competition took place in 1975 and from 1993 the rally has been international. Saaremaa Velotuur is a group race of road cyclists that is oldest in the Nordic countries (held since 1957) and the only international one in the Baltic states. Saaremaa three-day running marathon takes place on the roads around Kuressaare town and Sõrve peninsula.
The first rally was an amateur competition and it took place in 1974.
The first marathon was held in 1974. == Famous residents == Hannibal Sehested (1609–1666), Danish diplomat. Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen (1778–1852), leader of the second expedition to successfully cross the Antarctic Circle. Louis Isadore Kahn (1901–1974), one of the most influential architects of mid-20th century. Paul F.
The first professional competition took place in 1975 and from 1993 the rally has been international. Saaremaa Velotuur is a group race of road cyclists that is oldest in the Nordic countries (held since 1957) and the only international one in the Baltic states. Saaremaa three-day running marathon takes place on the roads around Kuressaare town and Sõrve peninsula.
It remained a restricted area until 1989. Estonia regained independence on August 20, 1991, during the dissolution of the Soviet Union. == Geography == The island forms the main barrier between the Gulf of Riga and the Baltic Sea.
It remained a restricted area until 1989. Estonia regained independence on August 20, 1991, during the dissolution of the Soviet Union. == Geography == The island forms the main barrier between the Gulf of Riga and the Baltic Sea.
The first professional competition took place in 1975 and from 1993 the rally has been international. Saaremaa Velotuur is a group race of road cyclists that is oldest in the Nordic countries (held since 1957) and the only international one in the Baltic states. Saaremaa three-day running marathon takes place on the roads around Kuressaare town and Sõrve peninsula.
The capital of the island is Kuressaare, which in January 2018 had 13,276 inhabitants.
The whole island had a recorded population in January 2020 of 31,435. == Etymology == In old Scandinavian sources, Saaremaa is called Eysysla and in the Icelandic Sagas Eysýsla, meaning "the district (land) of island".
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