Stråholmen

Stråholmen is an island in Kragerø Municipality in Vestfold og Telemark county, Norway. The 56-hectare (140-acre) island lies off the mainland coast approximately 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) to the northeast of the island of Jomfruland. Stråholmen is about 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) long and 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) wide at the widest. Stråholmen faces the Skagerrak seas to the east and provides shelter for the inner coastline. The name is Norwegian and literally translates to "The Islet of Straws".

Stråholmen
The island of Stråholmen is off the coast of Kragerø
Stråholmen is located in Telemark
Stråholmen
Stråholmen
Location of the island
Stråholmen is located in Norway
Stråholmen
Stråholmen
Stråholmen (Norway)
Geography
LocationKragerø, Norway
Coordinates58.89871°N 9.64342°E / 58.89871; 9.64342
ArchipelagoKragerø
Area56 ha (140 acres)
Length1.5 km (0.93 mi)
Width1 km (0.6 mi)
Coastline5.7 km (3.54 mi)
Administration
Norway
CountyVestfold og Telemark
MunicipalityKragerø Municipality

History and settlement

At the center of the island lies a small settlement which today consists of cottages a vacation homes, populated mainly through the summer. The settlement on Stråholmen was originally created by the sailing ship piloting industry of the southern Telemark area, as the location is great for spotting ships arriving from the sea. By the late 1900s, the settlement has lost its economic function except for some sparse agricultural activity. The remainders of the settlement is considered an important part of the cultural inheritance of the shipping industry era of the southern Telemark district.[1]

Facilities and nature

On the north side lies a sheltered dock and beach, frequently utilized as a recreation area for the local population and tourists. The dock is accessible by water taxi from nearby Kragerø, Valle (in Bamble) or Langesund, or by private vessel. The central settlement is reachable from the dock by a dirt path.

Stråholmen features several plants and tree types which are quite uncommon in the nearby islands and mainland. These plants and trees were probably imported through seeds in ballast dirt during the shipping era. The island is great for hiking and the surrounding shores are considered good for sports fishing.

The bird life is rich, especially during the migration seasons. Ducks, geese, and wading birds are especially abundant. Part of the island and the surrounding seas are part of Jomfruland National Park.

See also

References

  1. "Historie" (in Norwegian). Stråholmen sommer'ø. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 10 September 2023.



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