Hailuoto, Finland

 island, municipality

Hailuoto is an island and a municipality in the province of Oulu, Finland. The population of Hailuoto is 1,016 and the municipality covers an area of 200.52 km2 (77.42 sq mi) of which 1.7 km2 (0.66 sq mi) is inland water. The population density is 5.07 /km2 (13.1 /sq mi). Hailuoto is located on an island of the same name opposite the city of Oulu in the Gulf of Bothnia. A ferry operates regularly between Hailuoto and Oulunsalo. In winter an official ice road connects the island to the mainland.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.

www.hailuototourism.fi/sivu/en/matkailu/hailuoto/