Lolland (Danish:[ˈlʌˌlænˀ]ⓘ; formerly spelledLaaland, literally "low land") is thefourth largestisland ofDenmark, with an area of 1,243 km2 (480 sq mi). Located in theKattegat, Belts and Sund area, it is part ofRegion Sjælland (Region Zealand). As of 1 January 2022, it has 57,618 inhabitants.[1] Lolland is closely connected to the island ofFalster to its east. The locality ofSundby forms a cross-island urban area withNykøbing Falster, the largest conurbation partially on Lolland. The most populated settlement on Lolland proper isNakskov.
Lolland is also known as the "pancake island" because of its flatness: the highest point of the entire island is 25 m (82 ft) above sea level, just outside the village ofHorslunde. The island has been an important communication highway, among others forNazi Germany duringWorld War II. Historically,sugar beet has been grown in Lolland. Sugar is still a major industry, visible from the large number of sugar beet fields.
Since January 1, 2007, Lolland has been administered by two municipalities,Lolland covering the western two thirds, andGuldborgsund uniting the eastern third with the neighbouring island Falster.
Route E47 from Copenhagen crosses theGuldborgsund strait between Lolland and Falster via a modern tunnel, but the motorway currently terminates atRødbyhavn where a ferry carries vehicles to Fehmarn. Trains formerly used this ferry as well as part of theVogelfluglinie. During construction of theFehmarn Belt Fixed Link however, they currently take the longer way to the mainland via theGreat Belt Bridge, thenFunen andJutland.
The governments of Denmark and Germany plan to connect Lolland with Fehmarn by a future immersed tunnel, theFehmarn Belt Fixed Link.
Two older bridges also span the strait between Lolland and Falster, theFrederick IX Bridge andGuldborgsund Bridge at the northern end of the strait. Frederick IX bridge is the railway bridge to Falster.
