​HELIGOLAND (Ger.Helgoland), an island of Germany, in theNorth Sea, lying off the mouths of the Elbe and the Weser, 28 m.from the nearest point in the mainland. Pop. (1900) 2307.From 1807 to 1890 a British possession, it was ceded in 1890 toGermany, and since 1892 has formed part of the Prussianprovince of Schleswig-Holstein. It consists of two islets, thesmaller, the Dünen-Insel, a quarter of a mile E. of the main, orRock Island, connected until 1720, when it was severed by aviolent irruption of the sea, with the other by a neck of land, andthe main, or Rock Island. The latter is nearly triangular inshape and is surrounded by steep red cliffs, the only beach beingthe sandy spit near the south-east point, where the landing-stageis situated. The rocks composing the cliffs are worn into caves,and around the island are many fantastic arches and columns.The impression made by the red cliffs, fringed by a white beachand supporting the green Oberland, is commonly believed to havesuggested the national colours, red, white and green, or, as theold Frisian rhymegoes:—

The lower town of Unterland, on the spit, and the upper town,or Oberland, situated on the cliff above, are connected by awooden stair and a lift. There is a powerful lighthouse, and sinceits cession by Great Britain to Germany, the main island has beenstrongly fortified, the old English batteries being replaced byarmoured turrets mounting guns of heavy calibre. Inside theDünen-Insel the largest ships can ride safely at anchor, and takein coal and other supplies. The greatest length of the mainisland, which slopes somewhat from west to east, is just a mile,and the greatest breadth less than a third of a mile, its averageheight 198 ft., and the highest point, crowned by the church, witha conspicuous spire, 216 ft. The Dünen-Insel is a sand-bankprotected by groines. It is only about 200 ft. above the sea at itshighest point, but the drifting sands make the height rathervariable. The sea-bathing establishment is situated here; ashelving beach of white sand presenting excellent facilities forbathing. Most of the houses are built of brick, but some are ofwood. There are a theatre, a Kurhaus, and a number of hotelsand restaurants. In 1892 a biological institute, with a marinemuseum and aquarium (1900) attached, was opened.

During the summer some 20,000 people visit the island forsea-bathing. German is the official language, though amongthemselves the natives speak a dialect of Frisian, barely intelligibleto the other islands of the group. There is regularcommunication with Bremen and Hamburg.

The winters are stormy. May and the early part of June arewet and foggy, so that few visitors arrive before the middle ofthe latter month.

​The generally accepted derivation of Heligoland (or Helgoland)fromHeiligeland,i.e. “Holy Land,” seems doubtful. Accordingto northern mythology, Forseti, a son of Balder and Nanna,the god of justice, had a temple on the island, which was subsequentlydestroyed by St Ludger. This legend may have givenrise to the derivation “Holy Land.” The more probableetymology, however, is that of Hallaglun, or Halligland,i.e.“land of banks, which cover and uncover.” Here Hertha,according to tradition, had her great temple, and hither camefrom the mainland the Angles to worship at her shrine. Herealso lived King Radbod, a pagan, and on this isle St Willibrordin the 7th century first preached Christianity; and for its ownership,before and after that date, many sea-rovers have fought.Finally it became a fief of the dukes of Schleswig-Holstein,though often hypothecated for loans advanced to these princesby the free city of Hamburg. The island was a Danish possessionin 1807, when the English seized and held it until it was formallyceded to them in 1814. In the picturesque old church there arestill traces of a painted Dannebrog.

In 1890 the island was ceded to Germany, and in 1892 it wasincorporated with Prussia, when it was provided that nativesborn before the year 1880 should be allowed to elect either forBritish or German nationality, and until 1901 no additionalimport duties were imposed.