Witsum

Witsum (Danish: Vitsum, North Frisian: Wiisem) is a municipality on the island of Föhr, in the district of Nordfriesland, in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.

Witsum
Location of Witsum within Nordfriesland district
Witsum
Witsum
Coordinates: 54°41′11″N 8°26′7″E
CountryGermany
StateSchleswig-Holstein
DistrictNordfriesland
Municipal assoc.Föhr-Amrum
Government
 • MayorCornelius Daniels
Area
 • Total1.59 km2 (0.61 sq mi)
Elevation
8 m (26 ft)
Population
 (2018-12-31)[1]
 • Total46
 • Density29/km2 (75/sq mi)
Time zoneCET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Postal codes
25938
Dialling codes04683
Vehicle registrationNF
Websitewww.witsum-auf-foehr.de

Geography

Witsum is the smallest village on Föhr. From here one can see the Halligen and Amrum. Many seabirds (migratory birds among them) use the stream Godel, the only "river" on Föhr, to hatch.

The hamlet is situated on a geestland edge; there is no sea dike.

A hill called Sylvert is located West of Witsum. There is a saying in the area that translates to: "What Mount Everest is for the world, the Sylvert is to our beloved island."

History

Witsum was first recorded in 1509. As a part of Westerland Föhr, it belonged to the Royal Enclaves of Denmark and thus was a direct part of the Danish crown while Osterland Föhr belonged to the duchy of Schleswig. Only when Denmark lost Schleswig to Prussia in the Second Schleswig War, Witsum became a part of Schleswig-Holstein.

Witsum and the neighbouring village of Utersum were the only municipalities in the second zone of the Schleswig Plebiscites to vote for Denmark in 1920; yet because they were not directly situated at the border, the two of them remained with Germany.

Politics

With less than 70 inhabitants, Witsum has, according to article 54 of the Schleswig-Holstein Gemeindeordnung, a town meeting instead of a council. All elective inhabitants may attend the meeting.

Traffic

The State Road that connects Wyk auf Föhr with Utersum runs through Witsum. Moreover a regular bus line serves the village.

Economy

Tourism is the major source of income for Witsum.

  • Witsum beach with neighbouring island Amrum at the horizon
  • River Godel near Witsum (viewing direction south-east)
  • River Godel near Witsum (viewing direction north-west)
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References
  1. "Statistikamt Nord – Bevölkerung der Gemeinden in Schleswig-Holstein 4. Quartal 2018 (XLS-file)". Statistisches Amt für Hamburg und Schleswig-Holstein (in German).
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