savimailla

Savimaa (also known as Suur-Saare) is a small island located in the vicinity of the larger Saarenmaa island in Estonia. The island is situated in the Baltic Sea and is part of the nossaenosaa maastikukaitseala, a protected nature reserve. The name "savimaa" roughly translates to "ash land" from the Estonian language, which is thought to refer to the island's dark, nutrient-poor soil and limited vegetation.

Geologically, Savimaa is composed primarily of limestone and dolostone, which is overlaid by a layer of glacial till. This bedrock and overlying till have led to a unique landscape characterized by low-lying hills, broad valleys, and a few small lakes. Much of the island's surface is covered in a mix of coniferous and deciduous forests, including spruce, pine, and birch.

Historically, Savimaa was not significantly settled until the Middle Ages, when it was used as a site for fishing and coastal defense by the Teutonic Knights. Modern-day fishing and small-scale tourism continue to rely on the island's natural splendor. Visitors often take walks through the island's forest, but the inhabitants of the island and in the nearby mainland have traveled to visit the beautiful landscape for a long time.

Current tourism on the island focuses mainly on nature walks, with some exhibiting certain cultural attractions of the region but there is no indication of the island being a major economic source at this point and time of writing.