Norderney

Norderney
Aerial view of Norderney from the west
Flag Coat of arms
Norderney
Location of Norderney within Aurich district
Coordinates: 53°42′26″N 07°08′49″E / 53.70722°N 7.14694°E / 53.70722; 7.14694Coordinates: 53°42′26″N 07°08′49″E / 53.70722°N 7.14694°E / 53.70722; 7.14694
Country	Germany
State	Lower Saxony
District	Aurich
Government
• Mayor	Frank Ulrichs (SPD)
Area
• Total	26.3 km2 (10.2 sq mi)
Population (2015-12-31)
• Total	5,935
• Density	230/km2 (580/sq mi)
Time zone	CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Postal codes	26548
Dialling codes	04932
Vehicle registration	AUR, NOR
Website	www.norderney.de

Norderney (East Frisian Low Saxon: Nördernee) is one of the seven populated East Frisian Islands off the North Sea coast of Germany. It is also a municipality in the district of Aurich in Lower Saxony.

The island is 14 by 2.5 kilometres (8.7 by 1.6 mi), having a total area of about 26.3 square kilometres (10.2 sq mi) and is therefore Germany's tenth-largest island. Norderney's population amounts to about 5,850 people. In 1946 Norderney gained municipal status and belongs to the Aurich "Kreis" (county). On the northern side of the island lies a 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) long sandy beach.

The neighbouring island to the east is Baltrum, which lies about 800m (half a mile) away beyond the Wichter Ee. To the west is the island of Juist, about 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) away on the other side of the Norderneyer Seegatt.

The entire eastern half of Norderney belongs to the Lower Saxon Wadden Sea National Park. Access to the park is restricted, as it is subdivided in zones of different accessibility for the protection of the wildlife. The status as a National Park also affects all kinds of traffic on the island, while especially car traffic is subject to strict regulations.

The mainland is easily reached via ferry operated by AG Reederei Norden-Frisia from the harbour, Norddeich pier near the northern German city of Norden. Norderney also possesses an airport with a 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) runway.

Since 10 July 1928 the coat of arms of the city of Norderney depicts the local landmark, the "Kap," or cape building. A dune and water is shown underneath. Such high structures helped mariners identify the island and orient themselves in earlier times. There are similar buildings on Borkum and Wangerooge. The Norderney cape building was built in 1848 from wood, and was replaced in 1870 with a stone building. At night a fire was lit in the top part of the structure. Today lighthouses have taken over this function. The island painter Poppe Folkerts designed the coat of arms.