The territory of Helgoland (sometimes spelled Heligoland in English) includes a pair of small islands (Hauptinsel Helgoland and Düne) in the North Sea about 50 km (30 mi) west of St. Peter, a similar distance north of Wangerooge, and 70 km (45 mi) northwest of Cuxhaven. Controlled at various times by the Duchy of Schleswig or by Hamburg, the islands were seized by Denmark in 1714 and then by Britain in 1807. The British remained in control until 1890, when they ceded Helgoland to Germany in return for a favorable settlement of colonial claims in Africa. Helgoland has a permanent population of about 1700. It is a popular tourist attraction accessible by ferry from Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Wedel, and Cuxhaven daily from late March through late October. For administrative purposes, Helgoland is attached to Pinneberg District, a district on the north side of the Elbe just below Hamburg. Apart from its enormous power, the Heligoland lighthouse is noteworthy for the fact that a return has been made to the old form of parabolic mirror, with a light in the focus [like the ancient Pharos lighthouse used], instead of the usual Fresnel lenses and prisms. Stan on one of his frequent travels came across this lighthouse on its 75th anniversary and sent me this nice card.
