Als ( , ) is a Danish island in the Baltic Sea. It lies east of the Jutland peninsula of Denmark at the town of Sønderborg, and north of the German coast at Schleswig. The island covers an area of 321 km² (124 sq. miles), and has a total population of ca. 60,000. It encompasses the municipality Sønderborg as per January 1, 2007.

To the north and east of the island are the waters of the Little Belt, to the south is Flensborg Fjord, and to the west is Als Fjord and Als Strait (Alssund).

The town of Sønderborg is the capital, and resides on both the island and the mainland, being split in half by the waters of Als Strait (Alssund), part of Als Fjord, the strait that separates the island from Jutland, the Danish mainland. It has a good harbour, considerable trade, and the two halves of the city are connected over the fjord by two bridges: the 682 meter long Als Strait Bridge (Alssundbro), built in 1978 to 1981, carries automobile traffic; and the 331 meter long King Christian X's Bridge (Kong Christian Xs Bro), built in 1925 to 1930, carries both automobile and railroad traffic.

Ferry service connects the island from the town of Hardeshøj to Ballebro on the Jutland mainsland, from the town of Mommark to Søby on the island of Ærø, and from the town of Fynshav to Bøjden on the island of Funen.

Als is a fertile island with a thriving pig breeding industry. The island was formerly known for its fruit orchards, some of which are still in operation.

The west coast of the island has many bays and coves: Stegsvig, Sandvig, Ketting Nor, Lille Hav, Augstenborg Fjord, Kær Vig, Hørup Hav, and Dyvig. On the east coast along the Little Belt lies the 7 km² Northern Forest (Nørreskov), and Lake Nordborg (Nordborg Sø).

Nordborg municipality is the home to a number of larger businesses including Danfoss, Denmark's largest industrial company, Sauer-Danfoss and Linak, one of Denmark's fastest growing companies.

History

There are many archeological finds that show the island has been inhabited from the late Stone Age. From the Bronze Age comes the Hjortspring Boat (Hjortspringbåden).

During the Middle Ages the island come under the influence of a number of noblemen, each of which ruled over their portion of the island, and its citizens. King Christian III's son, Duke John, came in possession of the island as a Duchy, and he bought the other noblemen out. The island was again divided into several smaller Duchies later on, but this venture failed eventually.



The town of Augustenborg grew up around Augustenborg Palace which was established in the years after 1651 by Ernst Günther, a member of the ducal House of Schleswig-Holstein (its branch of Sønderborg), great-grandson of King Christian III, and a cadet of the royal house of Denmark. The palace, and the town consequently, received the name in honor of Ernest's wife Auguste, who was also from a branch of the Dukes of Schleswig-Holstein.

The palace became the chief seat of their line which used the name Augustenborg as its branch name. Later a Danish king made the head of that line specifically Duke of Augustenborg. They grew in relative prominence in late 18th century, and the Duke of Augustenborg became the dominating person on the island.

The Duchy was overtaken by the Danish Crown after the last Duke of Augustenborg to live at the palace, Christian August II, had sided with the Schleswig-Holstein pro-German nationalistic movement against Denmark. He left on March 18, 1848.

That same year during the First War of Schleswig (1848-1851), the Danes directed their main attack against Fieldmarshal Friedrich Graf von Wrangel's Austro-Prussian army from the lighthouse on the peninsula of Kegnæs at the southwest end of Als.

For events in 1864, see Battle of Als.

In 1870 Als was fortified by Prussia.

Under the two wars over which nation would rule the island, and the following period under Prussian and German rule, the island's population was largely Danish. In 1920 Als returned to Danish rule following a referendum.

After 1920 Als has been marked by growing industry, especially after 1945 when Danfoss grew into an international corporation.

The Augustenburg line died out in the 20th century.

Attractions

Augustenborg Palace

Augustenborg Palace is now converted into a hospital. There is an exhibit about the castle, the town and its ducal history in the building's entryway. The castle church is open to the public in the summertime. There are periodic tours given.

The town of Sønderborg

The town of Sønderborg is home to Sønderborg Castle (Sønderborg Slot) and Sandbjerg Estate (Sandbjerg Gods). Sønderborg castle is located in the centre of the town, and houses a museum focusing on the history and culture of the area. The museum is open year round. Sandbjerg Estate, which had belonged for many years to the Dukes of Sønderborg, and then to the Reventlow family, was donated to Aarhus University in 1954.

See also

• List of islands of Denmark
• Schleswig-Holstein Question

References