Kihnu

Kihnu is an Estonian island in the Baltic Sea. With an area of 16.4 km2 (6.3 sq mi), it is the largest island in the Gulf of Riga and the seventh largest in the country. With a length of 7 km (4.3 mi) and width of 3.3 km (2.1 mi), its highest point is 8.9 metres (29.2 ft) above sea level. Kihnu belongs to Pärnu County and, together with neighbouring islands, forms Kihnu Parish, one of the smallest municipalities of the country, with an area of 16.8 km2 (6.5 sq mi). There are four villages: Lemsi, Linaküla, Rootsiküla, and Sääre. Kihnu can be reached by plane from Pärnu or by ferry from Manilaid. UNESCO proclaimed Kihnu's cultural space and traditions as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity on 7 November 2003. Kihnu is also called Kihnumua in the local dialect. Names in other languages include Ķīļu in Latvian, Kynö in Standard Swedish, Kin in Estonian Swedish, and historically, Kühnö in German. In Estonian Sign Language, the island is signed by imitating the vertical stripes of a Kihnu skirt. There are various theories on the etymology of the name Kihnu, with no consensus. The earliest recorded version of the name is Kyne, from 1386.