island off the North Sea coast of Germany. It is one of the East Frisian Islands and part of Lower Saxony Land (state). The island is 8 miles (13 km) long and up to 1.25 miles (2 km) wide, with dunes rising to 68 feet (21 metres). It is part of Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park. The northern coast is exposed to the sea, but the more sheltered water of the Wadden Sea (Watenmeer; shoals produced by tidal water that floods wide mudflats) lies to the south between the island and the mainland. Most of the population lives in Norderney, a small fishing port and the oldest German seaside resort (1797), which was formerly frequented by fashionable international society and is noted for its fine beach and mild climate. There are ferry connections to Norden on the mainland. Pop. (1999 est.) town, 6,095.