Rügen

Rügen, island, north-eastern Germany, north-east of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, the largest German island in the Baltic Sea. Irregular in shape, it is 51 km (32 mi) long and the width varies from 23 to 45 km (14 to 28 mi), giving it an area of 928 sq km (358 sq mi). The coast is low on the west, where the encroachment of the sea has created Jasmund Lake. On the eastern shore chalk cliffs rise to 122 m (400 ft); the highest point on the island is Piekberg (162 m) 530 ft. Rügen is linked to Stralsund on the mainland by a road and rail bridge 2.5 km (1.5 mi) long. Agriculture and fisheries provide the principal occupations, and Rügen has many seaside resorts. Bergen is the largest town, and Sassnitz is the chief port. The population (1993 estimate) 83,200.