Strand, North Sea island in Nordfriesland, Germany and Denmark
Strand was a large North Sea island between present-day Germany and Denmark that once spread across a vast area. The land remains partially intact today, with Nordstrand and Pellworm as the main surviving sections.
The island was divided into multiple sections by the catastrophic Burchardi flood of 1634, losing large areas. This flooding permanently reshaped the landscape and separated what had been connected settlements.
Residents built their homes on artificial mounds to protect against water. These elevated dwelling structures remain visible today and show how communities adapted to living with constant flood risk.
The remaining sections can be reached via causeways and road connections to the mainland. Visiting is straightforward since the areas are accessible by regular roads without special equipment needed.
Two brothers left the island after the flood and emigrated to New York, where their family later adopted the surname 'van Nostrand'. This Dutch name remains common in America today and connects a family directly to this submerged island world.
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