Luoto

Definition

A small islet or skerry, usually low and rocky. The Swedish equivalent is skär. Luodot are the bare outer rocks of the archipelago, often used by seabirds and seals, so sensitive ones are closed during nesting. They are rarely shown on road maps, and navigating among them needs a nautical chart because shallow rocks lie just beneath the surface. See also: saari, saaristomeri, and the guide The Finnish Archipelago and Aland: An Island Guide.