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For 76 years, Heligoland functioned as a quaint British colony. With a local population that barely exceeded 3,000, mainly comprised of ethnic Frisians, the island's economy centered on fishing and tourism. It developed a unique administrative structure with its own governor, flag, and even currency featuring Queen Victoria’s visage.
Over the 19th century, a spa was established which drew European high society, alongside casinos that the colonial office often disapproved of. Despite the cultural and economic progress, the island inhabitants resisted assimilation, preferring to maintain their distinct identity—speaking neither German nor English.