Eksta

Eksta is a populated area, a socken (not to be confused with parish), on the Swedish island of Gotland.^[3] It comprises the same area as the administrative Eksta District, established on 1 January 2016.^[4]

Eksta
Stora Karlsö and Lilla Karlsö in Eksta
Eksta
Coordinates: 57°17′11″N 18°12′23″E
Country	Sweden
Province	Gotland
County	Gotland County
Municipality	Gotland Municipality
Area [1]
• Total	46.21 km2 (17.84 sq mi)
Population  (2014)[2]
• Total	259
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)

Geography

Eksta is situated on the southwest coast of Gotland.^[5] The medieval Eksta Church is located in the socken.^[6] The two islands Stora Karlsö and Lilla Karlsö just off the coast of Gotland are also part of Eksta.^[5][1]

As of 2019^[update], Eksta Church belongs to Eksta parish in Klinte pastorat.^[7][8]

History

The remains of a Pitted Ware culture settlement along with 85 graves from that Middle Neolithic period, have been found at Ajvide in Eksta. The settlement has been excavated and is known as the Ajvide Settlement, (Swedish: Ajvideboplatsen).^[9] Ajvide is also known for its beach meadow, Ajvide strandänge, one of only two on Gotland that are still used for harvesting hay.^[10]