Lofoten
From Freepedia
Lofoten is an archipelago of islands at the 67th and 68th degree parallels inside the arctic circle, off the Northwest coast of Norway in the Northern Norway region. The municipalities of Vågan, Vestvågøy, Flakstad, Moskenes, Værøy, and Røst. The principal islands, running from north to south, are
- Austvågøy (526.7 km² 68°20′ N 14°40′ E),
- Gimsøya (46.4 km² 67°18′ N 14°11′ E),
- Vestvågøy (411.1 km² 68°10′ N 13°45′ E),
- Flakstadøya (109.8 km² 68°5′ N 13°20′ E),
- Moskenesøya (185.9 km² 67°55′ N 13°0′ E),
whilst further to the south are the small and isolated islands of Værøy (67°40′ N 12°40′ E) and Røst (67°37′ N 12°7′ E). The total land area amounts to 1,227 sq. km, and there is a population of around 24,500 people. Between the mainland and the archipelago lies the open, unprotected Vestfjord. The Lofoten Islands are characterised by their mountains and peaks, sheltered inlets, stretches of seashore and large virgin areas.
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Climate
The winter temperatures of southern Lofoten is exceptionally mild, and represents the largest positive temperature anomaly in the world relative to latitude. Røst and Værøy are the world´s most northern locations where average temperatures are above freezing all year. Summers temperatures are cool, however, and strong winds are common, especially in late autumn and winter. Rain are common all year, and snow and sleet are not uncommon in winter, especially in the mountains, where there can be substantial amounts of snow.
History
Vågar is the first known town formation in northern Norway. It existed in the early Viking Age, maybe earlier, and was located on the southern coast on eastern Lofoten, not far from Svolvær and Kabelvåg in Vågan municipality. The islands have for more than 1000 years been the center of great cod fisheries, especially in winter, when the cod migrates south from the Barents Sea and gathers in Lofoten to spawn. Bergen in south western Norway was for a long time the hub for further export south to large parts of Europe, particularly so when trade was controlled by the Hanseatic League.
The name Lofoten is derived from "lo", meaning lynx, and "foten" meaning "the foot". The chain of islands with its pointed peaks looks like a lynx' foot from the mainland. In Norwegian, it is always a singular. Another name one might come across, is "Lofotveggen" - or the Lofoten wall. The archipelago looks like a closed wall when seen from elevated points around Bodø, some 100km long, and 800-1000 m. high.
See also
External links
- Lofoten infoguide
- Tourist information
- Kabelvåg - Local site for the beautiful place in Lofoten
- Photo gallery on M. Klüber Photography
