West Frisian Islands

Chain of islands off the north coast of the Netherlands

GeographyLocationWadden SeaTotal islands14Major islandsTexel, Terschelling, Ameland, Schiermonnikoog, Vlieland^[1]Administration

Netherlands

ProvincesNorth Holland
Friesland
GroningenDemographicsPopulation23,872Ethnic groupsFrisians, Dutch

The West Frisian Islands (Dutch: Waddeneilanden; West Frisian: Waadeilannen) are a chain of islands in the North Sea off the Dutch coast, along the edge of the Wadden Sea. They continue further east as the German East Frisian Islands and are part of the Frisian Islands.

From west to east the islands are: Noorderhaaks, Texel, Vlieland, Richel, Griend, Terschelling, Ameland, Rif, Engelsmanplaat, Schiermonnikoog, Simonszand, Rottumerplaat, Rottumeroog, and Zuiderduintjes.

The islands Noorderhaaks and Texel are part of the province of North Holland. The islands Vlieland, Richel, Griend, Terschelling, Ameland, Rif, Engelsmanplaat, and Schiermonnikoog are part of the province of Friesland. The small islands Simonszand, Rottumerplaat, Rottumeroog, and Zuiderduintjes belong to the province of Groningen.

The Frisian Islands are nowadays mostly famous as a holiday destination. Island hopping is possible by regular ferries from the mainland and by specialised tour operators. Cycling is the most favourable means of transport on most of the islands. On Vlieland and Schiermonnikoog cars are allowed only for regular inhabitants.

Geography

The island chain represents the remains of a glacially formed sandbank, and may have once been the former coastline of the Netherlands, before it was breached and flooded to form the Waddenzee many thousands of years ago.^[2]

References

^ The Dutch Wadden Sea Islands, Wadden Sea World Heritage. Retrieved on 2 June 2014.
^ "The West Frisian Islands – Holland's Northern Wilderness". 13 June 2014.

External links

Look up west frisian islands in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

West Frisian Islands travel guide from Wikivoyage
Media related to West Frisian Islands at Wikimedia Commons

Frisian Islands

West Frisian Islands
(Netherlands)

Noorderhaaks Texel Vlieland Richel Terschelling Griend Ameland Rif Engelsmanplaat Schiermonnikoog Simonszand Rottumerplaat Rottumeroog Zuiderduintjes
Former islands	Eierland Wieringen Monnikenlangenoog Bosch

East Frisian Islands
(Germany)

Borkum Lütje Hörn Kachelotplate Memmert Juist Norderney Baltrum Langeoog Spiekeroog Wangerooge Minsener-Oldoog Mellum
Former islands	Buise

Heligoland Bight
(Germany)

North Frisian Islands
(Germany)

Barrier Island Pellworm Amrum Föhr Sylt Uthörn
Halligen	Gröde Habel Hamburger Hallig Hooge Langeneß Norderoog Nordstrandischmoor Oland Süderoog Südfall
Former islands	Hainshallig Nordstrand Strand