Frisian Islands

 

(frĭzh'ən) , chain of low-lying islands, off the coasts of the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark, in the North Sea. The West Frisian Islands, belonging to the Netherlands, are off the shores of North Holland, Friesland, and Groningen provs. and include the islands of Texel, Vlieland, Terschelling, and Ameland. The East Frisian Islands, belonging to Germany, are east of the mouth of the Ems and include Norderney and Borkum. The North Frisian Islands, off the coast of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, and S Jutland, Denmark, include Sylt, Föhr, and Rømø. Fishing and stock raising are pursued on most of the Frisian Islands. Many bathing resorts are also there.

The Frisian Islands form an archipelago at the eastern edge of the North Sea in northwestern Europe, and spread east–west along the coasts of two countries, The Netherlands and Germany.

The Frisian Islands, along with the mainland coast in the German Bight, form the region of Frisia, traditional homeland of the Frisian people.

Sometimes the geographical designation of Frisian Islands may also include the Danish Wadden Sea Islands slightly further to the north on the western coast of Jutland, Denmark, though these are not included in the region of Frisia.

Most of the Frisian Islands are protected areas, and an international wildlife nature reserve is being coordinated between the countries of Netherlands, Germany and Denmark. Natural gas and oil drilling continue, however, and the presence of the Ems, Weser and Elbe estuaries and the ensuing ship traffic cause tension between wildlife protection and economics.

See also

• Frisia
• German Bight
• Wadden Sea
• Jutland

Frisian Islands

West Frisian Islands Noorderhaaks - Texel - Vlieland - Richel - Terschelling - Griend - Ameland - Rif - Engelsmanplaat - Schiermonnikoog - Simonszand - Rottumerplaat - Rottumeroog - Zuiderduintjes East Frisian Islands Borkum - Lütje Hörn - Kachelotplate - Memmert - Juist - Norderney - Baltrum - Langeoog - Spiekeroog - Wangerooge - Minsener-Oldoog - Mellum between East Frisian and North Frisian Islands Langlütjen I & II - Hoher Knechtsand - Neuwerk - Scharhörn - Nigehörn - Trischen - Tertius - Blauort North Frisian Islands (Germany) Nordstrand - Pellworm - the Halligen - Amrum - Föhr - Sylt - Uthörn North Frisian Islands (Denmark) Jordsand - Rømø - Koresand - Mandø - Fanø - Langli

nds-nl:Waddenailanden

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