Lofoten

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Image:Reine-3.jpg Lofoten is an archipelago and a traditional district in the county of Nordland, Norway.

Contents

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Geography and nature

Lofoten is located at the 67th and 68th degree parallels north of the arctic circle in Northern Norway. It is well known for its exceptional natural beauty within Norway. Lofoten encompasses the municipalities of Vågan, Vestvågøy, Flakstad, Moskenes, Værøy, and Røst. The principal islands, running from north to south, are

whilst further to the south are the small and isolated islands of Værøy (Template:Coor dm) and Røst (Template:Coor dm). The total land area amounts to 1,227 km², and the population totals 24,500. Between the mainland and the archipelago lies the vast, open Vestfjord, and to the north is Vesterålen. The principal towns in Lofoten are Leknes in Vestvågøy and Svolvær in Vågan.

The Lofoten Islands are characterised by their mountains and peaks, sheltered inlets, stretches of seashore and large virgin areas. The highest mountain in Lofoten is Hermansdalstind (1034 m) in Moskenes; the Møysalen National Park ([1]) just northeast of Lofoten have mountains reaching 1262 m. The famous Moskstraumen (Malstrøm) system of tidal eddies is located in western Lofoten, and is indeed the root of the term maelstrom. The sea is rich with life, and the worlds largest deep water coral reef (Røst Reef, 40 km long) is located west of Røst. Lofoten has a very high density of sea eagles and cormorants, and millions of other sea birds, among them the colourfull puffin. Otters are common, and there are elk on Austvågøy.

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Climate

Winter temperatures in Lofoten are very mild considering the location north of the Arctic Circle (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 (123). Winters are slightly colder in the northeastern part of Lofoten; Svolvær has a January average of -1.5°C (30°F), but summers are a bit warmer, with both July and August 24-hr averages of 13°C (56°F). May and June are the driest months, while October has three times as much precipitation (4, 5). Typical daytime temperature in May is 9°C (48°F), in July 15°C (60°F) and in September 11°C (52°F). The warmest recording in Svolvær is 30.4°C (87°F). Strong winds can occur in late autumn and winter, but are rare late March - mid-October. Snow and sleet are not uncommon in winter; the mountains can have substantial amounts of snow.

In Svolvær, the sun (midnight sun) is above the horizon from May 25 to July 17, and in winter the sun does not rise from December 4 to January 7. In Leknes, the sun is above the horizon from May 26 to July 17, and in winter the sun does not rise from December 9 to January 4. Image:Lofoten-w1.jpg

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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. However, the Lofotr museum with the reconstructed longhouse is located near Borg on Vestvågøy, which have many archeological finds from the iron age and viking age (necklace). 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. In the lowland areas, particularly Vestvågøy, agriculture plays a significant role, as it has done since the bronze age. Image:Lofoten.jpg Image:Henningsvaer.jpg

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. Image:Henningsvaer-2.jpg

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See also

Image:Henningsvaer-3.jpg

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External links



ca:Lofoten da:Lofoten de:Lofoten fr:Îles Lofoten nl:Lofoten no:Lofoten nn:Lofoten pl:Lofoty fi:Lofootit sv:Lofoten

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