West Frisian Islands
Native name: | |
|---|---|
The islands. Uninhabited islands are numbered, from west to east: 1. Noorderhaaks; 2. Richel; 3. Griend; 4. Rif; 5. Engelsmanplaat; 6. Simonszand; 7. Rottumerplaat; 8. Rottumeroog. | |
Interactive map of West Frisian Islands | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Wadden Sea |
| Archipelago | Frisian Islands |
| Total islands | 14 |
| Major islands | Texel, Terschelling, Ameland, Schiermonnikoog, Vlieland |
| Administration | |
Netherlands | |
| Provinces | North Holland Friesland Groningen |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 23,872 |
| Ethnic groups | Frisians, Dutch |
The West Frisian Islands (Dutch: Waddeneilanden, pronounced [ˈʋɑdə(n)ˌɛilɑndə(n)] ⓘ; West Frisian: Waadeilannen) are a chain of islands in the North Sea off the northern 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 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.