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About Lofoten

Geography

Lofoten is the archipelago to the west in the ocean, north of the Arctic Circle, at the 67^th and 68^th degree parallels. The principal islands are Austvågøy, Gimsøy, Vestvågøy, Flakstadøy, Moskenesøy, Værøy and Røst. The southermost part of Norway`s biggest island, Hinnøy, is also in Lofoten.

The total land area amounts to 1.227 km². About 24.ooo people live there. The road distance is almost 170 km from Fiskebøl near Vesterålen in the north to Å in the south, where the E10 ends. From Lofotodden, at the south end of Moskenes Island, the air distance is more than 60 km to Skomvær, the southernmost point in Lofoten.

Lofoten stretches like a wall of mountains to the southwest in the sea. Between the mainland and the "Lofoten Wall" lies the Vestfjord. Lofoten consists of mountains and peaks, wide open ocean, sheltered inlets, streches of seashore and large virgin areas.

karthenvisning

Facts:

Lofoten is at the 67^th and 68^thdegree parallels.

The biggest islands are:
- Austvågøy
- Vestvågøy
- Flakstadøy
- Moskenesøy
- Værøy
- Røst.

24,000 inhabitants

Total land area: 1,227 km².

Communication:
- Plane
- Car
- Express boat
- Ferry
- Coastal Steamer (Hurtigruten)
- Bus

168 km car road from Fiskebøl to Å in Lofoten^_.

View 360° panoramic photos from the Lofoten Islands here

Transportation

Lofoten has airfields in Svolvær, at Leknes and at Røst. There are daily departures for Bodø. A helicopter service has been opened between Værøy Island an Bodø. The Coastal Express (Hurtigruten) calls at Stamsund and Svolvær, both on the way north and on the way south every day.

There are bus connections with Vesterålen and Fauske/Bodø, with further connections by train, Bodø is served by express boat from Svolvær. There are also bus and express boat services to Narvik. From there it is possible to travel further by train to Sweden. The ferry between Svolvær and Skutvik is the connection to the E6.

When heading towards Vesterålen, people take the ferry from Fiskebøl to Melbu. A project has been started to provide a ferry-free connection to the mainland (Lofast). Planned to open december 2007.

There are ferries from Moskenes to Bodø and routes in the south to Værøy and Røst, which also have daily ferry service to Bodø. Bridges and tunnels have replaced the ferries between the largest islands in Lofoten. There is a bicycle ferry between Ballstad and Nusfjord during the summer.

History om_lofoten_gammelt-av1

The first people came to Lofoten about 6.000 years ago. Lofoten`s Stone Age inhabitants survived on fishing and hunting in an area which provided good living. All of Lofoten was covered by large pine and birch woods at that time. There were deer, bear, wild reindeer, lynx and beaver, and the sea was full of fish, seals and whales. Agriculture developed early, and grain was harvested in Lofoten as early as 4.000 years ago.

The Viking Era saw the emergence of several large chieftain seats. Tofts from a Viking chieftain seat have been found at Borg on Vestvågøy Island, containing the largest Viking banquet hall ever found in any country. The building was 8,5 metres wide and as much as 83 metres long. A reconstruction of the building has been raised, and the Viking Museum, LOFOTR, at Borg opened in June 1995.

The Lofot Fisheries early gained importance. King Øystein considered these fisheries to be of such significance that he, as early as 1103, built a church in Vågan, which at that time was the base of the Lofot fisheries. In about 1120, he also built the first fishermen`s huts ever mentioned in the Saga. Stockfish, produced from spawning cod, was the staple good, and it was sold to almost all of Europe. Italy is still the most important market for high-quality stockfish from Lofoten. om_lofoten_gammelt-av2

Near Kabelvåg is the location of Vågar, the only medieval town of the North Calotte. From the 14th century on, Lofoten had to pay taxes to Bergen. This was the beginning of an economic dominance which lasted for 600 years, first executed by the German Hansa tradesmen, and then by theur Norwegian heirs. Changing times with bad years and poverty were succeeded by periods of good years and wealth. Following the 1860s came the large herring migrations which were the basis of growth, prosperity and immigration. The foundation of today`s settlement was laid.

Income

The winter fisheries for cod are still crucial for the settlement in Lofoten. Fishermen from all over Northern Norway take part in the Lofot Fisheries, which are based on the Norwegian Arctic cod`s spawning in the Vestfjord between February and April. The fishing of these stocks has been strictly regulated for many years, also in Lofoten. This has proven necessary in order to maintain stocks at a secure level. Over the past 20 years, herring fishing in the area has been of increasing importance. Salmon farming has also become an important industry in Lofoten.

Agriculture is still significant to some areas in Lofoten, even though the number of farms has been greatly reduced in the past 30 years. Lofoten exports dairy products and meat. Lamb from Lofoten is the best in Norway. The industry is largely connected to the fisheries, but there is also other industrial activity in the region. The tourist industry is becoming increasingly important, now counting approximately 280,000 visitors per year. Public and private services as well as commercial and cultural activities are well developed.

Climate Vågakaillen, Foto: www.lofotodden.com

Due to the warm Gulf Stream, Lofoten has a much milder climate than other parts of the world at the same latitude, such as Alaska and Greenland. The coastal climate in Lofoten makes the winters mild and the summers relatively cool. January and February are the coldest months, with an average temperature of -1^oC. July and August are the warmest with an average temperature of 12^oC. May and June are the driest months, with an average of 40 mm of rainfall.

Rocks and Scenery

Trollene lillemolla Geir Nøtnes 2

Lofoten has very interesting geological features. Transformed rock, which was formed approximately three billion years ago, is predominant. These are some of the oldest rocks on the earth. The mountains of Lofoten, however, were not formed until the last ice Age, which ended 10,000 years ago. When the ice withdrew, rigid edges and peaks were left behind. All the islands of Lofoten are surrounded by strong tidal currents. Moskstraumen between Lofotodden and Værøy is the most famous of them.

Birds

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Lofoten has an abundant selection of birds. We meet birds from the forest, moors, highlands, sea and ocean, and many species which migrate past Lofoten ever spring and autumn. The white-tailed eagle flourishes in Lofoten, and the area has one of the world`s largest stocks. Most sea birds species are found in this region: razorbill, guillemot, kittiwake and the characteristic puffin, just to 400_orn2 mention a few. Especially the farthest islands of Værøy and Røst are renowned for their bird colonies and bird rocks. Hundreds of thousands of puffins and other sea birds can be heard and seen here, joined in a colourful orchestra.

Life in the Sea

lofotbilder 057

The Gulf Stream brings many fish species from the south, and Arctic species migrate from the north. Fishing has always been the very foundation of life in Lofoten. This is due to the close proximity to the fishing grounds. "Skrei" (spawning cod), which is caught during the winter fisheries, is the most important for the industry. in addition comes other important species such as haddock, saithe, red-fish, catfish, herring, tusk, ling, plaice, halibut and squid. Seals and killerwhales are regularly observed offshore Lofoten.

Plants

Lofoten has a rich and varied selection of plants. Plants usually found only in the mountains, in the fields and on the beach grow side by side along the shore. This is due to the fact that the landscape is exposed to much light and relatively cool temperatures during the summer, which enables the mountain plants to flourish all the way down to the coast. The most common trees in the woods are the Arctic birch, the rowan and the sallow. All conifers in Lofoten have been planted.

Culture om_lofoten_22

The colourful cultural life includes choirs and bands, cabaret groups and a number of other activities. The Nordnorsk Kunstnersentrum (The Art Museum of Northern Norway) has been established in Lofoten, and 75% of all professional artists in Lofoten and Vesterålen live in Vågan. The Lofoten International Art Festival (LIAF) is held here every other year. All kinds of sports; indoor sports hall, skiin slopes, floodlit tracks, wonderful walking and touring terrain and lively small-boat activity, form part of the leisure activities of people living here.

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