West Frisian Islands

West Frisian Islands

Native name: Waddeneilanden
File:WaddeneilandenNL.png Location of the West Frisian islands. The numbered islands are: 1. Noorderhaaks; 2. Richel; 3. Griend; 4. Rif; 5. Engelsmanplaat; 6. Simonszand; 7. Rottumerplaat; 8. Rottumeroog
Geography
Location	Wadden Sea
Total islands	14
Major islands	Texel, Terschelling, Ameland, Schiermonnikoog, Vlieland
Country
Netherlands
Provinces	North Holland Friesland Groningen
Demographics
Ethnic groups	Frisians, 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 only allowed for regular inhabitants.

External links

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