Lofoten is an archipelago of islands at the 67th and 68th degree parallels in the Arctic circle, off the Northwest coast of Norway. The municipalities of Vågan, Vestvågøy, Flakstad, Moskenes, Værøy, and Røst. The principal islands, running from north to south, are Austvågøy (526.7 km²), Gimsøya (46.4 km²), Vestvågøy (411.1 km²), Flakstadøya (109.8 km²) and Moskenesøya (185.9 km²), whilst further to the south are the small and isolated islands of Værøy and Røst. The total land area amounts to 1,227 sq. km, and there is a population of around 24,500 people. Between the mainland and the archipelago lies the open, unprotected Vestfjord . The Lofoten Islands are characterised by their mountains and peaks, sheltered inlets, stretches of seashore and large virgin areas. The islands have during more than 1000 years been the centre of the great cod fisheries.
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.
Henningsvær, a fishing village in Lofoten during fishing season (April, 2001).
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