Skip to content
Archipelago

    Wadden SeaGermany, Denmark and Netherlands

    53°57′N 8°30′E

    Frisian Islands

    Friesische Inseln

    The Frisian Islands, also known as the Wadden Islands or the Wadden Sea Islands, form an archipelago at the eastern edge of the North Sea in northwestern Europe, stretching from the northwest of the Netherlands through Germany to the west of Denmark.

    Aerial image of Ameland (view from the west)
    Aerial image of Ameland (view from the west)

    Carsten Steger / CC BY-SA 4.0

    Chart

    130 landforms

    Overview

    The Frisian Islands, also known as the Wadden Islands or the Wadden Sea Islands, form an archipelago at the eastern edge of the North Sea in northwestern Europe, stretching from the northwest of the Netherlands through Germany to the west of Denmark. The islands shield the mudflat region of the Wadden Sea (large parts of which fall dry during low tide) from the North Sea. The Frisian Islands, along with the mainland coast in the German Bight, form the region of Frisia (German and Dutch: Friesland), homeland of the Frisian people. Generally, the term Frisian Islands is used for the islands where Frisian is spoken and the population is ethnically Frisian. In contrast, the term "Wadden Islands" applies to the entire archipelago, including the Dutch-speaking westernmost islands of Texel and Vlieland, Danish-speaking Danish Wadden Sea Islands further north off the west coast of Jutland and the Islands of Trischen and Neuwerk. Most of the Wadden Sea Islands are environmentally protected areas, and an international wildlife nature reserve is being coordinated between the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark. Natural gas and oil drilling continue, however, and in the vicinity of the Ems, Weser and Elbe estuaries, ship traffic causes tension between wildlife protection and economic values.

    From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Census, cataloged

    • Major islands14
    • Minor islands53
    • Islets31
    • Rocks & skerries32

    Major islands

    14
    • Texel

      Texel

      Area
      159 km²
      High point
      24 m
    • Terschelling

      Terschelling

      Area
      85.2 km²
      High point
      31 m

      Terschelling (Dutch pronunciation: [tɛrˈsxɛlɪŋ] ; West Frisian: Skylge; Terschelling dialect: Schylge) is a municipality and an island in the northern Netherlands, one of the West Frisian Islands. It is situated between the islands of Vlieland and Ameland.

    • Föhr

      Föhr

      Area
      82.8 km²
      High point
      11 m

      Föhr (German pronunciation: [føːɐ̯] ; Fering North Frisian: Feer; Danish: Før) is one of the North Frisian Islands on the German coast of the North Sea. It is part of the Nordfriesland district in the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein.

    • Fanø

      Fanø

      Area
      60.7 km²
      High point
      21 m

      Fanø (pronunciation [ˈfɛːˌnøˀ] ) is a Danish island in the North Sea off the coast of southwestern Denmark, and is the very northernmost of the Danish Wadden Sea Islands. Fanø Municipality (Fanø Kommune) is the kommune that covers the island and its seat is the town of Nordby.

    • Ameland

      Ameland

      Area
      57.4 km²
      High point
      24 m

      Ameland (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈaːməlɑnt] ; West Frisian: It Amelân [ət ˈaːməlɔ̃ːn]) is a municipality and one of the West Frisian Islands off the north coast of the Netherlands. It consists mostly of sand dunes and is the third major island of the West Frisians.

    • Schiermonnikoog

      Schiermonnikoog

      Area
      43.7 km²
      High point
      20 m

      Schiermonnikoog (Dutch: [ˌsxiːrmɔnəkˈoːx] ; West Frisian: Skiermûntseach [ˌskiəmuːnˈtsɪəχ] ; Schiermonnikoog Frisian: Schiermonnikeig) is an island, a municipality and national park in the Northern Netherlands. Schiermonnikoog is one of the West Frisian Islands, and is part of the province of Friesland.

    • Vlieland

      Vlieland

      Area
      38.8 km²
      High point
      45 m

      Vlieland (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈvlilɑnt] ; West Frisian: Flylân [ˈflilɔ̃ːn]) is a municipality and island in the northern Netherlands. The municipality of Vlieland is the second most sparsely populated municipality in the Netherlands, after Schiermonnikoog.

    • Pellworm

      Pellworm

      Area
      37.6 km²
      High point
      16 m

      Pellworm (German pronunciation: [pɛlˈvɔʁm] ; Danish: Pelvorm; North Frisian Polweerm) is a municipality in the district of Nordfriesland, in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.

    • Borkum

      Borkum

      Area
      34.7 km²
      High point
      24 m
    • Norderney

      Norderney

      Area
      27.9 km²
      High point
      20 m
    • Amrum

      Amrum

      Area
      27.9 km²
      High point
      32 m

      Amrum (German pronunciation: [ˈamʁʊm] ; Öömrang North Frisian: Oomram) is one of the North Frisian Islands on the German North Sea coast, south of Sylt and west of Föhr. It is part of the Nordfriesland district in the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein and has approximately 2,300 inhabitants.

    • Rømø

      Area
      129 km²
      High point
      3 m

      Rømø (Danish pronunciation: [ˈʁœːˌmøˀ]; German: Röm, North Frisian: Rem) is a Danish island in the Wadden Sea. Rømø is part of Tønder Municipality. The island had 650 inhabitants as of 1 January 2011, and covers an area of 129 km².

    • Sylt

      Area
      57.3 km²
      High point
      53 m

      Sylt (German pronunciation: [zʏlt] ; Danish: Sild; Söl'ring North Frisian: Söl) is an island in northern Germany, part of Nordfriesland district, Schleswig-Holstein, with a distinctively shaped shoreline. It belongs to the North Frisian Islands and is the largest island in North Frisia.

    • Koresand

      Area
      22.6 km²
      High point
      1 m

    Minor islands

    53

    • Langeoog

      Area
      19.8 km²
      High point
      20 m

    • Spiekeroog

      Area
      18.1 km²
      High point
      24 m

    • Juist

      Area
      14.7 km²
      High point
      23 m

    • Süderoogsand

      Area
      14.6 km²
      High point
      2 m

    • Langeneß

      Area
      10.2 km²
      High point
      7 m

    • Norderoogsand

      Area
      9.4 km²
      High point
      2 m

    • Mandø

      Area
      8.7 km²
      High point
      10 m

    • Wangerooge

      Area
      8.6 km²
      High point
      17 m

    • Rottumerplaat

      Area
      8.3 km²
      High point
      14 m

    • Baltrum

      Area
      6.6 km²
      High point
      19 m

    • Hooge

      Area
      5.7 km²
      High point
      8 m

    • Noorderhaaks

      Area
      4.9 km²
      High point
      2 m

    • Mellum

      Area
      4.7 km²
      High point
      6 m

    • Minsener Oog

      Area
      4.2 km²
      High point
      12 m

    • Memmert

      Area
      4.1 km²
      High point
      8 m

    • Japsand

      Area
      4 km²
      High point
      2 m

    • Richel

      Area
      3.4 km²
      High point
      5 m

    • Unnamed island

      Area
      3.4 km²
      High point
      1 m

    • Neuwerk

      Area
      3 km²
      High point
      15 m

    • Rif

      Area
      2.8 km²
      High point
      4 m

    • Kachelotplate

      Area
      2.7 km²
      High point
      3 m

    • Hoher Knechtsand

      Area
      2.7 km²

    • Rottumeroog

      Area
      2.3 km²
      High point
      9 m

    • Oland

      Area
      2.1 km²
      High point
      7 m

    • Gröde

      Area
      2 km²
      High point
      5 m

    • Nigehörn

      Area
      2 km²
      High point
      5 m

    • Trischen

      Area
      1.9 km²
      High point
      5 m

    • Nordstrandischmoor

      Area
      1.6 km²
      High point
      7 m

    • Scharhörn

      Area
      1.4 km²
      High point
      5 m

    • Hamburger Hallig

      Area
      1.1 km²

    • Heligoland

      Area
      1.1 km²
      High point
      61 m

    • Engelsmanplaat

      Area
      1 km²

    • Engelschhoek

      Area
      0.89 km²

    • Langli

      Area
      0.73 km²
      High point
      7 m

    • Unnamed island

      Area
      0.67 km²

    • Süderoog

      Area
      0.66 km²
      High point
      5 m

    • Griend

      Area
      0.66 km²
      High point
      5 m

    • Düne

      Area
      0.63 km²
      High point
      13 m

    • Jungnamensand

      Area
      0.49 km²

    • Zuiderduintjes

      Area
      0.42 km²
      High point
      4 m

    • Südfall

      Area
      0.41 km²
      High point
      5 m

    • Unnamed island

      Area
      0.4 km²
      High point
      2 m

    • Blauort

      Area
      0.4 km²
      High point
      2 m

    • Unnamed island

      Area
      0.23 km²

    • Uthörn

      Area
      0.15 km²
      High point
      4 m

    • Unnamed island

      Area
      0.14 km²

    • Unnamed island

      Area
      0.1 km²
      High point
      2 m

    • Unnamed island

      Area
      —

      size unknown

    • Bant

      Area
      —

      size unknown

    • Buise

      Area
      —

      size unknown

    • North Frisian Barrier Island

      Area
      —

      size unknown

    • Simonszand

      Area
      —

      size unknown

    • Wexalia

      Area
      —

      size unknown

    Islets

    31
    • Norderoog2 m · 0.09 km²
    • Habel5 m · 0.07 km²
    • Kormoraninsel0.05 km²
    • Unnamed island2 m · 0.04 km²
    • Unnamed island0.03 km²
    • Unnamed island1 m · 0.02 km²
    • Lütje Hörn0 m · 0.02 km²
    • Unnamed island0.02 km²
    • Unnamed island1 m · 0.8 ha
    • Unnamed island1 m · 0.8 ha
    • Unnamed island1 m · 0.8 ha
    • Unnamed island1 m · 0.5 ha

    Rocks & skerries

    32
    • Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    • Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    • Hiezel<0.1 ha
    • Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    • Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    • Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    • Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    • Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    • Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    • Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    • Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    • Unnamed island<0.1 ha

    Figures

    Comparative heights

    Sea level20 m40 m60 m80 m61 mHeligoland53 mSylt45 mVlieland32 mAmrum31 mTerschelling24 mTexel24 mAmeland24 mBorkum24 mSpiekeroog23 mJuist21 mFanø20 mSchiermonnikoog20 mNorderney20 mLangeoog
    High points by island, metres above sea level.

    Islands by area

    0.000010.00010.0010.010.11101001,000Texel: 159 km²TexelRømø: 129 km²RømøTerschelling: 85.2 km²TerschellingFöhr: 82.8 km²FöhrFanø: 60.7 km²FanøAmeland: 57.4 km²AmelandSylt: 57.3 km²SyltSchiermonnikoog: 43.7 km²SchiermonnikoogVlieland: 38.8 km²VlielandPellworm: 37.6 km²PellwormBorkum: 34.7 km²BorkumNorderney: 27.9 km²NorderneyAmrum: 27.9 km²AmrumKoresand: 22.6 km²KoresandLangeoog: 19.8 km²LangeoogSpiekeroog: 18.1 km²SpiekeroogJuist: 14.7 km²JuistSüderoogsand: 14.6 km²SüderoogsandLangeneß: 10.2 km²LangeneßNorderoogsand: 9.4 km²NorderoogsandMandø: 8.7 km²MandøWangerooge: 8.6 km²WangeroogeRottumerplaat: 8.3 km²RottumerplaatBaltrum: 6.6 km²BaltrumHooge: 5.7 km²HoogeNoorderhaaks: 4.9 km²NoorderhaaksMellum: 4.7 km²MellumMinsener Oog: 4.2 km²Minsener OogMemmert: 4.1 km²MemmertJapsand: 4 km²JapsandRichel: 3.4 km²RichelUnnamed island: 3.4 km²Unnamed islandNeuwerk: 3 km²NeuwerkRif: 2.8 km²RifKachelotplate: 2.7 km²KachelotplateHoher Knechtsand: 2.7 km²Hoher KnechtsandRottumeroog: 2.3 km²RottumeroogOland: 2.1 km²OlandGröde: 2 km²GrödeNigehörn: 2 km²Nigehörn
    km², log scale. 6 without a known area.
    Texel159 km²
    Rømø129 km²
    Terschelling85.2 km²
    Föhr82.8 km²
    Fanø60.7 km²
    Ameland57.4 km²
    Sylt57.3 km²
    Schiermonnikoog43.7 km²
    Vlieland38.8 km²
    Pellworm37.6 km²
    Borkum34.7 km²
    Norderney27.9 km²
    Amrum27.9 km²
    Koresand22.6 km²
    Langeoog19.8 km²
    Spiekeroog18.1 km²
    Juist14.7 km²
    Süderoogsand14.6 km²
    Langeneß10.2 km²
    Norderoogsand9.4 km²
    Mandø8.7 km²
    Wangerooge8.6 km²
    Rottumerplaat8.3 km²
    Baltrum6.6 km²
    Hooge5.7 km²
    Noorderhaaks4.9 km²
    Mellum4.7 km²
    Minsener Oog4.2 km²
    Memmert4.1 km²
    Japsand4 km²
    Richel3.4 km²
    Unnamed island3.4 km²
    Neuwerk3 km²
    Rif2.8 km²
    Kachelotplate2.7 km²
    Hoher Knechtsand2.7 km²
    Rottumeroog2.3 km²
    Oland2.1 km²
    Gröde2 km²
    Nigehörn2 km²
    Trischen1.9 km²
    Nordstrandischmoor1.6 km²
    Scharhörn1.4 km²
    Hamburger Hallig1.1 km²
    Heligoland1.1 km²
    Engelsmanplaat1 km²
    Engelschhoek0.89 km²
    Langli0.73 km²
    Unnamed island0.67 km²
    Süderoog0.66 km²
    Griend0.66 km²
    Düne0.63 km²
    Jungnamensand0.49 km²
    Zuiderduintjes0.42 km²
    Südfall0.41 km²
    Unnamed island0.4 km²
    Blauort0.4 km²
    Unnamed island0.23 km²
    Uthörn0.15 km²
    Unnamed island0.14 km²
    Unnamed island0.1 km²
    Norderoog0.09 km²
    Habel0.07 km²
    Kormoraninsel0.05 km²
    Unnamed island0.04 km²
    Unnamed island0.03 km²
    Unnamed island0.02 km²
    Lütje Hörn0.02 km²
    Unnamed island0.02 km²
    Unnamed island0.8 ha
    Unnamed island0.8 ha
    Unnamed island0.8 ha
    Unnamed island0.5 ha
    Unnamed island0.5 ha
    Unnamed island0.4 ha
    Unnamed island0.4 ha
    Unnamed island0.3 ha
    Unnamed island0.3 ha
    Unnamed island0.3 ha
    Unnamed island0.3 ha
    Unnamed island0.2 ha
    Unnamed island0.2 ha
    Unnamed island0.2 ha
    Unnamed island0.2 ha
    Unnamed island0.2 ha
    Unnamed island0.1 ha
    Unnamed island0.1 ha
    Unnamed island0.1 ha
    Unnamed island0.1 ha
    Unnamed island0.1 ha
    Unnamed island0.1 ha
    Unnamed island0.1 ha
    Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    Hiezel<0.1 ha
    Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    SW-Stand<0.1 ha
    Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    Unnamed island<0.1 ha
    Unnamed island<0.1 ha

    Groups within

    6

    Overlapping groups

    Sources

    Facts

    • Geometry, areas and high points: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Copernicus GLO-30, via Talus.
    • Wikidata
    • Talus
    • Wikipedia

    Photographs