Lofoden

Lofoden, or LOFOTEN, a chain of islands on the north-west coast of Norway, between 67° and 69° 15' N. lat., and stretching south-west and north-east for 150 miles. They include the Lofoten proper and the Vesteraalen, lying farther north. The largest islands are Hind, And, and Lang in the Vesteraalen group, and East Vaag, West Vaag, Flakstad, and Moskenäs in the Lofoden proper. Total area, 2247 sq. m. All of them are rugged and mountainous, many of the summits being crater-shaped. In several places they present walls of bare rock rising sheer from the ocean. The highest point is 3090 feet above sea-level. The waters on the east side of these islands are visited in January to March every year by vast shoals of cod-fish, which attract a large fleet of fishermen. The average number of boats is 5000 to 6000, manned by 28,000 to 30,000 men; and the produce of the fishery is about 30,000,000 fish, 24,000 barrels of cod-liver oil, and 25,000 to 26,000 barrels of roe. The fishing is attended with considerable danger, on account of the sudden and violent storms from the west, and of the strong currents which set in between the islands (see MAELSTRÖM). Besides fishing, sheep-farming is also carried on, as, owing to the influence of the Gulf Stream, the winters are mild and grass grows abundantly. The permanent population number about 20,000.