Making the decision to visit a new place can be extremely exciting, but it can also be intimidating. Even if you are a dedicated adventurer ready to take on any adventure, it can help to know a little bit about where you are going so that you can be prepared to fully enjoy your experience, as well as making sure that you go at the right time of year to maximize your time.
If you are considering visiting the Lofoten Islands understanding some basic Lofoten info can help you start the planning process and give you the opportunity to plan your vacation in the best way for your vacation travel group.
Basic Lofoten Info
Where is Lofoten?
Lofoten is an archipelago, meaning a string of islands, located in Norway. This area is considered one of the most traditional areas of the country.
What is the area called the “Lofoten Islands”?
The name “Lofoten” was originally attached to only one island, but it is now the title of the total string of islands. The name is a combination of two Norse words. The first part is derived from the Norse word for “lynx” (the small wild cat), while the second part is derived from the Norse word for “foot”. This name was given because the original island had a shape that was reminiscent of the foot of a lynx. There is also a nearby island that had the original name Vargfot, meaning “the foot of the wolf”.
Because of the shape of the archipelago some people also refer to the string of islands as the “Lofoten wall”.
What are the Lofoten Islands known for?
For the last 1,000 years the Lofoten Islands have been best known for their participation in the cod fishing industries. This is especially true in the winter when the fisheries are able to take advantage of rich fishing conditions due to the schools of cod migrating into the area in order to spawn. Other areas of the islands also participate in agriculture, maintaining the traditions of agriculture and trade that have existed in the Lofoten Islands since the Bronze Age.
What is the weather like in the Lofoten Islands?
Of all of the basic Lofoten info that you may learn, what to expect from the weather may be some of the most useful. When you are planning a vacation it is important that you know about the weather so that you can choose the time that you want to visit and pack accordingly. Even though the Lofoten Islands are in the Arctic Circle the area experiences a major temperature anomaly that keeps the average temperature at above freezing levels throughout the entire year. The warmest temperature recorded is around 87 degrees. If you travel to the Lofoten Islands in May or June you can expect dry, warm conditions. In autumn, particularly in October, the weather gets windy and wet, sometimes experiencing serious storms. In the winter Lofoten commonly sees snow and sleet, but the temperatures remain surprisingly high considering the area’s latitude.
