Frisian Islands

Chain of low-lying islands 5–32 km/3–20 mi off the northwest coasts of the Netherlands and Germany, with a northerly extension off the west coast of Denmark. They are divided between these three states. They were formed by the natural sinking of the intervening land and are separated from the mainland only by shallow flats (wadden). Texel is the largest and westernmost island, at the southern end of the chain. Sheep and cattle are raised, and there are a number of small seaside resorts.

The original form of settlement here was in ‘terp’ villages, where mounds (terps) usually man-made, were settled with very crowded dwellings.