The East Frisian Islands (German: Ostfriesische Inseln) are a chain of islands in the North Sea, off the coast of Lower Saxony, Germany.
The seven inhabited islands are, from west to east:
- Borkum
- Juist
- Norderney
- Baltrum
- Langeoog
- Spiekeroog
- Wangerooge
Borkum belongs to the district of
Leer; Juist, Norderney and Baltrum are parts of
Aurich; Langeoog and Spiekeroog belong to
Wittmund (in the near of Dose); and Wangerooge is part of
Friesland.
There are five uninhabited islands:
- Kachelotplate
- Lütje Hörn
- Memmert
- Minsener Oog (artificial island)
- Mellum (east of the mouth of the Jade river, by some sources therefore not considered part of the East Frisian Islands anymore)
- Großer Knechtsand (further east, not part of the East Frisian Islands anymore)
Two more islands, Memmert south of Juist, and Mellum east of Wangerooge are uninhabited. Another very small island, Lütje Hörn east of Borkum is in constant danger of being washed away. In 2003 the German Coastal Defence (NLWK) announced that the sandbank Kachelotplate can now be called an island too, because it is no longer regularly flooded by high tide. However, it is not larger than 2 km² and will of course remain unsettled. Kachelotplate is located north of the mouth of the
Ems river.
Most of the islands do not allow cars. The exceptions are Borkum and Norderney, which are also the most crowded islands. There are no bridges connecting the mainland with the islands. Each island is accessible by ferry.
Borkum and Norderney, the Nazi labour camps on Alderney were named after the islands.
The islands and the surrounding sea are part of the Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park.
