West Frisian Islands - Definition and Overview

The West Frisian Islands (Dutch: Waddeneilanden) are a chain of islands in the North Sea off the Dutch coast. They belong to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. They continue further east as the German East Frisian Islands.

From west to east the islands are: Texel, Vlieland, Terschelling, Ameland, Schiermonnikoog and the uninhabited islands of Rottumeroog, Rottumerplaat and Zuiderduintjes. Together the 3 most eastern islands are called Rottum.

Texel is part of the province North Holland. The islands Vlieland. Terschelling, Ameland and Schiermonnikoog are part of the province of Friesland. The small islands Rottumeroog, Rottumerplaat and Zuiderduintjes belong to the province Groningen.

The Frisian Islands are nowadays mostly famous as a holiday destination.