During my erasmus, I had the opportunity to go to the lofoten islands in Norway. This archipelago located north of the Arctic Circle, covers a total area of 1227 km^2. The landscape is breathtaking. I went there at the end of April and the temperatures were still cold with a nice layer of snow. Lofoten are characterized by mountains and peaks. These islands are ideal to observe the Northern Lights during the long winters with little daylight.
The Lofoten Islands present a very diversified fauna. You can find sea birds, eagles, reindeers, whales, orcas and red foxes. In the past, white foxes could be observed on the islands, but due to global warming, red foxes, which could not live on the islands in the past because of the cold temperature, are now able to bear it. So they migrated to the lofoten islands and became predators for the white foxes. The white foxes had to migrate further north in Norway. In several years, the red foxes may migrate even further north and kill the white foxes who will have no place to live.
Lofoten is known for its fishing. Cod fishing is still the main activity of the Lofoten Islands. There are several traditional fisherman villages spread over the island. The fishermen hang the heads of the fish on high nets for several days in order to dry them and export them to poorer countries. Indeed, the head of fish is often consumed in poor countries because it is the cheapest part of the fish.It is used in soups. The smell is very unpleasant when you pass by. I passed by a very famous fisherman village, where it is known that the fisherman's wives gather and wait for the return of their husbands. The fisherman's job is well paid but considered very dangerous and extreme. The sea is often really rough.
Lofoten island
Chloe
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