Lofoten is located at the 68th and 69th parallels north of the Arctic Circle in North Norway. It is well known for its natural beauty within Norway. Lofoten encompasses the municipalities of V�gan, Vestv�g�y, Flakstad, Moskenes, V�r�y and R�st. The principal islands, running from north to south, are
* Southern tip of Hinn�ya.
* Southern 60% (approx.) of Austv�g�y (526.7 km� in total 68�20?N 14�40?E),
* Gims�y (46.4 km2 68�18?N 14�11?E),
* Vestv�g�y (411.1 km2 68�10?N 13�45?E),
* Flakstad�ya (109.8 km2 68�5?N 13�20?E),
* Moskenes�ya (185.9 km2 67�55?N 13�0?E),
whilst further to the south are the small and isolated islands of V�r�y (67�40?N 12�40?E) and R�st (67�37?N 12�7?E). The total land area amounts to 1,227 km�, and the population totals 24,500. Many will argue that Hinn�ya, the northern part of Austv�g�y and several hundred smaller islands, skerries and rocks to the east of Austv�g�y are also part of the Lofoten complex. Historically the territorial definition of Lofoten has changed significantly. Between the mainland and the Lofoten archipelago lies the vast, open Vestfjorden, and to the north is Vester�len. The principal towns in Lofoten are Leknes in Vestv�g�y and Svolv�r in V�gan. The Lofoten Islands are characterised by their mountains and peaks, sheltered inlets, stretches of seashore and large virgin areas. The highest mountain in Lofoten is Higravstinden (1,161 m / 3,800 ft) in Austv�g�y; the M�ysalen National Park just northeast of Lofoten has mountains reaching 1,262 m. The famous Moskstraumen (Malstr�m) system of tidal eddies is located in western Lofoten, and is indeed the root of the term maelstrom
