Nordseeküste

The Nordseeküste, or North Sea coast, refers to the German stretch of coastline along the North Sea. It runs primarily through the western part of Schleswig-Holstein and the northwestern coast of Lower Saxony, including the East Frisian Islands such as Borkum, Juist, Norderney, Langeoog, Spiekeroog and Wangerooge, as well as the adjacent marshlands of East Frisia and the Jade Bight. The landscape is characterized by a low-lying, tidal-flat coastal zone that becomes exposed at low tide and covered at high tide, a system that shapes settlement and land use.

The Wadden Sea (Wattenmeer) is a defining feature, a vast intertidal area that extends along multiple national borders. It is a protected and UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unique ecosystem, biodiversity, and dynamic mudflats. The coast is kept habitable by dikes, seawalls and flood-control barriers, and by managed wetlands in some areas.

Economic activity centers on tourism and fisheries, with seaside resorts, beaches and nature tourism drawing visitors; harbors such as Bremerhaven, Cuxhaven, and Emden support commercial shipping and fishing. Offshore wind farms have become increasingly important in the region, contributing to the local energy economy. Transport connections include ferries to the islands and road networks across the coastal marshlands.

The Nordseeküste has a maritime cultural heritage, with traditional fishing villages, lighthouses, and characteristic architecture. The region faces environmental pressures from sea-level rise, erosion and tourist demand, and conservation efforts focus on balancing protection with sustainable use.