1. High Coast / Kvarken Archipelago
The Haute Côte is a mosaic of landscapes with a mixture of man-made and natural elements. It is home to around 4,500 people living in a number of small settlements, including the larger villages of Mjallom and Ullanger.
Tourism is the main source of employment, but the site is experiencing a rural exodus. As a result, various management plans are being developed to protect its cultural and natural resources.
The High Coast is about 150 km southwest of the Kvarken Islands and is bordered by the Kvarken Strait, which separates the Bay of Bothnia and the Gulf of Bothnia. The region is part of the province of Vasternorrland in Sweden and includes the town of Kopmanholmen. It also borders the town of Docksta, located in the Kvarken archipelago.
The Haute Côte is a haven for wildlife. In addition to many types of birds, you may spot Eurasian lynx, elk, and roe deer. The coastal avifauna is diverse and extensive, with several types of seabirds settling on offshore islands. The Gnaggen Island Nature Reserve is particularly important for the nesting of guillemots and razorbills.
The nightingale and Bohemian waxwing can also be found here. The Haute Côte has a temperate climate, with an average annual temperature of 4degC and low rainfall. The North Kvarken Sound freezes over during the winter, but this does not prevent boaters from crossing the islands. Additionally, other threats to the Kvarken Islands include the American mink.
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