  LOFAR, the Low Frequency Array, is a large radio telescope consisting about
100 soccer field sized antenna stations spread over a region of 400 km in
diameter. It will operate in the frequency range from ~10 to 240 MHz, with a
resolution at 240 MHz of better than an arcsecond. Its superb sensitivity will
allow for a broad range of astrophysical studies. In this contribution we first
discuss four major areas of astrophysical research in which LOFAR will
undoubtedly make important contributions: reionisation, distant galaxies and
AGNs, transient radio sources and cosmic rays. Subsequently, we will discuss
the technical concept of the instrument and the status of the LOFAR project
