Norway has a long coastline pierced by fjords and a mountainous interior that is covered by some of Europe's largest glaciers. Almost 95,000 sq km, 30 per cent of the land mass lies north of the Arctic Circle, but the country's 21,000 kilometres coastline (including fjords and bays) normally remains ice free year-round thanks to the waters of the Gulf Current. With only 3 per cent arable area, some 27 per cent forests and the remaining are a part of several high plateaus and mountainous areas. Norway is divided into specific five regions;
Geography
Norway has a long coastline pierced by fjords and a mountainous interior that is covered by some of Europe's largest glaciers. Almost 95,000 sq km, 30 per cent of the land mass lies north of the Arctic Circle, but the country's 21,000 kilometres coastline (including fjords and bays) normally remains ice free year-round thanks to the waters of the Gulf Current. With only 3 per cent arable area, some 27 per cent forests and the remaining are a part of several high plateaus and mountainous areas. Norway is divided into five specific regions;
Northern Norway the wilderness beyond the Arctic Circle with its Midnight Sun and the Northern Lights, sheds their magnificent light on dramatic island formations, deep fjords, snow- capped mountains, lush pastures and vast moors. The magical quality of the light, throughout all seasons, in this region, has inspired many a writer, musician and artists.
Central Norway with the city of Trondheim, which celebrated its millennium in 1997, was the political, religious and commercial centre of the country during the Middle Ages. Due to its central position and importance, this area is still claimed to be the heartland of Norway.
Western Norway the magnificent scenery that is worldwide renown. Newly voted the World’s top tourist destination by a panel of 200 travel experts, you will still find unpolluted and unspoilt areas within its deep and narrow fjords. Remarkable sights, even for the spoilt and sophisticated tourists, with mountains and alpine peaks rising out of the deep blue fjord and waterfalls cascading from glazier-capped great heights.
Southern Norway known for it’s stable summer weather, charming coastal resorts spread out like pearls on a string, often well protected by the rocky offshore islands. Often called the Norwegian Riviera, it is teeming with tourists during the summer period when thousands of yachts and boats fill the bays and ports with sun-hungry Norwegians.
Eastern Norway boasts a varied landscape ranging from flat, rolling farmland to dramatic, towering mountains. It is in this region that you’ll find the capital, Oslo, as well as Norway’s oldest town, Tønsberg, Norway’s largest lake, Lake Mjøsa, and Norway’s highest mountain, Galdhøpiggen (2469 metres - and bordering the West Coast region).
Northern Norway