Southern Norway
Southern Norway
Sørlandet | |
|---|---|
 | |
.svg) | |
| Country | Norway |
| Capital | Kristiansand, Arendal |
| Counties (fylker) | Aust-Agder Vest-Agder |
| Area | |
| • Total | 16,434 km2 (6,345 sq mi) |
| Population (2009) | |
| • Total | 277,250 |
| • Density | 17/km2 (44/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Southlendic people |
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1951 | 172,753 | — |
| 1960 | 185,302 | +7.3% |
| 1970 | 215,874 | +16.5% |
| 1980 | 225,429 | +4.4% |
| 1990 | 240,906 | +6.9% |
| 2000 | 257,869 | +7.0% |
| 2010 | 279,024 | +8.2% |
| Source: Statistics Norway [1][2]. | ||
Southern Norway (Template:Lang-no) (lit. "south country") is the name of the geographical region (landsdel) of the Skagerrak coast of southern Norway consisting of the two counties of Vest-Agder and Aust-Agder. The total combined area of Vest-Agder and Aust-Agder is 16,493 square kilometres (6,368 sq mi).[3]
Origin and use of the concept
The name and modern concept of this part of the country being considered as a separate region was introduced as late as 1902 by the local author Vilhelm Krag. Prior to this, the area was considered part of Western Norway. Southern Norway coincides roughly with the historic petty kingdom of Agder, which lends its name to the two constituent counties: Vest-Agder and Aust-Agder, as well as the University of Agder.
Occasionally, adjacent parts of the county of Rogaland and Telemark might be considered part of this region, as well.
If defined as an informal region, Southern Norway is perhaps more properly defined as the Skagerrak coastal belt, thus excluding the inland valleys to the north.
In the Middle Ages, the easternmost border of the Agder region was Rygjarbit[4] right north or south of today's Risør.
Coastal region
About 80% of the population of the two counties live along the coast, which has the warmest climate as well as offering quick access to the rich fishing grounds and maritime roads of the Skagerrak. The coastal towns of Southern Norway, from west to east, are:
Image gallery
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Kirkehavn on Hidra, Vest-Agder, Norway -
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Arendal -
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Kristiansand harbor
Inland
In southern Norway are a number of smaller inland municipalities. Key industries are forestry, agriculture and tourism. There are also popular ski resorts like Hovden in the valley of Setesdal and Bortelid in Åseral municipality.
See also
- Demographics of Southern Norway
- Kashubian vetch - Sørlandsvikke (Kasjubiasvikke)
References
External links
South Norway travel guide from Wikivoyage- Southern Norway www.visitnorway.com
- Getting to Southern Norway and around
- Agder
- Visit Sørlandet
- University of Agder
- Tonal characteristics of some varieties of spoken South Norwegian.
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