Most of this rugged country is composed of mountains and undulating plateaus. These areas remain uninhabited, preserving the incredibly beautiful landscapes of the wild world as it existed before human intervention. The country is punctuated by valleys on the eastern side, while sea fjords from Norway's northern and western regions extend into the coast for miles.
There are many glaciers here, and most of the mountains don't shed their snow caps even in the summer. Surprisingly, people call this place home, and tourism thrives here. Norway is divided into regions known as "fylke," totaling 19 in all. These regions are grouped into 5 cultural and geographical territories.
The main regions of Norway include Nord-Norge, Trøndelag, Vestland, Vestlandet, and Sørland. Let's delve a bit deeper into the meanings behind these picturesque names.
Nord-Norge, or Northern Norway, also encompasses the Lofoten Islands and Svalbard. It's a rugged land known for some of the best Northern Lights observations, such as in Bodø.
Trøndelag, or Central Norway. Among the popular cities in the central regions of Norway is Trondheim, which is considered the technological and scientific capital of the country.
Westland, or Western Norway, is actually those endless fjords stretching from the south and north coasts. Be sure to visit Bergen. The city is called the gateway to the fjord country. It is famous for the Hanseatic promenade Bruggen, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Estlann, or Eastern Norway. It is from Oslo and Lillehammer in Estlann that many people recommend starting a journey through the Viking kingdom. This part of Norway borders Sweden. There's a lot of land where people rarely set foot. But there are also quite a few resorts.
Sørlann, Southern Norway, is known for its mild climate. Of course, quite relatively mild, especially for the inhabitants of the middle part of Europe. But if you decide to visit the port of Kristiansand, no cold weather should stop you. It is a beautiful town.
The Kingdom of Norway is washed by three seas at once. These are the North Sea in the southwest, the Norwegian Sea in the western part of the country and the cold Barents Sea in the northeast.
