Sørlandet
Encyclopedia
Southern Norway (lit. "southern land") 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 16493 square kilometres (6,368 sq mi).
. The University of Agder is named after this historic name.
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 right north or south of today's Risør.
Skagerrak
The Skagerrak is a strait running between Norway and the southwest coast of Sweden and the Jutland peninsula of Denmark, connecting the North Sea and the Kattegat sea area, which leads to the Baltic Sea.-Name:...
coast of southern Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
consisting of the two counties of Vest-Agder
Vest-Agder
In the 16th century, Dutch merchant vessels began to visit ports in southern Norway to purchase salmon and other goods. Soon thereafter the export of timber began, as oak from southern Norway was exceptionally well suited for shipbuilding...
and Aust-Agder
Aust-Agder
is a county in Norway, bordering Telemark, Rogaland, and Vest-Agder. In 2002, there were 102,945 inhabitants, which is 2.2% of the total population in Norway. Its area is . The administrative center of the county is in Arendal....
. The total combined area of Vest-Agder and Aust-Agder is 16493 square kilometres (6,368 sq mi).
Origin and use of the concept
The name and modern concept of this part of the country considered as a separate region, was introduced as late as 1902 by the local author Vilhelm Krag. Before this, the area was considered part of Western Norway. Southern Norway coincides roughly with the historic petty kingdom of AgderAgder
Agder is a historical district of Norway in the southernmost region of Norway, corresponding to the two counties Vest-Agder and Aust-Agder. Today, the term Sørlandet is more commonly used.-Name:...
. The University of Agder is named after this historic name.
Occasionally, adjacent parts of the county of Rogaland
Rogaland
is a county in Western Norway, bordering Hordaland, Telemark, Aust-Agder and Vest-Agder. It is the center of the Norwegian petroleum industry, and as a result of this, Rogaland has the lowest unemployment rate of any county in Norway, 1.1%...
and Telemark
Telemark
is a county in Norway, bordering Vestfold, Buskerud, Hordaland, Rogaland and Aust-Agder. The county administration is in Skien. Until 1919 the county was known as Bratsberg amt.-Location:...
might be considered part of this region, as well.
If defined as an informal region
Cultural geography
Cultural geography is a sub-field within human geography. Cultural geography is the study of cultural products and norms and their variations across and relations to spaces and places...
, Southern Norway is perhaps more properly defined as the Skagerrak
Skagerrak
The Skagerrak is a strait running between Norway and the southwest coast of Sweden and the Jutland peninsula of Denmark, connecting the North Sea and the Kattegat sea area, which leads to the Baltic Sea.-Name:...
coastal belt, thus excluding the inland valleys to the north.
In the Middle Ages, the easternmost border of the Agder region was Rygjarbit 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:- FlekkefjordFlekkefjordis a town and municipality in the county of Vest-Agder, Norway.The town of Flekkefjord was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 . The rural municipalities of Bakke, Gyland, Hidra, and Nes were merged with Flekkefjord on 1 January 1965.Flekkefjord is the westernmost town of the...
- FarsundFarsundis a town and municipality in the county of Vest-Agder, Norway.The town of Farsund was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 , although already recognized as a trading center in 1795...
- Mandal
- KristiansandKristiansand-History:As indicated by archeological findings in the city, the Kristiansand area has been settled at least since 400 AD. A royal farm is known to have been situated on Oddernes as early as 800, and the first church was built around 1040...
- LillesandLillesandis a town and municipality in Aust-Agder county, Norway. It is part of the traditional district of Sørlandet. The administrative center of the municipality is the town of Lillesand.-General information:...
- GrimstadGrimstadis a town and municipality in Aust-Agder county, Norway. It belongs to the geographical region of Sørlandet. The administrative center of the municipality is the town of Grimstad. Other notable places in Grimstad include Eide, Fevik, Fjære, Landvik, Prestegårdskogen, Reddal, and Roresanden.It is...
- ArendalArendalis a town and municipality in the county of Aust-Agder, Norway. Arendal belongs to the traditional region of Sørlandet.The town of Arendal is the administrative center the municipality and also of Aust-Agder county...
- TvedestrandTvedestrandis a town and municipality in Aust-Agder county, Norway. It is located in the traditional district of Sørlandet. The administrative center is the village of Tvedestrand....
- RisørRisøris a city and municipality in Aust-Agder county, Norway. The city belongs to the traditional region of Sørlandet. It is a popular tourist place. The surrounding area includes many small lakes and hills, and is known for its beautiful coastline as well....