The sound that connects the Saltenfjord and the Skjerstadfjord with the sea has one of the world’s strongest tidal currents. About 400 million cubic metres of water flows under the Saltstraumen Bridge four times a day. The water forms whirlpools with a diameter of up to 12 metres. Saltstraumen is an excellent place for fishing.
The Arctic Circle crosses Nordland at the Saltfjellet Mountain. Get your Arctic Circle certificate at the Arctic Circle Centre.
Have you heard the tale of how the mountains of Nordland got such fascinating names? The legend tells stories about mountains such as Torghatten near Brønnøysund, De syv søstre (The Seven Sisters) near Sandnessjøen and Hestmannen in Lurøy.
The island of Vega and its surrounding islands were awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2004. The islands bear testimony to a distinctive frugal way of life based on fishing and the harvesting of the down of eider ducks. There are fishing villages, quays, warehouses, eider-houses (built for eider ducks to nest in), farming landscapes, lighthouses and beacons for you to visit on the Vega islands.
Pieces of cultural heritage from each municipality combine to provide a broad picture of the county’s people, nature and activities through ten thousand years. The various items are selected pieces of a cultural whole and are open and accessible to the public.
These "footprints" are marked with information signs, and many projects have organised walking trails on which interesting heritage items are signposted. Information material about each of the "footprints" may be purchased from Nordland's tourist offices.
Who says you have to go to a city or a gallery, or visit other people’s indoor art collections, to enjoy sculptures? Art can also be admired outdoors.
Artscape Nordland is an international art collection where artists from 18 different countries delivered their contributions during the period from 1992 to 1998.
This unique collection of international outdoor sculptures can be found in beautiful and varied landscapes in no less than 33 municipalities around Nordland.
Experience the Viking Age as it really was! At Borg, archaeologists have discovered the largest house ever found from this era. It is the house of one of the most powerful chieftains in Northern Norway. The building is 83 meters long and has been reconstructed as a living museum with findings, reconstructions, exhibitions and domestic animals.