Telemark is located in southeastern Norway, extending from the Skagerrak coast in the south to the mountain plateau of Hardangervidda in the north. Telemark covers an area of 1,140 square kilometres, and most of this is made up of mountains, highlands, forests and lakes. In the north Gaustatoppen Mountain rises in all its glory, 1,883 metres above sea level.
Above all Telemark is known as the cultural county; with museums, traditional villages, churches and a variety of exhibitions which all provide visitors with cultural memories to bring back home.
The largest population centres are Skien, Porsgrunn, Langesund, Notodden, Rjukan and Kragerø. Other important places are Bø, Fyresdal and Vinje.
Commerce and industry in Telemark is very varied, with Norsk Hydro and the petrochemical activities in Bamble as important cornerstones. Telemark is Norway's fourth largest forestry county, and forestry is an important source of income for the farmers.