Key facts about Sunnfjord

Sunnfjord stands out from its neighbouring districts in the county of Sogn and Fjordane. Its little-known fjord arms, gentler landscape and powerful, varied watercourses, combined with an abundance of waterfalls, have all played their part in forming the landscape and where people have put down their roots. Distances are short between one attraction to the next and the region is ideal for excursions from the glacier in the east to the fjord and islands in the west.

In total the municipalities of Førde, Naustdal, Gaular and Jølster have 20,500 inhabitants, with a surface area of 2,210 square kilometres. Førde is the main urban centre in the region.

History

Until the end of the 1960s, the primary source of income here was farming, and the main thoroughfare for travel was the fjord. In 1965 Førde was designated as a centre for promoting growth in the county. From 1970 onwards, industry has developed in the areas of shipping, culture, public health, transport and communications and commerce. All roads led to Førde, and they still do: today Førde serves the whole of the surrounding countryside, which is home to a population of 45,000. Each year Førde International Folk Music Festival attracts folk music artists from all over the world. Førde Town is located at the centre of the county. The name originates from the Old Norse word "firdi", which suggests "found at the furthest end of the fjord". 

Climate

Weather conditions can vary between the inner and outer reaches of Sunnfjord. The outer and central areas receive considerable rainfall, with annual precipitations of 1,500–3,000mm, sometimes more. The maximum usually falls 20–30 kilometres from the coast; the undulating terrain causes distribution to be very irregular. Average temperatures for the inner fjord areas and neighbouring valleys are –3 to –6 °C in January, which is the coldest month of the year. The hottest month, meanwhile, is July, with temperatures averaging 15–17°C.

Geography

Sunnfjord is the countryside lining the shorter fjords that carve their way between Sognefjord and Nordfjord (Dalsfjord, Førdefjord and others). Sunnfjord reaches in the east all the way up to the backbone of the Jostedal Glacier. Characteristic for coastal areas between Sognefjord and Nordfjord are sandstone and conglomerate from the Devon Age. These are found among other places in the high mountain area between outer Nordfjord and Norddalsfjord in Sunnfjord; also on the peninsula between Førdefjord and Dalsfjord in Sunnfjord (Blægja, 1,304 metres above sea level). This hard, resistant sandstone or conglomerate crumbles slowly and produces a barren terrain with sparse vegetation.