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Vestvågøy in Lofoten, Norway Photo: Fabrice Milochau

Key facts about Nordland

Meet nature, tranquillity and an endless array of activities in Nordland, the second largest county in Norway.

Nordland covers a surface area of more than 38,000 square kilometres and has a spectacular coastline of approximately 14,000 kilometres and more than 18,000 islands.

Nordland has 236,000 inhabitants. Bodø is the capital of the county with a population of 46,000.

The Sami population in Nordland consist of three different language groups with concentrated settlement in different parts of the county.

Nordland has five regions:

Major towns

  • Bodø (approximately 46,000 inhabitants)
  • Mo i Rana (approximately 25,000 inhabitants)
  • Narvik ( 18,400 inhabitants)
  • Sortland (approximately 9,700 inhabitants)
  • Mosjøen (approximately 13,000 inhabitants)
  • Fauske (approximately 10,000 inhabitants)
  • Brønnøysund (approximately 7,500 inhabitants)
  • Sandnessjøen (approximately 5,700 inhabitants)
  • Svolvær (approximately 4,300 inhabitants)
  • Stokmarknes (approximately 3,000 inhabitants)
  • Leknes (approximately 2,000 inhabitants)

History

People have lived in Nordland for more than 12,000 years. The first traces of human settlements are found along the coastline, on the Vega Islands, near Saltstraumen outside Bodø, Steigen and Lødingen.

The midnight sun

The whole of Nordland can enjoy the midnight sun from the end of April until the middle of August.

Approximate dates for seeing the midnight sun:

Svolvær 27 May - 17 July
Bodø 3 June - 8 July

 

Highest mountain

The highest mountain in Nordland is Oksskolten (1,915 metres above sea level).

Norway at its narrowest

Norway is at its narrowest (4.3 kilometres) at Hellemobotn in the municipality of Tysfjord.

Last updated:  2011-11-16
Midnight sun over the island of Lovund, Norway - Photo: Frithjof Fure/Innovasjon Norge
Midnight sun over the island of Lovund, Norway
Svolvær in Lofoten, Norway - Photo: Fabrice Milochau
Svolvær in Lofoten, Norway
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Vestvågøy in Lofoten, Norway - Photo: Fabrice Milochau

Key facts about Nordland

Meet nature, tranquillity and an endless array of activities in Nordland, the second largest county in Norway.

Key facts about Nordland

Source: Visitnorway

About Nordland

Nordland

Nordland is known for wildlife safaris and stunning scenery. National Geographic Traveller has rated Lofoten among the best islands in the world.

Tourist information for Kystriksveien

The tourist information centre in Steinkjer will help you book accommodation and plan a tailor-made itinerary for your trip along Kystriksveien.

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Nordland

Evening
Rain, Strong breeze
9°C

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