Geography

• Hovden is located in the Bykle municipality in the county of Aust-Agder, southern Norway.
• Total area: 1,552 square kilometres.
• Population: 965 inhabitants (as of 1 Jan 2009).
• Located at the top of Setesdal, along national route no. 9
  (GPS coordinates: 59° 33'35,5'' N / 07° 21'21,8'' E).
• The centre of Hovden lies at 800 metres above sea level.
• Sæbyggjenuten, the highest peak in the municipality (and in the county of Aust-Agder) is 1,507 metres high.
• The River Otra flows though Hovden.

History

During the Viking Age and the Middle Ages, Hovden was a centre of iron production.

1911: Hovdehytta opened for accommodation.

1968: The Hovden Ski Centre was established.

Other

Today Hovden is the largest ski destination in Southern Norway.

All accommodation and activity providers are located within walking distance of central Hovden (four-kilometre radius)

Hydroelectric power is the municipality's main source of income.