Buskerud facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Buskerud
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County
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| Buskerud fylke | |||
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Buskerud within Norway
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| Country | Norway | ||
| Region | Østlandet | ||
| County ID | NO-33 | ||
| Administrative centre | Drammen | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 14,908 km2 (5,756 sq mi) | ||
| • Land | 13,794 km2 (5,326 sq mi) | ||
| Area rank | #12 in Norway, 4.53% of Norway's land area | ||
| Population
(30 September 2019)
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| • Total | 284,955  |
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| • Rank | 8 (5.29% of country) | ||
| • Density | 18/km2 (50/sq mi) | ||
| • Change (10 years) | 6.7 % | ||
| Demonym(s) | Buskerudfolk | ||
| Time zone | UTC+01 (CET) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02 (CEST) | ||
| Official language form | Neutral | ||
| Income (per capita) | 155,400 NOK | ||
| GDP (per capita) | 227,626 NOK (2001) | ||
| GDP national rank | 7 (3.57% of country) | ||
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Buskerud is a county in Norway. It shares borders with several other counties, including Akershus, Oslo, and Telemark. This region stretches from the Oslofjord in the southeast to the Hardangervidda mountains in the northwest.
The main administrative center for Buskerud is the city of Drammen. Buskerud was once part of a larger county called Viken. However, it was re-established as its own county in 2024.
Contents
What's in a Name? The Meaning of Buskerud
The name Buskerud comes from an old manor house called Buskerud. This manor was located near the Drammen River in the Modum area. The name Buskerud means "bishop's clearing" or "bishop's farm."
This name refers to the Bishop of Hamar, who once owned the land. After the Reformation (around 1536–1539), the farm became property of the king. It served as a home for the king's local officials until 1668.
Exploring Buskerud's Geography
Buskerud stretches from the Oslofjord all the way to the Halling mountains and Hardanger. The county is divided into different traditional areas. These include Hallingdal, Numedal, Ringerike, and Lower Buskerud.
The western part of Buskerud is a high, mountainous area. It has many forests and green pastures. The eastern part is a lower area with lots of lakes and rivers.
Buskerud's Lakes and Rivers
Two of the largest lakes in Buskerud are Tyrifjorden and Krøderen. The Numedalslågen is Norway's third-longest river. It flows through Buskerud and then into the sea in Vestfold. The Begna river flows into Sperillen lake.
Mountains to Discover
Buskerud is home to many mountains. Some of these include Haukefjellet, Hestebottnuten, and Storegrønut. These mountains offer beautiful views and opportunities for outdoor activities.
A Look Back: Buskerud's History
Buskerud became its own administrative area in 1685, separate from Akershus. At first, it was smaller than it is today. Over time, more areas were added to Buskerud. For example, parts of Vestfold were added in 1964.
Early Kingdoms and Industries
The Ringerike area might have been a small kingdom long ago. In the 10th century, two famous Norwegian kings, Olaf Tryggvason and Olaf Haraldsson, grew up there.
In the Numedal valley, people mined silver in Kongsberg for many years. This mining started in the 17th century and continued until 1957. Kongsberg also became known for its weapons industry starting in 1814. Today, many high-tech companies are located there.
Another important historical industry was the Blaafarveværket (Blue Colour Works) in Modum. This factory produced blue pigment from cobalt.
Buskerud's Economy Today
Today, Buskerud's economy relies on several key activities. Farming, logging, and wood-pulp factories are very important. The county also produces a lot of clean energy from its rivers, like the Begna and Rands.
Buskerud has large forested areas, which support the timber industry. A significant part of the county's income comes from high-tech businesses in Kongsberg. The many cabins and resorts in northern Buskerud also bring in a lot of money from tourism.
Buskerud's Coat of Arms
Buskerud has a special symbol called a coat of arms. It was chosen in 1966. The design shows a blue bear on a silver background. The blue color represents the old "blue colour works" factory. The silver background stands for the silver mining industry in Kongsberg.
Meet the Municipalities of Buskerud
Buskerud is divided into several smaller areas called municipalities. Each municipality has its own local government. Here are some of the municipalities in Buskerud:
| Rank | Name | Inhabitants | Area km2 |
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| 1 |  Drammen |
62,566 | 136 |
| 2 |  Ringerike |
28,806 | 1,437 |
| 3 |  Kongsberg |
27,817 | 761 |
| 4 |  Lier |
23,267 | 283 |
| 5 |  Nedre Eiker |
22,687 | 116 |
| 6 |  Røyken |
18,894 | 112 |
| 7 |  Øvre Eiker |
16,616 | 421 |
| 8 |  Modum |
12,911 | 468 |
| 9 |  Hurum |
9,045 | 156 |
| 10 |  Hole |
5,976 | 135 |
| 11 |  Ål |
4,672 | 1,083 |
| 12 |  Gol |
4,479 | 517 |
| 13 |  |
4,422 | 1,669 |
| 14 |  Sigdal |
3,514 | 813 |
| 15 |  Nes |
3,420 | 776 |
| 16 |  Flesberg |
2,578 | 542 |
| 17 |  Nore og Uvdal |
2,514 | 2,281 |
| 18 |  Krødsherad |
2,117 | 341 |
| 19 |  Hemsedal |
2,087 | 715 |
| 20 |  Rollag |
1,390 | 484 |
| 21 |  Flå |
998 | 674 |
| Total |  Buskerud |
257,673 | 12,336 |
Cities and Villages in Buskerud
Buskerud has several important cities and many smaller villages.
Major Cities
Villages to Explore
- Ask
- Geilo
- Holmsbu
- Mjøndalen
- Nesbyen
- Slemmestad
- Sokna
- Vikersund
- Åmot
Notable People from Buskerud
Many famous people come from Buskerud, especially in sports and entertainment.
Sports Stars
- Ole Einar Bjørndalen: A legendary biathlete.
- Håvard Bøkko: A speed skater.
- Anders Jacobsen: A ski jumper.
- Birger Ruud: A famous ski jumper.
Entertainers and Artists
- Morten Harket: The lead singer of the band A-ha.
- Theodor Kittelsen: A well-known painter and illustrator.
- Jonas Lie: A famous writer.
- Jørgen Moe: A collector of Norwegian folk tales.
Images for kids
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Blaafarveværket in Modum was a cobalt pigment factory.
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Hokksund Station is an important transport hub.
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Frogner Rectory in Lier.
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Hønefoss Church in Ringerike, which sadly burned down in 2007.
See also
In Spanish: Provincia de Buskerud para niños
