Nordland Facts for Kids

Nordland is a large and beautiful county in Norway. It is located in the northern part of the country. Nordland shares its borders with the counties of Finnmark and Nord-Trøndelag. It also borders the country of Sweden to the east.

Nordland is known for its amazing nature. It has a long coastline facing the North Atlantic Ocean. This county is a fantastic place to explore, with many islands, fjords, and mountains.

Geography of Nordland: Mountains, Fjords, and Islands
- Famous Natural Wonders in Nordland
- Weather and Seasons in Nordland
Wildlife and Nature in Nordland
- Amazing Seabird Colonies
- Animals of the Mountains and Forests
History and Culture of Nordland
- Ancient Times and Viking History
- Nordland in Modern History
Economy and Industry in Nordland
Images for kids
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Geography of Nordland: Mountains, Fjords, and Islands

Nordland's geography is very exciting. The North Atlantic Ocean touches its long coast. This means you can find many islands and deep fjords here. Fjords are long, narrow inlets of the sea between high cliffs.

The landscape changes a lot from the coast to the inland areas. Along the coast, there are many flat areas called Strandflaten. This is where most people live. Further inland, you will find tall mountains. Some of these mountains are covered in snow for many months of the year.

Famous Natural Wonders in Nordland

Nordland is home to some truly special natural sights. One famous mountain is Stetind. It is so impressive that it was voted Norway's national mountain! Another unique spot is Torghatten. This mountain has a characteristic hole right through it. It looks like a giant eye!

The county also has many caves, like Vikgrotta in Saltdal. These caves are fun to explore. Nordland is also a great place to see the Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights. This amazing light show happens in the sky during the darker months.

Weather and Seasons in Nordland

The weather in Nordland can vary a lot. Along the coast, the winters are milder. But in the mountains, there is snow for a long time. Some high mountain areas have snow all year round.

In the summer, especially in the northern parts, you can experience the Midnight sun. This is when the sun stays visible for 24 hours a day. It's a magical experience where the sky never gets completely dark!

Wildlife and Nature in Nordland

Nordland is a great place for nature lovers. It has many different animals and plants. The long coastline is home to many seabirds.

Amazing Seabird Colonies

Røst is an island group in Nordland. It has some of the largest seabird colonies along the Norwegian coast. You can see many different kinds of birds here, including cute puffins. These birds nest on the cliffs and fly out to sea to find food.

Animals of the Mountains and Forests

The inland mountain ranges have special types of nature. Here you can find alpine tundra and subarctic forests. These areas are important homes for animals like the wolverine. Wolverines are strong and shy animals that live in the wild parts of Europe.

Nordland also has several national parks, like Junkerdal National Park. These parks protect the unique nature and provide marked hiking routes for visitors to enjoy.

History and Culture of Nordland

Nordland has a rich history that goes back thousands of years. People have lived here for a very long time.

Ancient Times and Viking History

Archaeologists have found ancient rock drawings in Nordland. These drawings show boats and tell us about the people who lived here long ago. They show how important the sea was to their lives.

The Viking Age was also a big part of Nordland's history. You can visit places like the Lofotr Viking Museum in Borg. Here, a chieftain's house has been rebuilt. It helps you imagine what life was like for the Vikings.

Nordland in Modern History

Nordland played an important role in World War II. The Battle of Narvik happened here. This was one of the hardest fights in Norway during the war. Soldiers from Norway, Britain, France, and Poland fought together. The recapture of Narvik was a big moment. It was the first time the Nazi German army had to leave a town they had captured.

Nordland also has a strong cultural heritage. For example, the Hamsun Farm in Hamarøy is part of Norway's cultural heritage. It is connected to the famous writer Knut Hamsun.

Economy and Industry in Nordland

Nordland's economy has always been linked to its natural resources.

Fishing and Sea Industries

Fishing has been a very important industry for Nordland for centuries. The cold waters of the Atlantic are full of fish, like herring. In the past, people could catch huge amounts of fish in a short time. Fishing still provides many jobs for people in the county.

Hydroelectric Power

Nordland has a lot of mountains and rivers. This means it has a great potential for making hydroelectric power. Hydroelectric power uses the force of moving water to create electricity. Nordland has the largest potential for this type of energy among all Norwegian counties. This power helps run factories in the region. An example is the Glomfjord hydroelectric power plant in Meløy.

Transport and Cities

Nordland has important towns that help connect the region. Bodø is one of the main cities. It has an airport, a railway station, and a harbor. This makes it easy to travel to and from Bodø.

Because Nordland has many fjords, islands, and straits, bridges are very important. The Helgeland Bridge is a good example. It connects Alsten island to the mainland, making travel much easier for people.

Images for kids

Ballstad in Lofoten is a beautiful fishing village.
Autumn near Trollfjord in Hadsel. Nordland is home to countless fjords.
Most people live in the lowland areas. Berg in Sømna.
Stetind is Norway's national mountain, towering over a branch of Tysfjord.
Inside Vikgrotta (cave) in Saltdal.
Torghatten, in Brønnøy, has a unique hole through it.
The Midnight Sun seen from Holm, Sortland.
The Saltfjell mountains are still snow-covered in May.
The Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) can be seen in much of the year. Andøy, October 2007.
Bluish light in the mountains in mid-January.
Røst has large seabird colonies, including many puffins.
A marked hiking route in Junkerdal National Park.
The long inland mountain range is a core area for wolverines in western Europe.
Herring fisheries could bring a large catch. Picture taken around 1870.
Gravdal, where the local hospital in Lofoten is located.
Bodø has an airport, railway station, and a harbor.
Glomfjord hydroelectric powerplant in Meløy.
Helgeland Bridge connects Alsten island to the mainland.
Prehistoric rock drawings showing boats.
Trollfjordslaget - The battle of Trollfjord by Gunnar Berg.
Hamsun Farm, Hamarøy, part of the Norwegian Cultural Heritage.
The Battle of Narvik saw hard fighting in World War II.
The reconstructed chieftain house at Lofotr Viking Museum, Borg in Vestvågøy.