Western Norway: Towns | Holidays | Attractions
Ålesund
The Counties of Western Norway
Rogaland
The county of Rogaland lies at Norways southwestern tip,
with the North Sea washing its shores. The Bokn fjord dominates
the northern part of the county, in the south you'll find
one of the most fertile farmland in Norway - the coastal
strip called Jæren. Behind Jæren barren hills
stretches eastward. The name Rogaland means "the land
of the Ryger". The Ryger tribe is believed to have settled
there two thousand years ago. The meaning of the tribe name
is uncertain.
Hordaland
Hordaland count is a part of "Vestlandet" - The
Western Land. Two thirds of the countys population live in
Bergen, Norways second largest city. The long Hardanger Fjord
in the south and numerous small and big islands along the
coast are main landscape features in this county. Hordaland
means "the land of the Hordar", a tribe with a
name of possibly Celtic origin.
Sogn og Fjordane
Sogn and Fjordane - the central parts of Vestlandet (The
Western Land) - has, as the last part of its name tells,
many fjords, and the longest (205 km or 127 miles long) is
the Sogne fjord, which has contributed with its own original
name to the county. Nordfjord (The Northern fjord) near the
border to Møre and Romsdal, is notable, too. The old
fjord name Sogn may have something to do with strong currents
in the sea.
Møre og Romsdal
This county constitutes the northern part of "Vestlandet" -
The Western Land. Numerous fjords, wild mountains and many
islands dominates the nature in Møre and Romsdal.
The first part of the county name probably derives from "mare",
an old word for sea. If that is true Møre means "the
land by the sea". Romsdal, the central part of the county,
takes its name from the valley where the river Rauma flows
to the sea.
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