Østfold

From Free net encyclopedia

Østfold is a county in southeastern Norway, bordering Akershus and southwestern Sweden (Västra Götaland County and Värmland), while Vestfold is on the other side of the bay. The county administration is in Sarpsborg.

Østfold fylke

Image:Ostfold vapen.png

Image:Østfold kart.png

County

NO-01

Region

Østlandet

Administrative centre

Sarpsborg

County mayor

Atle Haga

Area
- Total
- Percentage

Ranked 17
4,182 km²
1.28 %

Population
- Total (2004)
- Percentage
- Change (10 years)
- Density

Ranked 6
256,668
5.61 %
7.5 %
66/km²

Gross Regional Product
- Total (2001)
- Percentage
- GRP/capita

Ranked 8
50,399 million NOK
3.30 %
200,084 NOK

Østfold is located between the Oslo Fjord and Sweden. It is a hilly landscape with a lot of woodland. The towns Askim, Fredrikstad, Moss, Mysen, Halden, and Sarpsborg are located here, making Østfold the county of Norway with most towns. The rivers Glomma and Tistedalselva run through the district.

Østfold is among the nation's oldest inhabited regions, with rock drawings and mounds throughout the area. Many manufacturing communities are situated here. Moss and Fredrikstad have shipyards. Granite mines are situated in Østfold, granite stone from these was used by Gustav Vigeland.

The county slogan: "The heartland of Scandinavia". The local dialect is characterized by the geographical proximity to Sweden, and some Norwegians consider it "ugly". However, these days the dialect is revalued, and many speak it with pride.

The symbol of Østfold represents nature and the concept of the life-giving sun. The middle ray of light represents warmth, and the two beams on either side symbolize light.

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History

In the Viking Age, the area was part of Vingulmark, which in turn was part of Viken and included Båhuslen. It and was partly under Swedish rule until the time of Harald Fairhair.

Later, when Norway was under Danish rule, the Danish king divided the area into many baronies, and the name Smålenene came into use. This is reflected to this day, in that contrary to many other traditional districts of Norway, Østfold is culturally not a unity, but instead a mosaic of areas around the various cities and towns.

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