Sørlandet

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Sørlandet

region, Norway

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Sørlandet, geographic region, southern Norway. Its base runs along the southern coast of the country, and it extends inland to the Bykle Hills. Like most of Norway, Sørlandet has a strip of lowland along its coast that quickly rises into interior mountains and plateaus. These highlands are cut by deep valleys and rivers, the most important being the Setes valley containing the Otra River, which bisects the region from north to south.

Most of the population lives on the coastal lowlands. Kristiansand and Arendal are the main industrial centres and seaports in the region. The rural economy is based on farming and dairying, while fishing and the fish-processing industry are important along the coast. The southernmost point of mainland Norway is marked by the Lindesnes lighthouse in the southwest. Because of Sørlandet’s southern location, the coastal areas east of Lindesnes have the warmest climate in the country as well as fine bathing beaches, and the region is a major tourist centre.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.

Kristiansand

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Kristiansand

Norway

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Kristiansand, town and seaport, southern Norway. Located on the Skagerrak (strait between Norway and Denmark) at the mouth of the Otra River, it has a spacious, ice-free harbour, protected by offshore islands, and is the largest community of Sørlandet region. It was founded and fortified in 1641 by King Christian IV of Denmark and Norway, after whom it is named; in 1660 the Christiansholm fortress, now a tourist site, was built. Christian intended the town to be a leading commercial metropolis, but it remained relatively unimportant until the late 19th century. It is now a busy transportation centre and probably the most important town on the Oslo-Stavanger rail line. It provides ocean freight service to numerous European and American ports and a car ferry across the Skagerrak to Hirtshals, Den. Kjevik Airport, northeast of the town, has direct flights to the principal cities of Norway and to Copenhagen. An important industrial centre, Kristiansand has shipyards, textile mills, and metal- and wood-processing plants. Food processing (flour and fish) is also significant.

Notable buildings include the Lutheran cathedral (originating 1685–87 and rebuilt 1882–85), seat of the Church of Norway’s bishopric of Agder, and the municipal theatre. Nearby is the ancient Oddernes Church (dating possibly to the 11th century) and the 18th-century Gimle Manor; Kongsgård, to the northeast, houses the regional folklore museum. Pop. (2007 est.) mun., 77,840.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.

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