Marka, Oslo

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bydel Marka
Image:Oslo_marka.png
City Oslo
Borough NO-030117
Area 301.1 km²
Population
 - Total (2004)
 - Density

1,636
/km²
www.oslo.kommune.no

Marka is the name of the forested and hilly areas surrounding Oslo, Norway. It includes areas within the municipality of Oslo, but also large areas in Hole, Ringerike, Jevnaker, Lunner, Nittedal, Bærum, Asker, and other municipalities in Oppland and Akershus counties.

The term Oslomarka is usually used for all the recreational areas around Oslo. Marka is the administrative name for the part of it that lies inside the city limits. Neighboring municipalities (most of which lie in Akershus) do not have the same kind of administrative division as Oslo, and thus do not have any separate administrative arrangement for their parts of the area. The area within Oslo municipality is divided into two parts. Though not designated a borough of Oslo, it is a major recreational area for the population of Oslo, and development in the area is for the most part prohibited.

Despite being used frequently by many citizens of Oslo, especially in weekends, the fauna of marka includes such species as lynx, beaver, moose and roe deer.

The population and agricultutal areas of Marka are located mainly in two valleys, Sørkedalen and Maridalen.

Oslomarka is further divided into:

  • Nordmarka
  • Østmarka
  • Lillomarka
  • Gjelleråsmarka
  • Bærumsmarka
  • Krokskogen
  • Vestmarka
  • Kjekstadmarka
  • Sørmarka
  • Follomarka
  • Romeriksåsene

Of these, Vestmarka, Kjekstadmarka, Romeriksåsene, Follomarka and Sørmarka lie almost entirely outside the city limits.

View of Sinober, a cafe and farmhouse in Lillomarka.
View of Sinober, a cafe and farmhouse in Lillomarka.