Ofotfjord

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Ofotfjord (Norwegian: Ofotfjorden, the suffix -en means "the"), an inlet of the Norwegian sea, is Norway's 12th longest fjord, 78 km long, and the 18th deepest, with a maximum depth of 553 m.

The name derives from old norse Ófóti (a place name), and fótr ("foot") which probably describes the shape of the fjord.

1 Geography
2 The Fjord Branches
3 Fauna
4 The Surroundings
5 Naval Battleground
6 External links

[edit] Geography

Ofotfjord April 17 2003. Mountains southwest of Narvik in the background.

It is the longest fjord in Nordland county, and the fourth longest in Northern Norway. The landscape Ofoten is named after the fjord. The municipalities of Tjeldsund and Evenes are located on the northern shore, Narvik is located on the eastern, innermost part of the fjord, and on the southern shore is Ballangen municipality. Lødingen (and beyond that Lofoten) and the large Vestfjord is located west-southwest of Ofotfjord.

[edit] The Fjord Branches

Several smaller fjord branches extend from the main fjord. From northwest, going clockwise, these are: Ramsund (which is actually a narrow sound connecting with the larger Tjeldsundet), Bogen (a fairly wide bay), Herjangen (the widest of these branches), Rombaken (which is crossed by E6 using the Rombak Bridge), Beisfjord (crossed by E6 using the Beisfjord Bridge), Skjomen (the longest of these fjord branches, crossed by E6 using the Skjomen Bridge) and finally Ballangen. At the mouth of Ofotfjord, on the southern side, is another fjord, the narrow Efjord, which extends southeast (crossed by the E6 using the Efjord Bridges).

[edit] Fauna

Ofotfjord has a rich marine life, with huge quantites of herring staying in the fjord in the winter. These have attracted whales (orca). Divers have occassionly observed lobsters in the fjord, the northernmost sightings of lobsters in the world. Cod is the most common fish species throughout the year. Mackerel is common from July to mid-September. Sea eagles and otters have made a strong comeback and are now very common in and around the fjord.

[edit] The Surroundings

Ofotfjord and Narvik with its mountainous setting, seen from Bjerkvik.

The fjord is surrounded by mountains, some reaching 1,500 m, and even 1,700 m in Skjomen, where the glacier Frostisen can be seen. The only larger lowland area is on parts of the northern shore, around Harstad/Narvik Airport, Evenes, although there are smaller areas near the fjord and in narrow valleys (for instance, the Narvik peninsula, where the harbour and city center of Narvik is located). The mountains are covered by forest below 500 m, birch being the most common tree.

British map showing location of sunk destroyers

[edit] Naval Battleground

In the Battle of Narvik in World War II, the Ofotfjord was the scene for several naval battles, and many ships are resting at the bottom, especially in the vicinity of Narvik harbour. These are very popular among divers. However, some of these ship wrecks are declared war graves and are thus protected by law. The German destroyer Georg Thiele was scuttled and is still visible from around the railway between Straumsnes and Rombak railway station.