Vestfold

Vestfold fylke
—  County  —

Coat of arms
Vestfold within Norway
Country Norway
County Vestfold
Region Østlandet
County ID NO-07
Official language form Bokmål
Demonym Vestfolding
Administrative centre Tønsberg
Government
 - Governor Erling Lae
  ...
  (2010–present)
 - County Mayor Per-Eivind Johansen
  Høyre
  (2007–present)
Area(#18 in Norway, 0.71% of Norway's land area)
 - Total 2,224 km2 (858.7 sq mi)
 - Land 2,147 km2 (829 sq mi)
Population (2008)
 - Total 227,798
 - Density 102/km2 (264.2/sq mi)
 - Change (10 years) 8.7 %
 - Rank in Norway 10 (4.78% of nation)
Time zone CET (UTC+01)
 - Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+02)
Income (per capita) 148,300 NOK
GDP (per capita) 219,970 NOK (2001)
National Rank: 10 (3.11% of nation)
Website www.vfk.no
Data from Statistics Norway

Vestfold is a county in Norway, bordering Buskerud and Telemark. The county administration is in Tønsberg. Vestfold is located west of the Oslofjord, as the name indicates. It includes many smaller, but well-known towns in Norway, such as Larvik, Sandefjord, Tønsberg and Horten. The river Numedalslågen runs through the district. Many islands are located at the coast. Vestfold is mostly dominated by lowland and is among the best agricultural areas of Norway. Winters last about three months, while pleasant summer temperatures last from May to September, with a July average of 17°C (Tønsberg climate).

Vestfold is known for shipping and sailing. Formerly a headquarters for whaling fleets, the coastal towns of Vestfold now engage in fishing and shipbuilding. Some lumbering is carried on in the interior. The district also includes some of the best farmland in Norway. Vestfold is the only county in which all municipalities have declared Bokmål to be their official written form of the Norwegian language.[1]

Contents

History

Kaupang, a town from the Viking Age is believed to be the first town in Norway, although Tønsberg is the oldest town in Norway still existing. Kaupang is mentioned under the name of Skiringssal (or Sciringesheal) in Ohthere from Hålogaland's tales which date from the 9th century.[2]

By the 10th century the local kings had established themselves as the first dynasty to begin the unification of Norway. The king or his ombudsman resided in the old Royal Court at Sæheimr, today the Jarlsberg Estate (Jarlsberg Hovedgård) in Tønsberg. The farm Haugar became the seat for Haugathing, the Thing for Vestfold and one of Norway's most important place for the proclamation of kings.

The family of Harald Fairhair, who was most likely the first king of the whole Norway, is said to have come from this area. At that time Vestfold, including Lier and Eiker, was a petty kingdom. Kings of Vestfold include:

The name

Vestfold is the old name of the region - revived in modern times. Fold was the old name of the Oslofjord, and the meaning of the name Vestfold is 'the region west of the Fold' (see also Østfold). Before 1919 the county was called Jarlsberg og Larvik Amt. The amt was created in 1821, consisting of the two old counties of Jarlsberg and Larvik.[3]

Transportation

The Vestfold Line is a railway line that runs from Drammen, through a number of towns in Vestfold and ending in the town of Skien in Telemark. European route E18 runs through the county roughly parallel to the railway.

There are two international ferry connections, both operated by Color Line. Larvik is connected to the Danish town Hirtshals, the other route is between Sandefjord and Strømstad in Sweden. In addition there is a domestic route connecting Horten and Moss

Sandefjord Airport, Torp serves both domestic and international destinations. It is regional hub for Norwegian carrier Widerøe, low cost carriers Ryanair and WizzAir also operate from the airport.

Municipalities

Vestfold Municipalities

Vestfold County has a total of 14 municipalities:

  1. Andebu
  2. Hof
  3. Holmestrand
  4. Horten
  5. Lardal
  6. Larvik
  7. Nøtterøy
  8. Re
  9. Sande
  10. Sandefjord
  11. Stokke
  12. Svelvik
  13. Tjøme
  14. Tønsberg

References

  1. ↑ Vestfold County (Vestfold University College0
  2. ↑ Vestvågøy Theme (Geir Are Johansen, archaeologist. Lofotr the Viking Museum)
  3. ↑ Vestfold County (2007 GoNorway)

External links

Counties of Norway

Akershus · Aust-Agder · Buskerud · Finnmark · Hedmark · Hordaland · Møre og Romsdal · Nordland · Nord-Trøndelag · Oppland · Oslo · Østfold · Rogaland · Sogn og Fjordane · Sør-Trøndelag · Telemark · Troms · Vest-Agder · Vestfold

 Flag of Norway