| Southern Norway Sørlandet |
|
|---|---|
| — Region (landsdel) — | |
| The city of Risør | |
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Norway |
| Capital | Kristiansand, Arendal |
| Counties (fylker) | Aust-Agder Vest-Agder |
| Area | |
| • Total | 16,434 km2 (6,345.2 sq mi) |
| Population (2009) | |
| • Total | 277,250 |
| • Density | 16.9/km2 (43.7/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Southlendic people |
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1951 | 172,753 | — |
| 1960 | 185,302 | +7.3% |
| 1970 | 215,874 | +16.5% |
| 1980 | 225,429 | +4.4% |
| 1990 | 240,906 | +6.9% |
| 2000 | 257,869 | +7.0% |
| 2010 | 279,024 | +8.2% |
| Source: Statistics Norway [1][2]. | ||
Southern Norway (Norwegian: Sørlandet) (lit. "southern land") is the name of the geographical region (landsdel) of the Skagerrak coast of southern Norway consisting of the two counties of Vest-Agder and Aust-Agder. The total combined area of Vest-Agder and Aust-Agder is 16,493 square kilometres (6,368 sq mi).[3]
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The name and modern concept of this part of the country considered as a separate region, was introduced as late as 1902 by the local author Vilhelm Krag. Before this, the area was considered part of Western Norway. Southern Norway coincides roughly with the historic petty kingdom of Agder. The University of Agder is named after this historic name.
Occasionally, adjacent parts of the county of Rogaland and Telemark might be considered part of this region, as well.
If defined as an informal region, Southern Norway is perhaps more properly defined as the Skagerrak coastal belt, thus excluding the inland valleys to the north.
In the Middle Ages, the easternmost border of the Agder region was Rygjarbit[4] right north or south of today's Risør.
About 80% of the population of the two counties live along the coast, which has the warmest climate as well as offering quick access to the rich fishing grounds and maritime roads of the Skagerrak. The coastal towns of Southern Norway, from west to east, are:
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