The fjords of Norway, these majestic mountain bays, are a unique natural phenomenon that will not leave anyone indifferent. Let's try to find out why they are called the pearl of the country.
In the northern part of the west coast of Norway there are fjords that were formed during the last ice age. When the glacier retreated 10-12 thousand years ago, amazing Norwegian fjords, now famous all over the world. The word "fjord" means "bay" in Norwegian.
Each fjord has its own characteristics and attractions. Geirangerfjord is famous for the highest and most picturesque waterfalls. The majestic beauty of Geirangerfjord has been a major attraction on cruises for decades. Geirangerfjord is located approximately 200 kilometers northeast of Bergen and 280 kilometers northwest of Oslo. The fjord stretches for 15 kilometers and is a branch of the Storfjord.
Some of the fjord's attractions are the waterfalls, the most famous of which are the Seven Sisters, the Bridal Veil and the Groom.
Along the banks there are steep cliffs up to 1400 meters high and glaciers. There are also abandoned farms along the Geirangerfjord, some of which are located on small areas of mountain ledges, so it is only possible to reach them using special ladders or rope ladders.
Sognefjord is the longest fjord in the world. This bay, which in Norway is also called the “King of the Fjords,” is located in Sogn og Fjordane. It stretches 204 km inland and 1308 m to the depths of the sea.
Along the entire perimeter of the fjord there are inaccessible cliffs, and if you go deeper into the surrounding areas, you will encounter beautiful waterfalls and cultural monuments along the way.
The formation of Sognefjord began 2.57 million years ago during the Pliocene period. As a result of erosion caused by the convergence of glaciers, the river system turned into a fjord. At the same time, 7,610 km were destroyed? rocks over the entire area of the Sognefjord basin, which today amounts to 12,518 km?. The average deepening caused by erosion was 610 meters, and the maximum (in the eastern part) was 2850 meters. Annual erosion rates have reached 2 mm per year.
Trondheimsfjord is the third longest fjord in Norway. Located in western central Norway and stretches from Ørland in the west to Steinkjer in the north.
On the banks of the Trondheimsfjord lies the city of Trondheim, after which the fjord is named.
The deepest point of the fjord is 617 meters, located in the municipality of Agdanes. The largest islands of the fjord are Ytterøy (28 km) and Toutra (1.5 km). Trondheimsfjord was an important sea route back in Viking times and remains so today.
Hardangerfjord is best known for its surrounding area, where magnificent orchards bloom in spring. The fruit orchards of Hardangerfjord in May will make anyone believe in heaven on earth:) The fjord is surrounded by rocky mountains up to 1.5 km high, from which many magnificent waterfalls fall, in particular the 145 m high Vøringsfossen waterfall and Skjeggadals.
Hardangerfjord is divided into many smaller bays, including Kvinnherads, Granvin, Sør, Eid and Osa. Hardangerfjord juts out into the coast of the Scandinavian Peninsula for 113 km. It starts south of Bergen, near the island of Stur in the North Sea and extends to the Hardanger Plateau. The maximum depth is 891 m, at the entrance - 253 m. At the bottom of the Hardangerfjord lies the Trygg-class destroyer KNM Stegg, sunk on April 20, 1940 by a German ship.
Lysefjord is famous for the Preikestolen rock, where you can enjoy a magnificent view, and the bravest ones can go to the very edge of the rock, where the spectacle will take everyone’s breath away!
The length of the fjord is 42 km, the maximum depth is 422 meters. The fjord was formed under the influence of glaciers, and after the glacier retreated, the “giant crack” filled with water. This happened approximately 10,000 years ago. Lysefjord stretches from west to east for 42 km. The height of the vertical rock walls above the water reaches 1 km.
Due to the difficult terrain, there are only two settlements on the banks of the fjord - Lysebotn and Forsand. The depth of the fjord ranges from 13 meters - at the point where the fjord “empties” into the ocean near Stavanger, to more than 400 meters - in the area.
Nordfjord is the sixth longest fjord in Norway, its length is 106 kilometers.
Nordfjord, along with Sognefjord in the south and Storfjord in the north, is one of the three large fjords of central Norway. The maximum depth is 565 m, the maximum width is about 5 km.
The fjord has great tourism potential, in particular because it provides easy access to several tongues of the Jostedalsbreen glacier, the largest glacier in continental Europe.
With rocky shores. The length of the fjord is several (most often tens) times greater than its width. The shores of the fjord are in most cases formed by cliffs up to 1000 meters high.
Most often, fjords are of tectonic origin and arose when there was a sharp and sudden change in the direction of movement of tectonic plates from counter to opposite. As a result of this, at the edges of the plates, already compressed by the preliminary oncoming movement, numerous cracks and faults are formed, which are filled with sea water. In this case, the fjord can have significant depth, up to 800 meters. In a number of cases, the emergence of fjords is the result of the processing by glaciers (during the Quaternary glaciation) of river valleys and tectonic depressions, followed by their flooding with water.
The world's most famous fjord regions are located on the western coasts of Norway, Chile, the South Island of New Zealand and North America from Puget Sound (Washington) to Alaska. Fjords are also found on the shores of Scotland, Iceland, Greenland, Labrador Peninsula, Maine (USA) and on some Arctic islands.
Thanks to their beauty and picturesqueness - cliffs rising straight out of the water, mountains covered with dense vegetation, snowy peaks - the fjords enjoy deserved interest among tourists all over the world.
Hardangerfjord, Norway
Some fjords
| Name | Location | Length (km) | Width (km) | Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sognefjord | Norway | 219 | 6 | 1308 |
| Hardangerfjord | Norway | 183 | 10 | 750 |
| Trondheimsfjord | Norway | 137 | 24 | 600 |
| Nordfjord | Norway | 113 | 5 | 565 |
| Kola Bay | Russia | 57 | 7 | 300 |
| Milford | New Zealand | 19 | 3 | 390 |
| Portland Channel | Alaska (USA) | 145 | 3 | 385 |
| Loch Morar | Scotland (UK) | 19 | 3 | 310 |
| Saguenay | Quebec (Canada) | 120 | 5 | 30 |
see also
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See what “Fjords” are in other dictionaries:
- (fjords) (Norwegian unit fjord), narrow, deep sea bays with high, steep and rocky shores. They arise as a result of processing by a glacier and subsequent flooding of river valleys and tectonic depressions by the sea. Length up to 200 km or more, depth... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary
Fjords (Norwegian, singular fjord), narrow, deep sea bays with high, steep and rocky shores. They arise as a result of processing by a glacier and subsequent flooding of river valleys and tectonic depressions by the sea. Length up to 200 km or more, depth... ... encyclopedic Dictionary
Fjords (Norwegian, singular fjord), narrow, winding and deep bays of the mountain coast, the length of which exceeds the width (often tens of times). The slopes of F. are steep (up to vertical), in the upper parts they flatten out somewhat, the bottom ... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia
Fjords (Norwegian, singular fjord), narrow deep seas. bays with high, steep and rocky shores. They arise as a result of processing by a glacier and subsequent flooding of river valleys and tectonics by the sea. depressions Dl. up to 200 km or more, depth. St. 1000 m... Natural science. encyclopedic Dictionary
VI.5.1.11. Fjords (Southwest Norway)- ⇑ ... Rulers of the World
- (fiord), a narrow, deep, sometimes branching bay, protruding into the land for tens and hundreds of kilometers, having steep, high rocky shores and a trough-shaped transverse profile. Fjords are common mainly. on coasts located in high... ... Geographical encyclopedia
A fjord is a long, very narrow and deep sea bay with steep banks. Fjords are found only in high latitudes of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres and are usually confined to dissected elevated regions. They are especially well developed on... ... Geographical encyclopedia
Or a fiord, a long, very narrow and deep sea bay with steep banks. Fjords are found only in high latitudes of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres and are usually confined to dissected elevated regions. They are especially well developed on mountainous... ... Collier's Encyclopedia
Norway- (Norway) Kingdom of Norway, history of Norway Physico-geographical conditions of Norway, government structure of Norway, economy of Norway, cuisine of Norway, attractions of Norway, city of Oslo Contents Contents Section 1. History.… … Investor Encyclopedia
Amazing country. It is impossible to gaze at its majestic nature without aspiration. In winter it is reserved and harsh, and in the short northern summer it blooms with pure and rich emerald colors. The Norwegian fjords can be considered a national treasure of the country. These are picturesque sea bays, cutting into the rocky coast and extending inland for tens of kilometers. Millions of tourists come to see them every year. The best angle is from the water.
During a boat trip, a breathtaking view of the steep slopes from which waterfalls cascade opens up. At first, the traveler is surrounded by green hills and mountains, but gradually snow-covered peaks appear on the horizon. In a word, the spectacle is unforgettable.
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Which fjords are worth visiting?
There are thousands of fjords in Norway; they dot the entire western part of the Scandinavian Peninsula. But they visit mainly the ten most famous and most accessible ones, among which everyone knows Sognefjord, Hardangerfjord and Lysefjord. Of course, the infrastructure around the bays is well developed. They are easily accessible by transport from nearby cities; in the fishing villages on the banks there are comfortable hotels and restaurants. If a tourist wants to see all this beauty from the water, then ferries, pleasure ships and even cruise ships are at his service. On land there are observation platforms where highways lead.
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Fjord tours and excursions
Organized Norwegian fjord tours mostly start from Oslo. Agencies have different programs, but most often they involve inspecting bays both from water and from land. The cost of travel for 6-7 days is from 1000 EUR per person (excluding travel to Oslo, plane tickets must be paid for independently). This amount also includes breakfast. If you take a ferry from St. Petersburg, it will be cheaper - from 300 EUR per person. But this fee is only for accommodation in 2-3-bed cabins, transfers between cities/towns by bus and basic excursion services.
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Independent visit
Independent travelers will have to use public transport. This almost always involves several transplants. For example, to see the Preikestolen rock and get to the Lysefjord, you must first arrive in Stavanger from Bergen by bus, then take a ferry to Tau, where you change to a bus going to the foot of the mountain. Many people prefer to rent a car - the roads in Norway are incredibly picturesque. There are even so-called “national tourist roads” laid along the shores of the bays, but some of them are toll roads. For example, passing the Lysebotn - Lauvvik (Lysefjord) section of 40 km costs 650 NOK. It is along these highways that there are observation platforms, equipped recreation areas, and information centers.
Popular Norwegian fjords
The most famous are the Norwegian fjords. As a result of the movement of the earth's plate many years ago, a large number of faults and cracks were formed in this part of the land. Many of them are quite deep, they go below sea level. These faults were turned into long bays filled with sea water. As time passed, the glaciers completed the action they had begun; along the river valleys, as well as the resulting faults, they made a direct path to the water - to the sea. It is because of this that the water here has a different color and shade. Cruises along the fjords of Norway are very popular among tourists, and the Norwegians themselves claim that each of the fjords has not just its own landscape, but also character. The Norwegian fjords are distinguished by their landscape, which cannot be found everywhere on Earth. Just imagine: you are in a boat, and in your surroundings there are rocks of extraordinary beauty. From the almost vertically located mountain slopes, water flows into the fjord from local waterfalls, which originate in glaciers. Fish swim in the lakes, which may be presented to you for dinner. You can go fishing, then seagulls begin to circle near the boat, waiting for you to catch a whole catch of mackerel. There are farms on the rocky cliffs that are currently abandoned. In the region where the fjords are located there are small villages that can be easily reached. You can get to the mouth of the fjord by boat; with a guide you can go to the mountains, to the glacier, or in local restaurants to taste traditional dishes for these places. You can try lamb's head, if you're lucky. Some parts of the fjord region are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Thanks to their untouched nature and amazing landscapes, they are recognized as one of the most beautiful places in the world.
There are many fjords to which names are given. Hardangerfjord is famous for its Folgefonna glacier and orchards. You can even ski on the glacier in summer. The fjord is 179 kilometers long, making it the third longest fjord in the world. Its maximum depth is eight hundred meters. You can get to it from different cities: Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, Trondheim. They usually get there by all possible means of transport: by bus, plane, car, and from some cities by train.
The Nordfjord extends to the ocean from the Jostedalsbreen glacier, its length is about one hundred and ten kilometers. Local activities include visiting the West Cape, summer skiing in Stryn, visiting the historic Selje Monastery, glacier climbing, hiking, fishing, canoeing, cycling, rafting, horse riding and many other activities. It is convenient to get there from Bergen, Oslo, Trondheim. By bus or plane.
One of the most visited Norwegian fjords is Geirangerfjord; it is small, only twenty kilometers long. This fjord is distinguished by its stunning landscapes and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Activities include fishing, rafting, kayaking, horseback riding and summer skiing. The two villages of Geiranger and Gudvangen, located in the central part of the fjords, are considered one of the popular places where Scandinavian cruise ships dock. Amazing view from the Fludalsjuvet rock, from here you have the best view of the fjord, because it seems to be floating in the sky. Other local attractions are the Seven Sisters and Bridal Veil waterfalls, which pour their water into the mirror-like surface of the fjord from somewhere deep in the dense forests. Also visit the local museum; there are numerous artifacts on display here that tell the story of the history of the region. You can go down from the top of Djupvashut to the shore by cycling along a beautiful road, the reward for your efforts will be beautiful views for seventeen kilometers. It is convenient to get there from Bergen, Oslo, Trondheim.
Lysefjord is famous for its rock called Preikestolen, located near the cities of Stavanger and Haugesend in the Ryfylke region. Active activities such as horse riding, hiking, base jumping and rock climbing are popular here. Getting to this fjord from the north and east is nothing short of a pleasure. The famous Ryfylkevegen road is located here, it goes along the highways rv520 and rv13 and extends to Roldal in the north from the south, from the ferry pier located in Oanes. You can get here from Oslo, Bergen and by boat from Stavanger. Look here at the two rocks Preikestolen and Kjerag. On the Kjerag rock there is a Kjeragbolten stone stuck between the rocks, from where all the tourists take their stunning photos, one of them is presented below. These are not all Norwegian fjords, there are others, you can’t describe them all, it’s better to go and see them once.
What are the fjords of Norway
The word fjord can be literally translated as bay. It is in Norway that their number is largest. If we take into account only the main fjords without branches, then there are 97 of them. And the most amazing thing is that each fjord has its own unforgettable landscape and its own history. Some of them are several tens of meters long, while others extend for tens of kilometers.
The appearance of fjords in Norway is due to 2 reasons:
- As a result of tectonic movements of the earth's crust, the crust breaks and a fjord appears in its place.
- After the Ice Age, ice floes began to melt, collecting and dragging huge boulders with them. As a result, the structure of the earth's surface changed and unique bays of Norway appeared.
To get acquainted with all the fjords, you need to travel around the country for several months, which is quite difficult. Therefore, you can see all the beauty of nature by visiting the most famous fjords. In order to find them, you need to travel along the roads leading from the cities of Bergen and Ålesund.
Unique for its size. Sognefjord honorably takes second place in the list of the largest fjords in the world. It is as much as 204 km long, and its maximum depth is 1308 meters. The fjord is located next to the city of Bergen.
The landscape of the fjord is very rich: these are majestic mountains with snow caps, endless meadows, and breathtaking waterfalls. Tourists can visit Sognefjord either by cruise ship or by walking or cycling.
Compared to the endless Sognefjord, Geirangerfjord seems quite small. After all, its length is only 20 km. But even despite its small size, it is still considered the most visited fjord by tourists.
Already in 2006, Geirangerfjord was included in the UNESCO list. Tourists can not only enjoy the scenic spot, but also go fishing, rafting and kayaking.
There is also a real threshold to heaven on this fjord, where the best views open up. The fjord's waterfalls also delight tourists.
And this fjord is considered the narrowest in Norway. The surrounding rocks seem to embrace the waters of the bay. According to legend, the fjord is named after the god Njord, who fell in love with this bay for its picturesque landscapes. God liked the sea fjord much more than the endless seas and oceans and he began to protect it.
Nærøyfjord is located 150 km from Bergen. Once you reach it, you can walk along the royal path, see a stunning panorama from the Stegastein observation deck and visit the real Viking village of Gudvangen.
