Fjord Norway - The world's best destination!

WASHINGTON (Oct. 21, 2009) National Geographic Society's Center for Sustainable Destinations rates Fjord Norway on top of the list of the iconic destinations in the world!

National Geographic Traveler has devoted its sixth annual "Places Rated" Destination Stewardship survey to the world's most celebrated and iconic travel destinations and how well they have weathered the pressures of mass tourism and other threats.

Like the first Destination Rated survey in 2004, Norway's fjords region has again taken top honors, with a score of 85 points. Judges noted the gorgeous scenery and well-preserved rural life that are vigorously protected. Others making the top "Best Rated Places" category range from Japan's ancient Kyoto (#4, 79 points) for honoring the "serenity and charm of ancient Japan" to Slovenia, formerly part of communist Yugoslavia, tied at #5 (78 points) for being among the most sustainable and authentic places to visit in Europe.

What is a fjord?

Fjord Norway has its name from the many beautiful fjords that characterize the Western Norway region. But what exactly is a fjord? And how did they occur?

A fjord is a deep, narrow and elongated sea or lakedrain, with steep land on three sides. The opening toward the sea is called the mouth of the fjord, and is often shallow. The Fjord's inner part is called the sea bottom. If the geological formation is wider than it is long, it is not a fjord. Then it is a bay or cove.

The fjords were formed by the giant glacier tongues that through several ice ages have shaped the landscape. A fjord is thus a U-shaped undersea valley, and on the west coast, this valley is often surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery.

In front of the glacier arm, there was deposited a moraine of gravel and sand that formed an underwater barrier, often called "sea thresholds" or "ra". Places where the fjord is shallow.

This shallow threshold in the mouth of the fjord, is the reason that fjords often are quieter than the open sea. Thus fjords are often natural harbors.

Fjord is one of the few Norwegian words that have become international, especially in English where it is used directly. Fjord comes from the Norse fjǫrðr. This stems, in turn, from the prehistoric Indo-European word * prtús, derived from * por* or * per, meaning "go", "pass" or "to put over on the other side."

Fjord in its basic meaning "where one fares through", then has the same origin that the word "fare" (travel). The verb "fare" and the noun "ferry", has the same origin.

The longest fjord in the world, is Scoresby Sund in Greenland (350 km), but the Western Norway region boasts the next two spots on the list, with the Sognefjord (203 km), and the Hardanger Fjord (179 km).

What unfolds as you travel Fjord Norway, is a fantastic story of water, with many chapters. The fjords were carved by a massive sheet of ice up to three kilometres thick that covered Northern Europe in a succession of ice ages. As you peer up at the towering mountains surrounding the Nærøyfjord, the narrowest fjord i the world, you can appreciate the immense power of those forces of nature.

Well-known fjords in Western Norway

Travel in the wake of fishing boats and merchant ships. Most of the landscape in Fjord Norway has changed little since Viking longboats set sail for distant shores.

Sognefjord

Stretching 204 km in to the foot of the national parks Jotunheimen and Jostedalsbreen. Norway's longest and deepest, and the world's second longest fjord. 1 308 m at its deepest. Sognefjord has been an important transport source from ancient times. It has made it possible to transport agricultural products, fruits, berries and fish between the villages in Sogn and Bergen.

Sognefjord is located south of Sogn and Fjordane County. 

Geiranger Fjord

15 km long. Inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites, in 2005. Attracts travellers to its pristine beauty. Along the fjord you will see farms, situated far up in the mountains, where it is hard to believe that anyone could live. Today they are abandoned, but accessible by trail and boat. Geirangerfjord is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Western Norway. At the head of the fjord, Geiranger is located.  Midway through, you’ll find "The seven sisters" - a waterfall with an approximate fall height of 300 meters. The name arose because the falls, at a distance, resemble the hair of seven women. On the opposite side of the fjord is the waterfall "Friaren" (suitor). With its bottle-shaped appearance, apparently an unfortunate suitor, (and therefore addicted to the bottle), as he waited for a response to his proposal to the sisters.

Geiranger Fjord is situated in Møre og Romsdal county.

Nærøyfjord

19 km long and constitutes an arm of the Aurland Fjord, which in turn is an arm of the Sognefjord. Extends to the little place Gudvangen. This is the narrowest fjord in the world. Only 250 meters at its narrowest point. The mountains in the area are stretching the entire 1 800 meters above sea level. Here, too, abandoned farms can be seen high up in the mountains. Nærøyfjord was in 2005 inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Nærøyfjord situated in Sogn and Fjordane county.

Hardangerfjord

179 km long. Norway's second longest fjord, and the third longest in the world. On the deepest, more than 800 meters. Hardangerfjord is famous for its flowering fruit trees. The glacier Folgefonni is located on the south side. Density of fish farms for salmon, makes the Hardangerfjord to one of four major farming regions in the world. It is illegal to fish for salmon without a permit in the fjord.

Hardangerfjord is located in Hordaland County in the Hardanger area.

Hjørundfjorden

33 km long. Considered by many as one of the most beautiful in the world, because of the sharp-pointed peaks on both sides. These are the core area of Sunnmørsalpene. Furthest north the fjord is 2.5 kilometers wide, and narrows down towards the bottom of the fjord. At its deepest Hjørundfjord is 441 meters. The name may come from "sword" (hjorr), since the fjord's shape can be compared with a sword. Around the fjord there are about 70 small One of these is Tusse Lake, which has given name to the power company Tussa.

Hjørundfjorden is situated in Møre og Romsdal county.

Lysefjord

42 km long and almost 500 meters at its deepest. Plateaus known as Pulpit Rock and Kjerag, is situated along the fjord. Because of high mountains and large lakes on the plateaus, Lysefjord is used for hydropower generation. One of the plants has a fall of 740 meters. The mountains are, at their highest, 1 000 meters above sea level.

Lysefjord is located in Ryfylke.