The fjords of Norway were dug out by ice, stone and rock during successive ice ages.
Norway has the highest concentration of fjords in the world, and nowhere on earth are there more than in Western Norway. For this reason, the region is commonly referred to as Fjord Norway. However, fjords can also be found in Central, Northern and Eastern Norway. Even the capital of Norway, Oslo, has its own fjord; the Oslofjord.
The fjords are nature’s own work of art, formed when the glaciers retreated, and sea water flooded the U-shaped valleys.
Mild climate
Thanks to the warming Gulf Stream, the Norwegian fjords enjoy a mild climate and remain virtually ice-free. Seals, porpoises and an abundance of different fish swim in the fjords, while eagles and other birds soar the skies above.
The fjords, which consist of saltwater, are often very deep in their upper and middle reaches. Take the Sognefjord as an example – it drops 1,308 metres below sea level, making it Norway’s deepest fjord. Because fjords are so deep, they permit navigation by large ships, allowing you to experience their beauty at close range.
Fertile soil
Along most fjord shores there is lush flora and fertile soil. Many places the land has been farmed for thousands of years. Orchards of flowering fruit trees along the Hardangerfjord in May is an image of paradise.
The Nærøyfjord and the Geirangerfjord
UNESCO has included the fjords of Norway, exemplified by the Geirangerfjord and the Nærøyfjord, on its prestigious World Heritage List.
The Nærøyfjord is at one point 250 metres across, while mountains tower up to 1,800 metres above its tranquil waters. The Geirangerfjord is known for its beauty and magnificent waterfalls, the best known being the Seven Sisters.
Gudvangen and Geiranger, the two innermost villages of these two fjords, are among the most popular cruise ship ports in Scandinavia.
National Geographic and Chicago Tribune
It is not only UNESCO who views the Norwegian fjords as exceptional. National Geographic Magazine has named the fjords “the best unspoiled travel destinations in the world”. And the respected American newspaper Chicago Tribune has included Norway’s fjords on its list Seven Wonders of Nature.