Country Norway University University of Stavanger Language spoken NOK Area 9,378 km2 | Region Vestlandet Governor Magnhild Meltveit Kleppa Mayor Janne Johnsen
Conservative Party
(2011–present) | |
Destinations Stavanger, Sandnes, Haugesund, Sola, Bryne Points of interest Preikestolen, Norwegian Petroleum Museum, Kongeparken, Kjeragbolten, Sverd i fjell | ||
Rogaland [?ru????l?n] is a county in Western Norway, bordering Hordaland, Telemark, Aust-Agder and Vest-Agder. It is the center of the Norwegian petroleum industry, and as a result of this, Rogaland has the lowest unemployment rate of any county in Norway, 1.1%. Rogaland has a fertility rate of 2.18 children per woman, which is the highest in the country, and one of the highest in Europe.
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Map of Rogaland
Rogaland is the Norse name of the region – revived in modern times. Until 1919 the name of the county was Stavanger amt. It has been argued that the first element is the plural genitive case of rygir, the name of an old Germanic tribe (see Rugians). The last element is land n land, region. In Norse times the region was alternatively called Rygjafylki (see Ryfylke).
The coat-of-arms is from modern times (1974). It shows the old stone cross in Sola, erected in memory of Erling Skjalgsson after his death in 1028.
Rogaland is mainly a coastal region with fjords, beaches, and islands, the principal island being Karmoy. Boknafjorden is the largest bay, with many fjords branching off from it.
The third-largest urban area of Norway is located in Rogaland. Stavanger, along with Sandnes, Randaberg and Sola, is ranked above Trondheim.
Cities/towns: Stavanger, Sandnes, Haugesund, Egersund, Sauda, Bryne, Kopervik, Akrehamn and Skudeneshavn.
Karmoy has large deposits of copper (some of which was used in the construction of the Statue of Liberty). Rogaland is the most important region for oil and gas exploration in Norway, and is one of the countrys most important agricultural districts.
In the district are remains from the earliest times, such as the excavations in a cave at Viste in Randaberg (Svarthola). These include the find of a skeleton of a boy from the Stone Age. Various archeological finds stem from the following times, the Bronze Age and the Iron Age. Many crosses in Irish style have been found. Rogaland was called Rygjafylke in the Viking Age. Before Harald Fairhair and the Battle of Hafrsfjord, it was a petty kingdom. The Rugians were a tribe possibly connected with Rogaland.
A series of festivals and congresses of international fame and profile are arranged, such as The Chamber Music Festival, The Maijazz Festival, The Gladmat (lit. food with a happy smile) Festival, and The ONS event, which has been held in Stavanger every second year since 1974. The ONS is a major international conference and exhibition with focus on oil and gas, and other topics from the petroleum industry. The Concert Hall and Music Complex at Bjergsted and the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra provide important inspiration in the Norwegian musical environment. Another annual event in Stavanger is The World Tour Beach Volleyball. During this tournament, the downtown is converted into a beach volleyball arena.
Rogaland is home to many natural wonders, like Prekestolen, Kjerag and Gloppedalsura. In Stavanger, there is an archeological museum with many artifacts from early history in Rogaland. An Iron Age farm at Ullandhaug in Stavanger is reconstructed on the original farm site dating back to 350-500 AD. The Viking Farm is a museum located at Karmoy.
The county is conventionally divided into traditional districts. These are Haugalandet north of Boknafjorden, Ryfylke in the mountainous east, Jaeren to the southwest, Dalane in the far south and the Stavanger region
Rogaland has a total of 26 municipalities:
Total population: