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STAVANGER - NORWAY
The city of Stavanger (also the name of the
municipality) in the county of Rogaland, Norway, is located on the southwest
coast of Norway. It is the fourth largest city in the country.
The city itself is an odd combination of new and old. There is a significant
foreign influence with a nearby NATO base, as well as foreign oil interests.
Norway's oldest Cathedral, Stavanger domkirke, is situated right in the city
centre. Stavanger has several beautiful lakes, which are popular recreation
areas. Breiavatnet is located in the heart of Stavanger, while Mosvatnet and
Stokkavatnet is situated right outside.
Stavanger Airport is located 14 km from the
city centre, in the municipality of Sola. The local football team, Viking
F.K., plays in the Norwegian premier league (2004).
History
Stavanger (Old Norse 'Stafangr' which means Staff-fjord) was founded in the
year 1125, mainly because the Stavanger bishop was established in the 1120s.
But even before that time Stavanger fulfilled an important urban role. A
number of historians have argued convincingly that Nord-Jæren was an
economic and military centre as far back as the 800-900s with the
consolidation of the nation at Hafrsfjord. Stavanger grew into a centre of
civic administration and an important south-west coast market town around
1100-1200.
The city's history is a continuous alternation between upswings and
recessions. The city is deeply rooted in religion and Christian life, and
for long periods of time its most important industries have been shipping,
shipbuilding, the canning industry and associated subcontractors.
In 1969 a new upswing started as oil was first discovered in the North Sea.
In 2003 Norway was the world`s third largest exporter of crude oil, only
surpassed by Saudi-Arabia and Russia. Oil and gas production in 2003 was a
very important part of Norwegian economy. Petroleum activities contributed
to large revenues for the Norwegian government as well as the licence owners.
The activities also create considerable effects through the demand for goods
and services from other landbased business sectors such as mechanical
industry and engineering. The petroleum sector in 2003 contributed to 18.8 %
of GNP, 45.9 % of total Norwegian export value, 24.9 % of total state income
and 24.6 % of total investmens.
Since petroleum exploration and production became the most important
business sector in the Stavanger area during the mid 1970s, business and
cultural climate has changed considerably. The self-esteem of Stavanger
people has been strongly reinforced and there is a considerable amount of
entrepreneur spirit. There is a powerful consciousness of the area`s large
contribution to GNP. The petroleum sector is strongly globalised and it can
be argued that the Stavanger area is one of the dynamic and receptive
regions in Norway in terms of business and culture.
Tourism
For tourists, an interesting suggestion is to head for the hills. Two of the
best day hikes in Norway (some would say in the world) are located a couple
of hours out of town on the beautiful Lysefjorden. Not too far from
Stavanger, alpine centers are ready for skiers and snowboarders throughout
winter season.
Preikestolen (aka the Pulpit Rock) is a massive rock overhanging the fjord.
It's a 3-4 hour round trip hike with fabulous views. Kjeragbolten is a rock
wedged in the cliff 1000 meters above the fjord. It's a more strenuous 4-5
hour hike out and a longer drive, but a spectacular look down from the rock.
The free fall makes Kjerag a very popular location for BASE jumping.
Along the coast south of Stavanger there are a number of large, sandy
beaches, among which the one at Sola is within closest reach from the city.
The beaches are quite unique in a country where fjords and mountains
dominate. These beaches are widely used by the locals for walks (not so much
for bathing due to the rather cold North Sea waters) and also by wind
surfers.
For the more urban minded, Old Stavanger (Gamle Stavanger) is located right
next to the city centre. This collection of eighteenth- and nineteenth
century wooden structures is one of the finest in Northern Europe. Most
houses in Old Stavanger are privately owned and maintained, and in the area
you will also find the studios of a number of local artists and artisans.
The Canning Museum is also located in Old Stavanger, commemorating the
city's past glory as the herring capital of Norway. The city centre itself
is small and intimate, with narrow streets and open spaces protected from
car traffic. The open-air vegetable market is one of the very few in Norway
(if not the only one) where you can buy produce directly from local farmers
every working day through the year. Stavanger domkirke (St. Svithun´s
cathedral) was built between 1100 and 1125 by the english bishop Reinald in
anglo-norman style. Among old stone churches in Norway the cathedral in
Stavanger is the only one which has been preserved in its original
architectural style. The cathedral is recognized as one of Norway´s most
beautiful medieval structures. The Norwegian Petroleum Museum is located at
the harbour. The museum reflects the fact that Stavanger has been Norway`s
oil capital since oil drilling activities started in the North Sea in 1966.
Every May, Stavanger is host to MaiJazz, the Stavanger International Jazz
Festival. Stavanger was the host port of the Cutty Sark Tall Ships' Race in
1997 and in 2004 the regatta returns once again.
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