Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Norway - West Norwegian Fjords – Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord (1)


NORWAY
The Nærøyfjord is on Unesco's world heritage list as an example of one of the world's most beautiful, classical fjord landscapes.

Sent by Kristin, a postcrosser from Norway.

Situated in south-western Norway, north-east of Bergen, Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord, set 120 km from one another, are part of the west Norwegian fjord landscape that stretches from Stavanger in the south to Andalsnes, 500 km to the north-east.

The two fjords, among the world's longest and deepest, are considered as archetypical fjord landscapes and among the most scenically outstanding anywhere. Their exceptional natural beauty is derived from their narrow and steep-sided crystalline rock walls that rise up to 1,400 m from the Norwegian Sea and extend 500 m below sea level. The sheer walls of the fjords have numerous waterfalls, while free-flowing rivers cross their deciduous and coniferous forests to glacial lakes, glaciers and rugged mountains. The landscape features a range of supporting natural phenomena, both terrestrial and marine such as submarine moraines and marine mammals.

Remnants of old and now mostly abandoned transhumant farms add a cultural aspect to the dramatic natural landscape that complements and adds human interest to the area.

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