Our county has 240,000 residents, who live in 41 municipalities. The largest cities in Nordland are Svolvær, Narvik, Bodø, Mo i Rana, Mosjøen, Sandnessjøen, Brønnøysund, Sortland, and Leknes. It is a stated political goal that it shall be possible to live and work in the whole of Nordland.
We Nordlanders make more of ourselves than our modest population size would suggest. In 2020, companies in Nordland exported goods and services worth NOK 29.9 billion. The county is at full speed into the green shift, with green industrial investments worth billions. Nordland has always been an industrial county, and now the county is on the industrial map at a global level.
Nord University with its 12,000 students plays an important role in the development of the county.
Narvik is also on the world map for a reason other than industry. The town has applied to host the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in 2027! A strong and unique application that will give the world an alpine event that they have never experienced before!
Nordland’s shores make up more than a fifth of Norway’s entire coastline. Nordland is Norway’s largest fish-farming county and has the most high-speed ferry routes and airports. Lofoten and Vesterålen are magnets for tourists and visitors, and together with the Helgeland archipelago makes Nordland one of the largest tourism destinations in Norway.
In 2024, Bodø and Nordland will be the European Capital of Culture. Cultural impressions and expressions will simmer and characterise our county both during and after the cultural festival year. All you have to do is just come and enjoy the party!
Nordland is a county where Sami culture is important. We have three living Sami languages spoken in Nordland. Lule Sami, South Sami, and North Sami. Two of them are considered to be in danger of extinction: Lule Sami and South Sami. We are working hard to preserve them.
