Vestfjorden[1](lit. 'the western fjord';sometimes shortened toVestfjordin English) is a 155-kilometre (96 mi) longfjordor oceanicseainNordlandcounty,Norway.[2][3]
| Vestfjorden[1] | |
|---|---|
 Map of the fjord | |
 Interactive map of the fjord | |
| Location | Nordlandcounty, Norway |
| Coordinates | 68°03′N14°46′E/ 68.050°N 14.767°E |
| Type | Fjord |
| Basincountries | Norway |
| Max. length | 155 kilometres (96 mi) |
| Max. width | 80 kilometres (50 mi) |
The name literally means "the west fjord", although it is called afjord,it could best be described as afirthor an openbightof sea. The "fjord" lies between theLofotenarchipelagoand theSaltendistrict of mainlandNorway.The term fjord (from theold Norsefjördrmeaningfirthorinlet) is used in a more general way for bodies of water in the westernScandinavian languagesthan the more narrow usage commonly used in English.[4][5]
The Vestfjorden flows from the area near thetown of Narvikto the west and southwest. The mouth of the Vestfjorden is about 80 kilometres (50 mi) wide, roughly running from the mainlandtown of Bodøto the islands ofRøstlandetandVærøyato the northwest of Bodø.[2]
The Vestfjorden is famous for itscodfishery, which was exploited back to the earlymedievalperiod. More recently, the winter invasion ofOrcasin the inner parts of Vestfjord has become a tourist attraction. Strong winds with heavy seas are not uncommon in winter.[2]
Media gallery
edit-
Vågakallenmountain and the Lofoten wall, view towards west -
Vestfjord seen from a mountain inSteigen Municipality,with the southern part of the Lofoten wall visible on the right -
A calm summer day on Vestfjorden
References
edit- ^ab"Informasjon om stadnamn".Norgeskart(in Norwegian).Kartverket.Retrieved2024-07-29.
- ^abcThorsnæs, Geir, ed. (2018-11-18)."Vestfjorden".Store norske leksikon(in Norwegian).Kunnskapsforlaget.Retrieved2018-11-20.
- ^Sømme, Axel, ed. (1960).The Geography of Norden.London: Heinemann.
- ^Soëga, Geir T. (1910).A Concise Dictionary of Old Icelandic.Clarendon Press.
- ^Barnes, Michael (1999).A New Introduction to Old Norse.London: University College.ISBN9780903521451.
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