Here is a list of the longest fjords in Norway:
Sognefjorden (Solund–Skjolden) 204Km
Hardangerfjorden (Bømlo–Odda) 179Km
Trondheimsfjorden (Agdenes–Steinkjer) 126Km
Porsangerfjorden (Sværholtklubben–Brennelv) 123Km
Storfjorden (Hareidlandet–Geiranger) 110Km
Nordfjord (Husevågøy–Loen) 106Km
Oslofjorden (Færder–Oslo) 100Km
UNESCO has included the fjords of Norway, exemplified by two of them, on its renowned World Heritage List. The Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord now enjoy the same recognition as the Great Wall of China, the Great Pyramids of Egypt, Zambia’s Victoria Falls and the Grand Canyon in USA
The purpose of UNESCO’s World Heritage List is to draw attention to parts of humanity’s heritage that are so important, and have such outstanding universal value, that they must be preserved for future generations.
Amazingly, this is Norway’s first natural attraction on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. In addition, five cultural attractions have been found worthy: Bryggen (the old Hanseatic wharf in Bergen), the 12th century Urnes stave church, the petroglyphs at Alta and the old mining town of Røros – and last year the Vegan Archipelago was added. The first two are located in Fjord Norway, the western part of the country.
About 10,000 years ago the Scandinavian land mass started to rise up as enormous glacial ice started to melt. The lower parts of the valleys became flooded, and so created what we today know as the fjords. The valley was originally not only made through glacial erosion but by the high pressure melting water which pushed its way beneath the ice.
The Nærøyfjord is perhaps the most spectacular arm of the Sognefjord and the narrowest fjord in the world, at one point only 250 metres with mountains towering 1800 m above its tranquil waters. The Geirangerfjord, farther north, is known for its pristine beauty and magnificent waterfalls. Fittingly, UNESCO finds not just these bodies of seawater, but the entire landscapes, worthy of preservation. Peering down onto the fjords from fertile mountain ledges there are farms, some of them still in use.
Some links:
Panoramic Images of Norwegian Fjords
Fjords in Flickr
And in YouTube
