Choose a county on the map or in the list. The Oslofjord has a separate enlarged view.
Agder combines southern coastal towns and islands with inland valleys and mountain communities. Kristiansand and Arendal are important centres, while maritime technology, process industries, education and Setesdal’s living traditions give the region several distinct identities.
Akershus surrounds Oslo with urban settlements, farmland, forests and fjord coastline. Asker and Bærum, Follo and Romerike are linked by the capital labour market, Gardermoen and knowledge centres such as Campus Ås.
Buskerud stretches from the Drammensfjord and Lier to Hallingdal, Numedal and the high mountains. Drammen, Kongsberg and Hønefoss connect commerce, technology and transport with farming, forestry and tourism communities.
Finnmark combines Barents Sea coastal communities with Finnmarksvidda and borders with Finland and Russia. Sámi, Kven and Norwegian histories, seafood, reindeer husbandry and post-war reconstruction explain a county of long distances and strong local identities.
Innlandet is Norway’s only county without a coastline. Around Mjøsa, through the valleys and towards the high mountains, farming, forestry, industry and tourism meet, with Hamar, Gjøvik, Lillehammer and Elverum as important centres.
Møre og Romsdal brings together Sunnmøre, Romsdal and Nordmøre between ocean, fjords and mountains. Ålesund, Molde and Kristiansund are important centres in a county known for maritime industries, seafood, furniture and distinctive cultural landscapes.
Nordland stretches from Helgeland through Salten to Lofoten, Vesterålen and Ofoten. Coastal communities, fishing, power-intensive industry and the cities of Bodø and Narvik connect marine resources with northern Norwegian society.
Oslo is Norway’s capital and both a municipality and a county. Between the Oslofjord and Marka, national institutions meet a diverse urban society and a labour market extending into Akershus.
Rogaland connects Jæren’s farmland with Ryfylke’s fjords, Haugalandet’s coastal towns and the energy communities around Stavanger. Shipping, agriculture and petroleum history explain much of its modern role.
Telemark extends from the coast and Grenland’s industrial towns to forests, valleys and Hardangervidda. Hydropower, industrial heritage, the Telemark Canal and living traditional culture show how landscape and knowledge shaped the county.
Troms connects Tromsø and Harstad with islands, fjords and valley communities from Sør-Troms to Nord-Troms. Arctic knowledge, seafood, defence and Sámi, Kven and Norwegian histories give the county an identity spanning urban life and long distances.
Trøndelag connects Trondheim’s knowledge economy with farming districts, forests, aquaculture coasts and mountain areas. Nidaros, Røros and Southern Sámi communities reveal different historical layers, while technology and food production link the region with modern Norway.
Vestfold lies along the western Oslofjord, combining coastal towns, farmland and an archipelago used for everyday life and tourism. Viking heritage, maritime industries and modern education provide several historical and economic centres.
Vestland combines Bergen with fjord, island and rural communities from Sunnhordland to Nordfjord. Trade, seafood, energy, industry and education meet landscapes and cultural heritage with local identities extending far beyond the largest city.
Østfold lies between the Oslofjord and Sweden, with farmland, forests and historic industrial towns along Glomma. Fredrikstad, Sarpsborg, Moss and Halden are important centres in a county shaped by border connections and food production.
National level
The state makes laws and sets national policy. The County Governor (Statsforvalteren) represents the state in the region and is separate from the county authority.
Regional level
The county authority is responsible for regional development and services that span several municipalities.
Local level
The municipality provides kindergartens, primary and lower secondary education, primary health care and care services, and plans local land use.
Oslo is both a municipality and a county, so it carries out the responsibilities of both.
You have explored the counties and who does what. Now put that knowledge into practice.
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