Vestfold

Vestfold is a county in Norway, bordering Buskerud and Telemark. In 2002 there were 216,456 inhabitants, which is 4.7% of the total population in Norway. Its area is 2,216 km². The county administration is in Tønsberg.

Municipalities

• Andebu
• Hof
• Holmestrand
• Horten
• Lardal
• Larvik
• Nøtterøy
• Re
• Sande
• Sandefjord
• Stokke
• Svelvik
• Tjøme
• Tønsberg

Vestfold is located west in the Oslo bay,as the name indicates.It includes many smaller,but well-known towns in Norway,such as Larvik,Horten,Holmestrand,Tønsberg and Sandefjord.The river Numedalslågen runs through the district.Many islands are located at the coast.Vestfold is famous for shipping and sailing.Formerly a headquarters for whaling fleets, the coastal towns of Vestfold now engage in fishing and shipbuilding. Some lumbering is carried on in the interior.The district also includes some of the best farmland in Norway.The family of Harald the Fairhaired,who is said to be the first king of the whole Norway,was from this area.By the 10th century the local kings had established themselves as the first dynasty to begin the unification of Norway.