The longest fjord in the world. Norwegian fjords. Origin of natural rocky bays

With rocky shores. The length of the fjord is several (most often tens) times greater than its width. The shores of the fjord are in most cases formed by cliffs up to 1000 meters high.

Most often, fjords have tectonic origin and arose when there was a sharp and sudden change in the direction of movement of tectonic plates from counter to opposite. As a result of this, at the edges of the plates, already compressed by the preliminary oncoming movement, numerous cracks and faults are formed, which are filled sea ​​water. In this case, the fjord can have significant depth, up to 800 meters. In some cases, the emergence of fjords is the result of glaciers processing (during the Quaternary glaciation) river valleys and tectonic depressions, followed by their flooding with water.

The world's most famous fjord regions are located on the western coasts of Norway, Chile, the South Island of New Zealand and North America from Puget Sound (Washington) to Alaska. Fjords are also found on the shores of Scotland, Iceland, Greenland, Labrador Peninsula, Maine (USA) and on some Arctic islands.

Thanks to their beauty and picturesqueness - cliffs rising straight out of the water, mountains covered with dense vegetation, snowy peaks - the fjords enjoy deserved interest among tourists all over the world.

Hardangerfjord, Norway

Some fjords

Name Location Length (km) Width (km) Depth (m)
Sognefjord Norway 219 6 1308
Hardangerfjord Norway 183 10 750
Trondheimsfjord Norway 137 24 600
Nordfjord Norway 113 5 565
Kola Bay Russia 57 7 300
Milford New Zealand 19 3 390
Portland Channel Alaska (USA) 145 3 385
Loch Morar Scotland (UK) 19 3 310
Saguenay Quebec (Canada) 120 5 30

see also

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

See what “Fjords” are in other dictionaries:

    - (fjords) (Norwegian unit fjord), narrow, deep sea bays with high, steep and rocky shores. They arise as a result of processing by a glacier and subsequent flooding of river valleys and tectonic depressions by the sea. Length up to 200 km or more, depth... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

    Fjords (Norwegian, singular fjord), narrow, deep sea bays with high, steep and rocky shores. They arise as a result of processing by a glacier and subsequent flooding of river valleys and tectonic depressions by the sea. Length up to 200 km or more, depth... ... encyclopedic Dictionary

    Fjords (Norwegian, singular fjord), narrow, winding and deep bays of the mountain coast, the length of which exceeds the width (often tens of times). The slopes of F. are steep (up to vertical), in the upper parts they flatten out somewhat, the bottom ... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

    Fjords (Norwegian, singular fjord), narrow deep seas. bays with high, steep and rocky shores. They arise as a result of processing by a glacier and subsequent flooding of river valleys and tectonics by the sea. depressions Dl. up to 200 km or more, depth. St. 1000 m... Natural science. encyclopedic Dictionary

    VI.5.1.11. Fjords (Southwest Norway)- ⇑ ... Rulers of the World

    - (fiord), a narrow, deep, sometimes branching bay, protruding into the land for tens and hundreds of kilometers, having steep, high rocky shores and a trough-shaped transverse profile. Fjords are common mainly. on coasts located in high... ... Geographical encyclopedia

    A fjord is a long, very narrow and deep sea bay with steep banks. Fjords are found only in high latitudes of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres and are usually confined to dissected elevated regions. They are especially well developed on... ... Geographical encyclopedia

    Or a fiord, a long, very narrow and deep sea bay with steep banks. Fjords are found only in high latitudes of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres and are usually confined to dissected elevated regions. They are especially well developed on mountainous... ... Collier's Encyclopedia

    Norway- (Norway) Kingdom of Norway, history of Norway Physics geographical conditions Norway, government structure Norway, the economy of Norway, the cuisine of Norway, the sights of Norway, the city of Oslo Contents Contents Section 1. History.… … Investor Encyclopedia

The most famous are Norwegian fjords. As a result of the movement of the earth's plate many years ago, a large number of faults and cracks were formed in this part of the land. Many of them are quite deep, they go below sea level. These faults were turned into long bays filled with sea water. As time passed, the glaciers completed the action they had begun; along the river valleys, as well as the resulting faults, they made a direct path to the water - to the sea. It is because of this that the water here has a different color and shade. Cruises along the fjords of Norway are very popular among tourists, and the Norwegians themselves claim that each of the fjords has not just its own landscape, but also character. The Norwegian fjords are distinguished by their landscape, which cannot be found everywhere on Earth. Just imagine: you are in a boat, and in your surroundings there are towering rocks extraordinary beauty. From the almost vertically located mountain slopes, water flows into the fjord from local waterfalls, which originate in glaciers. Fish swim in the lakes, which may be presented to you for dinner. You can go fishing, then seagulls begin to circle near the boat, waiting for you to catch a whole catch of mackerel. On the rocky cliffs there are farms that this moment are abandoned. In the region where the fjords are located there are small villages that can be easily reached. You can get to the mouth of the fjord by boat; with a guide you can go to the mountains, to the glacier, or in local restaurants to taste traditional dishes for these places. You can try lamb's head, if you're lucky. To List World Heritage Some areas of the fjord region are listed by UNESCO. Thanks to their untouched nature and amazing landscapes, they are recognized as one of the the most beautiful places in the world.

There are many fjords to which names are given. Hardangerfjord is famous for its Folgefonna glacier and orchards. You can even ski on the glacier in summer. The fjord is 179 kilometers long, making it the third longest fjord in the world. Its maximum depth is eight hundred meters. You can get to it from different cities: Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, Trondheim. They usually get there by all possible means of transport: by bus, plane, car, and from some cities by train.

The Nordfjord extends to the ocean from the Jostedalsbreen glacier, its length is about one hundred and ten kilometers. Local entertainment are: visiting the West Cape, summer skiing in Stryn, visiting the historic Selje Monastery, glacier climbing, hiking, fishing, canoeing, cycling, rafting, horse riding and many other activities. It is convenient to get there from Bergen, Oslo, Trondheim. By bus or plane.

One of the most visited Norwegian fjords is Geirangerfjord; it is small, only twenty kilometers long. This fjord is distinguished by its stunning landscapes and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Activities include fishing, rafting, kayaking, horseback riding and summer skiing. The two villages of Geiranger and Gudvangen located in the central part of the fjords are considered one of popular places where they stop cruise ships Scandinavia. Amazing view from the Fludalsjuvet cliff, from here on the fjord the most best view, because she seems to be floating in the sky. Other local attractions are the Seven Sisters and Bridal Veil waterfalls, which pour their water into the mirror-like surface of the fjord from somewhere deep in the dense forests. Also visit the local museum; there are numerous artifacts on display here that tell the story of the history of the region. You can go down from the top of Djupvashut to the shore by cycling along a beautiful road, the reward for your efforts will be beautiful views seventeen kilometers. It is convenient to get there from Bergen, Oslo, Trondheim.

Lysefjord is famous for its rock called Preikestolen, located near the cities of Stavanger and Haugesend in the Ryfylke region. Popular here active view recreational activities such as horse riding, hiking, base jumping and rock climbing. Getting to this fjord from the north and east is nothing short of a pleasure. The famous Ryfylkevegen road is located here, it goes along the highways rv520 and rv13 and extends to Roldal in the north from the south, from the ferry pier located in Oanes. You can get here from Oslo, Bergen and by boat from Stavanger. Look here at the two rocks Preikestolen and Kjerag. On the Kjerag rock there is a Kjeragbolten stone stuck between the rocks, from where all the tourists take their stunning photos, one of them is presented below. These are not all Norwegian fjords, there are others, you can’t describe them all, it’s better to go and see them once.

The fjords of Norway, these majestic mountain bays- unique natural phenomenon, which will not leave anyone indifferent. Let's try to find out why they are called the pearl of the country.

In the northern part of the west coast of Norway there are fjords that were formed during the last ice age. When the glacier retreated 10-12 thousand years ago, amazing Norwegian fjords, now famous all over the world. The word "fjord" means "bay" in Norwegian.


Each fjord has its own characteristics and attractions. Geirangerfjord is famous for the highest and most picturesque waterfalls. The majestic beauty of Geirangerfjord has been a major attraction on cruises for decades. Geirangerfjord is located approximately 200 kilometers northeast of Bergen and 280 kilometers northwest of Oslo. The fjord stretches for 15 kilometers and is a branch of the Storfjord.

Some of the fjord's attractions are the waterfalls, the most famous of which are the Seven Sisters, the Bridal Veil and the Groom.


Along the banks there are steep cliffs up to 1400 meters high and glaciers. There are also abandoned farms along the Geirangerfjord, some of which are located on small areas of mountain ledges, so it is only possible to reach them using special ladders or rope ladders.


Sognefjord is the longest fjord in the world. This bay, which in Norway is also called the “King of the Fjords,” is located in Sogn og Fjordane. It stretches 204 km inland and 1308 m to the depths of the sea.


Along the entire perimeter of the fjord there are inaccessible rocks, and if you go deep into the surrounding areas, you will meet along the way beautiful waterfalls and cultural monuments.


The formation of Sognefjord began 2.57 million years ago during the Pliocene period. As a result of erosion caused by the convergence of glaciers, the river system turned into a fjord. At the same time, 7,610 km were destroyed? rocks over the entire area of ​​the Sognefjord basin, which today amounts to 12,518 km?. The average deepening caused by erosion was 610 meters, and the maximum (in the eastern part) was 2850 meters. Annual erosion rates have reached 2 mm per year.


Trondheimsfjord is the third longest fjord in Norway. Located in western central Norway and stretches from Ørland in the west to Steinkjer in the north.


On the banks of the Trondheimsfjord lies the city of Trondheim, after which the fjord is named.


The most deep point fjord - 617 meters, located in the municipality of Agdanes. Largest islands fjord - Ytterøy (28 km) and Toutra (1.5 km). Trondheimsfjord was an important sea route back in Viking times and remains so today.


Hardangerfjord is best known for its surrounding area, where magnificent orchards bloom in spring. The fruit orchards of Hardangerfjord in May bloom will make anyone believe in heaven on earth:) The fjord is surrounded rocky mountains up to 1.5 km high, from which many magnificent waterfalls cascade, in particular the 145 m high Vøringsfossen waterfall and Skjeggadals.

Hardangerfjord is divided into many smaller bays, including Kvinnherads, Granvin, Sør, Eid and Osa. Hardangerfjord juts out into the coast of the Scandinavian Peninsula for 113 km. It starts south of Bergen, near the island of Stur in the North Sea and extends to the Hardanger Plateau. Maximum depth 891 m, at the entrance - 253 m. At the bottom of the Hardangerfjord lies the Trygg-class destroyer KNM Stegg, sunk on April 20, 1940 by a German ship.


Lysefjord is famous for the Preikestolen rock, where you can enjoy a magnificent view, and the bravest ones can go to the very edge of the rock, where the spectacle will take everyone’s breath away!


The length of the fjord is 42 km, the maximum depth is 422 meters. The fjord was formed under the influence of glaciers, and after the glacier retreated, the “giant crack” filled with water. This happened approximately 10,000 years ago. Lysefjord stretches from west to east for 42 km. The height of the vertical rock walls above the water reaches 1 km.


Due to the difficult terrain on the banks of the fjord there are only two settlements- Lysebotn and Forsand. The depth of the fjord ranges from 13 meters - at the point where the fjord “empties” into the ocean near Stavanger, to more than 400 meters - in the area.


Nordfjord is the sixth longest fjord in Norway, its length is 106 kilometers.


Nordfjord, along with Sognefjord in the south and Storfjord in the north, is one of the three large fjords of central Norway. The maximum depth is 565 m, the maximum width is about 5 km.


The fjord has great tourism potential, in particular because it provides easy access to several tongues of the Jostedalsbreen glacier, the largest glacier in continental Europe.

Norway is a harsh and mysterious country; even the hard-to-pronounce names of its cities and natural sites can be puzzling and cause difficulties in preparation independent travel. This article will help you get your bearings and figure out which cities in Norway are most convenient from which to make forays to the country’s most attractive and unique attraction – the fjords.

I’ll immediately make a reservation that, although there are examples of independent travel through the mountains and fjords using only public transport, due to the large distances and features of the Norwegian terrain, a car is the best and, I would say, the main means of transportation around the country by land ( plus in many places you have to cross by ferry). Another popular mode of transport in the country is the plane. Air services connect all major cities in Norway. In order to see the fjords, it is absolutely not necessary to fly through the Norwegian capital Oslo: you can buy connecting tickets through Europe to cities located close to one or another famous natural attraction ( international airports there are in Bergen, Ålesund, Stavanger).

Tickets to domestic flights in Norway, operated by the budget airline Norwegian airlines, are relatively inexpensive (except for the additional costs of baggage, which, like all low-cost airlines, is paid separately, and meals on board).

You can pre-select a rental car for traveling around Norway and pick it up right at the airport of arrival here

(the largest search engine-aggregator, instant comparison of offers, prices and conditions of the world's leading car rental companies, online booking confirmation and flexible conditions, discounts, super offers)

Fjords– sea bays formed as a result of tectonic shifts and “cutting” into the land area for tens and even hundreds of kilometers (the most long fjord in the world - Scoresby - located in Greenland and stretches for more than 350 kilometers, followed by its Norwegian “brother” - Sognefjord at 204 kilometers).

The number of fjords in Norway and the Svalbard archipelago is huge and amounts to about 1200. The length of most Norwegian fjords is from 4 to 50 kilometers, but there are also real giants - from a hundred kilometers or more. At the same time, naturally, their beauty does not depend on size, for example, the most famous fjord in the world, Geiranger, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is only 15 kilometers long. As you can see, it is impossible to physically cover all the fjords, so you have to select only a few of them.

The most famous and popular fjords in Norway are:

Geirangerfjord, Lysefjord, Hardangerfjord, Trondheimsfjord, Sognefjord, Nærøyfjord, Aurlandsfjord, Nordfjord.

They are focused on west coast Norway (see map) https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zpmSSUsmrIho.ks9dZ3QlvhcA

City of Trondheim - The third largest city in Norway, located on the shores of the Trondheim Fjord. Sights: Trondheims Fjord (the third longest in the country), the medieval Nidaros Cathedral - a landmark cathedral for Norwegian history, where the legendary King Olaf II (St. Olaf) is buried, the oldest coronation site of Norwegian monarchs.

City of Kristiansund(Kristiansund) – (not to be confused with Kristiansand, located in southern Norway!) – Atlantic Road, Mountain road Aurshoevegen, Trollheimen(troll house) – mountain range with picturesque valleys.

The Atlantic Road is one of Norway's popular attractions, located between the cities of Kristiansund and Molde. This is an 8-kilometer section of the National Tourist Road 64, which passes through islets in the Atlantic Ocean. In some places the road is shaped like a wave, offering postcard views - both in good weather and during a storm on the Atlantic. There are several viewing platforms where you can park your car, admire the views and take photographs.

City of Molde(Molde) – mountain road Trollstigen(Troll Staircase), Romsdal And Atlantic Road.

Troll staircase

City of Ålesund(Alesund) – beautiful city in Art Nouveau style, located on seven hills. Attractions: Geirangerfjord And Jorundfjord, bird island Runde, Road of Eagles(mountain serpentine between Geirangerfjord and Norddalsfjord) and the already mentioned Troll Staircase Trollstigen.

Ålesund

Geirangerfjord

City of Bergen(Bergen) - Norway's second largest city is called the “gateway to the kingdom of the fjords.” From here you can go to Norway's longest fjord - Sognefjord, its branches - Nærøyfjord And Aurlandsfjord, Hardangerfjord(second largest in the country), drive along Flåm railway. In the city itself there is a UNESCO World Heritage Site - a beautiful Bryggen embankment, as well as the house-museum of the famous Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg.

Embankment in Bergen

Sognefjord

City of Haugesund(Haugesund) – impressive Lysefjord and small Okrafjord.

Lysefjord

City of Stavanger(Stavanger) – Lysefjord, Pulpit (Preikestolen)– a giant flat cliff above the Lysefjord, route Rüflüke(waterfalls road), Sulastranden beach.

Preikestolen

When to go see the fjords?

The best time to travel around Norway to the fjords is from June to mid-August (or, in extreme cases, from May to September), this is due to the harsh climate of the country. During the rest of the year, it is better to devote time to exploring only Norwegian cities.

Today is a photo post about the fjords of Norway, which I was lucky enough to visit in July of this year. In weather like this outside the window, you especially want rich colors, and the fjord region of Norway is just the place where bright colors are in abundance.

Therefore, I invite you to my fairy tale, because for me a trip to an amazing land of glaciers and gorges became a real summer miracle. During our trip we stayed in excellent hotels, I can confidently recommend any of them. Links to hotels are provided in the description of each fjord.

What are fjords?

Fjords are narrow, winding sea bays of glacial origin, cutting into the mainland for many kilometers. There are similar formations in Greenland, Iceland, Canada, Chile, Montenegro, New Zealand and even Russia, but the largest and most beautiful section of fjords is located in the west of the Scandinavian Peninsula.

Norway is not a cheap country, and most people go there for no more than a week. Therefore, I will tell you only about those places that, in my opinion, definitely deserve to be included in the trip itinerary. Getting to know the Norwegian fjords most often begins with or, which I wrote about earlier, but now let’s go to the sea!

Geirangerfjord

Geiranger is one of the most visited fjords in Norway, and this popularity is absolutely deserved and justified. It is only 15 km long, located 100 km from the city of Ålesund, is under UNESCO protection, and it is Geiranger that you most often see in photos and in tourist brochures.

If you have very little time for a vacation in Norway, you can visit only this one - there will be enough entertainment there for several days. We lived at the Hotel Union Geiranger, 4* - this one family hotel For some reason the royals love it. Price per room from 190€. Cool spa area and views of the mountains and fjord.

What to do in Geiranger:

— Hiking along Geiranger to the high mountain farms of Skageflo and Knivsflo. We had lunch at a Westeros farm where llamas and goats live. The food is delicious, the animals are clean, the views are breathtaking.

— Cruise on a ship or boat. We went on a boat ride and it was something! I already wrote more about it, there are a lot of photos, videos and prices on the link.

— Kayaking — in good weather It's nice to kayak along the cliffs and waterfalls of Geiranger.

- Fishing. The water contains cod, pollock, and salmon. You can fish all year round, just purchase a license first.


Salmon production on Geiranger

Mountain road Trollstigen, aka “Troll Ladder”. The serpentine winding through the mountains at an angle of 9 degrees is one of the famous attractions of Norway. The length of the route is more than 100 km.

Eagle Road- This is the steepest section of Trollstigen. A mountain serpentine with 11 very sharp turns and leading from the shores of Geiranger to the top of the mountain at an altitude of 620 m above sea level. This section of the route got its name in honor of large quantity eagles living in that region.

Fords of Norway in the photo:

Geirangerfjord observation decks

Ornesvingen
Having climbed to the top of the mountain along the Eagle Road, we find ourselves on observation deck Ornesvingen. There is indescribable beauty and many Chinese people there. yellow clothes. If you're lucky with the weather, you can see the Seven Sisters waterfall. We leave the inhabitants of the Celestial Empire alone and move on.

By the way, if you don’t want to overpay for housing in the fjord region, you can rent an apartment or house in Norway - it will be cheaper than living in a hotel, especially if you are traveling with family or company.

Dalsnibba and Fludalsjuve
Observation platforms at an altitude of 1500 m. View of Geiranger, clean air, slight chill and a lot of stones - everything I love.


I'm in this photo :) @Photographer Niyaz Aksanov

The surroundings of Geiranger, photos of the fjords of Norway:

Nordfjord

The pearl of the Norwegian fjord system. On the shores of the Nordfjord there is a wonderful place where the king of Norway fishes, as well as a beautiful turquoise lake Lovatnet, along which we rode bicycles. We lived at the Hotel Loenfjord, 3* - this is perhaps my favorite hotel I have ever lived in. It stands where the mountain river flows into the fjord. The food there is incredibly delicious, rooms from 200€.