Oslofjord

The Oslofjord, extending more than 100km/60mi northward from the Skagerrak to the Norwegian capital, is made up of a series of narrow straits and wider basins. Along its rocky shores, of moderate height, are many little towns and settlements. The western shore of the fjord was one of the earliest areas of settlement, but the trim towns on the west side can also look back on a long tradition. The first settlers here, coming by boat, established themselves around 10,000 years ago, at the end of the last ice age, and thereafter followed the retreating ice ever farther inland. In addition to farming and forestry there has been a lively development of industry, and the coastal towns are the home ports of a large merchant fleet.