Post code: N-4000
Telephone code: 04
Stavanger, chief town of Rogaland county, lies on the southwestern coast of Norway on the Byfjord or Boknafjord, an arm of the Stavangerfjord. It has an excellent harbor sheltered by offshore islands and is the commercial center of the surrounding area. Major elements in the town's
economy are an oil refinery, fish-canning factories and, most importantly, its shipyards (which construct oil-rigs as well as ships). Some 320km/200mi south of Stavanger, in the North Sea, are a number of Norwegian offshore oilfields (Tor, Ekofisk and Eldfisk).
History
Stavanger is one of the oldest towns in Norway. It was the see of a bishop from the 12th to the 17th century, when it lost this status to Kristiansand (1682). Towards the end of the 18th century the town had its own merchant shipping fleet, and a great economic upswing began in the second half of the 19th century with the growth of the herring and sprat fisheries and the fish-canning industry. In recent years Stavanger has gained increased importance with the development of the North Sea oil industry.
Noted as a popular recreation area, Stavanger has several lakes nearby and enjoys mild maritime climate. Stavanger also hosts the MaiJazz festival every May and the International Chamber Music Festival in August.
Stavanger is a European Capital of Culture for 2008.
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