Troms Fylkeskommune
PB 6600
9296 Tromsø

Phone: +47 77 78 80 00
Fax: +47 77 78 80 01

Internet: www.tromsfylke.no
E-mail: postmottak@tromsfylke.no

Troms county, slightly larger than Wales, slightly smaller than Belgium, is the greenest of all arctic regions, situated some 350km north of the Arctic Circle, facing the open Atlantic, with its back leaned on the Scandinavia keel range, where the Gulf Stream hits the coast, right in the middle of the most intense northern lights zone.

The outer coast is an archipelago of thousands of islands and islets, weather-beaten fishing villages and bird cliffs. Further inside, you find the major islands of Hinnøy, Senja, Kvaløya and Ringvassøya, with a steep, rugged outer coast hiding lakes and woodlands. Towering peaks, glaciers and ravines, most notably in the Lyngen Alps, protect birch forests and green pastures along the deeply indented fjords. The pine-covered valleys of the inland lead the way up to the endless horizon of the Border Mountains in the east.

The 154.000 inhabitants of Troms, known for their frankness, humour and hospitality, are of Norwegian, Sami and Finnish origin. Fishing, fish-farming, agriculture, manufacturing and a nascent oil industry form the economical mainstay, whereas numerous festivals, a thriving cultural life, tasty foods from arctic fish and game and outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, cross country skiing and dog sledding make life worthwhile.