Heritage landscapes
 | | Spellmovollen, Vangrøftdalen. Photo: Yngve Rekdal |
By Mathias Øvsteng, Norwegian Heritage Foundation (Norsk Kulturarv)
The geology, topography and climate of Norway are full of contrasts, from north to south and from east to west.
These have formed the basis of a cultural distinctiveness and huge variety in agricultural methods, which in turn has led to diversity in terms of heritage and of biology. A living agricultural landscape containing housing, cultivated fields, grasslands and grazing represents a set of common values that is of importance to us all, whether we are locals or tourists.
Over the whole of Norway, this heritage landscape is maintained and taken care of by active and enthusiastic individuals. Structural changes and new economic requirements in agriculture have challenged this caring in several respects, and it is more important than ever to be aware of the cultural values embodied in a living landscape.
In 2009 the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and the Ministry of the Environment selected 20 areas as representative of heritage agricultural landscapes in inland Norway, in the mountains, along the coast and by the fjords. The purpose of this is to secure their long–term operation, care and maintenance, as well as keeping the areas accessible for everyone.
The 20 selected agricultural heritage landscapes can thus function as both a tourist attraction and a stimulus for other fine heritage landscapes, of which Norway has many. Their care and promotion provides potential for new commercial activity based on a living heritage landscape and a living local community.
The 20 selected heritage landscapes are:
- Bøensætre with smallholdings – Aremark, Østfold
- Øya–Nordre Eik – Nannestad, Akershus
- Nordmarksplasser smallholdings, Oslo
- Vangrøftdalen–Kjurrudalen – Os, Hedmark
- Nordherad – Vågå, Oppland
- Steinsletta, Hole and Ringerike, Buskerud
- Archipelagos east of Nøtterøy and Tjøme, Vestfold
- Jomfruland and Stråholmen – Kragerø, Telemark
- Rygnestad and Flateland – Valle, Aust–Agder
- Vest–Lista – Farsund, Vest–Agder
- Hodne–Vikevåg, Helland–Bø and Førsvoll – Rennesøy, Rogaland
- Gjuvslandslia – Kvinnherad, Hordaland
- Grinde–Engjasete – Leikanger, Sogn & Fjordane
- Hoddevik–Liset – Selje, Sogn & Fjordane
- Mountain farms and seter valleys of Øvre Sunndal, Møre & Romsdal
- Seterdalene i Budalen – Midtre Gauldal, Sør–Trøndelag
- Skei and Skeisnesset – Leka, Nord–Trøndelag
- Engan–Ørnes and Kjelvik – Sørfold, Nordland
- Skárfvággi–Skardalen – Gáivuona Suokham⁄Kåfjord, Troms
- Makkanes – Vadsø, Finnmark.
Translation © www.noproblem.no 2010.
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