Finnmark, Troms og Finnmark, Norway
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Finnmark is the northernmost and eastern most county in Norway. By area, Finnmark is Norway's largest county, even larger than the neighboring country of Denmark. However, with a population of about 75,000, it is also the least populated of all Norwegian counties. Finnmark has a total coastline of 4,253 miles, including 1,960 miles of coastline on the islands.
The name, Finnmark, derives from the Old Norse form of the name was Finnmork. The first element is finn(ar), the Norse name for the Sámi people. The last element is "mork" which means "Woodland" or "Borderland". . |
View towards Váldatgohppi and Kunsavárri mountain in Porsanger, Norway
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In Norse times the name referred to the land of the Sami people, or any places where Sámi people were living (also parts of South Norway).
Three ethnic groups have a long history in Finnmark: the Sami people, the Norwegian people, and the Kven people. Of these, the Sami probably were the first people to explore Finnmark. Ohthere of Hålogaland was an adventurous Norwegian (Norseman) from Hålogaland, the area roughly corresponding to today's Nordland county. Around 890 AD, he claimed, according to historical sources (see Ohthere of Hålogaland) that he lived "north-most of all the Northmen", and that "no one [lived] to the north of him." Later, Norwegians in the 14th century, and Kvens in the 16th century, settled along the coast.
Three ethnic groups have a long history in Finnmark: the Sami people, the Norwegian people, and the Kven people. Of these, the Sami probably were the first people to explore Finnmark. Ohthere of Hålogaland was an adventurous Norwegian (Norseman) from Hålogaland, the area roughly corresponding to today's Nordland county. Around 890 AD, he claimed, according to historical sources (see Ohthere of Hålogaland) that he lived "north-most of all the Northmen", and that "no one [lived] to the north of him." Later, Norwegians in the 14th century, and Kvens in the 16th century, settled along the coast.
