Telemark County is often described as ‘Norway in miniature’ with its glittering archipelagos and magnificent mountain plateaus. Telemark stretches from the Skagerrak coastline and further inland to the mountain plateaus of Hardangervidda – through wide open farming villages, narrow valleys, steep mountain sides, and countless lakes, rivers and waterfalls.
Telemark is not only a political and a geographical region, it is a feeling and an experience. It is history and traditions. Telemark is our ancestors who have paved the way and worked their fingers to the bone to create our county. Telemark is the generations to come, ready to bear the county onwards with pride.
Telemark has always been open for new impulses from all areas. People come to Telemark not only to work, but to live. For hundreds of years trade ships have anchored alongside our coastal towns. Workers streamed to the mountains from Northern Norway and Sweden and some chose to stay. They found soul mates with whom to share their lives and remained in Telemark, becoming a part of the region. This in turn led to Telemark's wealth and variety, not only in terms of goods, but also in terms of culture. Versatility, foreign impulses and strong roots in regional traditions, put all of these together and that is what defines Telemark.
Telemark boasts untamed, steep mountains and impenetrable valleys as one would expect to find on the west coast. Telemark also has dark forests as do the inland regions of Norway. The fact that Europe's tallest mountain plain the Hardangervidda with its 6,500 km2 is located in Telemark County, and the fact that the coastline of eastern Norway is one of the best loved vacation areas in the summer makes the area simply perfect.
Population
The population of Telemark is 166,170 and there are 1,275 people over the age of 90 (2007). The average life expectancy for Norwegian men is 78 and for Norwegian women is 83.
Culture and competence
Telemark offers a variety of exciting cultural events such as theatre, concerts and annual festivals. Telemark provides a higher quality of life at a fraction of the cost than Oslo, and is located just 2 hours south of the capitol.
Telemark University College provides a higher education to thousands of students and offers one of the most diversified course curriculums in the country. The BI Norwegian School of Management located in Porsgrunn also offers a top notch education.
Research and development
Research environments are heavily represented in Telemark such as the Herøya Research Park, Telemark University College, Telemarkforsking, and Tel-Tek. Telemark has a flourishing bio-technology research environment, and can boast a new innovation centre for natural gas which was established in Grenland in January 2005.
Industry
Telemark is one of the leading counties for industry in Norway which is home to approx. 500 various industrial companies. Forestry, metal and natural products have had great influence on the current and past handicraft and industrial production in Telemark.
Telemark County Council
Telemark County Council is responsible for regional development, regional planning, coordination and administration, public transportation/ roads/ the Telemark Canal, international cooperation, upper secondary schools, public dentistry, and culture.
Postal address:
Telemark fylkeskommune (Telemark County Council)
Fylkeshuset
N-3706 Skien
NORWAY
E-mail: post@t-fk.no
Telemark County Council’s international activities
We have a very active international engagement and you can learn more about this by going to our web pages at www.telemark.no/international.
Tourist information
Telemarkreiser (Telemark Tourist Information Office) can supply more information about Telemark as a tourist destination. The website also has information in English.
Telemarkskanalen (The Telemark Canal administration) can tell you more about the Canal and its attractions. The Telemark Canal cuts a 100 km. long waterway into the heart of the county to Dalen, and the locks lift passengers on the sightseeing boats up to 100 meters above sea level. The canal is a first choice for most foreign travellers coming to Telemark, but ancient stave churches, museums, the beautiful countryside and many other attractions make Telemark worth a visit.
Telemarksvegen (The Telemark Route) winds its way through beautiful scenery from the Southern Norway to inland Telemark, passing through 6 municipalities and covering 180 km of typical Norwegian landscape.
For more detailed information about Telemark as a tourist destination, or to make bookings, please contact:
Telemarkreiser
P.O. box 2813 Kjørbekk
NO 3702 Skien
NORWAY
E-mail: info@telemarkreiser.no
Telemark Heritage website Skien kommune has established a new website in English to serve descendants from Telemark abroad. Here you will find a lot of interesting information.
You will also find information about Telemark on the Wikipedia website.
To learn more about the fascinating county of Telemark, read more in the book, "Come and live the fairytale that is Telemark"
Are you interested in moving to Telemark or are you new to the area?
Here are some regions in Telemark actively trying to attract new residents and hold onto existing ones.
Bo i Grenland – Live in Grenland (brochure in English)
Flytte til Vest-Telemark – Move to West Telemark Welcome to Øyfjell (information in English)
Telemark International Club (TIC) - TIC intends to establish and facilitate networks among the local and international communities and work with organisations based in the Telemark region that are already actively involved in related activities. The Club's aim is to promote networking, to foster an exchange of ideas and experiences and to build mutual understanding and friendships among its members, partners and friends, as well as to facilitate and support the integration of new arrivals. In pursuing its objectives, the Club organizes meetings, discussions, get-togethers, tours, hikes, presentations, debates and other such events. For more information go to: www.ticlub.no.