Sunnfjord

Sunnfjord
District
View of Viksdalsvatnet View of Viksdalsvatnet
Sunnfjord
Country	Norway
County	Sogn og Fjordane
Region	Vestlandet
Adm. Center	Florø
Area
• Total	4,476 km2 (1,728 sq mi)
Population (2006)
• Total	41,156
• Density	9.2/km2 (24/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Sunnfjording

Historical population
Year	Pop.	±%
1769	11,545	—
1951	26,271	+127.6%
1960	26,368	+0.4%
1970	27,153	+3.0%
1980	31,299	+15.3%
1990	33,511	+7.1%
2000	36,591	+9.2%
2010?	37,678	+3.0%
2020?	39,363	+4.5%
2030?	41,250	+4.8%
Source: Statistics Norway.

Sunnfjord (English: the southern fjord - in contrast to Nordfjord) is a traditional district in Western Norway located in Sogn og Fjordane county. It includes the municipalities of Askvoll, Fjaler, Flora, Førde, Gaular, Jølster, Naustdal, and the southernmost parts of Bremanger. It covers an area of about 4,476 square kilometres (1,728 sq mi) and has a population (2006) of 41,156–about 32% of the population of Sogn og Fjordane county.

The central geographical characteristic of the Sunnfjord region are the fjords Dalsfjorden and Førdefjorden. It is a popular tourist region, with spectacular waterfalls, fishing, white-water rafting, glaciers, hiking, and beautiful scenery–including Jostedalsbreen National Park.

The area was the site of the largest air battle over Norway during World War II, and a museum is dedicated to the event in Naustdal. There are two airports in Sunnfjord: Førde Airport, Bringeland, just outside the city of Førde, and Florø Airport, just outside the city of Florø. The highway E39 passes through the region, going north and south.

Notable residents

• Gaahl, Norwegian vocalist