AUST-AGDER

fylke (county), southern Norway. With an area of 3,557 square miles (9,212 square km), it extends 120 miles (190 km) northwestward into the mountains from the coastline on the Skagerrak (strait between Norway and Denmark). The landscape is broken and uneven, with the Setes Valley in the west bounded by steep coniferous-forested mountains rising to 3,500 feet (1,070 m); branching valleys in the middle of the county are divided by smaller hills. Most of the inhabitants live in coastal towns that until the mid-19th century were timber ports; they are now small, diversified commercial centres supporting a flourishing tourist trade. There are many burial mounds and excavation sites from the Stone and Iron ages and the Viking period throughout the county. Nickel and low-grade iron ore are mined in the area. Horticulture and forestry are the economic mainstays inland. The Setes Valley supports livestock. The county seat is Arendal (q.v.), other important towns being Risr, Grimstad, and Lillesand. Pop. (1986 est.) 95,475.