NORDLAND

fylke (county), northern Norway, bordering the Norwegian Sea. Its many offshore islands include most of the Lofoten Islands and the Vesterlen archipelago. With an area of 14,798 square miles (38,327 square km), including the northern islands, Nordland extends for about 300 miles (500 km) along the coast; about two-thirds of the fylke is north of the Arctic Circle. The coastline is rugged and indented by fjords. Most residents live on the coastal lowlands and in narrow inland valleys. Narvik and Bod (the county seat) are cities; other towns are Svolvr and Mo. The economy is based on fishing (especially cod), stock raising (cattle and goats), some farming (rye and potatoes), and mining. The port of Narvik has a direct rail connection to the rich Kiruna-Gllivare iron-ore fields in Sweden. The chief pyrite deposits are near Mo and Sulitjelma, while iron ore is mined in Dunderlands Valley. Hydroelectric power has been extensively developed, providing a base for metal-processing industries (steel at Mo and aluminum at Mosjen). Pop. (1990 est.) 239,571.