TROMS

fylke (county), extreme northern Norway, entirely situated north of the Arctic Circle. It has a very rugged and indented coastline facing the Norwegian Sea (west), and there are many large offshore islands. Part of Hinnya, Norway's largest permanently inhabited island, is in the fylke. To the south and east it adjoins Sweden and a small projection of Finland. Troms has an area of 10,032 square miles (25,984 square km). Of the coastline's many fjords, the largest is Lyngenfjorden. The fylke is mainly mountainous; much of its interior supports only livestock raising (sheep and goats). Along the coast and on the islands, fishing is dominant. The city of Troms, in the north-central part, is the county seat and an Arctic seaport. There are no railroads in the fylke, but a good network of secondary roads serves the sparse population. Communications are by coastal shipping and internal air services (Bardufoss, Evenes, and Troms airfields) and locally by bus and boat. Pop. (1997 est.) 151,191.