Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TROMS
Troms,wheretheGulfStreampetersout,mitigatingtheharshnessofwinter,boastsacouple
of near-superlative places: Tromsø, the only place large enough to merit the name 'city' in
northern Norway, and Senja, Norway's second-largest island, a less trodden rival to the Lo-
fotens for spectacular scenery. This section covers the northern two-thirds of Troms county;
the Troms portion of the island of Hinnøya features in the Nordland chapter.
Tromsø
POP 67,300
Simply put, Tromsø parties. By far the largest town in northern Norway and administrative
centre of Troms county, it's lively with cultural bashes, buskers, an animated street scene,
a midnight-sun marathon, a respected university, the hallowed Mack Brewery - and more
pubs per capita than any other Norwegian town. Its corona of snow-topped peaks provides
arresting scenery, excellent hiking in summer and great skiing and dog-sledding in winter.
Many Tromsø landmarks claim northernmost titles, including the university, cathedral,
brewery,botanicgardenandeventhemostborealBurgerKing.Althoughthecityliesalmost
400km north of the Arctic Circle, its climate is pleasantly moderated by the Gulf Stream.
The long winter darkness is offset by round-the-clock activity during the perpetually bright
days of summer.
MAJOR WEBSITES OF THE FAR NORTH
Tromsø received its municipal charter in 1794, when the city was developing as a trading
centre, but its history goes way back to the 13th century, when the first local church was
