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The National Landscape Reference System divides Norway into 45 landscape regions based on shared landscape characteristics. Each region has its own unique character.
Oskar Puschmann
Senior Adviser
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Division of Survey and Statistics
(+47) 993 53 677 oskar.puschmann@nibio.no Office Location: Ås O43
In the National Landscape Reference System, Norway is divided into 45 landscape regions. The aim is to highlight the country's main landscape types and bring their distinctive qualities into sharper focus. The system also considers trends in landscape change and the particular challenges facing each region.
The landscape regions are described through six key components of the landscape:
Together, these six components define the overall character of each landscape region. This character is also described for every region.
The boundaries of the landscape regions coincide with county boundaries only where these were historically drawn along clearly defined landscape features. The fact that the regional boundaries generally do not follow administrative boundaries is an advantage from a national perspective, as it allows a much stronger focus on landscape qualities, condition and development within each region. At the same time, the system helps regional authorities identify the landscape assets for which they have national stewardship responsibilities, either independently or in partnership with a small number of neighbouring counties.