Alta, Norway - Definition

The town and municipality Alta in the county of Finnmark, Norway, has 17,359 inhabitants as of January 1, 2003. The municipality covers 3845 km²., in the west of the county, mostly situated along the Alta Fjord, taking in large tracts of woodlands, as well as parts of the High Plateau of Finnmarksvidda. Most people live in the town of Alta, stretching along the inner part of the fjord, enjoying a sheltered climate.

Alta is the location of rock drawings dating from circa 4200 BC to 500 BC, that are on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.

Alta is a communication center in Finnmark. Main activities are trading, small industry, education and public service. The town is also famous for its slate industry. Finnmark University College (Høgskolen i Finnmark) is situated in Alta, and there is also a research intstitution (Norut NIBR Finnmark). The town has the most northern Ice hotel in Europe.

The Municipality of Alta (Alta kommune) has a good and informative home page.

External links

• Unesco information (http://whc.unesco.org/sites/352.htm)
• Finnmark University College (http://www.hifm.no/hif/avdelingene/nff/English/index.html)
• Alta kommune (http://www.alta.kommune.no)
• Alta Igloo Hotel (http://www.alta-friluftspark.no/alta_friluftspark_eng/index.html)
• Finnmarksløpet-the northernmost sled dog race in the world! (http://www.finnmarkslopet.no/front.jsp?lang=en)