East Norway

East Norway (Norwegian: Østlandet) is a region in south-eastern Norway, which contains the capital Oslo, as well as half of the nation's 5 million inhabitants.

East Norway Halal Travel Guide

Slidrefjorden - Slidre lake in the Valdres uplands}} This region has about half of Norway's population including the larger Oslo metropolitan area. Locally known as Østlandet (or Austlandet), literally the east country, and is defined by the border with Sweden and mountain ranges creating watersheds with Trøndelag and Western Norway. East Norway includes the densely populated lowlands around Oslofjord (and lake Mjøsa) and the more sparsely populated valleys, forests and highlands in the hinterland. The most populated lowlands/flatlands are greater Oslo, around Oslofjord and around lake Mjøsa is informally referred to as Central East Norway - this area is home to well over ⅓ of the people of Norway. A number of long valleys (notably Gudbrandsdalen, Valdres, Østerdal and Hallingdal) and rivers converge in the lowlands around Oslo. Oslo itself is separated from these rivers and valleys by forests and hills known as Oslomarka (the Oslo woodlands). Areas around Oslofjord and lake Mjøsa are mostly lowlands or flatlands, while upstream along the big valleys and rivers the gently rolling landscape gradually gives way to steep hills, barren highlands (such as Hardangervidda) and alpine summits such as Jotunheimen. These valleys also host transport corridors (rail and road) to West Norway and Trøndelag. Western parts of Telemark, Buskerud and Oppland are part of the central mountains/highlands, while northern parts of Oppland and Hedemark includes wide mountain areas such as Reinheimen, Dovrefjell and Rondane. East Norway is home to a large number of lakes, including several of Norway's largest. The shores of southern Oslofjord with myriads of polished islands and bays are popular summer resorts for city residents. Tjøme Lilleskagen badestrand - Typical "svaberg" (polished cliffs) at Tjøme

How is the Climate in East Norway

The interior of Eastern Norway generally enjoys relatively dry continental climate (warm summers and cold winters). Winters can be bitterly cold in the interior. Closer to Oslofjord the winters are milder, although temperatures below minus 10° C are common in Oslo, and summers are slightly warmer in sheltered valleys. Large parts of East Norway enjoys the rain shadow created by the central mountains, and some of East Norway gets less than 300 mm precipitation annually (less than Madrid).

An Introduction to the Region of East Norway

staticmap=EastNorway.png|1280px]] {{Regionlist | region1name=Akershus | region1color=#b5d29f | region1description=The region surrounding Oslo and home to many of Oslo's suburbs, and is largely part of Greater Oslo with about 1/4 of Norway's population. | region2name=Buskerud | region2color=#b383b3 | region2description=Buskerud county stretches from the urban and agricultural lowlands at Oslos western suburbs through great valleys to popular ski resorts and the barren Hardangervidda. | region3name=Hedmark | region3color=#ac5c91 | region3description=The landlocked county in East Norway's deep interior, great valleys, rivers and forests | region4name=Oppland | region4color=#d56d76 | region4description=From lakes and lowlands to the great mountains and highlands | region5name=Oslo | region5color=#578e86 | region5description=Norway's capital | region6name=[[Østfold | region6color=#71b37b | region6description=Lowlands east of Oslofjord | region7name=Telemark | region7color=#d09440 | region7description=From urban lowlands through green valleys to rugged highlands - a mini-Norway. | region8name=Vestfold | region8color=#d5dc76 | region8description=Lowlands west of Oslofjord }} Reference ##5d29f Akershus. }} Reference ##383b3 Buskerud. }} Reference ##c5c91 Hedmark. }} Reference ##56d76 Oppland. }} Reference ##78e86 Oslo Reference ##1b37b Østfold. }} Reference ##09440 Telemark Reference ##5dc76 Vestfold }}

Cities

Oslo – the Norwegian capital; the demographic, economic and logistical centre for East Norway
Drammen
Fredrikstad
Gjøvik
Grenland - neighborhood in Telemark
Langesund
Porsgrunn
Skien
Hamar
Lillehammer – the 1994 Winter Olympic venue and gate to Gudbrandsdalen

Towns

Drøbak
Hønefoss
Kongsberg - silver mines and alpine ski slopes
Larvik
Notodden
Rjukan
Sandefjord
Tønsberg
Halden

More Destinations

Krøderen Rv7 - Krøderen lake with road 7 at the entrance to Hallingdal

Trysil – Norway's largest ski resort
Gudbrandsdalen - the great central valley from lowlands at Lillehammer to the highest mountains
Hallingdal - a major valley from fertile lowlands at Drammen into Hardangervidda
Jotunheimen - Scandinavia's highest mountains
Rondane - Mountain range and Norway's first national park
Dovrefjell - Mountain range and high plateau
Valdres - picturesque highlands, lakes and valleys beneath Jotunheimen
Hardangervidda – Europe's largest highland plateau
Gardermoen - Oslo International Airport, main entry point for overseas visitors and hub for domestic flights

Local Language in East Norway

Most people will respond in English to any question you may have. Some Norwegians also speak some (German), due to the proximity of the language, and that they study it in school. Migrant workers from Sweden, Poland, and elsewhere may not even speak Norwegian.

Norwegian

Those interested in dialects can observe the diversity of Norwegian dialects spoken in Eastern Norway, especially the differences between urban areas and peripheries. The differences can be observed even if you do not understand Norwegian. There are differences in the tone of language and words used. Even within the capital, Oslo and there are dialect differences between the east side and west end. In some inland municipalities, a writing form of Norwegian usually associated with West Norway known as Nynorsk is the official form.

Travel to East Norway

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in East Norway

Oslo is connected to Kiel and Copenhagen by ferries. Larvik is connected to northern Denmark by ferry, whereas Sandefjord is connected to Strömstad (Sweden) by ferry.

How to get around in East Norway

NSB El 18 2245 Tunga - Train on Bergen line near Geilo heading for Finse Oslo totally dominates this region. Oslo and its airport at Gardermoen is the transport hub for East Norway. Roads and railway lines have Oslo as their focal points. All railway lines, including the airport express train, terminate at Oslo Central Station ("Oslo S"). Main roads E6, E18, E16 and Road 4 meet at or near Oslo S. Regional and long distance buses depart from the bus station next door to Oslo S. Oslo Subway (T-banen) has a main station underground next to the train station.

Buy a Flight ticket to and from East Norway

Fagernes Airport - Leirin - operated by DOT | 10 minutes from Fagernes - The local airport with daily connections to Oslo (30 minutes)
Oslo Gardermoen Airport - Gardermoen | 25 minutes with the Airport Express Train from Oslo - Norway's main airport with domestic and international flights.
Sandefjord Torp Airport - Torp | 1 hour 50 minutes with the Torpekspressen coach from Oslo - Rygge mainly caters to travelers to/from Oslo, Akershus and Østfold. Most flights are with Ryanair.
Skien Geiteryggen Airport | serviced by Flights to Bergen, Stavanger and Molde (daily), as well as three times per week to Stockholm, Sweden

Travel on a Bus in East Norway

Nor-Way Bussekspress - express buses - Most express buses running through the region are operated by this company. Connections to Oslo, Lillehammer, Valdres, Jotunheimen and Hallingdal

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Valdresekspressen - express coach - ☎ +47 61 36 59 00 +47 61 36 16 00 - Route (Up to six daily departures): Oslo -Hønefoss -Valdres -Sogn and Oslo -Hønefoss -Valdres -Jotunheimen.
Lavprisekspressen - express coach - ☎ +47 67 98 04 80 low cost internet booking Routes: (One departue per day):Trondheim -Dovrefjell -Lillehammer -Hamar -Gardermoen -Oslo and (Two departues per day):Stavanger -Kristiansand -Larvik -Sandefjord -Oslo
Øst-Vest Xpressen - express coach - ☎ +47 61 36 59 00 +47 61 36 16 00 - Route (One departue per day): Bergen -Voss -Lærdal -Valdres -Land -Lillehammer.
JVB - local buses - ☎ +47 61 36 59 00 +47 61 36 16 00 Opening Hours: 08-16 Connections to Gjøvik, Gol (Norway) | Gol, Lærdal and Gjende

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TIMEkspressen - express coach - Connections to Skien, Notodden and Kongsberg

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Travel by train to East Norway

NSB - Noregs Statsbaner (National Rail) - ☎ +47 23 62 00 00 (abroad) - Oslo Central Station (Oslo S) is the main train station in Eastern Norway, where all train routes connect. Connections to Stavanger, Gjøvik, Lillehammer, Bergen, Trondheim, Skien, Fredrikstad and Kristiansand, plus a large number of local trains. Also, trains to Sweden and the rest of Europe depart from here. Call 815 00 888 for domestic.

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By car

For more details see: Driving in Norway
Most of Norway's motorways are around Oslo. There is one vehicle ferry across Oslofjord at Moss-Horten and one across Randsfjorden lake.

What to see in East Norway

Lake Mjøsa - East Norway's small inland ocean|Gjøvik and Lake Mjøsa seen from Oeverby September 2016 a - upright=1.6|centreLake Mjøsa sits in the middle of East Norway and is shared between Oppland, Hedmark and Akershus. The south end is surrounded by fertile lowlands, while the north end intersects with Gudbrandsdalen and beginning of the uplands. Thit is the widest in Norway (about the size of Lake Garda) and at 453 m the 4th deepest lake in Europe. The average depth is 150 m, such that most of the lake is in fact below sea level. Despite the big rivers flowing into the lake, its large volume means that it takes 6 years for water to pass through. There are about 20 species of fish in the lake. Åkersvika, a bay and wetland at Hamar, is a nature reserve create to protect birds in particular. The 120 kilometers long and partly narrow lake can be mistaken for a river or a western fjord. Mjøsa is largley frozen in winter and often used for skating. After the construction of Mjøsa bridge at Moelven vehicle ferries across the lake were discontinued. Skibladner is still in operation and is now the world's oldest paddle steamer in service. Norway's first railway ran from Oslo to Mjøsa, still today the shores of Mjøsa host Norway's main transport corridor north-south.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for East Norway

All kinds of winter sports, even some at summertime
Sailing
Fishing in salt water and fresh water (rivers & lakes)

Climb or hike mountains

East Norway includes gentle sloping highlands such as Hardangervidda as well as alpine peaks such as Jotunheimen.

The Gausta summit (1883 meters) near Rjukan in Telemark gives the best outlook, on a clear day on can see one sixth of Norway (or an area twice that of Belgium). Easy hike 2-3 hours, possibel for children aged 10+. Very popular.

Halal Restaurants

The Norwegian cuisine is known for eclectic food with a good supply of many local ingredients. Try Norwegian seafood! Local Norwegian aquavit and cider. Or simply clean and fresh water.

Stay Safe

Eastern Norway is experienced as generally very safe, with few exceptions in parts of Oslo and the larger cities. Just take normal precautions.

News & References East Norway

Travel Next

The rest of Norway
Sweden
Denmark