What does it mean to you?
West Norwegian fjord landscape
The West Norwegian fjord landscape is considered one of the most dramatic and spectacular landscapes in the world, with some of the longest, deepest, narrowest and most beautiful fjords. The magnificent landscape has captivated visitors throughout the ages. Many consider the fjords to be the very symbol of Norway, the foremost fjord country in the world. Local craftsmanship traditions and local raw materials that are processed here are value creation of the finest kind.
The Nærøyfjord area includes six protected areas, each with its own unique qualities: Nærøyfjorden landscape conservation area, Bleia-Storebotnen landscape conservation area, Bleia nature reserve, Grånosmyrane nature reserve, Nordheimsdalen nature reserve and Geitnosi nature reserve.
World heritage is the cultural and natural heritage that is considered to have unique, universal value from a historical, artistic, scientific or aesthetic point of view. The sites on the World Heritage List are selected because they have a special cultural or natural historical significance for humanity. The Geirangerfjord area and the Nærøyfjord area is the first World Heritage Site in Norway to be inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List on the basis of its natural heritage.
UNESCO
UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The organization's goal is to contribute to peace and security through international cooperation in these areas.
UNESCO was established on November 16, 1945, and Norway became a member in 1946. UNESCO works to create dialogue based on respect for common values and dignity for all cultures in the world.
What does World Heritage status mean?
The World Heritage status tells us that this area has a particularly high value for the whole world. It tells us that the West Norwegian fjord landscape has such great universal value that it should be taken extra good care of, for the benefit of the whole world - now and for future generations.
Heritage values
The World Heritage List includes buildings and areas around the world. All of them have been given this status because they are considered to be unique and important objects that should be looked after with extra care, as they each represent universal values that are so important that everyone is obliged to take extra care of them.
The fjord landscape of western Norway is on the list as natural heritage. The two sub-areas are considered to be outstanding examples of fjord landscapes, and to be landscapes that are still changing, with living geological processes. This means that the landscape here is still being shaped and is changing. An extra dimension of this World Heritage Site is the cultural landscape, traces of past life, and the fact that people actually live here now too!