Tromsø
- 2005
Member: Tromsø Library and City Archives, Municipality of Tromsø
Tromsø, the city affectionately called the “Gateway to the Arctic”, is a striking blend of culture and nature. With annual music and film festivals, theaters, cafes and sporting venues, the city abounds in a plethora of cultural activities that easily appeal to visitors and inhabitants alike.
Vast mountain landscapes and deep blue fjords surround the city’s center and its outlying regions. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy skiing, hiking, cycling and kayaking in an Arctic environment accessible to all.
Nature has many surprises in this part of the world. During the summer season, northern Norway shines under the midnight sun. While during winter - when the sun disappears from the horizon for two months - you often get to see the northern lights flickering with great bands of light across the sky.
Summer temperatures are cool; the average high is 15.3° C in July, and close to –2.2° C in January. Winter temperatures are mild, due to the influence of the Gulf Stream. Nonetheless, winters are frequently snow filled in Tromsø.
Tromsø, with it nearly 70 000 inhabitants, is the largest city in northern Norway. Here visitors will find an international mix of Norwegians, the Sami people, Russians, Swedes and more than 140 nationalities from around the globe.
Founded upon fishing, hunting and Arctic expeditions, the city has evolved into a modern metropolis of culture, administration, education and research. Tromsø is home to the world’s northernmost university, the Arctic University of Norway (UiT), and the University Hospital of North Norway (UNN).