Salten

Salten is a traditional district in Nordland county, Norway. It encompasses the coastal area around the Saltenfjord and the inland mountain regions, and includes Bodø as its largest urban centre along with several surrounding municipalities. In practice, Salten functions as a cultural and historical region rather than an administrative unit, with shared geography, history, and economic ties.

Geographically, Salten stretches from the coast of the Norwegian Sea inland toward the Saltfjellet mountain range. It is home to the Svartisen glacier, part of the Saltfjellet-Svartisen National Park established in 1989, one of Norway’s largest national parks by area. The landscape features fjords, valleys, forests, and high plateaus, contributing to a varied climate and ecosystems. The district lies between Helgeland to the south and Lofoten/Vesterålen to the north.

Economy and infrastructure are diverse, with fishing, aquaculture, agriculture, industry, and tourism playing important roles. Outdoor activities such as hiking and glacier watching attract visitors to the Svartisen area. Bodø serves as the region’s hub, linking Salten to national transport networks via the E6 highway and the Nordland Line railway.

The origin of the name Salten is uncertain, but it is linked to the coastal and saltwater character of the region. The district has a long maritime heritage, with farms, navigation, and trade shaping its historical development.