Tettstedsområde

Tettstedsområde is a term used in Norway to describe a built-up area. It's not an administrative or political unit but rather a statistical definition used by Statistics Norway (SSB) to delineate continuously built-up areas. The primary criterion for an area to be classified as a tettsted is that it must have at least 200 inhabitants and the houses must be situated no more than 50 meters apart. This geographical proximity is crucial for defining a settlement as a single, cohesive unit, even if it spans across multiple municipalities or administrative boundaries.

The concept of tettstedsområde helps in understanding and analyzing population distribution and urbanization patterns in Norway. It allows for the collection and presentation of data related to housing, population density, and infrastructure in concentrated living areas. Unlike a municipality, which has defined borders and local governance, a tettsted is purely a description of the physical built environment and the population residing within it. This distinction is important for urban planning and demographic studies, providing a clearer picture of where people live and how settlements are structured across the country.