Vestfold

Vestfold is a historic and administrative region in southeastern Norway, located along the Oslofjord. It existed as a separate county from the 17th century until 2020, when it merged with Telemark to form Vestfold og Telemark county. The name Vestfold remains in use for cultural and historical references and as a geographical designation.

Geography and settlement: The coast features towns, islands, and archipelagoes, with inland farmland and wooded hills. Major towns include Tønsberg, Sandefjord, Horten, and Larvik. The region’s coastline provides harbors and beaches, and its islands and fjord scenery are popular for tourism and outdoor recreation.

History and culture: Vestfold has a long history dating back to the Viking Age, when it was a center of political power in the region. Notable sites include the Borre mound cemetery near Horten, a significant burial landscape from the era, and the Oseberg burial near Tønsberg, associated with one of Norway’s famous Viking ships. The area also has a strong maritime heritage, with the Royal Norwegian Navy base at Karljohansvern in Horten.

Economy and transport: The region has traditionally relied on shipping, shipbuilding, timber, and agriculture, with tourism growing as a substantial sector. Modern infrastructure includes the E18 highway and rail connections to Oslo and other parts of southern Norway, along with ferries serving coastal communities.

Vestfold’s legacy continues in the broader Vestfold og Telemark county, while the area remains a distinct geographic and cultural region with a notable maritime and Viking heritage.