The Curious Case of Norway's Astonishingly Long Coastline

Norway, the land of Adventure and natural beauty, boasts the third-longest coastline in the world and the longest one in Europe. This geographical peculiarity has not only captivated explorers and adventurers but also aroused curiosity among geographers and scholars. Let's dive into why Norway's coastline is so remarkably long and why fjords dominate its coastal landscape.

Understanding Coastal Measurement

According to the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary and Thesaurus, a coastline is defined as "the particular shape of the coast especially as seen from above from the sea or on a map." Interestingly, the measurement of a country's coastline can vary significantly based on the scale at which it is measured. Smaller scale maps tend to yield a lower coastline value because they smooth out the details, while larger scale maps capture the intricate details, including numerous inlets, bays, and fjords. This is why it's important to consider the scale when comparing the coastline lengths of different countries.

The Role of Fjords: A Dominating Feature

The key factor behind Norway's extensive coastline is its abundance of fjords. Fjords are deep, narrow inlets in the coastline, formed by glacial erosion during the last ice age. Fjords can range from large to small, branching out from larger ones. They are not only numerous but also found on the mainland and most islands above a certain size. In most parts of Norway, you are either in a fjord or within 20 kilometers of one. The only notable exceptions are the Jren coast from Stavanger towards the south and the east side of the Varanger peninsular close to the Russian border. However, even these regions do not escape the fjord influence, as they are still within 50 kilometers of a fjord.

From a geographical viewpoint, fjords display a fractal pattern, with smaller features branching out from larger ones. Despite this, the sides of many fjords are steep mountain walls, creating a nearly featureless coastline at certain points. This characteristic makes Norway's coastline appear longer when viewed from a closer or larger scale, as the intricate details are highlighted.

Comparisons with Other Countries

While other countries like Iceland, New Zealand, and Chile also have fjords, they do not have the sheer abundance of Norway. Russia has some wide fjords, but these are in areas that are not mountainous, resulting in fewer branches. The mountainous islands of Novaja Zemlja offer a striking comparison, showcasing a similar fjord landscape to Norway. The only countries that can rival Norway in terms of fjords are Canada and Greenland. When much of the ice in Greenland melts, its coastline could rival Norway's. Antarctica may also be rich in fjords in future centuries.

Canada stands out for its fjords on the north and east sides of Baffin Island. This island alone is about 50% larger than Norway, and its fjord-free south-west coastline can be compared to Norway's borders with Sweden and Finland. While Canada has fewer fjords due to Baffin Island, it still has significantly more fjord-rich areas north of it. Hence, Canada's overall coastline length is much greater than Norway's, primarily due to its larger territorial size and the fjords on Baffin Island.

Despite these differences, the number of ways a coastline can be measured, Norway always ranks highly. A popular method is the coastline measurement provided by the World Fact Book, as seen in the Wikipedia article on 'List of countries by length of coastline.'

Conclusion

In conclusion, the reason for Norway's astonishingly long coastline is largely due to its extensive fjord system. These deep inlets, carved by glaciers during the ice age, give Norway the third-longest coastline in the world. This characteristic not only shapes the country's geography but also its culture and tourism industry. Understanding the impact of fjords on coastline measurement and coastal geography can help us appreciate the unique natural features of Norway. Whether through scientific research or personal exploration, Norway's fjord-filled coastline remains a captivating study in coastal geography.