UNESCO has recently added Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord to its prestigious World Heritage List of cultural and natural heritage sites of outstanding value.
10/10/2008 :: The World Heritage Committee based its decision on the fact that the Nærøyfjord and Geirangerfjord areas are regarded as two of the world’s most beautiful fjord landscapes. Their exceptional natural beauty is derived from their narrow and steep-sided rock walls that rise up to 1 400 metres from the Norwegian Sea and extend 500 metres below sea level. Numerous waterfalls hurtle down the sheer drops on the mountainsides. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) has recommended the inclusion of the fjords, describing them as being among the longest and deepest in the world and as classic fjord landscapes.
Last year, National Geographic Traveler Magazine selected the Norwegian fjords as the winner of the 115 top natural tourist attractions in the world. Tourists have come to admire these fjords since the first tourist boat arrived in 1869, and today they are one of the destinations in Norway that attracts the largest number of visitors.
UNESCO’s decision brings the West Norwegian fjords into the illustrious company of the Egyptian Pyramids, the Victoria Falls, the Chinese Wall and the Grand Canyon.
Norway already has five sites on the World Heritage List: Bryggen in Bergen, Urnes Stave Church, the town of Røros, the Rock Drawings in Alta and the Vega Archipelago.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs