The city of Stavanger was established as a municipality January 1, 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt). The rural municipalities of Hetland and Madla were merged with Stavanger January 1, 1965.
The city is located on a peninsula on the southwest coast of Norway. It is the centre of the third largest metropolitan area in the country. The climate is maritime mild temperate(marine west coast - cfb) and rather windy, with all monthly temperature averages above freezing, and precipitation 1200 mm/year. Summers are pleasant and lowland areas in and around Stavanger have the longest growing season in Norway (220 days).
The city is a combination of new and old. There is a significant foreign influence with a nearby NATO base called JWC, as well as foreign oil interests. Norway's oldest Cathedral, Stavanger domkirke, is situated right in the city centre. Stavanger has several beautiful lakes, which are popular recreation areas. Breiavatnet is located in the heart of Stavanger, while Mosvatnet and Stokkavatnet are situated right outside.
Stavanger Airport is located 14 km from the city centre, in the municipality of Sola.
Stavanger Oil Museum
The Norwegian Petroleum Museum was opened on 20 May 1999 and its unusual architecture has made it a new, exciting landmark in the Port of Stavanger.
Although I am out of the higher mountains now, actually it is a very pleasent trip close to the see with many smaller fishing towns. I had a look at the most southern part of Norway with a perfect lighthouse, the Lyndesnes fyr.
Grimstad was my town for the night.