Narvik is situated north of the polar circle, on a peninsula in the Ofot fjord. It is set in a dramatic scenery, with many glaciers, and mountains rising almost 2000 meters from the sea. Considering the latitude, Narvik have with its protecting surroundings a gentle climate. Because of the mountains the midnight sun can not be seen from the town. From the 2. of November to the 7. of February, the sun can not at all be seen in Narvik.

History
The ice-free natural harbour made Narvik the place for shipping ore from the mines in Kiruna, Sweden. For transporting the ore, the construction of a railroad from Kiruna was started in 1885. The railroad opened on the 14 of July 1903.

During the years of construction, a lot of workforce was needed and the population thus increased rapidly. In the fashion of the time, the town was planned in a strict grid pattern. The ships exporting the ore connected the little village to the continent, this contact also influenced the development of Narvik into a town.

During the second world war Narvik was heavily bombed. The reconstruction of the centre followed the old grid pattern, but with an open linear structure, and not traditional blocks as it was before.

The shipment of coal increased after the war, and gave the town big tax incomes. On the peak these taxes financed 65% of the municipality’s expenses.

In the 60’s and 70’s the ore shipment was rationalised and unemployment rates raised, this led to a stagnation in the growth of the city. The establishment of Kongsberg Våpenfabrik, a weapon factory, north of the centre in 1977 was the start of the development of a high tech industrial park. A restructuring of the industry was also supported by the strategic establishment education institution, i.e. engineering education.

The railroad and the shipping areas have always split the town in two. Rationalisation continue to free some of this ground to new use for the town. In 1992 Narvik invited Norwegian architects to a competition to come up with ideas for possible use of these areas.

Narvik centre has today 10.000 citizens. Varied businesses, connected to education and research, and high tech industry are the main employers, tourism is becoming a big industry. It is a commercial and communication centre in the region. In 2002 Narvik will celebrate it’s hundredth year as a municipality.

The people of the north
Norway is a big country, and very scarcely populated. The mountains have isolated people. Many people have difficulties understanding each other. The different parts of the country have developed their own dialects, and in the mind of the Norwegian, very distinct characteristics and qualities. The Norwegians are known to be a people of few words and modest nature, not so for the people from the north. The nordlending with his dark hair is Norway’s Latin, known to be more passionate and wrathful than other Norwegians. This could be needed for surviving the dark winters and rough climate. It might also be a product of endless summer nights and rich fisheries.

The gloom of a harbour town
The harbour with it’s foreign sailors, exotic goods creates a certain atmosphere. It’s easy to imagine smugglers meeting at night, drunkards finding a place to sleep, a suicidal on the tip of the pier. A foggy morning, the workers coming. The place starting to live, shouting, strange smells, a new ship is coming in.