What Are Fjords & Where Can You Find Them?
Fjords are narrow valleys formed by the movement of glaciers. They are generally U-shaped with steep cliffs. They are also usually filled with water. Because fjords are formed by glacier activity, they tend to be located in the extreme northern or southern hemispheres. Norway has some of the most well-known fjords in the world, although they are also found in Greenland, Ireland and New Zealand.
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Norway
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Norway is host to several dozen fjords, including the Geiranger, Hardanger and Sogne fjords. The Geiranger is roughly nine miles in length and noted for its exceptional beauty, including its numerous waterfalls. The Hardanger also boasts waterfalls and fruit trees, which are harvested commercially. The Sogne fjord is more than 120 miles long and is surrounded by national parklands. These fjords are located near human settlements, and therefore have relatively mild climates.
Greenland
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The Scoresby Sund is the largest and longest series of fjords in the world, stretching more than14,000 square miles. The longest individual fjord is 200 miles long. Unlike the fjords in Norway, the Scoresby Sund has an arctic climate, with high temperatures in the summer reaching about 5 degrees Celsius. The region is home to numerous species of wildlife on both the land and in the water. The human outpost of Kangikajik was established in 1944, and served as a trading post for furs, skins and fish into the late 1980s.
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Ireland
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Ireland has three major fjords: the Carlingford Lough, the Lough Swilly and the Killary Harbour fjord. The Killary Harbour fjord is the best known of the three, and serves as a boundary between the regions of Connemera and Mayo. The mountains of Mayo can be glimpsed from Killary Harbour, including the 2,100 foot peak known as Devil's Mother. The original Irish term for this peak was Devil's Testicle, which was changed when the region was mapped by the British.
New Zealand
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Fiordland National Park occupies the South Island of New Zealand, with a total square area of more than 7,700 miles. Milford Sound is the most famous fjord in the park, and is notable worldwide for its exceptionally tall peaks. Mitre Peak is the tallest, with a height of 5,551 feet. It takes its name from its likeness to a bishop's hat. Milford Sound also has several famous waterfalls. Whales have been known to frequent the nine-mile span of the fjord.
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References
- Photo Credit Geiranger Fjord image by Roman from Fotolia.com
