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The Hamar region is located in Norway, half an hour north of Oslo International Airport Gardermoen, approximately one hour from Oslo. The region has about 85 000 inhabitants.
City of Hamar
Hamar is the principal city of the Hedmark county. The town is serving as centre for Hedmark county’s public administration, the various county departments and Eidsivating Court of Appeals. Hamar is also a school centre. The town has long traditions as a dynamic trade centre, and it is the region’s major commercial and service centre with large shopping centres and numerous exciting speciality shops. Hamar is located on the east shores of Mjøsa, Norway’s biggest lake. It is only about one hour’s drive from Hamar to Oslo International Airport Gardermoen, and one and a half hours drive to Norway’s capital, Oslo.
The current mayor of Hamar is Einar Busterud (until 2007). He is representing The City and Rural areas Party, which is special for this region.
Hamar is not only one town, but two. One is the busy, modern and administrative and commercial centre with approx. 28 000 inhabitants. The other town, however, is partly hidden underground at Domkirkeodden. Those who would like to discover the soul of the city will have to search in the balance between the old town and the new city. It is this duality and the ambience of dreamlike tranquillity and mild reflection that makes Hamar a unique experience.
Short facts
Number of inhabitants: 28 000
Land disposal: 351 km²
Distance from Oslo to Hamar: 127 km
Distance from Oslo Airport Gardermoen to Hamar: 80 km
Business
Hamar lies in the heart of the farmers’ realm. The region is accountable for 7% of the nation’s corn area, over 7% of the nation’s pig farms and 4% of the entire agricultural land. The head offices for research laboratories to considerable institutions like Norsvin and Geno contribute to Hamar’s reputation as Norway’s capital of agriculture. But business and commerce in the Hamar region is far more complex as new ideas and tradition must be compatible. The region has a miscellaneous industrial environment based upon engineering, nutrition and wood processing.
However, to find the more fast-growing businesses in terms of employment, we must turn to the “new” industries, like media, IT and cultural productions. The most prominent is certainly Norsk Tipping AS (The Norwegian Games Company), the Norwegian state’s principal administrator of the Norwegian betting and games’ markets. The company is expanding into a worldwide activity of exporting knowledge in developing games and has created several offshoots in the region in this fast-growing industry.
Today Hamar is in the process of a relatively vigorous expansion, and our aim is to be the most attractive settling area in the County.
Education
Since long, Hamar has earned its nationwide reputation as a centre of Pedagogics. Starting as a Teachers’ Training College nearly 140 years ago and now merged into the Hedmark University College, 1600 students now find work as well as pleasure in and around the campus close to the town centre.
Not only its Faculty of Education is located in the town. The Faculty of Natural Science and Agriculture is from 2005/2006 merged with the former one, making Hamar the leading campus of the college. Work is now in progress aiming at establishing the colleges of Hamar, Gjøvik and Lillehammer as Norway’s 6th university within few years.
Activities
The Hedmark Museum, located at Domkirkeodden is an important historical landmark in Hamar. It is an out-door museum with remains of the medieval church in a protective glass housing and a collection of old farmhouses.
The centre of Hamar is a pedestrian walkway in the middle of town, with library, cinema and several shops and offices. Hamar also offers a rich variety of museums galleries, churches, and not to forget “The White Swan of Lake Mjøsa” the wheeler Skibladner. You will also find great opportunities for walking and recreation all year round for all age groups.
Hamar is known for its indoor speed skating arena, the Olympia Hall, better known as The Viking Ship for its shape. It was built to host the speed skating competitions of the 1994 Winter Olympics that were held in nearby town, Lillehammer. According to sports, our football team Ham Kam and our hockey team Storhamar Dragons are among the best in Norway.
Hamar is Norway’s only city where you will find wild reindeer. Two thirds of the borough consists of forest, marshland and long stretches of mountain plateaus.
History and culture
In a town with such a unique history, Domkirkeodden and The Hedmark Museum are exciting arenas for discovery. At the hart of the experience you’ll find Hamar Cathedral, “Norway’s National Ruin”.
The Kirsten Flagstad Museum tells the history of the most magnificent career any Norwegian singer ever has experienced.
At the Norwegian Railway Museum you can enjoy a vast and beautiful Museum Park featuring station buildings, Lenghtsman’s Cottage, and halls with locomotives and carriages.
The Viking Ship Arena is a modern multifunctional arena with a fascinating architecture. The arena’s design features are based on the shape of the Viking Ships.
The Aquavit Trail invites you on an exciting journey through history combined with traditional food and unique experiences.
Nature
The natural environment in and around Hamar has a wealth of variety. The region extends north until you reach the bare mountains, north of Lillehammer. Here you will find Hedemarksvidda with its soft and gentle features and immense vastness. However, its bewitching steep canyons and narrow gullies can amaze you.
For more information, visit Hamar at WikiPedia.
Norsk
