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Stavanger Harbour |
The city is a combination of new and old influences. There is a significant foreign influence with the foreign oil interests, the NATO Joint Warfare Center and in recent years a large immigration from Eastern Europe. Norway's oldest cathedral, Stavanger domkirke, is situated 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.
In 2008, Stavanger was European Capital of Culture, the year of cultural events attracted visitor from all over the world, and 70 per cent of people in the region also attended the events.
The Stavanger region has a diverse and dynamic business environment. The innovative, value-adding business development has created an open, welcoming atmosphere where local and international networking thrives.
Cooperation between the business, civic, and service sectors of this community ensures that the region will enjoy continued economic growth and prosperity in the future.
The region is the most important region for oil and gas exploration and development in Norway. There is also a well developed industrial cluster related to the petroleum industry, with special know-how in deep well technologies.
The Stavanger region is a major producer of hydroelectric power in Norway.
Rogaland is one of the most important agricultural counties in Norway, measured in gross-product and man-years. The seafood cluster incuding fish farming is well developed. Egersund and Karmsund ports are of national importance both for landing fresh fish and exports of frozen fish. Stavanger and Karmsund ports are important ports for exports and industrial purposes and land more fish than any other port in Norway.
Service sectors, such as finance, hotel and restaurant services, wholesale, retail, and the public sector are also well developed, and the city hosts international conferences and events all year, every year.
For long periods of time its most important industries have been shipping, shipbuilding, the fish canning industry and associated subcontractors.
In 1969, a new upswing started as oil was first discovered in the North Sea. After much discussion, Stavanger was chosen to be the on-shore center for the oil industry on the Norwegian sector of the North Sea, and a period of hectic growth followed.
(sources Wikipedia and Stavanger Region European Office