Hadeland

Hadeland
Randsfjorden, seen northwards from Jevnaker.
Randsfjorden, seen northwards from Jevnaker.
CountryNorway
CountyInnlandet and Akershus
RegionAustlandet
Urban CenterJaren
Area
 • Total1,274 km2 (492 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
 • Total29,540
 • Density23/km2 (60/sq mi)
DemonymHadelending

Hadeland (local pronunciation: [ˈhɑːlæn][3]) is a traditional district in the southeastern part of Norway. It is centered on the southern part of the large lake Randsfjorden in Innlandet and Akershus counties. The district consists of the municipalities Gran in Innlandet county and Jevnaker and Lunner in Akershus county. Hadeland occupies the area north of the hills of Nordmarka close to the Norwegian capital Oslo. The soil around the Randsfjorden is amongst the most fertile in Norway. Hadeland accounts for just 5% of the country's area, but it represents 13% of its agricultural land. Farmers harvest grains and potatoes. Pigs, dairy cattle, and horses are also bred at farms there.[4]

Jevnaker is located to the southern and western side of the Randsfjorden. Gran's rolling countryside is home to about two-thirds of the nearly 30,000 people living in Hadeland. The village of Jaren serves as the area's main center of commerce. The municipality of Gran is divided by the Randsfjorden, and its western part is known as the Fjorda district.

The Hadeland area includes large stretches of woodlands. About 70% of Lunner is covered by forest. Nearly half of the wooded area in Lunner and Jevnaker is common land (almenning). The local forestry cooperative plays a key role in the economies of the two areas. Their woods are home to a variety of flora and fauna, and host a number of species of birds, deer, moose, and other wildlife. Populations of trout, char, bass, and other freshwater fish have dwindled in the inland lakes and streams, but restocking efforts are now made.[4]

  1. ^ Statistisk sentralbyrå (2021). "09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M)" (in Norwegian).
  2. ^ Statistisk sentralbyrå (2021). "Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)" (in Norwegian).
  3. ^ Helmen, Aksel (1953). Hadeland: bygdenes historie 4. Oslo: Komiteen. pp. 621, 636.
  4. ^ a b Thorsnæs, Geir, ed. (24 June 2020). "Hadeland". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 16 October 2022.