Nordland county has a population of 237,000 and stretchs more than 400 miles from south to north, most of them north of the Arctic Circle. Yet, it is the southernmost county of the three counties is Northern Norway.

Nordland means The Northern Lands and in the past referred to all three northern counties. The county is comprised largely of fjords and islands.

The longest island groups are the Lofoten and Vesteralen islands, well known for dramatic mountains jutting out of the sea. The capital of Nordland is Bødo, with a population of 38,456.