Upper Telemark
| Upper Telemark | |
|---|---|
| District | |
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| Country | Norway |
| Region | Austlandet |
| County | Telemark |
| Biggest city | Notodden |
| Area | |
| • Total | 12,404,94 km2 (478,957 sq mi) |
| Population (2015) | |
| • Total | 51,205 |
| • Density | 0.041/km2 (0.11/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Tele Teledøl Telemarking |
Upper Telemark (Norwegian: Øvre Telemark) is a Norwegian region comprising the inland of the county Telemark. More than two thirds of the total area of Telemark, or above 10,000 square kilometres, belong to the traditional region of Upper Telemark. Conversely, Lower Telemark refers to the more densely populated, flatter coastal area of Grenland and traditionally also includes Central Telemark. Upper Telemark has a varied and often scenic landscape, with many hills, mountains, valleys and lakes.
Traditionally, the term Telemark only referred to this area, which also included Numedal. Upper Telemark is known for its folk traditions within music, clothing, handcrafts, food and architecture. The region is also distinctly marked by its dialect of Norwegian.
The district is also conventionally divided into Vest-Telemark and Aust-Telemark, with Vest-Telemark consisting of Vinje, Tokke, Seljord, Fyresdal, Kviteseid, Nissedal, and Aust-Telemark consisting of Hjartdal, Notodden and Tinn.
Whereas Lower Telemark was traditionally dominated by the burghers of the cities, Upper Telemark was for centuries dominated by a close-knit "" comprised by a handful of families which monopolized the state and church offices in the region, notably the families Paus, Blom, Ørn and Morland.
The Old Norse form of the name was Þelamörk or Þilamörk. The first element; Þilir was the name of the inhabitants, and is assumed to be connected with Þelli (pine). The last element mörk means forest or march.
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Wikipedia