| The city of Stavanger is located on a peninsula on | | | | The Pedestrian Shopping Streets is so nicely |
| the south west coast of Norway. Norway in a | | | | compact, easy and interesting to walk around. |
| setting of sandy but very chilly North Sea | | | | Scattered at different ends are also three small, |
| beaches. The city is a combination of new and old. | | | | very nice shopping malls, Arkaden, Blaa Magasin |
| It has received several awards for its efforts to | | | | and Torget Terrasse. |
| preserve Old Stavanger. The Old Stavanger | | | | Straen, is the largest surviving wooden house |
| comprises of 173 wooden buildings from the turn | | | | settlement in northern Europe. It is a beautiful |
| of the 18th century. Most of them are small, | | | | area of little wooden houses and cobbled streets |
| white cottages. | | | | along the west side of the harbour and they vary |
| It has always been a bustling seaport with a | | | | in age from less than 100 to about 300 years. |
| thriving fish-canning industry. it also remains a | | | | Vaagen is the harbour at the heart of Stavanger |
| charming sea port amid beautiful surroundings. | | | | Norway. There are a number of bars and cafes |
| The Stavanger region is designate as a European | | | | and places to eat. Most of the nightlife lies around |
| Capital of Culture 2008. | | | | a round the Vaagen. Beer and spirits are |
| In 1969, oil was first discovered in the North Sea. | | | | outrageously expensive in Norway but wine is |
| After much discussion Stavanger was chosen to | | | | more reasonably priced. |
| be the on-shore centre for the oil industry on the | | | | Stavanger and the surrounding area around have |
| Norwegian sector of the North Sea, and a period | | | | some of Norway's finest beaches. Vaulen is one |
| of hectic growth followed. | | | | of the most popular beache. |