Haugesund, Norway

Capital City

The population of 47,346 in Haugesund may seem quaint, but the reality is a town dominated by the petroleum industry, not the herring that once drew settlers. While the North Sea location offers a temperate climate, the bureaucracy surrounding the town's rapid growth is a persistent headache. Haugesund has established itself as the main trading hub for the region, but this has come at the expense of the town center, as large shopping malls pull foot traffic away. For those seeking a cozy Norwegian town with modern amenities, Haugesund could be a good fit, but the transition from fishing village to industrial center has not been seamless.