Mjøsa
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| Mjøsa | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Coordinates | |
| Primary sources | Gudbrandsdalslågen |
| Primary outflows | Vorma |
| Basin countries | Norway |
| Max length | 117 km |
| Max width | 15 km |
| Surface area | 365 km² |
| Max depth | 468 m |
| Water volume | 56 km³ |
| Surface elevation | 123 m |
| Islands | Helgøya |
| Settlements | Hamar, Gjøvik, Lillehammer |
Mjøsa is Norway's largest lake. It is located in the southern part of Norway, about 100 km north of Oslo. Its main tributary is Gudbrandsdalslågen in the north; the main distributary is Vorma in the south.
From its southernmost point at Minnesund in Eidsvoll to its northernmost point in Lillehammer it is 117 km long. At its widest, near Hamar, it is 15 km wide. It is 365 km² in area and its volume is estimated at 56 km³; normally its surface is 123 meters above sea level, and its greatest depth is 468 meters. Its total coastline is estimated at 273 km, of which 30% is built up. Dams built on the distribuary of Vorma in 1858, 1911, 1947, and 1965 raised the level by approximately 3.6 meters in total. In the last 200 years, 20 floods have been registered that added 7 meters to the level of Mjøsa. Several of these floods inundated the city of Hamar.
The cities of Hamar, Gjøvik, and Lillehammer were founded along the shores of the lake. Aside from minor leisure boating and the steamship Skibladner, there is no water traffic on the lake. Most of its shores are dominated by rolling agricultural areas, among them some of the most fertile grainlands in Norway. The main train line between Oslo and Trondheim goes along its eastern shore, making stops in Hamar and Lillehammer. The largest, and only, island is Helgøya. Except for Helgøya, Mjøsa only contains small islets. The most interesting of these are Steinsholmen, with the ruins of a Middle Age citadel.
From the south European route E6 runs along the eastern shore of the lake until the Mjøsa Bridge connects Moelv on the east with Biri on the west.
[edit] The name
The name (Norse Mjörs, Proto-Norse *Merso) must be very old. The meaning is, maybe, 'the bright/shiny one'. (If *mer- is related to the English word mere 'clear, bright', and -so is a suffix.)
[edit] Gallery
 The lake seen from the harbor in Hamar |
 The landmark Geiteryggen looking south from Hamar |
 Mjøsa from Hamar |
 A golden sunset on Mjøsa, near Tangen |
[edit] External links
