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Contemporary Troms
Far beyond the Arctic Circle, Troms is not behind time.
Bits and pieces of Contemporary Troms
- Satellite data is best read on top of the planet, such as in Troms.
- The Norwegian Seafood Export Council has its headquarters in Tromsø.
- Telemedicine, treating patients at long distance with the help of video cameras, was developed in Troms.
- Harstad is the main oil and gas centre of Northern Norway.
- Kitosan, a substance made out of shrimp shells, is used in cosmetics and medicine.
- In laboratories in Troms, new medicines are developed from marine organisms.
Learning in the High North
In Troms, research and learning are well at home. The oldest teacher training college in Norway was founded in Trondenes in 1826, and moved to Tromsø in 1848. Scientific institutions, like the University of Tromsø and Harstad University College, examine every aspect of the nature and culture of the High North, resulting in new insights into Arctic subjects and more graduates.
Industries of the High North
Facing the richest seas in the world, fishing is the biggest breadwinner in Troms. Cod, herring, shrimps and coalfish are the biggest catches, and the sea is harvested under strict regulations to ensure sustainability. Aquaculture is another success story, and salmon from Troms regularly scores well in blind tests. A wide array of supply industries, such as shipyards and IT companies, services the fishing fleet. Growth industries in Troms include off-shore wind farms, oil, gas and tourism.