Aust-Agder, Former county in Southern Norway
Aust-Agder was a former county in Southern Norway covering roughly 9,200 square kilometers across eight municipalities. It stretched from coastal areas along the Skagerrak to inland mountain landscapes of Setesdalsheiene.
The region was established in 1685 as Nedenes amt and renamed Aust-Agder in 1919. It remained independent until merging with Vest-Agder in 2020.
The county maintained strong maritime traditions through its five coastal municipalities, where traditional wooden architecture and seafaring customs shaped local identity.
Arendal served as the regional administrative center coordinating services and infrastructure. The eight municipalities now form part of the new unified Agder county.
The coat of arms, granted in 1958, displayed two golden horizontal bars on red, representing the historical importance of lumber trade and iron mining. These symbols reflected the economic foundation that shaped the region for centuries.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
