Buskerud
Buskerud is a county in Norway, bordering Akershus, Oslo, Oppland, Sogn og Fjordane, Hordaland, Telemark, and Vestfold. In 2002 there were 239,793 inhabitants, which is 5.3% of the total population in Norway. Its area is 14,927 km². The county administration is in Drammen.
Buskerud extends from Hurum at Oslofjord to the Halling mountains and Hardanger. Its western part is a mountainous plateau with forested valleys and high, grassy pastures; its eastern part contains a lowland basin with many lakes and streams. Tyrifjorden and Krøderen are the biggest lakes. Numedalslågen, which starts in Hordaland, runs through Buskerud unto Vestfold, while Begna sweeps into lake Sperillen.
The area Ringerike may once have been a small kingdom. During the 10th century, Norway's kings Olav Tryggvason and Olav Haraldsson, grew up at Bønsnes in Ringerike. Silver was mined at Kongsberg from the 17th century but was discontinued in 1957. At modum there once was a place of cobolt production.
In addition to Drammen, the towns Hønefoss and Kongsberg are included in the district. Today, agriculture, lumbering, and wood-pulp mills are the main economic activities; ample hydroelectric power is produced by Begna and Rands rivers.
Municipalities
