Alta is a municipality and town in the county of Finnmark, Norway. The municipality covers 3845 km²., in the west of the county, mostly situated along the Alta Fjord, taking in large tracts of woodlands, as well as parts of the High Plateau of Finnmarksvidda . Most people live in the town of Alta, stretching along the inner part of the fjord, enjoying a sheltered climate.

Alta is the location of rock drawings dating from circa 4200 BC to 500 BC, that are on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.

Alta is a communication center in Finnmark. Main activities are trading, small industry, education and public service. The town is also famous for its slate industry. Finnmark University College (Høgskolen i Finnmark) is situated in Alta, and there is also a research intstitution (Norut NIBR Finnmark). The town has the most northern Ice hotel in Europe.

The Municipality of Alta (Alta kommune) has a good and informative home page.

External links

• Unesco information
• Finnmark University College
• Alta kommune
• Alta Igloo Hotel
• Finnmarksløpet-the northernmost sled dog race in the world!