NOTES ON NORWEGIAN INDUSTRY 



41 



Fig. 5. ViDE-DAL : a Typical Valley. Fifty waterfalls were counted within two 

 miles of the spot from which the picture was taken. The valley stream flows into a 

 lake, one end of which Is visible, and which is only 90 feet above tidewater. 



or more in one or a few leaps. Her water power is thus Norway's great- 

 est natural resource, compensating for her paucity of mineral wealth 

 and lack of fuel. Upon this water-power is Norway's dependence for 

 her industrial development. 



In the early days on every farm might be seen little water mills for 

 grinding grain and for mechanical purposes. At a comparatively re- 

 cent date came the pulp mills and electric ligiit and power plants. To 

 the ordinary traveler it would seem that Scandinavia leads the world 

 to-day in applied electricity. It is well known that Stockholm is better 

 supplied with telephones than any other city of the world, having one 

 instrument for every six of its inhabitant-^. One can send a telegram 

 anywhere in these countries for thirteen cents. Even in the far north 

 electric lights are generally used, and the fixtures and service leave 

 nothing to be desired.. Kiruna, a mining town north of the Arctic cir- 

 cle, has an electric railroad. 



The larger possibilities of electric industries Jire now being recog- 

 nized in Norway, and capital is being rapidly supplied by the wealthier 

 countries of Europe. Unless the restrictions placed upon industry liy 

 a government strongly tinctured by socialistic ideas shall prevent, Nor- 

 way will in the near future become one of the greatest, if not the great- 

 est, industrial center of Europe. In possibilities it yields only to 

 America. At present there are about twelve electric industries already 

 in operation in Norway and several more are nearly ready to begin work. 

 These include such diversified manufactures as aluminum, sodium, zinc. 



