134 FISHERIES OF THE NORTH SEA 



with forest, while the lower lands afford 

 pasturage for cattle. The arable land is 

 only about 2 per cent, while forests cover 

 one-quarter of the whole area. It has 

 more coast-line than any other European 

 country ; and with a population of only 

 2,400,000, it has the third largest mer- 

 cantile marine. Thanks to high freights, 

 Norwegian shipowners have reaped great 

 profits during the war, in spite of the great 

 losses in shipping. This prosperity has 

 also touched the fisheries, which are very 

 large. In fact, in no other country are 

 the fisheries of so much importance to the 

 people. Their development has been so 

 rapid that the magnitude of the industry 

 is not yet appreciated by the outside 

 observer. In 1890 the value of fish landed 

 was 1,500,000 ; to-day the value must 

 be at least 7,000,000. 



The whale fishery is still practised by 

 Norwegians, both in the Arctic and Ant- 

 arctic ; the seal since the war has been 

 profitable on account of its oil. The edible 

 fisheries are of three kinds, the Lofoten 

 cod fishery in the north, where the chief 

 port is Aalesund, the herring fishery around 



