Kristiansand is a municipality in Vest-Agder with over 80 000 inhabitants. It has a boundaries that extends beyond both sides of the Kristiansand fjord and Topdals fjord.
The city was named after King Christian the 4th that in 1641 gave the town buying privileges. He also built right angle streets in pure Renaissance style, which is Something that today characterize the city center that goes under the name Kvadraturen. The citizens throughout Agder county were forced to move into the new town and in return they received a lot of buying privileges and 10 years of not having to pay tax. In the 18th century citizens experienced a major economic growth, particularly in the ship-builders industry. This was a momentum that lasted right up to the Napoleon wars, but after this trade was badly affected due to the Sea blockade and the war between England and France. Norway was in Union with Denmark which supported France and was therefore subjected of ruthless, British attacks, and it was not until 1830s that things were getting better. Norway experienced economic growth, and shipping was once again an important part of the city. Then April the 9th 1940 Kristiansand like other cities in Norway was attacked by Germans. Total of 21 men lost their lives during the fight and 60 were wounded. After the war the settlement grew with large residential areas. Moreover, in 1960s and 1970s Vågsbygd which is a small settlement in the west developed to become a district. The 1980s was a not a good time for business, but then in the 1990s things began to happend with developments in shipping, offshore equipment and safety equipment.
Kristiansand is today known for having fine beaches ,among these are Bystranden and Hamresanden which are both child-friendly and environmentally friendly. There is also the walking and hiking area Baneheia where you can find hiking trails, fitness trails and fishing lakes. In the Kristiansand fjord lies Flekkerøy and several other smaller islands, and otherwise a archipelago that is highly visited throughout the summer.
Moreover, the city is also an important center for commerce and education. With the university, maritime schools, a number of secondary schools with different programs and the Air Force education school located in Kjevik. There are also companys known for commerce and industry like Høie factories that produce sheets and blankets, tobacco industry, Hennig-Olsen Ice cream, oil, Hydralift and Maritime Protection.
There is a port with good ferry connections to Hirtshals, Denmark.
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