About Stavanger

Through conurbation with neighbouring Sandnes the combined cities make the third largest metropolitan area in Norway. Stavanger counts its official founding year as 1125, the year the Stavanger Cathedral was completed. Stavanger's town centre and inner city is mostly 18th- and 19th-century wooden houses that are protected and considered part of the city's cultural heritage. This gives the city a feel of a small town.

In the late 20th century Stavanger had a rapid growth in population which was mainly a result of the development of the oil industry. Today Stavanger is referred to as the Oil Capital of Norway, and Equinor has its head quarters in Stavanger. There are several educational institutions for higher education in the area. The University of Stavanger is the largest of these. The University is situated at Ullandhaug the same area as the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate has its premises. International establishments, and especially local branches of foreign oil and gas companies, contribute further to a significant foreign population in the city. Every two years, Stavanger organizes the Offshore Northern Seas (ONS), which is the second largest exhibition and conference for the energy sector.

Because of the maritime influence the climate of the city is very mild by Nordic standards. As a result, winter usually remains above freezing whereas heat waves are rare and seldom long. Rainfall is common.

Stavanger Airport, Sola, offers flights to cities in most major European countries.