Rjukan, Telemark, Norway
Rjukan is a town and the administrative centre of Notodden Municipality in Vestfold og Telemark county, Norway. The town is located in the valley of Vest-Telemark, where the river Tinnelva flows through the town. Rjukan is situated approximately 90 kilometres southwest of Oslo. Rjukan was founded in 1905 as a industrial town, with the Norsk Hydro plant established there to produce fertilizer.
The town's economy was heavily dependent on the plant, which was a major employer and drove the local economy. The plant's operations led to significant population growth in the area. The town has several notable features, including the Rjukan Church, a stone church built in 1913, and the Museum of Notodden, which showcases the town's industrial and cultural history.
Rjukan is also known for its scenic surroundings, with the Hardangervidda mountain plateau to the north and the Telemark mountains to the east. Rjukan has been recognized for its cultural and industrial heritage, with the Rjukan-Notodden industrial complex listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006. The site was recognized for its importance in the development of the Norwegian industrial sector and its role in the production of fertilizer.
