The Hardangervidda is a mountain plateau (“vidde” in Norwegian) in central southern Norway in the counties of Buskerud, Hordaland and Telemark. It is the largest such plateau in Europe, with a cold year-round alpine climate and is the site of one of Norway’s largest glaciers, Hardangerjøkulen. Much of the plateau is protected as part of Hardangervidda National Park; it is a popular tourist and leisure destination for many outdoor activities. The region is divided administratively between the counties of Buskerud, Hordaland, and Telemark.
The plateau is the largest peneplain (eroded plain) in Europe, covering an area of about 6,500 km2 (2,500 sq mi) at an average elevation of 1,100 m (3,500 ft). The highest point on the plateau is the Sandfloeggi, which reaches a height of 1,721 m (5,646 ft).
Another fun fact about the Hardangervidda:
The Norwegian heavy water sabotage was a series of actions undertaken by Norwegian saboteurs during World War II to prevent the German nuclear energy project from acquiring heavy water (deuterium oxide), which could be used to produce nuclear weapons. In 1934, at Vemork, Norsk Hydro built the first commercial plant capable of producing heavy water as a byproduct of fertilizer production. It had a capacity of 12 t (13 short tons) per year. During World War II, the Allies decided to remove the heavy water supply and destroy the heavy water plant in order to inhibit the Nazi development of nuclear weapons. Raids were aimed at the 60-MW Vemork power station at the Rjukan waterfall in Telemark, Norway. http://flic.kr/p/fJFyy6
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