Rana

Rana stretches inland from the head of Ranfjord into the forests and mountains of Helgeland. Rivers descend through its valleys towards the fjord, while high ground approaches the Swedish border. The mountains held mineral deposits known by the seventeenth century, when silver mining was attempted at Bertelberget and at Nasafjäll across the frontier. In 1803 the preacher Hans Nielsen Hauge noted iron ore, a waterfall and extensive forest in northern Rana, seeing possibilities in their combination.