Pop. 7,364; Area 2,106 sq. km. (800 sq. mi.)

Tinn is comprised of the former districts of Hovin and Tinn. The rural population of Tinn makes its living in agriculture and forestry. Atrå and Tinn Austbygd are villages in the area but most of the population lives in the admiinstrative center of Rjukan. Vacation cottages are numerous in the valleys of Tessungdalen, Skjervedal, and Nystøldalen. Tinnsjøen is Europe's second deepest lake with a depth of 461 meters. The township also includes Vestfjord, Mount Gausta and parts of the Hardanger moors.

RJUKAN was created by Norsk Hydro around the turn of the century. Its name comes from the Rjukan Falls, meaning "smoky." The falls, in Maristujuvet Gorge, were a famous tourist attraction until they were tamed to produce power for the new industry and town. Until Norsk Hydro established the factory here, Vestfjord Valley had no roads and was an isolated place. Within a few years the area had been transformed into a bustling industrial town with a total of 9000 inhabitants. This venture was unparalleled in Norwegian industrial history. It is therefore only natural that the National Industrial Workers' Museum has been established in the old power station at Vemork. Vemork power station was the site of the German attempt to make "heavy water" for an atomic bomb. The sabotage which stopped their efforts was depicted in the movie "Heroes of Telemark" starring Kirk Douglas.

SIGHTS TO SEE:
The Krosso Cable Railway was built by Norsk Hydro so that the people of Rjukan could get up into the sun of the mountain plateaus during the winter months when the town is immersed in shadow. It was the first such railway in Norway to be enclosed. Gvefseborg, the station at the top, lies 890 meters above sea level. From here there is an impressive view over the Vestfjord Valley towards Mt. Gausta.

The Rjukan and Tinn Museum has 22 old buildings from various parts of Tinn collected in Rjukan. They are well-furnished and give a good idea of living standards in this remote district before industrialization. There is an open-hearth room from the Middle Ages. Displayed in the old school house are costumes and other examples of folk art. The museum also has a special Home Front section illustrating the the life of Norwegian Resistance fighters during World War II.

Gaustadtoppen, 1,833 meters above sea level, has a fantastic view of southern Norway.

Mår Power Station has the world's longest wooden stairway with 3,380 steps. Guided tours are available on weekdays.

Maristijuvet, about 7 kilometers west of Rjukan, gives a view of Rjukan waterfalls old river bed. There is a 260 meter drop from the trunk road to the bottom.

HOTELS:
Gaustablikk Høyfellshotell, 3660 Rjukan; Tel. (036) 90 096
Gaustasyn Pensonjonat, 3658 Niland; Tel. (036) 96 134
Kalhovd Turisthytte, 3656 Atrå, Tel. (036) 97 105
Kvitåvatn Fjellstoge, 3660 Rjukan; Tel. (036) 91 174
Rjukan Camping.
Rjukan Fjellstue, 3660 Rjukan; Tel. (036) 95 162
Rjukan Youth Hostel
Rjukan Hotel, 3660 Rjukan; Tel. (036) 90 036
Sandviken Camping.
Skinnarbu Høgfjellsstue; 3669 Møsvatn; Tel. (36) 95 461

LOCAL AUTHORITY OFFICE: Torget 1, Postboks 27, 3661 Rjukan; Tel. (036) 91 511

Einung, Halvor H. Tinn-Soga. Oslo: Borums Offset-trykkeri, 1978. (Also Rjukan, 1926.)