Sarpsborg is situated on the river Glomma by the waterfall Sarpefossen. It is one of Norway’s oldest towns. It was founded in 1016 by King Olav (Saint Olav) who gave it the name Borg.
Sarpsborg has attracted skilled labour since the 1890s when Borregaard established its first factories by the waterfall. With its central location in Østfold, Sarpsborg has been the home of the County Administration since 1985 and has established a number of shopping centres during the 1990s.
At present Sarpsborg has about 50.000 inhabitants.
