Alta (Norway)

Alta is a town located in Alta Municipality (Finnmark County, Norway). The city is the administrative center of the municipality and it is situated on the southern end of Altafjorden, at the mouth of river Altaelva. Several suburbs are found around the town. Rafsbotn lies to the east, Kafjord, Kvenvik and Jiepmaluokta to the west, Ovre Alta and Tverrelvdalen the south. The famous Alta rock carvings lie just to the west of the city.

Alta is considered the world's northernmost city with a population that surpasses 10,000 inhabitants. It was established in 2000 when Elvebakken, Bossekop and Alta villages were joined together and declared a town by municipality council. The town has a population around 14,000 (density 1577 people per km2 / 4080 per mi2).

Alta has 3 churches: the historic Alta Church (Bossekop), the relatively new Elvebakken Church (Elvebakken), and the Northern Lights Cathedral (new "main" church for the municipality, completed in 2013). Alta is an educational center in Finnmark county. The Finnmark University College and the local primary and secondary schools are based in Alta. Alta District Court serves the municipalities of Alta and Loppa.

Alta is also a center of transportation in Finnmark county. It has port facilities along Altafjorden, just alongside Alta Airport (Elvebakken). The airport provides direct flights to Oslo. European route E06 highway runs through the town. Main industries in Alta include several wood mills and sawmills; dairy, horticulture trade; a concrete product factory; maritime services.