The oldest settlements in the Oslofjorden area date from the Stone Age and Bronze Age, and it was here that the world’s best-preserved Viking ships were unearthed. Today, more than one million people – a fifth of Norway’s total population – live along the region’s 100 km (60 miles) of fjord shoreline, in some of the oldest towns and villages in the country. Many of these settlements have a long history of trading and seafaring, as reflected in the castles, burial mounds and wooden, waterside villages that remain. This ancient cultural heritage merges with modern industry and commerce, and the entire region bears evidence of its proximity to the capital, with many Norwegians commuting into Oslo from their homes around the fjords. Although the land around Oslo is built-up, further south it is a haven of serene villages with quaint clapboard houses, quiet islands and boats galore. Summers are usually warm around Oslofjorden, and the winters seldom severe.