Stavanger is a city and municipality in the county of Rogaland, Norway, located on a peninsula on the southwest coast of Norway. It is the centre of the third largest metropolitan area in the country. The climate is maritime mild temperate (marine west coast - cfb) and rather windy, with all monthly temperature averages above freezing, and precipitation 1200 mm/year. Summers are pleasant and lowland areas in and around Stavanger have the longest growing season in Norway (220 days). The city is a combination of new and old. There is a significant foreign influence with a nearby NATO base called JWC, as well as foreign oil interests. Norway's oldest Cathedral, Stavanger domkirke, is situated right in the city centre. Stavanger has several beautiful lakes, which are popular recreation areas. Breiavatnet is located in the heart of Stavanger, while Mosvatnet and Stokkavatnet are situated right outside.
Stavanger Airport is located 14 km from the city centre, in the municipality of Sola. One of the local football teams, Viking F.K., plays in the Norwegian Premier League (2006). The city now has a brand new football stadium, Viking Stadion, which was opened in 2004.
