Aust-Agder County has a population of 100.000, and is as such one of the smaller counties in Norway. The largest city is Arendal with 41.480 inhabitants.

The cultural background of Aust-Agder is deeply rooted in shipping tradition in the coastal area and farming tradition in the inland areas. Along the coastal area this tradition is based mainly on export of lumber and wooden goods.

Many of the present- day towns and villages along the coastline were founded as a direct result of the shipping trade. A typical place is the island of Lyngør in Tvedestrand municipality, famous today for being awarded the title of «Best kept village in Europe» in 1991. In addition, all of the coastal towns and villages display wonderful examples of traditional architecture, dating back to the 18`h and 19`h centuries.

Visitors to Aust-Agder can visit museums or attend the many summer festivals that are arranged annually. Most well-known are the Wooden Boat Festival and the Chamber Music Festival in Risør, the Inter-Nordic Skagerrak Festival in Arendal and the Ibseniana, presenting famous works of Henrik Ibsen, in Grimstad.

Several rivers run through Aust-Agder, starting in the mountains to the north, and winding their way through deep valleys to the coastal areas in the south.

Aust-Agder has a varied landscape, consisting of a coastal area, river valleys, forested areas and mountains. This unique composition provides ample opportunity for a wide variety of sports and recreation throughout the year. Aust-Agder is a favored area for tourism and holidays, both for visitors from abroad as well as Norwegians from all over the country. The summer season is especially attractive, with a myriad of yachts and sailboats plying the many harbors and inlets that dot the coastline. During the winter season, the mountain resorts offer excellent winter sports facilities, both for hardy outdoor sportsmen and more comfortable family living in cozy apartments or cottages, located close to modern alpine skiing facilities.