Åmli

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This article is about the municipality in Agder, Norway. For the village in Åmli municipality, see Åmli (village).
Åmli kommune
Municipality
View of the Nidelva river in Åmli
View of the Nidelva river in Åmli
Coat of arms of Åmli kommune
Coat of arms
Official logo of Åmli kommune
Agder within
Norway
Åmli within Agder
Åmli within Agder
Coordinates: 58°47′53″N 08°22′9″E / 58.79806°N 8.36917°E / 58.79806; 8.36917Coordinates: 58°47′53″N 08°22′9″E / 58.79806°N 8.36917°E / 58.79806; 8.36917
CountryNorway
CountyAgder
DistrictSørlandet
Established1 Jan 1838
Administrative centreÅmli
Government
 • Mayor (2020)Frederik Eskebar Christiansen Ludvigsen ()
Area
 • Total1,130.61 km2 (436.53 sq mi)
 • Land1,058.43 km2 (408.66 sq mi)
 • Water72.18 km2 (27.87 sq mi)  6.4%
Area rank98 in Norway
Population
 (2020)
 • Total1,836
 • Rank289 in Norway
 • Density1.7/km2 (4/sq mi)
 • Change (10 years)
−1.3%
Demonym(s)Åmling[1]
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-4217
Official language formNynorsk[2]
Websiteamli.kommune.no
Data from Statistics Norway

Åmli is a municipality in Agder county, Norway. It is located in the traditional region of Sørlandet. The main population centre and administrative center is the village of Åmli which lies along the river Nidelva. Other villages in Åmli include Askland, Dølemo, Eppeland, Flaten, Hillestad, Homdrom, Lauveik, Nelaug, Øvre Ramse, Skjeggedal, Tveit, Vehus, and Ytre Ramse.[3]

The 1,131-square-kilometre (437 sq mi) municipality is the 98th largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Åmli is the 289th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 1,836. The municipality's population density is 1.7 inhabitants per square kilometre (4.4/sq mi) and its population has decreased by 1.3% over the previous 10-year period.[4][5]

General information[]

View of the river Nidelva
Old Stolpehus in the Tovdal valley
Åmli Church beneath a large mountainside

Name[]

The municipality (originally the prestegjeld) is named after the old Åmli farm (Old Norse: Almlíð), since the first Åmli Church was built there. The first element is almr which means "elm" and the last element is líð which means "hillside". The name was historically spelled Omlid and Aamli.[6]

Coat of arms[]

The coat of arms was granted in 1987. It shows a silver or white beaver on a blue background. Odd Einar Ufsvatn was the designer. The beaver was chosen because the Åmli area is one of the few remaining beaver habitats in Europe, and beavers from Norway have been used to help re-populate other areas in Europe where the beaver had gone extinct in the wild.[7]

Churches[]

The Church of Norway has two parishes (sokn) within the municipality of Åmli. It is part of the Aust-Nedenes prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Agder og Telemark.

Churches in Åmli
Parish (sokn) Church name Location of the church Year built
Gjøvdal Gjøvdal Church Askland 1803
Åmli Tovdal Church Hillestad 1820
Åmli Church Åmli 1909

History[]

The parish of Omlid was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt law). In 1876, the southwestern district of Åmli (population: 663) was separated from it to become the municipality of Mykland. This left Åmli with 2,564 inhabitants. On 1 January 1908, Åmli was split into three municipalities: the northern area surrounding the river Gjøv (pop: 590) became the municipality of Gjevedal, the southwestern area surrounding the Tovdalselva river (pop: 389) became Lille Topdal, and the remainder of the old municipality (population: 2,024) continued as Åmli municipality.[8]

During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee. On 1 January 1960, the neighboring municipality of Gjøvdal (pop: 362) was merged with Åmli to form a new, larger municipality called Åmli. The combined population was 2,309. On 1 January 1962, the Espestølsgrenda area (pop: 7) was transferred from Åmli (and Aust-Agder county) to neighboring Nissedal municipality (in Telemark county). Several uninhabited areas (the Espestøl, Reinefoss, and Espestølstykket farms) were transferred to Nissedal municipality in Telemark county on 1 January 1965. Then on 1 January 1967, the neighboring municipality of Tovdal (pop: 161) was merged back into the municipality of Åmli. Åmli then had a total of 2,211 inhabitants. On 1 January 1968, the Flateland farm (pop: 6) was transferred to the municipality of Froland.[8]

Geography[]

Lifjellet mountain with a frozen waterfall

Åmli is located in northern Agder county. It is bordered on the north by Fyresdal and Nissedal municipalities (in Vestfold og Telemark county), on the east by Vegårshei municipality, on the south by Froland municipality, and on the west by Bygland municipality.

The most densely populated area is around the municipal center of Åmli, which lies on the banks of the river Nidelva. The village has about 682 residents (in 2017). Side valleys which join the main valley include Gjøvdal and Tovdal. The rivers Nidelva and Tovdalselva flow through the valleys.

In the southern part of the municipality the Sørlandsbanen railway line passes through the area, stopping at the Nelaug Station. The largest villages in Åmli include Dølemo, Nelaug, Hillestad, and Askland. The rest of the population is scattered among the valleys.

The Åmli hills are wooded and typically range from 700 to 800 metres (2,300 to 2,600 ft) above sea level. At 930 metres (3,050 ft), the highest point is Trongedalsfjell, which lies between the Tovdal and Gjøvdal valleys. Several lakes are located in Åmli including Måvatn, Nasvatn, and Nelaug.

There are several protected areas, for instance, the Årdalen nature reserve, bordering on the Rukkevatn nature reserve, and the Furubuhei marsh reserve, provide approximately 43 square kilometres (17 sq mi) of nature reserves.

Government[]

All municipalities in Norway, including Åmli, are responsible for primary education (through 10th grade), outpatient health services, senior citizen services, unemployment and other social services, zoning, economic development, and municipal roads. The municipality is governed by a municipal council of elected representatives, which in turn elect a mayor.[9] The municipality falls under the Aust-Agder District Court and the Agder Court of Appeal.

Municipal council[]

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Åmli is made up of 17 representatives that are elected to four year terms. Currently, the party breakdown is as follows:

Åmli Kommunestyre 2020–2023 [10]   hide
Party Name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)5
 Conservative Party (Høgre)2
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)2
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)8
Total number of members:17
Åmli Kommunestyre 2016–2019 [11]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)7
 Conservative Party (Høgre)2
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)2
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)6
Åmli Kommunestyre 2012–2015 [12]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)6
 Progress Party (Framstegspartiet)1
 Conservative Party (Høgre)3
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)3
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)4
Åmli Kommunestyre 2008–2011 [11]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)7
 Progress Party (Framstegspartiet)2
 Conservative Party (Høgre)1
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)7
Åmli Kommunestyre 2004–2007 [11]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)7
 Progress Party (Framstegspartiet)2
 Conservative Party (Høgre)2
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)2
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)6
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)2
Åmli Kommunestyre 2000–2003 [11]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)10
 Progress Party (Framstegspartiet)1
 Conservative Party (Høgre)1
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)2
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)5
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)2
Åmli Kommunestyre 1996–1999 [13]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)10
 Conservative Party (Høgre)2
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)2
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)5
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)2
Åmli Kommunestyre 1992–1995 [14]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)11
 Conservative Party (Høgre)2
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)1
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)5
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)2
Åmli Kommunestyre 1988–1991 [15]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)14
 Conservative Party (Høgre)2
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)1
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)3
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)1
Åmli Kommunestyre 1984–1987 [16]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)12
 Progress Party (Framstegspartiet)1
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)1
 Joint list of the Conservative Party (Høgre),
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti),
and Centre Party (Senterpartiet)		7
Åmli Kommunestyre 1980–1983 [17]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)12
 Joint list of the Conservative Party (Høgre),
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti),
Liberal People's Party (Liberale Folkepartiet),
Centre Party (Senterpartiet), and Liberal Party (Venstre)		9
Åmli Kommunestyre 1976–1979 [18]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)8
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)3
 Joint list of the Centre Party (Senterpartiet),
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti),
and New People's Party (Nye Folkepartiet)		10
Åmli Kommunestyre 1972–1975 [19]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)13
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)2
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)4
 Liberal Party (Venstre)2
Åmli Kommunestyre 1968–1971 [20]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)13
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)1
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)4
 Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti)1
 Liberal Party (Venstre)2
Åmli Kommunestyre 1964–1967 [21]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)14
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)1
 Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti)1
 Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgarlege Felleslister)5
Åmli Heradsstyre 1960–1963 [22]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)14
 Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgarlege Felleslister)7
Åmli Heradsstyre 1956–1959 [23]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)13
 Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgarlege Felleslister)4
Åmli Heradsstyre 1952–1955 [24]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)12
 Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet)2
 Liberal Party (Venstre)2
Åmli Heradsstyre 1948–1951 [25]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)12
 Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgarlege Felleslister)4
Åmli Heradsstyre 1945–1947 [26]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)11
 Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)1
 Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgarlege Felleslister)4
Åmli Heradsstyre 1938–1941* [27]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)11
 Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet)1
 Liberal Party (Venstre)4

Economy[]

Lumbering in Åmli provides for about 12% of the old Aust-Agder county's total timber production making it the third most import source of timber in Aust-Adger (after Froland and Birkenes). Agriculture, including sheep husbandry, provides a minor contribution to the economy.

Electrical power is generated by a hydroelectric plant at Flatefoss, which regulates the level of the lake, Nelaug.

The newspaper Åmliavisa has been published in Åmli since 2008.

Transportation[]

The main road through Åmli is the north–south Norwegian National Road 41. Other roads include Norwegian County Road 412, Norwegian County Road 413, and Norwegian County Road 415. There are also two railway lines running through southern Åmli: the main Sørlandsbanen railway line which stops at Nelaug Station and the branch line Arendalsbanen which terminates at Nelaug Station, but also stops at Flaten Station.

Notable residents[]

  • Engvald Bakkan (1897 in Åmli – 1982) a Norwegian pharmacist, novelist and children's writer
  • Olav Kjetilson Nylund (1903 in Åmli – 1957) a Norwegian politician, Mayor of Åmli 1934-1940
  • Gunnar Halvorsen (1945–2006) a Norwegian politician, Mayor of Åmli 1979–1983
  • Jonas Alaska (born 1988), a musician

References[]

  1. ^ "Navn på steder og personer: Innbyggjarnamn" (in Norwegian). Språkrådet.
  2. ^ "Forskrift om målvedtak i kommunar og fylkeskommunar" (in Norwegian). Lovdata.no.
  3. ^ Thorsnæs, Geir, ed. (5 April 2016). "Åmli". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  4. ^ Statistisk sentralbyrå (2020). "Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)" (in Norwegian).
  5. ^ Statistisk sentralbyrå (2020). "09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M)" (in Norwegian).
  6. ^ Rygh, Oluf (1905). Norske gaardnavne: Nedenes amt (in Norwegian) (8 ed.). Kristiania, Norge: W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri. p. 53.
  7. ^ "Kommunevåpenet" (in Norwegian). 2008. Retrieved 3 October 2008.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b Jukvam, Dag (1999). "Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Statistisk sentralbyrå.
  9. ^ Hansen, Tore, ed. (12 May 2016). "kommunestyre". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  10. ^ "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2019 - Agder". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M)" (in Norwegian). Statistics Norway.
  12. ^ "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Aust-Agder". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  13. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1995" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  14. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1991" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  15. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1987" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  16. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1983" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  17. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1979" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  18. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1975" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1977. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  19. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1972" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1973. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  20. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1967" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1967. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  21. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1963" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1964. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  22. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1960. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  23. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1957. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  24. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1952. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  25. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1948. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  26. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1947. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  27. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1938. Retrieved 12 December 2020.

External links[]

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