Storfjord

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other places with the same name, see Storfjorden (disambiguation).
Storfjord kommune

Omasvuona suohkan  (Northern Sami)
Omasvuonon kunta  (Kven)
Municipality
View of the Skibotn harbor and camping area
View of the Skibotn harbor and camping area
Coat of arms of Storfjord kommune
Coat of arms
Official logo of Storfjord kommune
Troms og Finnmark within
Norway
Storfjord within Troms og Finnmark
Storfjord within Troms og Finnmark
Coordinates: 69°16′43″N 20°17′12″E / 69.27861°N 20.28667°E / 69.27861; 20.28667Coordinates: 69°16′43″N 20°17′12″E / 69.27861°N 20.28667°E / 69.27861; 20.28667
CountryNorway
CountyTroms og Finnmark
DistrictNord-Troms
Established1929
Administrative centreHatteng
Government
 • Mayor (2019)Geir Varvik (H)
Area
 • Total1,542.78 km2 (595.67 sq mi)
 • Land1,477.79 km2 (570.58 sq mi)
 • Water64.99 km2 (25.09 sq mi)  4.2%
Area rank54 in Norway
Population
 (2020)
 • Total1,829
 • Rank290 in Norway
 • Density1.2/km2 (3/sq mi)
 • Change (10 years)
−3.1%
Demonym(s)Storfjording[1]
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-5425
Official language formNeutral[2]
Websitestorfjord.kommune.no
Data from Statistics Norway

Storfjord (Northern Sami: Omasvuotna [ˈomasˌvuo̯tna]; Kven: Omasvuono)[3] is a municipality in Troms og Finnmark county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Hatteng. Other villages in Storfjord include , Oteren, and Skibotn.

The 1,543-square-kilometre (596 sq mi) municipality is the 54th largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Storfjord is the 290th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 1,829. The municipality's population density is 1.2 inhabitants per square kilometre (3.1/sq mi) and its population has decreased by 3.1% over the previous 10-year period.[4][5]

General information[]

The municipality of Storfjord was established in 1929 when the large Lyngen Municipality was divided into three: Lyngen Municipality in the northwest, Kåfjord Municipality in the northeast, and Storfjord Municipality in the south. The initial population of Storfjord was 1,499. On 1 January 1964, the Elvebakken farm of Balsfjord Municipality was transferred to Storfjord. Then on 1 January 1992, one uninhabited farm in the Nordnes area of Lyngen Municipality was transferred to Storfjord.[6]

On 1 January 2020, the municipality became part of the newly formed Troms og Finnmark county. Previously, it had been part of the old Troms county.[7]

Name[]

The municipality is named after the Storfjorden. The first element is stor which means "great" or "big", so it basically means "great fjord". After a long debate within the municipality, in 2014 the municipality (and national government) approved co-official names of the municipality in the Northern Sami language and Kven language. Omasvuotna (Northern Sami) or Omasvuono (Kven) are parallel, co-equal names that can be used interchangeably to refer to the municipality in the three different languages.[8]

Coat of arms[]

The coat of arms is from modern times; it was granted on 9 February 1990. The arms show three poppies of the very rare species (a subspecies of Papaver radicatum). The poppies are rotated around a meeting point which represents the meeting point (Treriksrøysa) of the three countries Norway, Sweden, and Finland, that lies on the edge of the municipality.[9][10]

Churches[]

The Church of Norway has one parish (sokn) within the municipality of Storfjord. It is part of the Nord-Troms prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Nord-Hålogaland.

Churches in Storfjord
Parish (Sokn) Church Name Location of the Church Year Built
Storfjord Storfjord Church Hatteng 1952
Skibotn Chapel Skibotn 1895

History[]

View of the Signaldalen valley

The Sami culture is the original culture; however, in the 19th century, settlers came from Finland and from the valleys of Southern Norway to establish themselves. Sami culture, though, has survived in parts of Storfjord to the present. In the 19th century, Laestadianism, a puritan religious movement, obtained a strong position. Skibotn is even today a stronghold for this movement.

The market of Skibotn was traditionally a meeting point between ethnic groups, where Sami, Finns, and Norwegians met to trade. This market still takes place today. The ethnic mix is interesting, with both Sami and Finnish cultures represented. In the valley of Signaldalen, a Norwegian dialect of southern origin is spoken, a relic of the valley's settlement from the south in the early 19th century.

World War Two[]

There were several prison camps there during World War Two.[11] A 2014 NRK article estimated that a total of around 7000 or 8000 Soviet prisoners, were interred in these prison camps.[11] Furthermore, the was the worst.[11]

Government[]

All municipalities in Norway, including Storfjord, 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.[12] The municipality falls under the Nord-Troms District Court and the Hålogaland Court of Appeal.

Municipal council[]

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

Storfjord Kommunestyre 2020–2023 [13]   hide
Party Name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)2
 Green Party (Miljøpartiet De Grønne)1
 Conservative Party (Høyre)6
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)1
 Cross-Party List (Tverrpolitisk liste)7
Total number of members:17
Storfjord Kommunestyre 2016–2019 [14]  
Party Name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)3
 Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)1
 Green Party (Miljøpartiet De Grønne)1
 Conservative Party (Høyre)4
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)2
 Cross-Party List (Tverrpolitisk liste)6
Storfjord Kommunestyre 2012–2015 [15]  
Party Name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)7
 Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)2
 Conservative Party (Høyre)3
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)3
 People of the Fjord (Fjordfolket)2
Storfjord Kommunestyre 2008–2011 [14]  
Party Name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)5
 Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)2
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)6
 Joint list of the Conservative Party (Høyre)
and Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)		1
 Common List (Felleslista)1
 Skibotn People's List (Skibotn folkeliste)2
Storfjord Kommunestyre 2004–2007 [14]  
Party Name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)4
 Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)1
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)1
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)4
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)3
 Common List (Felleslista)1
 Skibotn People's List (Skibotn folkeliste)3
Storfjord Kommunestyre 2000–2003 [14]  
Party Name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)6
 Conservative Party (Høyre)1
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)1
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)3
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)1
 Common List (Felleslista)2
 Skibotn People's List (Skibotn folkeliste)3
Storfjord Kommunestyre 1996–1999 [16]  
Party Name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)7
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)4
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)2
 Joint list for Høyre and local list
(Høyre og Felleslista)		2
 Skibotn Common List (Skibotn Fellesliste)2
Storfjord Kommunestyre 1992–1995 [17]  
Party Name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)9
 Conservative Party (Høyre)2
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)1
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)3
 People's list (Folkelista)2
Storfjord Kommunestyre 1988–1991 [18]  
Party Name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)10
 Conservative Party (Høyre)2
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)1
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)1
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)3
Storfjord Kommunestyre 1984–1987 [19]  
Party Name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)10
 Conservative Party (Høyre)1
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)1
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)1
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)3
 Independent common list (Uavhengig felleslista)1
Storfjord Kommunestyre 1980–1983 [20]  
Party Name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)6
 Conservative Party (Høyre)2
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)2
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)1
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)3
 Workers' Common List (Arbeidernes Fellesliste)3
Storfjord Kommunestyre 1976–1979 [21]  
Party Name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)9
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)1
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)3
 Joint list of the Conservative Party (Høyre),
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti),
and New People's Party (Nye Folkepartiet)		2
 Independent common list (Uavhengig Fellesliste)2
Storfjord Kommunestyre 1972–1975 [22]  
Party Name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)8
 Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti)2
 Liberal Party (Venstre)3
 Local List(s) (Lokale lister)2
Storfjord Kommunestyre 1968–1971 [23]  
Party Name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)9
 Conservative Party (Høyre)1
 Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti)2
 Liberal Party (Venstre)2
 Local List(s) (Lokale lister)1
Storfjord Kommunestyre 1964–1967 [24]  
Party Name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)9
 Conservative Party (Høyre)1
 Liberal Party (Venstre)3
 List of workers, fishermen, and small farmholders
(Arbeidere, fiskere, småbrukere liste)		2
Storfjord Herredsstyre 1960–1963 [25]  
Party Name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)8
 Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)1
 Liberal Party (Venstre)3
 List of workers, fishermen, and small farmholders
(Arbeidere, fiskere, småbrukere liste)		2
 Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister)1
Storfjord Herredsstyre 1956–1959 [26]  
Party Name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)8
 Conservative Party (Høyre)1
 Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)1
 Liberal Party (Venstre)2
 List of workers, fishermen, and small farmholders
(Arbeidere, fiskere, småbrukere liste)		3
Storfjord Herredsstyre 1952–1955 [27]  
Party Name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)8
 Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)1
 Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister)3
Storfjord Herredsstyre 1948–1951 [28]  
Party Name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)6
 Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)3
 Local List(s) (Lokale lister)3
Storfjord Herredsstyre 1945–1947 [29]  
Party Name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
 List of workers, fishermen, and small farmholders
(Arbeidere, fiskere, småbrukere liste)		6
 Local List(s) (Lokale lister)6
Storfjord Herredsstyre 1938–1941* [30]  
Party Name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)6
 Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister)5
 Local List(s) (Lokale lister)1

Mayors[]

The mayors of Storfjord (incomplete list):

  • 2019–present: Geir Varvik (H)
  • 2015-2019: Knut Jentoft (LL)
  • 2011-2015: Sigmund Steinnes (Ap)
  • 2003-2011: Hanne Braathen (Sp)

Geography[]

The municipality is situated around the inner parts of the Lyngen fjord. Storfjord borders both Finland and Sweden, and the borders of the three countries meet at the beacon of Treriksröset, the northernmost point of Sweden. Treriksrøysa is a popular hiking destination; there are no fences, so at this location one step forward is all that is needed to get from one country to another. Pine and birch forests are common in the valleys in Storfjord, and the more rare calcareous pine forests, with several orchids, are also present. The lake Rihpojávri is located near the eastern border of Storfjord.

Climate[]

The Skibotn valley has a microclimate with very little clouds by Norwegian standards, and annual precipitation down to 300 to 450 millimetres (12 to 18 in). The monthly 24-hr average temperature varies from −6.5 °C (20.3 °F) in January to 13.5 °C (56.3 °F) in July.[31]

hideClimate data for Skibotn
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Daily mean °C (°F) −6.5
(20.3) 		−6.1
(21.0) 		−3.5
(25.7) 		1.1
(34.0) 		6.4
(43.5) 		10.9
(51.6) 		13.5
(56.3) 		11.9
(53.4) 		7.1
(44.8) 		2.6
(36.7) 		−2.3
(27.9) 		−5.4
(22.3) 		2.5
(36.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 43
(1.7) 		42
(1.7) 		30
(1.2) 		24
(0.9) 		20
(0.8) 		34
(1.3) 		46
(1.8) 		48
(1.9) 		41
(1.6) 		54
(2.1) 		47
(1.9) 		46
(1.8) 		475
(18.7)
Source: Norwegian Meteorological Institute[32]

Notable people[]

  • Nils-Aslak Valkeapää (1943–2001) a Finnish Sami writer, musician and artist; lived in Skibotn
  • Astrid Båhl (born 1959) a Norwegian Sámi artist; lived in Skibotn
  • Sigmund Steinnes (1959–2018) a Norwegian politician; elected Mayor of Storfjord in 2011
  • Bente Pedersen (born 1961 in Skibotn) a Norwegian novelist
  • Marja Bål Nango (born 1988) a Norwegian Sami filmmaker, brought by Sami reindeer herders in Skibotn

Gallery[]

  • Lyngen Alps

  • Aurora borealis above Lyngenfjorden, 2012

  • Helligskogen Falls

References[]

  1. ^ "Navn på steder og personer: Innbyggjarnamn" (in Norwegian). Språkrådet.
  2. ^ "Forskrift om målvedtak i kommunar og fylkeskommunar" (in Norwegian). Lovdata.no.
  3. ^ "Stadnamn og rettskriving" (in Norwegian). Kartverket. Retrieved 2018-07-13.
  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. ^ Jukvam, Dag (1999). "Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Statistisk sentralbyrå.
  7. ^ Mæhlum, Lars, ed. (2019-12-24). "Troms og Finnmark". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 2019-12-26.
  8. ^ Pulk, Åse (2014-03-07). "Storfjord kommune er Omasvuona suohkan på samisk". NRK Sapmi (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2018-08-06.
  9. ^ "Storfjord kommunes våpen" (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2008-12-07.
  10. ^ "Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 2018-08-06.
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b c Bare 35 av 272 krigsfanger overlevde dødsleiren [Only 35 of 272 war prisoners survived the death camp]
  12. ^ Hansen, Tore, ed. (2016-05-12). "kommunestyre". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 2018-08-06.
  13. ^ "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2019 - Troms og Finnmark". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 2019-10-26.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Troms Romsa". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 2019-10-26.
  16. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1995" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. Retrieved 2020-03-18.
  17. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1991" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. Retrieved 2020-03-18.
  18. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1987" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. Retrieved 2020-03-18.
  19. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1983" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. Retrieved 2020-03-18.
  20. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1979" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979. Retrieved 2020-03-18.
  21. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1975" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1977. Retrieved 2020-03-18.
  22. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1972" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1973. Retrieved 2020-03-18.
  23. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1967" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1967. Retrieved 2020-03-18.
  24. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1963" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1964. Retrieved 2020-03-18.
  25. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1960. Retrieved 2020-03-18.
  26. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1957. Retrieved 2020-03-18.
  27. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1952. Retrieved 2020-03-18.
  28. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1948. Retrieved 2020-03-18.
  29. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1947. Retrieved 2020-03-18.
  30. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1938. Retrieved 2020-03-18.
  31. ^ Skibotn in Storfjord 1961-90 climate averages Archived 2012-05-26 at archive.today
  32. ^ "eKlima Web Portal". Norwegian Meteorological Institute. Archived from the original on 2004-06-14.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""