Steigen
Steigen Municipality
Steigen kommune | |
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![]() View of the village ofNordskot | |
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![]() Nordland within Norway | |
![]() Steigen within Nordland | |
Coordinates:67°47′54″N15°10′19″E/ 67.79833°N 15.17194°E | |
Country | Norway |
County | Nordland |
District | Salten |
Established | 1 Jan 1838 |
Administrative centre | Leinesfjord |
Government | |
• Mayor(2019) | Aase Refsnes (SV) |
Area | |
• Total | 1,009.26 km2(389.68 sq mi) |
• Land | 963.58 km2(372.04 sq mi) |
• Water | 45.68 km2(17.64 sq mi) 4.5% |
• Rank | #114 in Norway |
Population (2023) | |
• Total | 2,665 |
• Rank | #244 in Norway |
• Density | 2.8/km2(7/sq mi) |
• Change(10 years) | ![]() |
Demonym | Steigværing[1] |
Official language | |
•Norwegian form | Bokmål |
Time zone | UTC+01:00(CET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00(CEST) |
ISO 3166 code | NO-1848[3] |
Website | Official website |
Steigen('stejgen) is amunicipalityinNordlandcounty,Norway.It is part of thetraditional districtofSalten.Theadministrative centreof the municipality is the village ofLeinesfjord.Other villages includeBogen,Leines,Nordfold,Nordskot,andSørskot.Engeløy Airport, Grådussanis located in the northern part of the municipality.Måløy–Skarholmen Lighthouseis located in theVestfjordenin the western part of the municipality. The only road access to the municipality is via theSteigen Tunnel.
The 1,009-square-kilometre (390 sq mi) municipality is the 114th largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Steigen is the 246th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 2,665. The municipality'spopulation densityis 2.8 inhabitants per square kilometre (7.3/sq mi) and its population has increased by 4.4% over the previous 10-year period.[4][5]
General information
[edit]The municipality of Steigen was established on 1 January 1838 (seeformannskapsdistriktlaw). The southern part of Steigen was separated on 1 September 1900 to form the newLedingen Municipality.This left 2,216 residents in Steigen.
During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of theSchei Committee.On 1 January 1964, a major municipal merger took place. A new municipality Steigen was created by the merging the following areas:
- all of Steigen Municipality (population: 1,829)
- all ofLeiranger Municipality(population: 1,397)
- most ofNordfold Municipalityexcept theMørsvikbotnarea (population: 1,212)
- the smallBrennsundarea ofKjerringøy Municipality(population: 30)
- the part ofHamarøy Municipalitythat was south of the Sagfjorden and between the lakeStorvatnetand the Veggfjellan mountain (population: 77)
Prior to the merger, the population of Steigen was 1,843, and after the merger, the new municipality had 4,545 residents.[6][7]
Name
[edit]The municipality (originally theparish) is named after the oldSteigenfarm (Old Norse:Steig) since the firstSteigen Churchwas built there. The name is derived from the verbstígawhich means "mount" or "rise". This is referring to the high and steep mountain Steigtinden (tindenmeans "the peak" ) behind the farm.[8]
Coat of arms
[edit]Thecoat of armswas granted on 12 October 1988, but they were not formally approved by the government until 11 January 1991. The officialblazonis"Orthree axe bladessablein bend"(Norwegian:I gull tre svarte øksehoder i skrå rekke). This means the arms have afield(background) that has atinctureofOrwhich means it is commonly colored yellow, but if it is made out of metal, then gold is used. Thechargeis threeaxeheads from theViking Agethat are lined up diagonally. The design was chosen to represent theViking historyof the municipality. There are three axe heads to represent that three municipalities were merged in 1964 to form the present municipality. The arms were designed by Henry Tømmerås, the municipal cultural secretary at the time.[9][10][11][12]
Churches
[edit]TheChurch of Norwayhas three parishes (sokn) within the municipality of Steigen. It is part of theSalten prosti(deanery) in theDiocese of Sør-Hålogaland.
Parish (sokn) | Church name | Location of the church | Year built |
---|---|---|---|
Leiranger | Leiranger Church | Leines | 1911 |
Leinesfjord Chapel | Leinesfjorden | 1912 | |
Sørskot Chapel | Sørskot | 1953 | |
Nordfold | Nordfold Church | Nordfold | 1976 |
Steigen | Steigen Church | Steigen (Engeløya) | 1250 |
Bogen Chapel | Bogen | 1926 |
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Part of the old garden at Løvøy
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Steigen Sagaspill(historical play), based on an old tale
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Løvøyold trading centre in Steigen
Geography
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3c/Brennviksanden.jpg/220px-Brennviksanden.jpg)
The municipality is located along the coast of theVestfjorden,about 100 kilometres (62 mi) north of thetown of Bodø,well inside theArctic Circle.The road to Steigen departs fromEuropean route E6and makes use of the 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) longSteigentunnelen(seeWorld's longest tunnels). Steigen bordersHamarøy Municipalityin the north andSørfold Municipalityto the south. TheVestfjordenandLofotenare located west of Steigen. TheSagfjordenlies on the north and theFoldafjord in the south.
The municipality is mainly located on apeninsuladissected by manyfjords.Steigen also includes severalislands.The largest island isEngeløya,where there are ancientburial mounds(such as Sigarshaugen) andthe world's most northerlynaturally occurringHazelforest inPrestegårdsskogen Nature Reserve.The largest glacier is Helldalsisen encircling a 1,361 metres (4,465 ft)mountain.The island ofEngeløyais connected to the mainland by theEngeløy Bridgesand just to the north of that lies the uninhabited island ofLundøya.
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fd/Steigen_breivikamotbrattfjorden.jpg/220px-Steigen_breivikamotbrattfjorden.jpg)
Steigen has fertile lowlands in between the mountains and the sea. There are several archeological sites showing settlements from theBronze Age,Iron Age,andViking Age.Lakes in the region includeForsanvatnet,Hopvatnet,Makkvatnet,andStraumfjordvatnet.
Climate
[edit]The monthly 24-hr averages range from −1 °C (30 °F) in January and February to 13 °C (55 °F) in July and August, with precipitation ranging from 49 millimetres (1.9 in) in May to 146 millimetres (5.7 in) in October; annual average is 970 millimetres (38.2 in) and mean annual temperature is 5.1 °C (41 °F).[13]
Government
[edit]All municipalities in Norway are responsible forprimary education(through 10th grade), outpatienthealth services,senior citizenservices,welfareand othersocial services,zoning,economic development,and municipalroadsand utilities. The municipality is governed by amunicipal councilofdirectly electedrepresentatives. Themayorisindirectly electedby a vote of the municipal council.[14]The municipality is under the jurisdiction of theSalten og Lofoten District Courtand theHålogaland Court of Appeal.
Municipal council
[edit]Themunicipal council(Kommunestyre) of Steigen is made up of 17 representatives that are elected for four year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by politicalparty.
Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 4 | |
Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) | 1 | |
Conservative Party(Høyre) | 2 | |
Red Party(Rødt) | 1 | |
Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 3 | |
Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 5 | |
Liberal Party(Venstre) | 1 | |
Total number of members: | 17 |
Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 3 | |
Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) | 1 | |
Conservative Party(Høyre) | 1 | |
Red Party(Rødt) | 1 | |
Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 7 | |
Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 3 | |
Liberal Party(Venstre) | 1 | |
Total number of members: | 17 |
Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 4 | |
Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) | 1 | |
Conservative Party(Høyre) | 2 | |
Pensioners' Party(Pensjonistpartiet) | 1 | |
Red Party(Rødt) | 2 | |
Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 5 | |
Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 1 | |
Liberal Party(Venstre) | 1 | |
Total number of members: | 17 |
Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 4 | |
Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) | 1 | |
Conservative Party(Høyre) | 1 | |
Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 1 | |
Pensioners' Party(Pensjonistpartiet) | 2 | |
Red Party(Rødt) | 1 | |
Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 3 | |
Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 1 | |
Liberal Party(Venstre) | 3 | |
Total number of members: | 17 |
Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 4 | |
Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) | 2 | |
Conservative Party(Høyre) | 1 | |
Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 1 | |
Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 6 | |
Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 1 | |
Liberal Party(Venstre) | 2 | |
Total number of members: | 17 |
Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 4 | |
Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) | 1 | |
Conservative Party(Høyre) | 1 | |
Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 1 | |
Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 5 | |
Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 2 | |
Liberal Party(Venstre) | 3 | |
Total number of members: | 17 |
Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 6 | |
Conservative Party(Høyre) | 3 | |
Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 1 | |
Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 5 | |
Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 1 | |
Liberal Party(Venstre) | 2 | |
Cross-party list for Steigen(Tverrpolitisk liste for Steigen) | 3 | |
Total number of members: | 21 |
Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 4 | |
Conservative Party(Høyre) | 2 | |
Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 1 | |
Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 7 | |
Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 1 | |
Liberal Party(Venstre) | 1 | |
Cross-party list(Tverrpolitisk liste) | 5 | |
Total number of members: | 21 |
Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 7 | |
Conservative Party(Høyre) | 3 | |
Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 1 | |
Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 7 | |
Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 1 | |
Cross-party list(Tverrpolitisk list) | 2 | |
Total number of members: | 21 |
Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 10 | |
Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) | 1 | |
Conservative Party(Høyre) | 5 | |
Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 2 | |
Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 8 | |
Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 2 | |
Liberal Party(Venstre) | 1 | |
Total number of members: | 29 |
Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 11 | |
Conservative Party(Høyre) | 5 | |
Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 3 | |
Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 7 | |
Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 2 | |
Liberal Party(Venstre) | 1 | |
Total number of members: | 29 |
Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 7 | |
Conservative Party(Høyre) | 5 | |
Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 3 | |
Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 10 | |
Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 2 | |
Liberal Party(Venstre) | 2 | |
Total number of members: | 29 |
Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 8 | |
Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 3 | |
Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 11 | |
Liberal Party(Venstre) | 1 | |
Free voters non-party list(Frie velgeres upolitiske liste) | 3 | |
Fishing industry non-party list(Fiskerinæringens upolitiske liste) | 3 | |
Total number of members: | 29 |
Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 10 | |
Conservative Party(Høyre) | 2 | |
Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 14 | |
Liberal Party(Venstre) | 3 | |
Total number of members: | 29 |
Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 12 | |
Conservative Party(Høyre) | 3 | |
Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 7 | |
Liberal Party(Venstre) | 2 | |
Local List(s)(Lokale lister) | 5 | |
Total number of members: | 29 |
Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 8 | |
Conservative Party(Høyre) | 5 | |
Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 2 | |
Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 8 | |
Local List(s)(Lokale lister) | 6 | |
Total number of members: | 29 |
Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 4 | |
Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 2 | |
Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties(Borgerlige Felleslister) | 11 | |
Total number of members: | 17 |
Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 5 | |
Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 2 | |
Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties(Borgerlige Felleslister) | 5 | |
Local List(s)(Lokale lister) | 5 | |
Total number of members: | 17 |
Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 3 | |
Local List(s)(Lokale lister) | 13 | |
Total number of members: | 16 |
Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Local List(s)(Lokale lister) | 16 | |
Total number of members: | 16 |
Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 2 | |
Local List(s)(Lokale lister) | 14 | |
Total number of members: | 16 |
Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
List of workers, fishermen, and small farmholders(Arbeidere, fiskere, småbrukere liste) | 3 | |
Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties(Borgerlige Felleslister) | 6 | |
Local List(s)(Lokale lister) | 7 | |
Total number of members: | 16 | |
Note:Due to theGerman occupation of NorwayduringWorld War II,no elections were held for new municipal councils until after the war ended in 1945. |
Mayors
[edit]Themayors(Norwegian:ordfører) of Steigen:[34][35]
- 1838–1839: Christian B. Stoltenberg
- 1839–1840: Hans P. Meisler
- 1840–1847: Martin Adolph Sigholt
- 1848–1851: Thomas Aagesen
- 1852–1864: Peder Hansen
- 1865–1868: Fredrik Nikolai Jensen
- 1869–1870: Thomas Aagesen
- 1871–1878: Peder Hansen
- 1878–1879: Jonas Svensen
- 1879–1880: Gerhard Schøning
- 1881–1884: Johan C.R. Wisløff
- 1885–1886: Ole Nilssen
- 1887–1892: Johan C.R. Wisløff
- 1893–1894: Lars Fremmerlid
- 1895–1896: Peter M. Kristiansen
- 1897–1901: Kristian B. Kristensen
- 1902-1913: Søren S. Svendsen
- 1914-1916: Hartvig Olsen
- 1917-1928: Søren S. Svendsen
- 1929-1931: Peder Hansen
- 1932-1937: Søren S. Svendsen
- 1938-1941: Sigurd Vik (NS)
- 1941-1945: Johan Beck (NS)
- 1945-1945: Jakob Aalstad
- 1946-1955: Gudmund Storsæther (LL)
- 1956-1959: Ludvig Fjellbakk (Ap)
- 1960-1963: Sverre Kristiansen (Ap)
- 1964-1965: Trygve Aasjord (H)
- 1966-1967: Erling J. Vindenes (V)
- 1968-1971: Johan O. Skjelstad (Ap)
- 1972-1979: Jan A. Laxaa (Sp)
- 1980-1985: Tor Johan Aalstad (Sp)
- 1985-1991: Ragnar Kildahl (Sp)
- 1991-1999: Svein Benoni (Sp)
- 1999-2003: Arne Marhaug (Ap)
- 2003-2007:Berit Woie Berg(V)
- 2007-2019: Asle Schrøder (Sp)
- 2019–present: Aase Refsnes (SV)
Notable people
[edit]- Marit Elveos(born 1965 in Steigen), a Norwegian cross-country skier who competed at the1988 Winter Olympics
- Tom Erik Breive(born 1980 in Steigen), a retired Norwegian football midfielder with over 100 club caps
References
[edit]- ^"Navn på steder og personer: Innbyggjarnamn"(in Norwegian). Språkrådet.
- ^"Forskrift om målvedtak i kommunar og fylkeskommunar"(in Norwegian). Lovdata.no.
- ^Bolstad, Erik; Thorsnæs, Geir, eds. (26 January 2023)."Kommunenummer".Store norske leksikon(in Norwegian).Kunnskapsforlaget.
- ^Statistisk sentralbyrå."Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)"(in Norwegian).
- ^Statistisk sentralbyrå."09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M)"(in Norwegian).
- ^Jukvam, Dag (1999)."Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen"(PDF)(in Norwegian).Statistisk sentralbyrå.
- ^Statistisk sentralbyrå(2001)."1848 Steigen. Population 1 January and population changes during the year. 1951-"(in Norwegian).
- ^Rygh, Oluf(1905).Norske gaardnavne: Nordlands amt(in Norwegian) (16 ed.). Kristiania, Norge: W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri. p. 249.
- ^"Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen".Heraldry of the World.Retrieved4 February2023.
- ^"Steigen, Nordland (Norway)".Flags of the World.Retrieved4 February2023.
- ^"Godkjenning av våpen og flagg".Lovdata.no(in Norwegian). Norges kommunal- og arbeidsdepartementet. 18 March 1991.Retrieved4 February2023.
- ^"Kommunevåpen"(in Norwegian). Steigen Kommune.Retrieved29 November2008.
- ^"1961-90 base period for Grøtøy, Steigen"(in Norwegian).Norges meteorologiske institutt.
- ^Hansen, Tore; Vabo, Signy Irene, eds. (20 September 2022)."kommunestyre".Store norske leksikon(in Norwegian).Kunnskapsforlaget.Retrieved14 October2022.
- ^"Kommunestyrevalg 2023 - Nordland".Valg Direktoratet.Retrieved27 December2023.
- ^"Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2019 - Nordland".Valg Direktoratet.Retrieved28 October2019.
- ^abcd"Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M)"(in Norwegian). Statistics Norway.
- ^"Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Nordland".Valg Direktoratet.Retrieved28 October2019.
- ^"Kommunestyrevalget 1995"(PDF)(in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996.Retrieved18 March2020.
- ^"Kommunestyrevalget 1991"(PDF)(in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993.Retrieved18 March2020.
- ^"Kommunestyrevalget 1987"(PDF)(in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988.Retrieved18 March2020.
- ^"Kommunestyrevalget 1983"(PDF)(in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984.Retrieved18 March2020.
- ^"Kommunestyrevalget 1979"(PDF)(in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979.Retrieved18 March2020.
- ^"Kommunevalgene 1975"(PDF)(in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1977.Retrieved18 March2020.
- ^"Kommunevalgene 1972"(PDF)(in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1973.Retrieved18 March2020.
- ^"Kommunevalgene 1967"(PDF)(in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1967.Retrieved18 March2020.
- ^"Kommunevalgene 1963"(PDF)(in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1964.Retrieved18 March2020.
- ^"Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959"(PDF)(in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1960.Retrieved18 March2020.
- ^"Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955"(PDF)(in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1957.Retrieved18 March2020.
- ^"Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951"(PDF)(in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1952.Retrieved18 March2020.
- ^"Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947"(PDF)(in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1948.Retrieved18 March2020.
- ^"Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945"(PDF)(in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1947.Retrieved18 March2020.
- ^"Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937"(PDF)(in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1938.Retrieved18 March2020.
- ^Fygle, Svein (1980).Steigen bygdebok(in Norwegian). Steigen kommune. pp. 138–139.ISBN8290030606.
- ^Årbok for Steigen(in Norwegian). Vol. 32. Steigen historielag. 2007. p. 38.
External links
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
Nordlandtravel guide from Wikivoyage
- Municipal fact sheetfromStatistics Norway(in Norwegian)
- Steigen Municipality(in Norwegian)
- Treveven:Hassel(in Norwegian)
- Iron Age in Steigen
- Steigen settled for thousands of years
- "Fant 6.300 år gammel nordlending i hemmelig grotte"[Found 6300-year-old body of a person from North Norway].NRK(in Norwegian). 17 September 2013.