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Harstad Municipality

Coordinates:68°48′00″N16°32′45″E/ 68.80000°N 16.54583°E/68.80000; 16.54583
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This article is about the municipality in Troms, Norway. For thetown of Harstador other uses, seeHarstad (disambiguation).
Harstad Municipality
Harstad kommune
Hársttáid suohkan
Municipality
Waterfront of Harstad
Waterfront of Harstad
Flag of Harstad Municipality
Flag
Coat of arms of Harstad Municipality
Coat of arms
Troms within Norway
Troms within Norway
Harstad within Troms
Harstad within Troms
Coordinates:68°48′00″N16°32′45″E/ 68.80000°N 16.54583°E/68.80000; 16.54583
CountryNorway
CountyTroms
DistrictCentral Hålogaland
Established1 January 1904
•Preceded byTrondenes Municipality
Administrative centreHarstad
Government
• Mayor(2022)Kari-Anne Opsal (Ap)
Area
• Total445.27 km2(171.92 sq mi)
• Land428.48 km2(165.44 sq mi)
• Water16.79 km2(6.48 sq mi) 3.8%
• Rank#225 in Norway
Highest elevation
[1]
1,094.8 m (3,591.9 ft)
Population
(2024)
• Total25,056
• Rank#49 in Norway
• Density56.3/km2(146/sq mi)
• Change(10 years)
Increase+2.5%
DemonymHarstadværing[2]
Official language
[3]
•Norwegian formNeutral
Time zoneUTC+01:00(CET)
• Summer (DST)UTC+02:00(CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-5503[4]
WebsiteOfficial website
Data from Statistics Norway

Harstad(Norwegian,pronounced[hɐ̞̂ɻ.ʃt̠ɐ̞]ⓘ) orHárstták(Northern Sami)[5][6]is the second-most populated municipality inTromscounty,Norway.It is mostly located on the large island ofHinnøya.The municipal center is thetown of Harstad,which is the most populous town inCentral Hålogalandand the third-largest in all ofNorthern Norway.[7][8]The town was incorporated in 1904. Villages in the municipality includeElgsnes,Fauskevåg,Gausvika,Grøtavær,Kasfjord,Lundenes,NergårdenandSørvika.

The 445-square-kilometre (172 sq mi) municipality is the 225th largest by area out of Norway's 357 municipalities and the 49th most populous, with a population of 25,056. The municipality'spopulation densityis 56.3 inhabitants per square kilometre (146/sq mi) and the population has increased by 2.5% over the previous 10-year period.[9][10]

Geography

[edit]
Toppen (mountain onGrytøya,October 2009).

The municipality is located on many islands in southern Troms county. Most of the municipality is located on the large island ofHinnøya,which is Norway's largest coastal island (three islands in theSvalbardarchipelago are larger). The northern part of the municipality is located on the smaller islands ofGrytøya,Bjarkøya,Sandsøya,Helløya, Flatøya andKrøttøyaand many even smaller islands between theAndfjorden(to the west) and theVågsfjorden(to the east). The municipality contains several small islands, including Arnøya,Gressholman,Helløya, Kjeøya, Kjøtta, Kjøttakalven, Flatøya,Meløyvær,Måga, Rogla, Lille Rogla and Åkerøya.

Harstad is bordered byKvæfjord Municipalityto the west. To the south and east, theTjeldsund Bridgeconnects Hinnøya withTjeldsund Municipalityand the mainland acrossTjeldsundet,and to the northeast is theVågsfjorden,where Harstad shares a water border withIbestad Municipality.The city of Harstad itself is located on the northeastern part of Hinnøya; it is the only city on the island, and is popularly known asVågsfjordens perle(The pearl of Vågsfjorden).

The highest point in Harstad Municipality is Sætertinden, which is 1,095 m (3,593 ft) above sea level.[1][11]It is located near the village ofSandtorgin southern Harstad. The 412-metre (1,352 ft) tall mountain,Nupen,is located in the northwestern part of the municipality on the border with Kvæfjord.

Climate and light

[edit]

Despite being located north of theArctic Circle,Harstad features either a dry-summersubarctic climate(Köppen climate classification:Dsc), or (barely, by only half a degree C)[12]the rarecold-summer mediterranean climate(Köppen climate classification:Csc), depending on if the 0 °C (32 °F) or the −3 °C (27 °F) isotherm is used. Harstad features relatively mild, wet winters and cool, dry summers. Harstad does not have the brutal winters most locations north of the Arctic Circle experience, and is sheltered from Atlantic gales by mountains in the west, and has the main part of theScandinavian Mountainsto the east. The city experiences warmer winters than major cities located 25 degrees farther south in latitude such asBeijing,ChicagoandToronto.Summers in Harstad are cool, with average high temperatures seldom breaking the 22 °C (72 °F) mark. Since the weather station opened August 2002, July 2014 was the warmest month with mean 16.9 °C (62 °F), average daily high 21.8 °C (71 °F) and all-time high 31.7 °C (89 °F) on 10 July. The record low of −16.1 °C (3 °F) was recorded in February 2010. The coldest month recorded was January 2003 with mean −6.5 °C (20 °F) and average daily low −9.5 °C (15 °F). On 9. September 2024 Harstad recorded high 25.9 °C (79 °F), the warmest temperature in September recorded in Troms.

The municipality enjoys themidnight sunduring the summer months, from 22 May to 18 July. There is also a period from early May to early August with twilight for a few hours each night as the sun just dips below the horizon, so there is no darkness. Thepolar night,when the sun is always below the horizon, lasts from 30 November to 12 January. At this time, there are 3–4 hours of dawn and dusk around noon, sometimes with colourful skies towards the south. From late January, the period of daylight rapidly increases, reaching 12 hours by March and 18 hours in April. Harstad is located in the midst of theaurora borealis(a.k.a.the northern lights) zone, and the aurora can often be seen on clear nights, but not in summer due to the continuous daylight.

Climate data for Harstad (45 m, averages 2004–2018, extremes 2002–2024)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 8.8
(47.8) 		8.5
(47.3) 		10.9
(51.6) 		16.9
(62.4) 		24.7
(76.5) 		29.6
(85.3) 		31.7
(89.1) 		31.5
(88.7) 		25.9
(78.6) 		17.5
(63.5) 		13.8
(56.8) 		9.8
(49.6) 		31.7
(89.1)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −0.8
(30.6) 		−0.3
(31.5) 		1.8
(35.2) 		6
(43) 		10.5
(50.9) 		13.2
(55.8) 		17.2
(63.0) 		15.9
(60.6) 		12.3
(54.1) 		7
(45) 		3.3
(37.9) 		1.2
(34.2) 		7.3
(45.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) −2.2
(28.0) 		−2.3
(27.9) 		−0.8
(30.6) 		3
(37) 		7.3
(45.1) 		10.2
(50.4) 		13.9
(57.0) 		12.9
(55.2) 		9.5
(49.1) 		5
(41) 		1.7
(35.1) 		−0.5
(31.1) 		4.8
(40.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −4
(25) 		−4.3
(24.3) 		−3.4
(25.9) 		0.1
(32.2) 		4.1
(39.4) 		7.3
(45.1) 		10.5
(50.9) 		9.8
(49.6) 		6.8
(44.2) 		3
(37) 		0
(32) 		−2.2
(28.0) 		2.3
(36.1)
Record low °C (°F) −15.4
(4.3) 		−16.1
(3.0) 		−13.3
(8.1) 		−9.4
(15.1) 		−3.7
(25.3) 		−0.6
(30.9) 		4.6
(40.3) 		1.7
(35.1) 		−1.6
(29.1) 		−7.9
(17.8) 		−10.3
(13.5) 		−14.5
(5.9) 		−16.1
(3.0)
Averageprecipitationmm (inches) 85
(3.3) 		80
(3.1) 		65
(2.6) 		50
(2.0) 		35
(1.4) 		37
(1.5) 		53
(2.1) 		58
(2.3) 		80
(3.1) 		110
(4.3) 		97
(3.8) 		100
(3.9) 		850
(33.5)
Source 1:[13]
Source 2:[14]

History

[edit]
See also:Harstad (town) § History

Thetown of Harstadwas established as a municipality on 1 January 1904 when it was separated from the largeTrondenes Municipalitybecause it had just been declared aladested(small seaport). The initial population of the town of Harstad was 1,246. During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of theSchei Committee.On 1 January 1964, the town of Harstad (population: 3,808) was merged with neighboringSandtorg Municipality(population: 7,512) andTrondenes Municipality(population: 6,567) to form a new, larger Harstad Municipality with a population of 17,882. Prior to the merger, the town of Harstad had 3,808 residents.[15]On 1 January 2013, the neighboringBjarkøy Municipality(to the north) was merged with Harstad, forming a new, larger Harstad Municipality.

On 1 January 2020, the municipality became part of the newTroms og Finnmarkcounty which replaced the old Troms county. On 1 January 2024, theTroms og Finnmarkcounty was divided and the municipality once again became part ofTromscounty.[16]

In recent years, a 3000-year-old bronze axe[17]and a 2600-year-old bronze collar[18]have been found at the Trondenes peninsula, just north of the city center. These, together with the burialcairnsbuilt close to the sea, are indications of a well-developedBronze Ageculture in the Harstad area.

There is also substantial archeological evidence of a well-developedIron Ageculture in the area, around 200 AD.

Trondenesis mentioned in theHeimskringlaas a power centre in theViking Ageand a place to meet and discuss important issues (Trondarting). In 2020 archeologist concluded thatSandtorg,located along the Tjeldsundet strait, south of the town of Harstad, was the location of the only knownViking Agetrading place in Northern Norway.[19]The Tjeldsundet strait was very likely an important ship lane back then as it still is today.

Trondenes Church,the world's northernmost medieval church, which dates back to the 13th–15th century, is situated just outside the town.

Adjacent to the church is theTrondenes Historical Centerand nearby is theAdolf Gun,an enormous land-based cannon fromWorld War II,and the last of four cannons originally constructed by theNazis.Harstad is one of the few towns in this part of Norway which were left largely undamaged by World War II.

  • Sandtorg, where a trading place from the Viking age was located
    Sandtorg,where a trading place from the Viking age was located
  • Harstad Kulturhus (culture house)
    Harstad Kulturhus (culture house)
  • Rikard Kaarbø was the founder of Harstad.
    Rikard Kaarbøwas the founder of Harstad.
  • Trondenes Church at Trondenes.
    Trondenes Churchat Trondenes.
  • Northern part of Harstad at night, early August. View towards north-west from Gangsåstoppen
    Northern part of Harstad at night, early August. View towards north-west fromGangsåstoppen

Origin of the name

[edit]

The municipality (andtown) is named after the oldHarstadfarm (Old Norse:Harðarstaðir), since the town is built where the farm once was located.[20]The first element is (probably) thegenitive caseof the male nameHǫrðr.The last element isstaðirwhich means "homestead"or"farm".[20]On 6 February 2017, the municipality of Harstad adopted a co-equalSami languagename for the municipality: Hárstták. The Sami language name spelling changes depending on how it is used. It is calledHársttákwhen it is spelled alone, but it isHársttáid suohkanwhen using the Sami language equivalent to "Harstad municipality".[6][21]

Coat of arms

[edit]

Thecoat of armswas granted on 24 April 1953. The officialblazonis"Azure,twobarswavyargent"(Norwegian:To bølgende sølv bjelker på blå bunn). This means the arms have a bluefield(background) and thechargeis two wavybars.The bars have atinctureofargentwhich means they are commonly colored white, but if it is made out of metal, then silver is used. The blue color in the field symbolizes the importance of sea and the wavy bars were chosen to represent the waves in the sea. Since the town of Harstad is located in the municipality, amural crownis typically shown above theshield.The arms were designed by Jardar Lunde in cooperation with Hallvard Træteberg.[22][23][24]

Government

[edit]

Harstad Municipality is 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.[25]The municipality is under the jurisdiction of theMidtre Hålogaland District Courtand theHålogaland Court of Appeal.

Municipal council

[edit]

Themunicipal council(Kommunestyre)of Harstad is made up of 35 representatives that are elected to four-year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by politicalparty.

Harstad kommunestyre 2023–2027[26]
Party name(in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) 11
Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) 6
Green Party(Miljøpartiet De Grønne) 1
Conservative Party(Høyre) 7
Industry and Business Party(Industri‑ og Næringspartiet) 2
Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
Red Party(Rødt) 2
Centre Party(Senterpartiet) 2
Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
Liberal Party(Venstre) 1
Total number of members:35
Harstad kommunestyre 2019–2023[27]
Party name(in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) 11
Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) 5
Green Party(Miljøpartiet De Grønne) 2
Conservative Party(Høyre) 6
Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
Red Party(Rødt) 1
Centre Party(Senterpartiet) 6
Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
Liberal Party(Venstre) 1
Total number of members:35
Harstad kommunestyre 2015–2019[28]
Party name(in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) 13
Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) 8
Green Party(Miljøpartiet De Grønne) 1
Conservative Party(Høyre) 4
Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
Red Party(Rødt) 1
Centre Party(Senterpartiet) 2
Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
Liberal Party(Venstre) 4
Total number of members:35
Harstad kommunestyre 2011–2015[29]
Party name(in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) 10
Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) 12
Conservative Party(Høyre) 5
Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
Red Party(Rødt) 1
Centre Party(Senterpartiet) 3
Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
Liberal Party(Venstre) 2
Total number of members:35
Harstad kommunestyre 2007–2011[28]
Party name(in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) 13
Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) 10
Conservative Party(Høyre) 10
Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
Red Electoral Alliance(Rød Valgallianse) 2
Centre Party(Senterpartiet) 4
Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
Liberal Party(Venstre) 1
Total number of members:43
Harstad kommunestyre 2003–2007[28]
Party name(in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) 14
Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) 8
Conservative Party(Høyre) 7
Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
Red Electoral Alliance(Rød Valgallianse) 1
Centre Party(Senterpartiet) 4
Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 6
Liberal Party(Venstre) 1
Total number of members:43
Harstad kommunestyre 1999–2003[28]
Party name(in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) 22
Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) 6
Conservative Party(Høyre) 14
Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
Red Electoral Alliance(Rød Valgallianse) 2
Centre Party(Senterpartiet) 3
Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 3
Liberal Party(Venstre) 2
Total number of members:55
Harstad kommunestyre 1995–1999[30]
Party name(in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) 22
Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) 5
Conservative Party(Høyre) 16
Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
Red Electoral Alliance(Rød Valgallianse) 1
Centre Party(Senterpartiet) 4
Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
Liberal Party(Venstre) 2
Total number of members:55
Harstad kommunestyre 1991–1995[31]
Party name(in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) 18
Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) 3
Conservative Party(Høyre) 19
Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
Red Electoral Alliance(Rød Valgallianse) 1
Centre Party(Senterpartiet) 4
Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 6
Liberal Party(Venstre) 2
Total number of members:55
Harstad kommunestyre 1987–1991[32]
Party name(in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) 20
Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) 7
Conservative Party(Høyre) 18
Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
Red Electoral Alliance(Rød Valgallianse) 1
Centre Party(Senterpartiet) 1
Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 3
Liberal Party(Venstre) 3
Total number of members:55
Harstad kommunestyre 1983–1987[33]
Party name(in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) 20
Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) 4
Conservative Party(Høyre) 21
Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
Red Electoral Alliance(Rød Valgallianse) 1
Centre Party(Senterpartiet) 1
Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 3
Liberal Party(Venstre) 2
Total number of members:55
Harstad kommunestyre 1979–1983[34]
Party name(in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) 20
Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) 1
Conservative Party(Høyre) 23
Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
Red Electoral Alliance(Rød Valgallianse) 1
Centre Party(Senterpartiet) 2
Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
Liberal Party(Venstre) 2
Total number of members:55
Harstad kommunestyre 1975–1979[35]
Party name(in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) 19
Conservative Party(Høyre) 22
Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) 5
Centre Party(Senterpartiet) 4
Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
Liberal Party(Venstre) 3
Total number of members:55
Harstad kommunestyre 1971–1975[36]
Party name(in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) 24
Conservative Party(Høyre) 19
Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
Centre Party(Senterpartiet) 4
Socialist People's Party(Sosialistisk Folkeparti) 3
Liberal Party(Venstre) 3
Total number of members:55
Harstad kommunestyre 1967–1971[37]
Party name(in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) 25
Conservative Party(Høyre) 21
Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
Centre Party(Senterpartiet) 2
Socialist People's Party(Sosialistisk Folkeparti) 2
Liberal Party(Venstre) 4
Total number of members:55
Harstad kommunestyre 1963–1967[38]
Party name(in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) 27
Conservative Party(Høyre) 18
Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
Centre Party(Senterpartiet) 2
Socialist People's Party(Sosialistisk Folkeparti) 1
Liberal Party(Venstre) 5
Total number of members:55
Note:On 1 January 1964,Trondenes MunicipalityandSandtorg Municipalitybecame part of Harstad Municipality.
Harstad bystyre 1959–1963[39]
Party name(in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) 9
Conservative Party(Høyre) 17
Liberal Party(Venstre) 3
Total number of members:29
Harstad bystyre 1955–1959[40]
Party name(in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) 10
Conservative Party(Høyre) 15
Communist Party(Kommunistiske Parti) 1
Liberal Party(Venstre) 3
Total number of members:29
Harstad bystyre 1951–1955[41]
Party name(in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) 10
Conservative Party(Høyre) 10
Communist Party(Kommunistiske Parti) 3
Liberal Party(Venstre) 4
Local List(s)(Lokale lister) 1
Total number of members:28
Harstad bystyre 1947–1951[42]
Party name(in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) 9
Conservative Party(Høyre) 9
Communist Party(Kommunistiske Parti) 6
Liberal Party(Venstre) 4
Total number of members:28
Harstad bystyre 1945–1947[43]
Party name(in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) 7
Conservative Party(Høyre) 6
Communist Party(Kommunistiske Parti) 9
Liberal Party(Venstre) 3
Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties(Borgerlige Felleslister) 3
Total number of members:28
Harstad bystyre 1937–1941*[44]
Party name(in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) 8
Liberal Party(Venstre) 3
Joint list of theConservative Party(Høyre)and theFree-minded People's Party(Frisinnede Folkeparti) 12
List of workers, fishermen, and small farmholders(Arbeidere, fiskere, småbrukere liste) 3
Local List(s)(Lokale lister) 2
Total number of members:28
Note:Due to theGerman occupation of NorwayduringWorld War II,no elections were held for new municipal councils until after the war ended in 1945.
Harstad bystyre 1934–1937[45]
Party name(in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) 10
Communist Party(Kommunistiske Parti) 4
Liberal Party(Venstre) 3
Joint list of theConservative Party(Høyre)and theFree-minded People's Party(Frisinnede Folkeparti) 8
Local List(s)(Lokale lister) 3
Total number of members:28
Harstad bystyre 1931–1934[46]
Party name(in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) 8
Temperance Party(Avholdspartiet) 1
Communist Party(Kommunistiske Parti) 6
Liberal Party(Venstre) 5
Joint list of theConservative Party(Høyre)and theFree-minded People's Party(Frisinnede Folkeparti) 8
Total number of members:28
Harstad bystyre 1928–1931[47]
Party name(in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) 8
Temperance Party(Avholdspartiet) 1
Communist Party(Kommunistiske Parti) 6
Liberal Party(Venstre) 5
Joint list of theConservative Party(Høyre)and theFree-minded Liberal Party(Frisinnede Venstre) 6
Local List(s)(Lokale lister) 2
Total number of members:28
Harstad bystyre 1925–1928[48]
Party name(in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) 7
Temperance Party(Avholdspartiet) 4
Communist Party(Kommunistiske Parti) 5
Liberal Party(Venstre) 3
Joint list of theConservative Party(Høyre)and theFree-minded Liberal Party(Frisinnede Venstre) 7
Local List(s)(Lokale lister) 2
Total number of members:28
Harstad bystyre 1922–1925[49]
Party name(in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) 5
Temperance Party(Avholdspartiet) 4
Social Democratic Labour Party
(Socialdemokratiske Arbeiderparti)		 1
Liberal Party(Venstre) 3
Joint list of theConservative Party(Høyre)and theFree-minded Liberal Party(Frisinnede Venstre) 9
Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties(Borgerlige Felleslister) 6
Total number of members:28

Mayors

[edit]

Themayor(Norwegian:ordfører) of Harstad is the political leader of the municipality and the chairperson of the municipal council. Here is a list of people who have held this position:[50][51]

  • 1904–1906: Hans Buck (H)
  • 1914–1916: Karl Eystein Kvam (V)
  • 1929–1932: Israel Wulff (Ap)
  • 1932–1935: Nils J. Hunstad (H)
  • 1935–1938: Hans Stordahl (Ap)
  • 1938–1940: Nils J. Hunstad (H)
  • 1941–1945: Hans Methi (NS)
  • 1945–1945: Odd Gangnæs (NS)
  • 1945–1945: Alf Haaland (V)
  • 1945–1945: Nils J. Hunstad (H)
  • 1946–1947:Sigurd Simensen(NKP)
  • 1948–1952: Sigurd Torgersen (Ap)
  • 1952–1964: Leif Bothner (H)
  • 1964–1968:Bjarne Berg-Sæther(Ap)
  • 1968–1969:Leif Arne Heløe(H)
  • 1970–1977:Arnljot Norwich(H)
  • 1978–1987: Johan Nordvik (H)
  • 1987–1993: Kjell Joachimsen (H)
  • 1993–1995: Britt S. Nordlund (H)
  • 1995–1998: Helge Aune (Ap)
  • 1998–2007:Halvar Hansen(Ap)
  • 2007–2011: Helge Eriksen (H)
  • 2011–2019: Marianne Bremnes (Ap)
  • 2019–present: Kari-Anne Opsal (Ap)

Economy

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The oil industry of North Norway is centered in Harstad; includingStatoil's main office for a new operational area for Northern Norway,[52]theDNVoffice for Northern Norway,[53]as well as other regional offices includingTotalEnergies,[54]Det Norske Oljeselskap ASA[55]andAibel.[56][57]Harstad also has shipyards and other industries that are important for the economy. Harstad and the surrounding area have traditionally been among the most productive agricultural regions in Northern Norway,.[58]The old seabed, now dry land due toisostatic rebound(up to 60 to 80 metres or 200 to 260 feet above sea level), creating fertile soil that is well-suited for farming.[59]

Agricultural area in Harstad; 1930.

Institutions and culture

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Harstad Stadium; June 2007

The city hosts the annual week-longFestival of North Norwayin June.[60]It is also the home of the Arctic Moving Image and Film Festival, held in October each year.[61]

Harstad University College,with approximately 1,100 students,[62]has a thriving foreign exchange program with students from all over the world. The hospital in Harstad is part of theUniversity Hospital of North Norway.

The most successful localfootballteam isHarstad Idrettslag(a.k.a. HIL),[63]and the most successfulbasketballteam is theHarstad Vikings.[64]

Harstad is home port for theAnna Rogde,the world's oldest sailingschooner,also known asthe sailing queen of Norway.[65]

Harstad Campingis a campsite located in the municipality.

Churches

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TheChurch of Norwayhas five parishes (sokn) within Harstad Municipality. It is part of theTrondenes prosti(deanery) in theDiocese of Nord-Hålogaland.

Churches in Harstad
Parish (sokn) Church name Location of the church Year built
Bjarkøy og Sandsøy Bjarkøy Church Nergården 1766
Sandsøy Church Sandsøya 1888
Grytøy Grøtavær Church Grøtavær 1915
Lundenes Church Lundenes 1974
Harstad Harstad Church Harstad 1958
Kanebogen Kanebogen Church Kanebogen 1999
Sandtorg Gausvik Church Gausvika 1979
Sandtorg Church Sørvika 1932
Trondenes Trondenes Church Trondenes 15th century
Elgsnes Chapel Elgsnes 1985

Military connections

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Harstad traditionally has strong ties with the Norwegian Armed Forces.Kystjegerkommandoen(Coastal Ranger Command) has its home base atTrondenes,just north of the town of Harstad.Marinejegerkommandoenis based inRamsund,a village in neighboringTjeldsund Municipalityon the mainland south of Harstad. GeneralCarl Gustav Fleischerled the field operations of the Norwegian Armed Forces inWorld War II,among them the 7,500 soldiers which from the north pushed the Nazi Germans back toNarvikand participated in retaking Narvik on 28 May 1940. A street in Harstad is namedGen. Fleischers Gatein his honour.

Operation Judgement, Kilbotntook place on 4 May 1945, when theFleet Air Armof theRoyal Navyattacked a U-boat base at Kilbotn, a village in the Harstad district, sinking two ships and a U-boat.

Harstad is also the hometown of the Norwegian army band "Forsvarets Musikkorps Nord Norge" with professional musicians.

Transportation

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Coastal Express shipMS Kong Haraldin Harstad

The local airport isHarstad/Narvik Airport, Evenes,located on the mainland in neighboringEvenes Municipality.It is 44 kilometres (27 mi) by road from the town center. The airport offers daily flights toOslo,Trondheim,Bodø,TromsøandAndenes.[66]

Every morning a northbound and a southboundHurtigrutenship stop in Harstad.[67]

High-speed craftregularly go between Harstad andTromsø,Finnsnes,Senjaand other places.[68]

There are several ferries and buses in the district, and in Harstad there are local buses.[68]

The leadinghelicoptercompany in Northern Norway, Heli-Team, is located in Harstad.[69]

Local areas

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Street: Strandgata, 4 May 2008.
Street: Hvedings gate, February 2005. View towards west from aHurtigrutenship.
Villages north/west of the city

Alvestad,Aune,Elgsnes,Ervik,Grøtavær,Hagan,Kasfjord,Kilhus, Kjøtta,Lundenes,Mustaparta,Nergården,Røkenes,Steinnes,Stornes, Storvassbotn, Sørlia, Tennvassåsen, Tømmeråsen, Undlandet, Vika, and Årnes.

City neighbourhoods

Bergseng, Blåbærhaugen, Breivika,City Center,Eineberget,Gangsås,Grønnebakkan,Harstadbotn, Harstadåsen,Heggen,Holtet,Kanebogen,Kilbotn,Medkila,Ruggevika,Sama,Seljestad,Skaret,Stangnes,Trondenes,andÅsby.

Villages south of the city

Brokvik,Fauskevåg,Gausvik,Halsebø, Haukebø, Melvik, Nordvik,Sandtorg,andSørvika.

  • Northeastern part of Harstad seen from Eineberget; 4 May 2008
    Northeastern part of Harstad seen from Eineberget; 4 May 2008
  • View from Harstad towards the Vågsfjord and Andørja island; May 2008
    View from Harstad towards the Vågsfjord and Andørja island; May 2008
  • Harstad university college
    Harstad university college

Notable people

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Public Service

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Gerd Kristiansen, 2017
Kristin-Clemet, 2005
Ragnhild Kaarbo, 1910
Kine Hellebust, 2008

The Arts

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Sport

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International relations

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Typical residential area with private houses; Eineberget, Harstad.
See also:List of twin towns and sister cities in Norway

Twin towns – Sister cities

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Thetwin townsof Harstad are:[73]

Harstad used to be a sister city toKirovsk,but this agreement was ended in November 2022, due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

See also

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References

[edit]
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  7. ^Municipality second largest in Troms county, by population
  8. ^City second largest in Troms county; third largest in Northern Norway
  9. ^Statistisk sentralbyrå."Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)"(in Norwegian).
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  60. ^"Festspillene i Nord-Norge".Archived fromthe originalon 13 October 2004.
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  62. ^"Harstad University College".
  63. ^"HIL"(in Norwegian).
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  73. ^"Twin towns".
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