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Coordinates: 68°13′17″N 13°47′04″E / 68.22139°N 13.78444°E / 68.22139; 13.78444
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m Jay1279 moved page Vestvågøy to Vestvågøy Municipality over redirect: use standardized naming for municipalities in Norway
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|mayor_party = [[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]]
|mayor_party = [[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]]
|mayor_as_of = 2023
|mayor_as_of = 2023
|area_rank = 232
|elevation_max_m = 955.91
|highest_point_ref = <ref name="elev">{{Cite web |date=2024-01-16 |title=Høgaste fjelltopp i kvar kommune |url=https://www.kartverket.no/til-lands/fakta-om-norge/hoyeste-fjelltopp-i-kommunen |publisher=[[Kartverket]] |language=no}}</ref>
|area_rank = 231
|area_total_km2 = 424.29
|area_total_km2 = 424.29
|area_land_km2 = 406.99
|area_land_km2 = 406.99
|area_water_km2 = 17.30
|area_water_km2 = 17.30
|area_water_percent = 4.1
|area_water_percent = 4.1
|population_as_of = 2023
|population_as_of = 2024
|population_rank = 99
|population_rank = 99
|population_total = 11551
|population_total = 11619
|population_density_km2 = 28.4
|population_density_km2 = 27.4
|population_increase = 6.3
|population_increase = 5.7
|coordinates = {{coord|68|13|17|N|13|47|04|E|region:NO|display=inline,title}}
|coordinates = {{coord|68|13|17|N|13|47|04|E|region:NO|display=inline,title}}
|utm_zone = 33W |utm_northing = 7568044 |utm_easting = 0449676 | geo_cat = adm2nd
}}
}}


'''Vestvågøy''' is a [[List of municipalities of Norway|municipality]] in [[Nordland]] [[Counties of Norway|county]], [[Norway]]. It is part of the [[Districts of Norway|traditional district]] of [[Lofoten]]. The [[administrative centre]] of the municipality is the [[List of towns and cities in Norway|town]] of [[Leknes]]. Some of the villages in the municipality include [[Ballstad]], [[Borg, Vestvågøy|Borg]], [[Bøstad]], [[Gravdal, Nordland|Gravdal]], [[Knutstad]], [[Stamsund]], and [[Tangstad]]. With over 11,300 inhabitants, Vestvågøy is the most populous municipality in all of the [[Lofoten]] and [[Vesterålen]] regions in Nordland county.
'''Vestvågøy''' is a [[List of municipalities of Norway|municipality]] in [[Nordland]] [[Counties of Norway|county]], [[Norway]]. It is part of the [[Districts of Norway|traditional district]] of [[Lofoten]]. The [[administrative centre]] of the municipality is the [[List of towns and cities in Norway|town]] of [[Leknes]]. Some of the villages in the municipality include [[Ballstad]], [[Borg, Vestvågøy|Borg]], [[Bøstad]], [[Gravdal, Nordland|Gravdal]], [[Knutstad]], [[Stamsund]], [[Tangstad]], and [[Valberg, Nordland|Valberg]]. With over 11,600 inhabitants, Vestvågøy is the most populous municipality in all of the [[Lofoten]] and [[Vesterålen]] regions in Nordland county.


The [[Lofotr]] museum in [[Borg, Vestvågøy|Borg]] shows a reconstructed [[Iron Age]] [[Viking]] chieftain's residence, with a house measuring {{convert|80|m|ft|0}}, built of [[Rock (geology)|stone]] and turf.
The [[Lofotr]] museum in [[Borg, Vestvågøy|Borg]] shows a reconstructed [[Iron Age]] [[Viking]] chieftain's residence, with a house measuring {{convert|80|m|ft|0}}, built of [[Rock (geology)|stone]] and turf.


The {{convert|424|km2|adj=on}} municipality is the 232nd largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Vestvågøy is the 99th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 11,551. The municipality's [[population density]] is {{convert|28.4|PD/km2}} and its population has increased by 6.3% over the previous 10-year period.<ref name="ssb pop">{{Cite web |last=Statistisk sentralbyrå |author-link=Statistics Norway |title=Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M) |url=https://www.ssb.no/en/statbank/table/06913/ |language=Norwegian}}</ref><ref name="ssb area">{{Cite web |last=Statistisk sentralbyrå |author-link=Statistics Norway |title=09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M) |url=https://www.ssb.no/en/statbank/table/09280/ |language=Norwegian}}</ref>
The {{convert|424|km2|adj=on}} municipality is the 231st largest by area out of the 357 municipalities in Norway. Vestvågøy is the 99th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 11,619. The municipality's [[population density]] is {{convert|27.4|PD/km2}} and its population has increased by 5.7% over the previous 10-year period.<ref name="ssb pop">{{Cite web |last=Statistisk sentralbyrå |author-link=Statistics Norway |title=Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M) |url=https://www.ssb.no/en/statbank/table/06913/ |language=Norwegian}}</ref><ref name="ssb area">{{Cite web |last=Statistisk sentralbyrå |author-link=Statistics Norway |title=09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M) |url=https://www.ssb.no/en/statbank/table/09280/ |language=Norwegian}}</ref>


==General information==
==General information==
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===Name===
===Name===
The municipality is named after the island of [[Vestvågøya]]. The [[Old Norse]] name of the island was {{lang|non|Lófót}} (see [[Lofoten]]), but when ''Lofoten'' became the name of the whole [[archipelago]], the island became known as ''Vestvågøy''. The first element of the name is the prefix {{wikt-lang|no|vest}} which means "west". The middle element derives from the word {{wikt-lang|non|vágr}} which means "[[bay]]" or "[[inlet]]". The last element is the definite form of the word {{wikt-lang|no|øy}} which means "the [[island]]". Thus it means "the west bay island".<ref name="snl">{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Vestvågøy |encyclopedia=[[Store norske leksikon]] |publisher=[[Kunnskapsforlaget]] |url=https://snl.no/Vestv%C3%A5g%C3%B8y#-Navn_og_kommunev%C3%A5pen |date=2023-06-01 |editor-last=Thorsnæs |editor-first=Geir |language=no |accessdate=2023-11-19}}</ref> {{See also|Austvågøy}}
The municipality is named after the island of [[Vestvågøya]]. The [[Old Norse]] name of the island was {{lang|non|Lófót}} (see [[Lofoten]]), but when ''Lofoten'' became the name of the whole [[archipelago]], the island became known as ''Vestvågøy''. The first element of the name is the prefix {{wikt-lang|no|vest}} which means "west". The middle element derives from the word {{wikt-lang|non|vágr}} which means "[[bay]]" or "[[inlet]]". The last element is the definite form of the word {{wikt-lang|no|øy}} which means "the [[island]]". Thus it means "the west bay island".<ref name="snl">{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Vestvågøy |encyclopedia=[[Store norske leksikon]] |publisher=[[Kunnskapsforlaget]] |url=https://snl.no/Vestv%C3%A5g%C3%B8y#-Navn_og_kommunev%C3%A5pen |date=2023-06-01 |editor-last=Thorsnæs |editor-first=Geir |language=no |accessdate=2023-11-19}}</ref> {{See also|Austvågøya}}


===Coat of arms===
===Coat of arms===
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==Geography==
==Geography==
[[File:Utakleiv beach.jpg|thumb|left|Uttakleiv beach.]]
[[File:Utakleiv beach.jpg|thumb|left|Uttakleiv beach.]]
Vestvågøy municipality is among the most scenic in Norway. It encompassed the whole island of Vestvågøya with the [[Norwegian Sea]] to the north and the [[Vestfjorden]] to the south. The island has rugged [[cliff]]s and peaks facing the southeastern coast. Towards the northwest, however, the land is flat, with extensive farmlands. Most people are found in the town of Leknes and in its "twin town" Gravdal, where [[Nordland Hospital]] is located. Along the southeastern coast, one finds picturesque fishing villages like Ballstad and Stamsund, where the [[Hurtigruten]] (coastal ferry) stops.
Vestvågøy Municipality is among the most scenic in Norway. It encompassed the whole island of Vestvågøya with the [[Norwegian Sea]] to the north and the [[Vestfjorden]] to the south. The island has rugged [[cliff]]s and peaks facing the southeastern coast. Towards the northwest, however, the land is flat, with extensive farmlands. Most people are found in the town of Leknes and its suburb Gravdal, where [[Nordland Hospital Lofoten]] is located. Along the southeastern coast, one finds picturesque fishing villages like Ballstad and Stamsund, where the [[Hurtigruten]] (coastal ferry) stops.


The coastline is dominated by high mountains, such as the {{convert|671|m|adj=on}} tall [[Skottinden]], and on the west coast also sandy white [[beach]]es. Uttakleiv the most romantic beach in [[Europe]], according to the British newspaper [[The Times]], and the neighbouring Hauklandsstranden is ranked by the Norwegian newspaper [[Dagbladet]] as the best beach in Norway.
The coastline is dominated by high mountains, such as the {{convert|671|m|adj=on}} tall [[Skottinden]], and on the west coast also sandy white [[beach]]es. Uttakleiv the most romantic beach in [[Europe]], according to the British newspaper [[The Times]], and the neighbouring Hauklandsstranden is ranked by the Norwegian newspaper [[Dagbladet]] as the best beach in Norway. The highest point in the municipality is the {{convert|955.91|m|adj=on}} tall mountain Himmeltindan.<ref name="elev" />


In [[Leknes]], the sun ([[midnight sun]]) is above the horizon from May 26 until July 17, and in winter the sun does not rise from December 9 until January 4. The midnight sun is best viewed from the western beaches, such as [[Uttakleiv]] and [[Eggum]].
In [[Leknes]], the sun ([[midnight sun]]) is above the horizon from May 26 until July 17, and in winter the sun does not rise from December 9 until January 4. The midnight sun is best viewed from the western beaches, such as [[Uttakleiv]] and [[Eggum]].
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There is an official weather station at Leknes Airport. Vestvågøy has the rare [[cold-summer mediterranean climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Csc''). Autumn and winter is much wetter than spring and summer. The driest month (July) get less than one fifth of the precipitation in the wettest month (December), fitting the mediterranean category with only 38 mm of rain, under the 40 mm required for such a classification.
There is an official weather station at Leknes Airport. Vestvågøy has the rare [[cold-summer mediterranean climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Csc''). Autumn and winter is much wetter than spring and summer. The driest month (July) get less than one fifth of the precipitation in the wettest month (December), fitting the mediterranean category with only 38 mm of rain, under the 40 mm required for such a classification.
{{Weather box
{{Weather box
|metric first= yes
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|single line = yes
|location = Leknes Airport 1991–2020
|location = Leknes Airport 1991–2020
|Jan high C = 1
|Jan high C = 1
|Feb high C = 1
|Feb high C = 1
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{{Weather box|collapsed=yes
{{Weather box|collapsed=yes
|metric first= yes
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|single line = yes
|location = Kvalnes, on northern Vestvågøya 1961-90
|location = Kvalnes, on northern Vestvågøya 1961-90
<!-- Average high temperatures -->
<!-- Average high temperatures -->
|Jan high C=1.8
|Jan high C=1.8
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==Government==
==Government==
All municipalities in Norway are responsible for [[primary education]] (through 10th grade), outpatient [[Health care|health services]], [[old age|senior citizen]] services, [[welfare]] and other [[Social work|social services]], [[zoning]], [[economic development]], and municipal [[road]]s and utilities. The municipality is governed by a [[Municipal council (Norway)|municipal council]] of [[Direct election|directly elected]] representatives. The [[mayor]] is [[Indirect election|indirectly elected]] by a vote of the municipal council.<ref name="ks">{{Cite encyclopedia |title=kommunestyre |encyclopedia=[[Store norske leksikon]] |publisher=[[Kunnskapsforlaget]] |url=https://snl.no/kommunestyre |date=2022-09-20 |editor1-last=Hansen |editor1-first=Tore |editor2-last=Vabo |editor2-first=Signy Irene |language=Norwegian |accessdate=2022-10-14}}</ref> The municipality is under the jurisdiction of the [[Salten og Lofoten District Court]] and the [[Hålogaland Court of Appeal]].
Vestvågøy Municipality is responsible for [[primary education]] (through 10th grade), outpatient [[Health care|health services]], [[old age|senior citizen]] services, [[welfare]] and other [[Social work|social services]], [[zoning]], [[economic development]], and municipal [[road]]s and utilities. The municipality is governed by a [[Municipal council (Norway)|municipal council]] of [[Direct election|directly elected]] representatives. The [[mayor]] is [[Indirect election|indirectly elected]] by a vote of the municipal council.<ref name="ks">{{Cite encyclopedia |title=kommunestyre |encyclopedia=[[Store norske leksikon]] |publisher=[[Kunnskapsforlaget]] |url=https://snl.no/kommunestyre |date=2022-09-20 |editor-last=Hansen |editor-first=Tore |language=Norwegian |editor2-last=Vabo |editor2-first=Signy Irene |accessdate=2022-10-14}}</ref> The municipality is under the jurisdiction of the [[Salten og Lofoten District Court]] and the [[Hålogaland Court of Appeal]].


===Municipal council===
===Municipal council===
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|Venstre = 3
|Venstre = 3
|Local_Lists = 2
|Local_Lists = 2
|note = Vestvågøy Municipality was established on 1 January 1963 when [[Borge Municipality (Nordland)|Borge Municipality]], [[Buksnes Municipality]], [[Hol Municipality (Nordland)|Hol Municipality]], and [[Valberg Municipality]] were merged.
|}}
|}}
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}


===Mayors===
===Mayors===
The [[Mayor#Scandinavia|mayors]] of Vestvågøy:<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://urn.nb.no/URN:NBN:no-nb_digibok_2013121708098 |title=Vestvågøy kommune... - gjennom 30 år. |publisher=Vestvågøy Kommune |year=1993 |editor-last=Hope |editor-first=Johannes |pages=30 & 48 |language=no}}</ref>
The [[Mayor#Scandinavia|mayor]] ({{lang-no|ordfører}}) of Vestvågøy 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:<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://urn.nb.no/URN:NBN:no-nb_digibok_2013121708098 |title=Vestvågøy kommune... - gjennom 30 år. |publisher=Vestvågøy Kommune |year=1993 |editor-last=Hope |editor-first=Johannes |pages=30 & 48 |language=no}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* 1963-1963: Alsing Wik ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
* 1963-1963: Alsing Wik ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
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==Transportation==
==Transportation==
[[File:Leknes, main street (Storgata), Vestvågøy municipality, Lofoten, Nordland, Norway.JPG|thumb|right|Main street of Leknes by night]]
[[File:Leknes, main street (Storgata), Vestvågøy municipality, Lofoten, Nordland, Norway.JPG|thumb|right|Main street of Leknes by night]]
Leknes is the municipal and [[administrative centre]] and is situated in the geographical middle of Lofoten, approximately {{convert|68|km|mi|0}} west of [[Svolvær]] and {{convert|65|km|mi|0}} east of [[Å, Moskenes|Å]]. Leknes is the trading and shopping centre of Lofoten, only rivaled by Svolvær. [[Leknes Airport]] is for smaller aircraft, with 7 daily scheduled flights to [[Bodø Airport]] and some daily flights to Svolvær and [[Røst Airport]] with [[Widerøe]] airlines. There is a small [[bus]] [[Bus terminus|terminal]] which serves as a hub with bus links to the rest of Lofoten. The ''Leknes Havn'' ([[harbor]]) is one of Norway's most important and visited harbors for [[cruise ship]]s.
Leknes is the municipal and [[administrative centre]] and is situated in the geographical middle of Lofoten, approximately {{convert|68|km|mi|0}} west of the town of [[Svolvær]] and {{convert|65|km|mi|0}} east of the village of [[Å, Moskenes|Å]]. Leknes is the trading and shopping centre of Lofoten, only rivaled by Svolvær. [[Leknes Airport]] is for smaller aircraft, with 7 daily scheduled flights to [[Bodø Airport]] and some daily flights to Svolvær and [[Røst Airport]] with [[Widerøe]] airlines. There is a small [[bus]] [[Bus terminus|terminal]] which serves as a hub with bus links to the rest of Lofoten. The ''Leknes Havn'' ([[harbor]]) is one of Norway's most important and visited harbors for [[cruise ship]]s. The [[Hurtigruten]] boats have been an important means of communication and transportation for a century. It docks in [[Stamsund]] twice every night, one heading south towards [[Bodø (town)|Bodø]] the other heading north towards [[Svolvær]].
[[Hurtigruten]] has been an important means of communication for a century. It docks in [[Stamsund]] twice every night, one heading south towards [[Bodø (town)|Bodø]] the other heading north towards [[Svolvær]].


The [[European route E10]] highway crosses the municipality (and island) with the [[Sundklakkstraumen Bridge]] connecting to [[Vågan Municipality]] in the north and the [[Nappstraumen Tunnel]] connecting to [[Flakstad Municipality]] in the south.
The [[European route E10]] highway crosses the municipality (and island) with the [[Sundklakkstraumen Bridge]] connecting to [[Vågan Municipality]] in the north and the [[Nappstraumen Tunnel]] connecting to [[Flakstad Municipality]] in the south.
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===Twin towns – Sister cities===
===Twin towns – Sister cities===
Vestvågøy is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:
Vestvågøy has [[Twin towns and sister cities|sister city]] agreements with the following places:


*{{flagicon|ISL}} [[Skeiða- og Gnúpverjahreppur]], [[Iceland]]<ref name="Iceland">{{Cite web |title=Twin municipalities Norway-Iceland |url=http://www.noregur.is/Norsk/friendship/twincities/ |access-date=24 April 2012 |publisher=Norwegian government |language=no}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|ISL}} [[Skeiða- og Gnúpverjahreppur]], [[Iceland]]<ref name="Iceland">{{Cite web |title=Twin municipalities Norway-Iceland |url=http://www.noregur.is/Norsk/friendship/twincities/ |access-date=24 April 2012 |publisher=Norwegian government |language=no}}</ref>
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==Notable people==
==Notable people==
[[File:Edvarda Lie.jpg|140px|thumb|Edvarda Lie, 1935]]
[[File:Edvarda Lie.jpg|140px|thumb|Edvarda Lie, 1935]]
* [[Hartvig Jentoft]] (1693 in Borge – 1739), a Norwegian tradesman and sailor
* [[Hartvig Jentoft]] (1693 in Borge – 1739), a tradesman and sailor
* [[Karl Uchermann]] (1855 in Borge – 1940), a Norwegian painter of dogs and altarpieces
* [[Karl Uchermann]] (1855 in Borge – 1940), a painter of dogs and altarpieces
* [[Mikael Heggelund Foslie]] (1855 in Borge – 1909), a botanist and [[algae]]ologist
* [[Mikael Heggelund Foslie]] (1855 in Borge – 1909), a botanist and [[algae]]ologist
* [[Jens R. Nilssen]] (1880 in Valberg – 1964), a Norwegian illustrator, comics creator, and cartoonist
* [[Jens R. Nilssen]] (1880 in Valberg – 1964), an illustrator, comics creator, and cartoonist
* [[Edvarda Lie]] (1910–1963), a painter, drawer, and illustrator who was brought up in Vestvågøy
* [[Edvarda Lie]] (1910–1963), a painter, drawer, and illustrator who was brought up in Vestvågøy
* [[Boy Rist]] (1912 in Gravdal – 1972), a naval officer and member of the [[Norwegian resistance movement|Norwegian resistance]] in WWII
* [[Boy Rist]] (1912 in Gravdal – 1972), a naval officer and member of the [[Norwegian resistance movement|Norwegian resistance]] in WWII
* [[Harald Sverdrup (writer)|Harald Sverdrup]] (1923 in Gravdal – 1992), a Norwegian poet and children's writer
* [[Harald Sverdrup (writer)|Harald Sverdrup]] (1923 in Gravdal – 1992), a poet and children's writer
* [[Kari Wærness]] (born 1939 in Leknes), a Norwegian sociologist
* [[Kari Wærness]] (born 1939 in Leknes), a sociologist
* [[Søren Fredrik Voie]] (born 1949 in Vestvågøy), a politician who was Mayor of Vestvågøy from 1983-1987
* [[Søren Fredrik Voie]] (born 1949 in Vestvågøy), a politician who was Mayor of Vestvågøy from 1983-1987
* [[Guri Ingebrigtsen]] (1952–2020), a Norwegian [[politician]] who was Mayor of Vestvågøy from 1999 to 2007
* [[Guri Ingebrigtsen]] (1952–2020), a [[politician]] who was Mayor of Vestvågøy from 1999 to 2007
* [[Rahim Aga Khan]] (born 1971), son of [[Prince Karim Aga Khan]] who bought a house in Unstad in 2019
* [[Rahim Aga Khan]] (born 1971), the son of [[Prince Karim Aga Khan]] who bought a house in Unstad in 2019


==Media gallery==
==Media gallery==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category|Vestvågøy}}
*{{Wikivoyage inline|Nordland}}
*[http://ssb.no/kommunefakta/vestvagoy Municipal fact sheet] from [[Statistics Norway]] {{in lang|no}}
*[http://ssb.no/kommunefakta/vestvagoy Municipal fact sheet] from [[Statistics Norway]] {{in lang|no}}


⚫
{{use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{sister bar|auto=y|d=y|commonscat=y|voy=Nordland|wikt=Vestvågøy}}
{{Nordland}}
{{Nordland}}
{{authority control}}
{{authority control}}
⚫
{{use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Vestvaagoy}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vestvaagoy}}
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[[Category:Populated places of Arctic Norway]]
[[Category:Populated places of Arctic Norway]]
[[Category:1963 establishments in Norway]]
[[Category:1963 establishments in Norway]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1963]]

Revision as of 18:42, 11 August 2024

Vestvågøy Municipality
Vestvågøy kommune
Municipality
View of Ballstad in Vestvågøy
View of Ballstad in Vestvågøy
Flag of Vestvågøy Municipality
Flag
Coat of arms of Vestvågøy Municipality
Coat of arms
Nordland within Norway
Nordland within Norway
Vestvågøy within Nordland
Vestvågøy within Nordland
Coordinates: 68°13′17″N 13°47′04″E / 68.22139°N 13.78444°E / 68.22139; 13.78444
CountryNorway
CountyNordland
DistrictLofoten
Established1 Jan 1963
 • Preceded byBorge, Buksnes, Hol, and Valberg
Administrative centreLeknes
Government
 • Mayor (2023)Jonny Finstad (H)
Area
 • Total
424.29 km2 (163.82 sq mi)
 • Land406.99 km2 (157.14 sq mi)
 • Water17.30 km2 (6.68 sq mi)  4.1%
 • Rank#231 in Norway
Highest elevation
[1]
955.91 m (3,136.19 ft)
Population
 (2024)
 • Total
11,619
 • Rank#99 in Norway
 • Density27.4/km2 (71/sq mi)
 • Change (10 years)
Increase +5.7%
DemonymVestvågøyværing[2]
Official language
[3]
 • Norwegian formNeutral
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-1860[4]
WebsiteOfficial website
Data from Statistics Norway

Vestvågøy is a municipality in Nordland county, Norway. It is part of the traditional district of Lofoten. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Leknes. Some of the villages in the municipality include Ballstad, Borg, Bøstad, Gravdal, Knutstad, Stamsund, Tangstad, and Valberg. With over 11,600 inhabitants, Vestvågøy is the most populous municipality in all of the Lofoten and Vesterålen regions in Nordland county.

The Lofotr museum in Borg shows a reconstructed Iron Age Viking chieftain's residence, with a house measuring 80 metres (262 ft), built of stone and turf.

The 424-square-kilometre (164 sq mi) municipality is the 231st largest by area out of the 357 municipalities in Norway. Vestvågøy is the 99th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 11,619. The municipality's population density is 27.4 inhabitants per square kilometre (71/sq mi) and its population has increased by 5.7% over the previous 10-year period.[5][6]

General information

The municipality of Vestvågøy was created on 1 January 1963 when the four municipalities on the island of Vestvågøya were merged into one municipality for the whole island. The old municipalities on the island were Borge Municipality (population: 4,056), Buksnes Municipality (population: 4,416), Hol Municipality (population: 3,154), and Valberg Municipality (population: 662). Initially, Vestvågøy had 12,288 residents. The borders have not changed since.[7]

Name

The municipality is named after the island of Vestvågøya. The Old Norse name of the island was Lófót (see Lofoten), but when Lofoten became the name of the whole archipelago, the island became known as Vestvågøy. The first element of the name is the prefix vest which means "west". The middle element derives from the word vágr which means "bay" or "inlet". The last element is the definite form of the word øy which means "the island". Thus it means "the west bay island".[8]

See also: Austvågøya

Coat of arms

The coat of arms was granted on 7 September 1984. The official blazon is "Azure, two stockfish addorsed" (Template:Lang-no). This means the arms have a blue field (background) and the charge is two dried codfish (also known as stockfish. The fish have a tincture of argent which means they are commonly colored white, but if it is made out of metal, then silver is used. This was chosen since the municipality is one of the main Norwegian exporters of (dried) cod or stockfish and has been since the Middle Ages. The arms were designed by Kjell Kvivesen.[9][10][11]

Churches

The Church of Norway has five parishes (sokn) within Vestvågøy Municipality. It is part of the Lofoten prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Sør-Hålogaland.

Churches in Vestvågøy
Parish (sokn) Church name Location of the church Year built
Borge Borge Church Bøstad 1986
Knutstad Chapel Knutstad 1915
Buksnes Buksnes Church Gravdal 1905
Hol Hol Church Leknes 1806
Stamsund Stamsund Church Stamsund 1937
Valberg Valberg Church Valberg 1889

Geography

Uttakleiv beach.

Vestvågøy Municipality is among the most scenic in Norway. It encompassed the whole island of Vestvågøya with the Norwegian Sea to the north and the Vestfjorden to the south. The island has rugged cliffs and peaks facing the southeastern coast. Towards the northwest, however, the land is flat, with extensive farmlands. Most people are found in the town of Leknes and its suburb Gravdal, where Nordland Hospital Lofoten is located. Along the southeastern coast, one finds picturesque fishing villages like Ballstad and Stamsund, where the Hurtigruten (coastal ferry) stops.

The coastline is dominated by high mountains, such as the 671-metre (2,201 ft) tall Skottinden, and on the west coast also sandy white beaches. Uttakleiv the most romantic beach in Europe, according to the British newspaper The Times, and the neighbouring Hauklandsstranden is ranked by the Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet as the best beach in Norway. The highest point in the municipality is the 955.91-metre (3,136.2 ft) tall mountain Himmeltindan.[1]

In Leknes, the sun (midnight sun) is above the horizon from May 26 until July 17, and in winter the sun does not rise from December 9 until January 4. The midnight sun is best viewed from the western beaches, such as Uttakleiv and Eggum.

Climate

There is an official weather station at Leknes Airport. Vestvågøy has the rare cold-summer mediterranean climate (Köppen Csc). Autumn and winter is much wetter than spring and summer. The driest month (July) get less than one fifth of the precipitation in the wettest month (December), fitting the mediterranean category with only 38 mm of rain, under the 40 mm required for such a classification.

Climate data for Leknes Airport 1991–2020
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 1
(34) 		1
(34) 		2
(36) 		6
(43) 		10
(50) 		12
(54) 		16
(61) 		15
(59) 		12
(54) 		8
(46) 		4
(39) 		3
(37) 		8
(46)
Daily mean °C (°F) 0
(32) 		−0.6
(30.9) 		0
(32) 		2.8
(37.0) 		6.5
(43.7) 		9.9
(49.8) 		12.8
(55.0) 		12.2
(54.0) 		9.4
(48.9) 		5.2
(41.4) 		2.6
(36.7) 		1
(34) 		5.2
(41.3)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −2
(28) 		−2
(28) 		−2
(28) 		1
(34) 		4
(39) 		8
(46) 		11
(52) 		10
(50) 		7
(45) 		4
(39) 		2
(36) 		0
(32) 		3
(38)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 203
(8.0) 		174
(6.9) 		161
(6.3) 		93
(3.7) 		74
(2.9) 		45
(1.8) 		38
(1.5) 		78
(3.1) 		123
(4.8) 		161
(6.3) 		173
(6.8) 		223
(8.8) 		1,546
(60.9)
Source: Weatheronline climate robot (avg highs/lows) [12]
Climate data for Kvalnes, on northern Vestvågøya 1961-90
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 1.8
(35.2) 		1.4
(34.5) 		2.1
(35.8) 		4.4
(39.9) 		8.6
(47.5) 		12.2
(54.0) 		14.1
(57.4) 		14.0
(57.2) 		10.8
(51.4) 		7.3
(45.1) 		4.2
(39.6) 		2.5
(36.5) 		7.0
(44.6)
Daily mean °C (°F) −0.2
(31.6) 		−0.3
(31.5) 		0.4
(32.7) 		2.6
(36.7) 		6.5
(43.7) 		9.5
(49.1) 		11.5
(52.7) 		11.9
(53.4) 		8.9
(48.0) 		5.7
(42.3) 		2.5
(36.5) 		0.5
(32.9) 		5.0
(41.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −2.5
(27.5) 		−2.8
(27.0) 		−2.0
(28.4) 		0.2
(32.4) 		3.8
(38.8) 		7.2
(45.0) 		9.5
(49.1) 		9.7
(49.5) 		6.9
(44.4) 		3.5
(38.3) 		0.3
(32.5) 		−1.8
(28.8) 		2.7
(36.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 117
(4.6) 		93
(3.7) 		89
(3.5) 		70
(2.8) 		48
(1.9) 		50
(2.0) 		71
(2.8) 		68
(2.7) 		111
(4.4) 		153
(6.0) 		126
(5.0) 		139
(5.5) 		1,135
(44.7)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 16.2 14.2 15.1 11.7 8.9 9.9 11.5 11.0 15.8 18.0 18.2 17.7 168.2
Source: Norwegian Meteorological Institute[13]
Borg in Vestvågøy

Government

Vestvågøy Municipality is responsible for primary education (through 10th grade), outpatient health services, senior citizen services, welfare and other social services, zoning, economic development, and municipal roads and utilities. The municipality is governed by a municipal council of directly elected representatives. The mayor is indirectly elected by a vote of the municipal council.[14] The municipality is under the jurisdiction of the Salten og Lofoten District Court and the Hålogaland Court of Appeal.

Municipal council

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Vestvågøy is made up of 33 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political party.

Vestvågøy kommunestyre 2023–2027 [15]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 8
  Green Party (Miljøpartiet De Grønne) 1
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 7
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Norway Democrats (Norgesdemokratene) 1
  Red Party (Rødt) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:33
Vestvågøy kommunestyre 2019–2023 [16]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 8
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 5
  Green Party (Miljøpartiet De Grønne) 1
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Red Party (Rødt) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 10
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
Total number of members:33
Vestvågøy kommunestyre 2015–2019 [17]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 11
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 3
  Green Party (Miljøpartiet De Grønne) 1
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 8
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:33
Vestvågøy kommunestyre 2011–2015 [18]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 4
  Green Party (Miljøpartiet De Grønne) 1
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 10
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:35
Vestvågøy kommunestyre 2007–2011 [17]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 8
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 5
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 8
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
  Coastal Party (Kystpartiet) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
 Vestvågøy list (Vestvågøylista)1
Total number of members:35
Vestvågøy kommunestyre 2003–2007 [17]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 6
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
  Coastal Party (Kystpartiet) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 4
  Joint list of the Red Electoral Alliance (Rød Valgallianse) and the Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 1
 Vestvågøy list (Vestvågøylista)3
Total number of members:35
Vestvågøy kommunestyre 1999–2003 [17]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 6
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 6
  Coastal Party (Kystpartiet) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Joint list of the Red Electoral Alliance (Rød Valgallianse) and the Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 1
 Vestvågøy list (Vestvågøylista)3
Total number of members:35
Vestvågøy kommunestyre 1995–1999 [19]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 5
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 5
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 6
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 11
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
 Vestvågøy list (Vestvågoylista)4
Total number of members:35
Vestvågøy kommunestyre 1991–1995 [20]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 2
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 7
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 5
  Pensioners' Party (Pensjonistpartiet) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 12
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 4
 Hol and Valberg district list (Hol og Valberg Distriktliste)3
Total number of members:43
Vestvågøy kommunestyre 1987–1991 [21]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 13
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 2
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 9
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 6
  Pensioners' Party (Pensjonistpartiet) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
 Hol and Valberg district list (Hol og Valberg distriktsliste)5
Total number of members:43
Vestvågøy kommunestyre 1983–1987 [22]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 15
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 1
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 8
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 7
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
 For the referendum (For Folkeavstemning)1
 Hol and Valberg district list (Hol og Valberg distriktslista)4
Total number of members:43
Vestvågøy kommunestyre 1979–1983 [23]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 15
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 2
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 8
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 7
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
 Hol and Valberg district list (Hol og Valberg distriktsliste)3
Total number of members:43
Vestvågøy kommunestyre 1975–1979 [24]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 16
  Anders Lange's Party (Anders Langes parti) 3
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 5
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 8
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 9
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:43
Vestvågøy kommunestyre 1971–1975 [25]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 18
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 5
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 8
  Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 6
Total number of members:43
Vestvågøy kommunestyre 1967–1971 [26]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 17
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 7
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 7
  Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 5
Total number of members:43
Vestvågøy kommunestyre 1963–1967 [27]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 24
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 10
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 9
  Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 2
Total number of members:53
Note: Vestvågøy Municipality was established on 1 January 1963 when Borge Municipality, Buksnes Municipality, Hol Municipality, and Valberg Municipality were merged.

Mayors

The mayor (Template:Lang-no) of Vestvågøy 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:[28]

Transportation

Main street of Leknes by night

Leknes is the municipal and administrative centre and is situated in the geographical middle of Lofoten, approximately 68 kilometres (42 mi) west of the town of Svolvær and 65 kilometres (40 mi) east of the village of Å. Leknes is the trading and shopping centre of Lofoten, only rivaled by Svolvær. Leknes Airport is for smaller aircraft, with 7 daily scheduled flights to Bodø Airport and some daily flights to Svolvær and Røst Airport with Widerøe airlines. There is a small bus terminal which serves as a hub with bus links to the rest of Lofoten. The Leknes Havn (harbor) is one of Norway's most important and visited harbors for cruise ships. The Hurtigruten boats have been an important means of communication and transportation for a century. It docks in Stamsund twice every night, one heading south towards Bodø the other heading north towards Svolvær.

The European route E10 highway crosses the municipality (and island) with the Sundklakkstraumen Bridge connecting to Vågan Municipality in the north and the Nappstraumen Tunnel connecting to Flakstad Municipality in the south.

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Norway

Twin towns – Sister cities

Vestvågøy has sister city agreements with the following places:

Notable people

Edvarda Lie, 1935
  • Unstad; Vestvågøy has the largest areas of lowland in Lofoten
    Unstad; Vestvågøy has the largest areas of lowland in Lofoten
  • View south-west from the summit of Bulitinden
    View south-west from the summit of Bulitinden
  • Sundklakkstraumen Bridge
    Sundklakkstraumen Bridge
  • Near Borg in Vestvågøy
    Near Borg in Vestvågøy
  • The mountain Skottinden in winter sunshine
    The mountain Skottinden in winter sunshine

References

  1. ^ a b "Høgaste fjelltopp i kvar kommune" (in Norwegian). Kartverket. 16 January 2024.
  2. ^ "Navn på steder og personer: Innbyggjarnamn" (in Norwegian). Språkrådet.
  3. ^ "Forskrift om målvedtak i kommunar og fylkeskommunar" (in Norwegian). Lovdata.no.
  4. ^ Bolstad, Erik; Thorsnæs, Geir, eds. (26 January 2023). "Kommunenummer". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget.
  5. ^ Statistisk sentralbyrå. "Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)" (in Norwegian).
  6. ^ Statistisk sentralbyrå. "09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M)" (in Norwegian).
  7. ^ Jukvam, Dag (1999). "Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Statistisk sentralbyrå.
  8. ^ Thorsnæs, Geir, ed. (1 June 2023). "Vestvågøy". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  9. ^ "Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  10. ^ "Vestvågøy, Nordland (Norway)". Flags of the World. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  11. ^ "Godkjenning av våpen og flagg". Lovdata.no (in Norwegian). Norges kommunal- og arbeidsdepartementet. 23 November 1984. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  12. ^ "Weatheronline climate robot Leknes Airport". Weather online. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  13. ^ "eKlima Web Portal". Norwegian Meteorological Institute. Archived from the original on 14 June 2004.
  14. ^ Hansen, Tore; Vabo, Signy Irene, eds. (20 September 2022). "kommunestyre". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  15. ^ "Kommunestyrevalg 2023 - Nordland". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  16. ^ "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2019 - Nordland". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Nordland". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  19. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1995" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  20. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1991" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  21. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1987" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  22. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1983" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  23. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1979" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  24. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1975" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1977. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  25. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1972" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1973. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  26. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1967" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1967. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  27. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1963" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1964. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  28. ^ Hope, Johannes, ed. (1993). Vestvågøy kommune... - gjennom 30 år (in Norwegian). Vestvågøy Kommune. pp. 30 & 48.
  29. ^ "Twin municipalities Norway-Iceland" (in Norwegian). Norwegian government. Retrieved 24 April 2012.

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