Båtsfjord

Båtsfjord (Northern Sami: Báhcavuotna) is a municipality in Troms og Finnmark county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Båtsfjord (which is the only settlement remaining in the municipality). Båtsfjord Airport is a new, modern airport, located just outside Båtsfjord village. The Hurtigruten coastal express ferry also has regularly-scheduled stops in Båtsfjord village.

This article is about the municipality in Finnmark, Norway. For other uses, see Båtsfjord (disambiguation).
Båtsfjord kommune
Báhcavuona gielda
Municipality
View of Båtsfjord village
View of Båtsfjord village
Flag of Båtsfjord kommune
Flag
Coat of arms of Båtsfjord kommune
Coat of arms
Official logo of Båtsfjord kommune
Troms og Finnmark within
Norway
Båtsfjord within Troms og Finnmark
Båtsfjord within Troms og Finnmark
Coordinates: 70°38′07″N 29°43′15″E
CountryNorway
CountyTroms og Finnmark
DistrictØst-Finnmark
Established1839
 • Preceded byVardø Municipality
Administrative centreBåtsfjord
Government
 • Mayor (2019)Ronald Wærnes (Sp)
Area
 • Total1,434.78 km2 (553.97 sq mi)
 • Land1,416.05 km2 (546.74 sq mi)
 • Water18.73 km2 (7.23 sq mi)  1.3%
 • Rank#63 in Norway
Population
 (2022)
 • Total2,165
 • Rank#269 in Norway
 • Density1.5/km2 (4/sq mi)
 • Change (10 years)
Increase +3.6%
DemonymBåtsfjording[1]
Official language
[2]
 • Norwegian formNeutral
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-5443
WebsiteOfficial website
Data from Statistics Norway

The 1,435-square-kilometre (554 sq mi) municipality is the 60th largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Båtsfjord is the 269th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 2,165. The municipality's population density is 1.5 inhabitants per square kilometre (3.9/sq mi) and its population has increased by 3.6% over the previous 10-year period.[3][4]

Historically, there were many other villages in the municipality, but they have been abandoned over the years. Some of these villages include Hamningberg (abandoned in 1964), Makkaur (abandoned in the 1950s), Sandfjord/Ytre Syltefjord (abandoned in 1946), Hamna (abandoned around 1950), and Nordfjord (abandoned in 1989).

General information
Båtsfjord village
Landscape in eastern Båtsfjord
Hamningberg fishing village

Vardø Municipality was established on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt law), encompassing the northeastern part of the Varanger Peninsula. In 1839, to comply with the formannskapsdistrikt law, the rural parts of the municipality, outside of the island/town of Vardø, were separated to form the new municipality of Vardø landdistrikt. Initially, Vardø landdistrikt had a population of 245. The new municipality was too small to be an official self-governing municipality, and it was not until 22 May 1868 when a royal resolution was passed that officially declared it a self-governing municipality. On 1 January 1874, a small part of Vardø landdistrikt (population: 48) was transferred to the town of Vardø. On 1 January 1955, the name was changed to Båtsfjord. During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee. On 1 January 1964, the eastern fourth of Båtsfjord (population: 621) was transferred to the neighboring Vardø Municipality.[5][6]

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

Name

The name was originally Vardø landdistrikt (or Vardø landsogn) which both mean "the rural district of Vardø", since it surrounded the town of Vardø. On 1 January 1955, the name was changed to Båtsfjord since the village of Båtsfjord (Old Norse: Botnsfjǫrðr) is the main population centre of the municipality. The first element is the genitive case of botn which means "the innermost part of a fjord". The last element is fjord which means "fjord". The village is located at the innermost part of a fjord, so the name has a very straightforward meaning.[8]

Coat of arms

The coat of arms was granted on 19 April 1985. The official blazon is "Azure, a fish hook argent" (Norwegian: I blått en hvit fiskekrok). This means the arms have a blue field (background) and the charge is a Stone Age bone fish hook. The fishing hook has a tincture of argent which means it is commonly colored white, but if it is made out of metal, then silver is used. The blue color in the field and the fish hook was chosen for the great economic importance of fishing and fish processing in the municipality. The shape of the hook was derived from ancient Stone Age hooks found in the municipality. The arms were designed by Arvid Sveen after a proposal by Svein Harald Eliassen.[9][10][11]

See also: Coats of arms of Frøya, Øksnes, and Træna

Economy

Fishing permits (for salmon fishing) are sold for use on specific rivers, including Sandfjord-elva, Syltefjord-elva and Komag-elva.[12] A crab factory was started in 2015. About 20 to 30 million Norwegian kroner was the cost of investment. It initially employed 28 people.[13]

Government

All municipalities in Norway, including Båtsfjord, are responsible for primary education (through 10th grade), outpatient health services, senior citizen services, unemployment and other social services, zoning, economic development, and municipal roads. The municipality is governed by a municipal council of elected representatives, which in turn elect a mayor.[14] The municipality falls under the Øst-Finnmark District Court and the Hålogaland Court of Appeal.

Municipal council

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Båtsfjord is made up of 15 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The party breakdown of the council is as follows:

Båtsfjord kommunestyre 2020–2023 [15]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 5
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 7
Total number of members:15
Båtsfjord kommunestyre 2016–2019 [16]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 8
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 7
Total number of members:15
Båtsfjord kommunestyre 2012–2015 [17]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 8
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 6
 Båtsfjord List (Båtsfjordlista)1
Total number of members:15
Båtsfjord kommunestyre 2008–2011 [16]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 2
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
Total number of members:15
Båtsfjord kommunestyre 2004–2007 [16]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
 Båtsfjord Cross-Party List (Båtsfjord Tverrpolitiske Liste)3
Total number of members:15
Båtsfjord kommunestyre 2000–2003 [16]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 6
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
 Båtsfjord Cross-Party List (Båtsfjord Tverrpolitiske Liste)5
Total number of members:21
Båtsfjord kommunestyre 1996–1999 [18]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 11
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
 Båtsfjord Cross-Party List (Båtsfjord Tverrpolitiske Liste)5
Total number of members:21
Båtsfjord kommunestyre 1992–1995 [19]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 12
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:21
Båtsfjord kommunestyre 1988–1991 [20]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 14
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 5
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:21
Båtsfjord kommunestyre 1984–1987 [21]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 15
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
Total number of members:21
Båtsfjord kommunestyre 1980–1983 [22]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 13
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 6
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
Total number of members:21
Båtsfjord kommunestyre 1976–1979 [23]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 13
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 3
Total number of members:21
Båtsfjord kommunestyre 1972–1975 [24]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 16
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
 Socialist common list (Venstresosialistiske felleslister)2
Total number of members:21
Båtsfjord kommunestyre 1968–1971 [25]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 12
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti) 2
Total number of members:17
Båtsfjord kommunestyre 1964–1967 [26]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti) 3
Total number of members:17
Båtsfjord herredsstyre 1960–1963 [27]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 11
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 3
Total number of members:17
Båtsfjord herredsstyre 1956–1959 [28]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 2
Total number of members:17
Vardø landdistrikt herredsstyre 1952–1955 [29]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 2
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 7
Total number of members:16
Vardø landdistrikt herredsstyre 1948–1951 [30]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 9
Total number of members:16
Vardø landdistrikt herredsstyre 1945–1947 [31]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 8
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 4
  List of workers, fishermen, and small farmholders (Arbeidere, fiskere, småbrukere liste) 2
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 2
Total number of members:16
Vardø landdistrikt herredsstyre 1938–1941* [32]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 6
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 4
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 6
Total number of members:16
Note: Due to the German occupation of Norway during World War II, no elections were held for new municipal councils until after the war ended in 1945.

Mayors

The mayors of Båtsfjord:[33][34]

  • 1869-1869: Hans Juel Borchgrevink
  • 1869–1870: Erik Hansen Bjerke
  • 1871–1873: Oscar Lindboe
  • 1874–1878: Erik Hansen Bjerke
  • 1879–1880: Jakob Hundseth
  • 1881–1882: Martin Hundseth
  • 1883–1886: Hans Christian Enoksen
  • 1887–1896: Radmand Sundfær (H)
  • 1897–1898: Nils Hamborg (V)
  • 1899–1901: Johan Isaksen (H)
  • 1902–1904: Nils Hamborg (V)
  • 1905–1907: Albert Moe
  • 1908–1910: Mathias Fuglevik (V)
  • 1911–1913: Johannes Sundfær
  • 1914–1916: Iver Paulsen (Ap)
  • 1917–1919: Johan A. Abrahamsen
  • 1920–1925: Arne Hansen
  • 1926–1928: Johan A. Abrahamsen
  • 1929–1931: Richard Lind (Ap)
  • 1932–1934: Thorleif Schirmer (Ap)
  • 1935–1945: Alfred Halvari (NKP)
  • 1946–1947: Johan Mikalsen (Ap)
  • 1948–1963: Leif Nervik (Ap)
  • 1964–1975: Ole Martin Nakken (Ap)
  • 1975-1975: Einar Sørnes (Ap)
  • 1976–1983: Arne Gundersen (Ap)
  • 1984–1987: Peder Karlsen (Ap)
  • 1988–1991: Tore Gundersen (Ap)
  • 1991-1991: Aslaug Eriksen (Ap)
  • 1992-1999: Leif Arne Viken (Ap)
  • 1999-2003: Just Hjalmar Johansen (H)
  • 2003-2007: Geir Knutsen (Ap)
  • 2007-2009: Frank Bakke-Jensen (H)
  • 2009-2011: Gunn Marit Nilsen (H)
  • 2011-2019: Geir Knutsen (Ap)
  • 2019–2021: Ronald Wærnes (Sp)
  • 2021-present: Lone Johnsen (Sp)

Geography

The municipality covers an area of 1,433 square kilometres (553 sq mi) including Finnmark's highest mountain pass over Ordofjell at 400 metres (1,300 ft) above sea level. It is situated on the northeastern coast of the Varanger Peninsula, on the rocky coastline of the Barents Sea. There are no native trees due to the climate. The Varangerhalvøya National Park lies in the southern part of the municipality. Makkaur Lighthouse lies along the shoreline, near the mouth of the Båtsfjorden, northeast of the village of Båtsfjord.

Climate data for Båtsfjord
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Daily mean °C (°F) −6.5
(20.3)		 −6.4
(20.5)		 −4.4
(24.1)		 −1.2
(29.8)		 3.0
(37.4)		 7.5
(45.5)		 11.0
(51.8)		 10.0
(50.0)		 6.5
(43.7)		 1.5
(34.7)		 −2.2
(28.0)		 −5.0
(23.0)		 1.2
(34.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 48
(1.9)		 38
(1.5)		 35
(1.4)		 32
(1.3)		 30
(1.2)		 39
(1.5)		 49
(1.9)		 59
(2.3)		 60
(2.4)		 59
(2.3)		 48
(1.9)		 48
(1.9)		 545
(21.5)
Source: Norwegian Meteorological Institute[35]

Previously, there were several villages along this barren coast, but today everyone lives in the village of Båtsfjord, with a sheltered harbor at the end of the Båtsfjorden inlet. Among the now-abandoned fishing villages is Hamningberg on the outer coast, which has many well-preserved 19th century wooden houses. Now, it is only used for summer vacation stays. The world's northernmost gannet colony to be found on the stack at Syltefjordstauran, along the Syltefjorden, north of the now-abandoned village of Nordfjord. Two pairs were discovered in 1961, but the colony has now grown to well over 300 pairs.

Buildings and structures

Churches

The Church of Norway has one parish (sokn) within the municipality of Båtsfjord. It is part of the Varanger prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Nord-Hålogaland. The main church is Båtsfjord Church. There are two other small chapels, but they are only used for special occasions since they are located in uninhabited areas that are only used for summer cottages.

Churches in Båtsfjord
Parish (sokn)NameLocation of the churchYear built
BåtsfjordBåtsfjord ChurchBåtsfjord1971
Hamningberg ChapelHamningberg1949
Syltefjord ChapelNordfjord1934

Mast for broadcasting

Notable people

References
  1. "Navn på steder og personer: Innbyggjarnamn" (in Norwegian). Språkrådet.
  2. "Forskrift om målvedtak i kommunar og fylkeskommunar" (in Norwegian). Lovdata.no.
  3. Statistisk sentralbyrå. "Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)" (in Norwegian).
  4. Statistisk sentralbyrå. "09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M)" (in Norwegian).
  5. Jukvam, Dag (1999). "Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Statistisk sentralbyrå.
  6. Rygh, Oluf (1924). Norske gaardnavne: Finmarkens amt (in Norwegian) (18 ed.). Kristiania, Norge: W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri. p. 301.
  7. Mæhlum, Lars, ed. (24 December 2019). "Troms og Finnmark". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 26 December 2019.
  8. Rygh, Oluf (1924). Norske gaardnavne: Finmarkens amt (in Norwegian) (18 ed.). Kristiania, Norge: W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri. p. 309.
  9. "Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  10. "Båtsfjord, Finmark (Norway)". Flags of the World. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  11. "Godkjenning av våpen og flagg". Lovdata.no (in Norwegian). Norges kommunal- og arbeidsdepartementet. 19 April 1985. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  12. "Laksefiske for alle". Aftenposten. 19 July 2014. p. 11.
  13. «Fiskerihovedstaden» utvider med ny snøkrabbefabrikk
  14. Hansen, Tore, ed. (12 May 2016). "kommunestyre". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  15. "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2019 - Troms og Finnmark". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  16. "Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M)" (in Norwegian). Statistics Norway.
  17. "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Finnmark". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  18. "Kommunestyrevalget 1995" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  19. "Kommunestyrevalget 1991" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  20. "Kommunestyrevalget 1987" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  21. "Kommunestyrevalget 1983" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  22. "Kommunestyrevalget 1979" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  23. "Kommunevalgene 1975" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1977. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  24. "Kommunevalgene 1972" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1973. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  25. "Kommunevalgene 1967" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1967. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  26. "Kommunevalgene 1963" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1964. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  27. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1960. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  28. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1957. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  29. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1952. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  30. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1948. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  31. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1947. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  32. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1938. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  33. Olsen, Margido (1999). Det gamle Vardø herred og Vardø by (in Norwegian). Vardø. pp. 13–14.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  34. Andersen, Thor M. (1931). Norges ordførere 1929–1931 (in Norwegian). Kristiania: Hanche. p. 285.
  35. "eKlima Web Portal". Norwegian Meteorological Institute. Archived from the original on 14 June 2004.
  36. Dagsavisen, December 2016
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Båtsfjord.

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