Lavangen

Lavangen (Northern Sami: Loabák[3]) is a municipality in Troms og Finnmark county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Tennevoll. Other villages in Lavangen include Fossbakken and Spansdalen (in the inland areas) and Kjeiprød, Røkenes, Låternes, Tennevoll, Hesjevika, Soløy, and Å (surrounding the fjord).

This article is about the municipality in Troms, Norway. For the fjord, see Lavangen (fjord).

Lavangen kommune
Loabága suohkan
Municipality
View of Inner Lavangen
View of Inner Lavangen
Flag of Lavangen kommune
Flag
Coat of arms of Lavangen kommune
Coat of arms
Official logo of Lavangen kommune
Troms og Finnmark within
Norway
Lavangen within Troms og Finnmark
Lavangen within Troms og Finnmark
Coordinates: 68°39′28″N 17°35′01″E
CountryNorway
CountyTroms og Finnmark
DistrictMidt-Troms
Established1 January 1907
 • Preceded byIbestad Municipality
Disestablished1 January 1964
 • Succeeded bySalangen Municipality
Re-established1 January 1977
 • Preceded bySalangen Municipality
Administrative centreTennevoll
Government
 • Mayor (2019)Hege Beathe Myrseth Rollmoen (Sp)
Area
 • Total301.62 km2 (116.46 sq mi)
 • Land296.07 km2 (114.31 sq mi)
 • Water5.55 km2 (2.14 sq mi)  1.8%
 • Rank#266 in Norway
Population
 (2022)
 • Total970
 • Rank#334 in Norway
 • Density3.3/km2 (9/sq mi)
 • Change (10 years)
Decrease −4.5%
DemonymLavangsværing[1]
Official language
[2]
 • Norwegian formNeutral
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-5415
WebsiteOfficial website
Data from Statistics Norway

The 302-square-kilometre (117 sq mi) municipality is the 266th largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Lavangen is the 334th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 970. The municipality's population density is 3.3 inhabitants per square kilometre (8.5/sq mi) and its population has decreased by 4.5% over the previous 10-year period.[4][5]

General information

Lavangen was established on 1 January 1907 when it was separated from Ibestad Municipality. The initial population was 1,536. During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee. On 1 January 1964, the neighboring municipalities of Lavangen (population: 1,677) and Salangen (population: 2,611) were merged into one large municipality of Salangen. The merger was brief, however, because on 1 January 1977, the old Lavangen municipality (except for the Lavangsnes area) was made a separate municipality once again.[6]

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

Name

The municipality is named after the local Lavangen fjord (Old Norse: Laufangr) since it is a central geographical feature of the area. The first element is lauf which means "leaf" (here in the sense of 'birchwood'). The last element is angr which means "fjord".[8]

Coat of arms

The coat of arms was granted on 18 December 1987. The official blazon is "Gules, three birch leaves Or in pall stems conjoined" (Norwegian: I rødt tre gull bjørkeblad forent i trepass). This means the arms have a red field (background) and the charge is three birch leaves that are connected and in a Y-shape design. The leaves have a tincture of Or which means they are commonly colored yellow, but if it is made out of metal, then gold is used. The arms are a canting of the name of the municipality (which means leaf). The three leaves represent how the municipality was settled by Norwegians, Samis, and Kvens. The arms were designed by Øystein Hermod Skaugvolldal.[9][10][11][12]

See also: The coats of arms of Birkenes and Bjerkreim

Churches

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

Churches in Lavangen
Parish (sokn)Church nameLocation of the churchYear built
LavangenLavangen ChurchSoløy1891

Geography

The municipality encompasses the land around the Spansdalelva river valley and most of the area around the Lavangen fjord, south of the Astafjorden. The municipality borders Narvik (in Nordland county) to the south, Gratangen to the west, Salangen to the north, and Bardu to the east.

  • View of the mountain Spanstinden near Soløy
    View of the mountain Spanstinden near Soløy
  • View of the Lanvangen fjord
    View of the Lanvangen fjord
  • View of Skavmodalen
    View of Skavmodalen

Climate
Climate data for Tennevoll
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) −3.2
(26.2)		 −2.2
(28.0)		 1.1
(34.0)		 4.5
(40.1)		 10.1
(50.2)		 15.0
(59.0)		 17.2
(63.0)		 15.6
(60.1)		 10.6
(51.1)		 4.8
(40.6)		 0.6
(33.1)		 −1.2
(29.8)		 6.1
(43.0)
Daily mean °C (°F) −6.7
(19.9)		 −5.8
(21.6)		 −2.9
(26.8)		 1.2
(34.2)		 6.6
(43.9)		 10.9
(51.6)		 13.3
(55.9)		 12.0
(53.6)		 7.1
(44.8)		 2.4
(36.3)		 −2.4
(27.7)		 −5.0
(23.0)		 2.6
(36.7)
Average low °C (°F) −11.5
(11.3)		 −10.2
(13.6)		 −7.4
(18.7)		 −3.4
(25.9)		 1.4
(34.5)		 6.4
(43.5)		 8.9
(48.0)		 7.5
(45.5)		 3.0
(37.4)		 −1.7
(28.9)		 −6.4
(20.5)		 −8.9
(16.0)		 −1.9
(28.6)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 80
(3.1)		 81
(3.2)		 60
(2.4)		 53
(2.1)		 38
(1.5)		 59
(2.3)		 69
(2.7)		 76
(3.0)		 92
(3.6)		 113
(4.4)		 88
(3.5)		 91
(3.6)		 910
(35.8)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm) 11.2 11.8 10.1 9.3 8.5 10.9 12.8 14.8 14.6 14.7 12.0 12.0 142.7
Source: Norwegian Meteorological Institute[13]

Government

All municipalities in Norway, including Lavangen, 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 Ofoten District Court and the Hålogaland Court of Appeal.

Municipal council

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

Lavangen kommunestyre 2020–2023 [15]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
Total number of members:15
Lavangen kommunestyre 2016–2019 [16]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 5
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 1
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
Total number of members:15
Lavangen kommunestyre 2012–2015 [17]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 6
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 2
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
Total number of members:15
Lavangen kommunestyre 2008–2011 [16]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 8
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
Total number of members:15
Lavangen kommunestyre 2004–2007 [16]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Joint list of the Conservative Party (Høyre) and Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
Total number of members:15
Lavangen kommunestyre 2000–2003 [16]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 1
Total number of members:15
Lavangen kommunestyre 1996–1999 [18]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
Total number of members:15
Lavangen kommunestyre 1992–1995 [19]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 8
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 5
  Joint list of the Centre Party (Senterpartiet), Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti), and Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:15
Lavangen kommunestyre 1988–1991 [20]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 8
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 6
  Joint list of the Centre Party (Senterpartiet), Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti), and Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
 Spansdalen local list (Spansdalen Bygdeliste)1
Total number of members:17
Lavangen kommunestyre 1984–1987 [21]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 5
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Joint list of the Centre Party (Senterpartiet) and the Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
 Spansdalen local list (Spansdalen bygdeliste)1
Total number of members:17
Lavangen kommunestyre 1980–1983 [22]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 8
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Joint list of the Centre Party (Senterpartiet) and the Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
 Lavangen common list (Lavangen bygdeliste)6
 Spansdalen common list (Spansdalen bygdeliste)1
Total number of members:17
Lavangen herredsstyre 1960–1963 [23]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 10
Total number of members:17
Lavangen herredsstyre 1956–1959 [24]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 10
Total number of members:17
Lavangen herredsstyre 1952–1955 [25]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 6
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 10
Total number of members:16
Lavangen herredsstyre 1948–1951 [26]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 8
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 8
Total number of members:16
Lavangen herredsstyre 1945–1947 [27]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 6
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 10
Total number of members:16
Lavangen herredsstyre 1938–1941* [28]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 8
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 8
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 Lavangen (incomplete list):[29][30][31]

  • 1907–1913: Bernhard Dahl Karlsen
  • 1926–1937: Lorentz K. Brattberg Aa (Ap)
  • 1938–1942: Johan Sandmel
  • 1942–1945: Albert Olaus Dahl
  • 1948–1959: Alfred Ottesen (Ap)

(Part of Salangen Municipality from 1964 to 1977)

  • 1983–2003: Torleif Myrseth (Ap)
  • 2003–2007: Bernhardt Halvorsen (Sp)
  • 2007–2011: Viktor Andberg (Ap)
  • 2011–2015: Erling Bratsberg (Sp)
  • 2015–2019: Bernhardt Halvorsen (Sp)
  • 2019–present: Hege Beathe Myrseth Rollmoen (Ap)

Attractions

Spanstind rundt is a famous cross-country skiing race in Lavangen that is held on Maundy Thursdays each year.

Notable people
  • Cecilie Myrseth (born 1984) a Norwegian psychologist and politician, grew up in Lavangen
  • Sandra Borch (born 1988 in Lavangen) a Norwegian politician

References
  1. "Navn på steder og personer: Innbyggjarnamn" (in Norwegian). Språkrådet.
  2. "Forskrift om målvedtak i kommunar og fylkeskommunar" (in Norwegian). Lovdata.no.
  3. "Stadnamn og rettskriving" (in Norwegian). Kartverket. Archived from the original on 1 July 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  4. Statistisk sentralbyrå. "Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)" (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 26 May 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  5. Statistisk sentralbyrå. "09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M)" (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 26 May 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  6. Jukvam, Dag (1999). "Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Statistisk sentralbyrå. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 September 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2010.
  7. Mæhlum, Lars, ed. (24 December 2019). "Troms og Finnmark". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 26 December 2019.
  8. Rygh, Oluf (1911). Norske gaardnavne: Tromsø amt (in Norwegian) (17 ed.). Kristiania, Norge: W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri. p. 36. Archived from the original on 13 May 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  9. "Civic heraldry of Norway – Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World. 7 September 2022. Archived from the original on 28 January 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  10. "Lavangen, Troms (Norway)". Flags of the World. Archived from the original on 28 January 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  11. "Godkjenning av våpen og flagg". Lovdata.no (in Norwegian). Norges kommunal- og arbeidsdepartementet. 18 December 1987. Archived from the original on 28 January 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  12. Store norske leksikon. "Lavangen" (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 8 April 2010.
  13. "eKlima Web Portal". Norwegian Meteorological Institute. Archived from the original on 14 June 2004.
  14. Hansen, Tore, ed. (12 May 2016). "kommunestyre". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  15. "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2019 – Troms og Finnmark". Valg Direktoratet. Archived from the original on 23 March 2020. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  16. "Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M)" (in Norwegian). Statistics Norway. Archived from the original on 19 April 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
  17. "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 – Troms Romsa". Valg Direktoratet. Archived from the original on 23 March 2020. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  18. "Kommunestyrevalget 1995" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 September 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  19. "Kommunestyrevalget 1991" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 May 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  20. "Kommunestyrevalget 1987" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 October 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  21. "Kommunestyrevalget 1983" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 October 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  22. "Kommunestyrevalget 1979" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 September 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  23. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1960. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 March 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  24. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1957. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 February 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  25. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1952. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 March 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  26. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1948. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  27. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1947. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 August 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  28. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1938. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  29. Brox, Ditlev (1967). Lavangen skolesoga (in Norwegian). Harstad. p. 67. Archived from the original on 2 August 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2023.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  30. Andersen, Thor M, ed. (1931). Norges ordførere: 1929–1931 (in Norwegian). Oslo: Hanche. p. 268. Archived from the original on 25 February 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  31. Larsen, Emil (1952). Det store gjennombruddet : 1902–1952 (in Norwegian). Narvik: Nord-Troms Arbeiderparti. p. 169. Archived from the original on 25 February 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
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