Harstad

This article is about the municipality of Harstad, Norway. For the town of Harstad in Harstad municipality, see Harstad (town).
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
Official logo of Harstad Municipality
Troms og Finnmark within
Norway
Harstad within Troms og Finnmark
Harstad within Troms og Finnmark
Coordinates: 68°48′00″N 16°32′45″E / 68.80000°N 16.54583°E / 68.80000; 16.54583
CountryNorway
CountyTroms og Finnmark
DistrictCentral Hålogaland
Established1 January 1904
 • Preceded byTrondenes Municipality
Administrative centreHarstad
Government
 • Mayor (2022)Kari-Anne Opsal (Ap) (Ap)
Area
 • Total445.29 km2 (171.93 sq mi)
 • Land428.49 km2 (165.44 sq mi)
 • Water16.80 km2 (6.49 sq mi)  3.8%
 • Rank#226 in Norway
Population
 (2022)
 • Total24,804
 • Rank#49 in Norway
 • Density57.9/km2 (150/sq mi)
 • Change (10 years)
Increase +2.9%
DemonymHarstadværing[1]
Official language
[2]
 • Norwegian formNeutral
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-5402[3]
WebsiteOfficial website
Data from Statistics Norway

Harstadⓘ (Northern Sami: Hárstták[4]) is the second-most populated municipality in Troms og Finnmark county, Norway. It is mostly located on the large island of Hinnøya. The municipal center is the town of Harstad, which is the most populous town in Central Hålogaland and the third-largest in all of Northern Norway.[5][6] The town was incorporated in 1904. Villages in the municipality include Elgsnes, Fauskevåg, Gausvik, Grøtavær, Kasfjord, Lundenes, Nergården and Sørvika.

The 445-square-kilometre (172 sq mi) municipality is the 226th largest by area out of Norway's 356 municipalities and 49th most populous with a population of 24,903. Its population density is 57.9 inhabitants per square kilometre (150/sq mi) and the population has increased by 2.5% over the 10 years up to 2023.[7][8]

Geography

Toppen (mountain on Grytøya, October 2009).

The municipality is located on many islands in southern Troms og Finnmark county. Most of the municipality is located on the large island of Hinnøya, which is Norway's largest coastal island (three islands in the Svalbard archipelago are larger). The northern part of the municipality is located on the smaller islands of Grytøya, Bjarkøya, Sandsøya, Helløya, Flatøya and Krøttøya and many even smaller islands between the Andfjorden (to the west) and the Vågsfjorden (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 by the municipality Kvæfjord to the west and Tjeldsund (in Nordland county) to the south. To the southeast, the Tjeldsund Bridge connects Hinnøya with Skånland municipality and the mainland across Tjeldsundet, and to the northeast is the Vågsfjorden, where Harstad shares a water border with Ibestad municipality. The city itself is located on the northeastern part of on Hinnøya; it is the only city on the island, and is popularly known as Vågsfjordens perle (The pearl of Vågsfjorden).

The highest mountain in Harstad is Sætertinden, which is 1,095 m (3,593 ft) above sea level.[9] It is located near the village of Sandtorg in 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

Despite being located north of the Arctic Circle, Harstad features either a dry-summer subarctic climate (Köppen climate classification: Dsc), or (barely, by only half a degree C)[10] the rare cold-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 the Scandinavian Mountains to the east. The city experiences warmer winters than major cities located 25 degrees farther south in latitude such as Beijing, Chicago and Toronto. 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). The city enjoys the midnight sun during 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. The polar 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 the aurora 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 2002–2023)
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) 		23.9
(75.0) 		29.6
(85.3) 		31.7
(89.1) 		31.5
(88.7) 		21.9
(71.4) 		17.5
(63.5) 		13.8
(56.8) 		9.8
(49.6) 		31.7
(89.1)
Average high °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)
Average low °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)
Average precipitation mm (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: [11]
Source 2: [12]

History

The town of Harstad was established as a municipality on 1 January 1904 when it was separated from the municipality of Trondenes because it had just been declared a ladested (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 the Schei Committee. On 1 January 1964, the town of Harstad (population: 3,808) was merged with neighboring municipalities of Sandtorg (population: 7,512) and Trondenes (population: 6,567) to form a new, larger municipality of Harstad with a population of 17,882. Prior to the merger, the town of Harstad had 3,808 residents.[13] On 1 January 2013, the municipality of Bjarkøy (to the north) was merged with Harstad, forming a new, larger municipality of Harstad. On 1 January 2020, the municipality became part of the new Troms og Finnmark county which replaced the old Troms county.

In recent years, a 3000-year-old bronze axe[14] and a 2600-year-old bronze collar[15] have been found at the Trondenes peninsula, just north of the city center. These, together with the burial cairns built close to the sea, are indications of a well-developed Bronze Age culture in the Harstad area.

There is also substantial archeological evidence of a well-developed Iron Age culture in the area, around 200 AD.

Trondenes is mentioned in the Heimskringla as a power centre in the Viking Age and a place to meet and discuss important issues (Trondarting). In 2020 archeologist concluded that Sandtorg, located along the Tjeldsundet strait, south of Harstad town, was the location of the only known Viking age trading place in Northern Norway.[16] 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 the Trondenes Historical Center and nearby is the Adolf Gun, an enormous land-based cannon from World War II, and the last of four cannons originally constructed by the Nazis. 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 Kaarbø was the founder of Harstad.

  • Trondenes Church at Trondenes.

    Trondenes Church at 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 from Gangsåstoppen

Origin of the name

The municipality (and town) is named after the old Harstad farm (Old Norse: Harðarstaðir), since the town is built where the farm once was located.[17] The first element is (probably) the genitive case of the male name Hǫrðr. The last element is staðir which means "homestead" or "farm".[17] On 6 February 2017, the municipality of Harstad adopted a co-equal Sami language name for the municipality: Hárstták. The Sami language name spelling changes depending on how it is used. It is called Hárstták when it is spelled alone, but it is Hársttáid suohkan when using the Sami language equivalent to "Harstad municipality".[4][18]

Coat of arms

The coat of arms was granted on 24 April 1953. The official blazon is "Azure, two bars wavy argent" (Norwegian: To bølgende sølv bjelker på blå bunn). This means the arms have a blue field (background) and the charge is two wavy bars. The bars have a tincture of argent which 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, a mural crown is typically shown above the shield. The arms were designed by Jardar Lunde in cooperation with Hallvard Træteberg.[19][20][21]

Government

All municipalities in Norway, including Harstad, 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.[22] The municipality falls under the Trondenes District Court and the Hålogaland Court of Appeal.

Municipal council

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Harstad is made up of 35 representatives that are elected to four-year terms. The party breakdown of the council is as follows:

Harstad kommunestyre 2020–2023 [23]  
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 2016–2019 [24]  
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 2012–2015 [25]  
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 2008–2011 [24]  
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 2004–2007 [24]  
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 2000–2003 [24]  
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 1996–1999 [26]  
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 1992–1995 [27]  
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 1988–1991 [28]  
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 1984–1987 [29]  
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 1980–1983 [30]  
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 1976–1979 [31]  
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 1972–1975 [32]  
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 1968–1971 [33]  
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 1964–1967 [34]  
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
Harstad bystyre 1960–1963 [35]  
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 1956–1959 [36]  
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 1952–1955 [37]  
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 1948–1951 [38]  
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 [39]  
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 1938–1941* [40]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 8
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
  Joint list of the Conservative Party (Høyre) and the Free-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 the German occupation of Norway during World War II, no elections were held for new municipal councils until after the war ended in 1945.
Harstad bystyre 1935–1937 [41]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 4
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
  Joint list of the Conservative Party (Høyre) and the Free-minded People's Party (Frisinnede Folkeparti) 8
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 3
Total number of members:28
Harstad bystyre 1932–1934 [42]  
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 the Conservative Party (Høyre) and the Free-minded People's Party (Frisinnede Folkeparti) 8
Total number of members:28
Harstad bystyre 1929–1931 [43]  
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 the Conservative Party (Høyre) and the Free-minded Liberal Party (Frisinnede Venstre) 6
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 2
Total number of members:28
Harstad bystyre 1926–1928 [44]  
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 the Conservative Party (Høyre) and the Free-minded Liberal Party (Frisinnede Venstre) 7
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 2
Total number of members:28
Harstad bystyre 1923–1925 [45]  
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 the Conservative Party (Høyre) and the Free-minded Liberal Party (Frisinnede Venstre) 9
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 6
Total number of members:28

Mayors

The mayors of Harstad:[46][47]

  • 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

The oil industry of North Norway is centered in Harstad; including Statoil's main office for a new operational area for Northern Norway,[48] the DNV office for Northern Norway,[49] as well as other regional offices including TotalEnergies,[50] Det Norske Oljeselskap ASA[51] and Aibel.[52][53] 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,.[54] The old seabed, now dry land due to isostatic rebound (up to 60 to 80 metres or 200 to 260 feet above sea level), creating fertile soil that is well-suited for farming.[55]

Agricultural area in Harstad; 1930.

Institutions and culture

Harstad Stadium; June 2007

The city hosts the annual week-long Festival of North Norway in June.[56] It is also the home of the Arctic Moving Image and Film Festival, held in October each year.[57]

Harstad University College, with approximately 1,100 students,[58] has a thriving foreign exchange program with students from all over the world. The hospital in Harstad is part of the University Hospital of North Norway.

The most successful local football team is Harstad Idrettslag (a.k.a. HIL),[59] and the most successful basketball team is the Harstad Vikings.[60]

Harstad is home port for the Anna Rogde, the world's oldest sailing schooner, also known as the sailing queen of Norway.[61]

Harstad Camping is a campsite located in the municipality.

Churches

The Church of Norway has five parishes (sokn) within the municipality of Harstad. It is part of the Trondenes prosti (deanery) in the Diocese 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 Gausvik 1979
Sandtorg Church Sørvika 1932
Trondenes Trondenes Church Trondenes 15th century
Elgsnes Chapel Elgsnes 1985

Military connections

Harstad traditionally has strong ties with the Norwegian Armed Forces. Kystjegerkommandoen (Coastal Ranger Command) has its home base at Trondenes, Harstad. Marinejegerkommandoen is based in Ramsund in Tjeldsund on the mainland south of Harstad. General Carl Gustav Fleischer led the field operations of the Norwegian Armed Forces in WW2, among them the 7,500 soldiers which from the north pushed the Nazi Germans back to Narvik and participated in retaking Narvik on 28 May 1940. A street in Harstad is named Gen. Fleischers Gate in his honour.

Operation Judgement, Kilbotn took place on 4 May 1945, when the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy attacked 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

Coastal Express ship MS Kong Harald in Harstad

The towns airport is Harstad/Narvik Airport, Evenes, located on the mainland, 44 kilometres (27 mi) by road from the town center. The airport offers daily flights to Oslo, Trondheim, Bodø, Tromsø and Andenes.[62]

Every morning a northbound and a southbound Hurtigruten ship stop in Harstad.[63]

High-speed craft regularly go between Harstad and Tromsø, Finnsnes, Senja and other places.[64]

There are several ferries and buses in the district, and in Harstad there are local buses.[64]

The leading helicopter company in Northern Norway, Heli-Team, is located in Harstad.[65]

Local areas

Street: Strandgata, 4 May 2008.
Street: Hvedings gate, February 2005. View towards west from a Hurtigruten ship.
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 and Åsby.

Villages south of the city

Brokvik, Fauskevåg, Gausvik, Halsebø, Haukebø, Melvik, Nordvik, Sandtorg and Sørvika.

  • 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

Public Service

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

The Arts

Sport

International relations

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

Twin towns – Sister cities

The twin towns of Harstad are:[69]

See also

References

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External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Harstad.