Vadsø

Vadsø [ˈvɑ̂dsøː] (listen) (Northern Sami: Čáhcesuolu; Kven: Vesisaari) is a municipality in Troms og Finnmark County, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Vadsø, which was the administrative centre of the former Finnmark county. Other settlements in Vadsø include Ekkerøy, Kiby, Krampenes, Skallelv, Valen, and Vestre Jakobselv.

This article is about the municipality in Finnmark county, Norway. For the town of Vadsø, see Vadsø (town).
Vadsø kommune

Čáhcesuolu gielda  (Northern Sami)
Vesisaaren komuuni  (Kven)
Municipality
Flag
Troms og Finnmark within
Norway
Vadsø within Troms og Finnmark
Coordinates: 70°04′24″N 29°44′59″E
CountryNorway
CountyTroms og Finnmark
DistrictØst-Finnmark
Established1 Jan 1838
Administrative centreVadsø
Government
 • Mayor (2019)Wenche Pederson (Ap)
Area
 • Total1,257.85 km2 (485.66 sq mi)
 • Land1,233.75 km2 (476.35 sq mi)
 • Water24.10 km2 (9.31 sq mi)  1.9%
Area rank84 in Norway
Population
 (2020)
 • Total5,788
 • Rank163 in Norway
 • Density4.7/km2 (12/sq mi)
 • Change (10 years)
−5.1%
Demonym(s)Vadsøværing[1]
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-5405
Official language formBokmål[2]
Websitevadso.kommune.no
Data from Statistics Norway

The 1,258-square-kilometre (486 sq mi) municipality is the 84th largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Vadsø is the 163rd most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 5,788. The municipality's population density is 4.7 inhabitants per square kilometre (12/sq mi) and its population has decreased by 5.1% over the previous 10-year period.[3][4]

General information
The street of Tollbugata in Vadsø
Fishing boats on land in Vadsø
Vadsø Church

The village of Vadsø was granted town status in 1833. In 1838, the town of Vadsø and the entire rural district surrounding the Varangerfjorden were established as the new municipality of Vadsø (see formannskapsdistrikt). The law required that all towns should be separated from their rural districts, but because of a low population and very few voters, this was impossible to carry out for the municipality of Vadsø in 1838. (This was also true in the towns of Hammerfest and Vardø.)

In 1839, the western district (population: 598) was separated to become the new municipality of Nesseby. This left Vadsø with 388 residents. In 1858, Vadsø municipality changed again: Nesseby Municipality (population: 706) was merged back into Vadsø and the district of Vadsø located south of the Varangerfjorden (population: 1,171) was separated to form the new municipality of Sør-Varanger. This change resulted in a population of 2,050 in Vadsø municipality. In 1864, the western district of Nesseby (population: 866) was separated into a separate municipality once again, leaving Vadsø with 1,367 residents.

On 1 January 1894, the rest of the rural district (population: 1,296) surrounding the town of Vadsø was separated to form the new municipality of Nord-Varanger. This left just the town of Vadsø remaining in the municipality of Vadsø which now had 1,114 residents. During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee. On 1 January 1964, the municipality of Nord-Varanger (population: 1,587) was merged with the town of Vadsø (population: 3,353) to form the present-day Vadsø Municipality.[5]

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.[6]

Name

The municipality is named after the town of Vadsø. The name of the town comes from the island Vadsøya, since that was the original townsite. The Old Norse form of the name would be *Vazøy, *Vatsøy, *Vassøy; the eldest references to the town show the forms Vasthøen (1520) and Vaadsøenn (1567).[7] The first element is the genitive case of vatn which means "water" and the last element is øy which means "island". Therefore, the meaning of the name is "the island with drinking water".[8]

Coat of arms

The coat of arms is from modern times; they were granted on 20 February 1976. The arms show the head of a reindeer stag in silver on a red background. The reindeer is the main domestic animal in the municipality and thus of great economic importance.[9] [10]

See also: The coats-of-arms of Eidfjord, Porsanger, Rendalen, Tromsø, and Vågå

Churches

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

Churches in Vadsø
Parish (sokn)NameLocationYear built
VadsøVadsø ChurchVadsø1958
Vestre Jakobselv ChurchVestre Jakobselv1940
Skallelv ChapelSkallelv1961

History

In the 16th century, the settlement of Vadsø consisted of a fishing village and the old Vadsø Church, located on the island of Vadsøya. The settlement later moved to the mainland. Pomor trade led Vadsø to be a major trading centre in this part of Norway. Township privilege was granted in 1833, and soon settlers came from Finland and the northern part of Sweden, which suffered from famine.

Finnish was rapidly becoming the language of the majority, and this continued for decades. As of 2016, Finnish is still spoken in some households. During the occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany, Vadsø suffered several air raids from the Soviet Union, which bombed German troops. However, there are, unlike most places in Finnmark, a number of 19th century wooden houses preserved close to the city centre, notably the house of Esbensen, built by a Norwegian, and the house of Tuomainen, built by a Finn. On the island of Vadsøya is the airship mast used by Umberto Nobile and Roald Amundsen for their expedition over the North Pole with the airship Norge in 1926, and used again on Nobile's flight with the airship Italia in 1928.[8]

Government

All municipalities in Norway, including Vadsø, 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.[11] The municipality falls under the Øst-Finnmark District Court and the Hålogaland Court of Appeal.

Municipal council

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Vadsø is made up of 21 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The party breakdown of the council is as follows:

Vadsø Kommunestyre 2020–2023 [12]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)7
 Green Party (Miljøpartiet De Grønne)1
 Conservative Party (Høyre)5
 Red Party (Rødt)1
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)4
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)3
Total number of members:21
Vadsø Kommunestyre 2016–2019 [13]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)8
 Green Party (Miljøpartiet De Grønne)1
 Conservative Party (Høyre)10
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)1
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)3
 Vadsø List (Vadsølista)2
Total number of members:25
Vadsø Kommunestyre 2012–2015 [14]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)10
 Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)1
 Conservative Party (Høyre)7
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)2
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)3
 Liberal Party (Venstre)2
Total number of members:25
Vadsø Kommunestyre 2008–2011 [13]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)9
 Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)2
 Conservative Party (Høyre)7
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)1
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)1
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)5
Total number of members:25
Vadsø Kommunestyre 2004–2007 [13]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)8
 Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)2
 Conservative Party (Høyre)5
 Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)1
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)1
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)1
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)7
Total number of members:25
Vadsø Kommunestyre 2000–2003 [13]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)9
 Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)2
 Conservative Party (Høyre)9
 Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)2
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)1
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)5
 Liberal Party (Venstre)1
Total number of members:29
Vadsø Kommunestyre 1996–1999 [15]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)11
 Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)1
 Conservative Party (Høyre)6
 Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)3
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)1
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)1
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)4
 Liberal Party (Venstre)2
Total number of members:29
Vadsø Kommunestyre 1992–1995 [16]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)11
 Conservative Party (Høyre)6
 Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)2
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)2
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)7
 Liberal Party (Venstre)1
Total number of members:29
Vadsø Kommunestyre 1988–1991 [17]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)15
 Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)2
 Conservative Party (Høyre)5
 Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)1
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)2
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)3
 Liberal Party (Venstre)1
Total number of members:29
Vadsø Kommunestyre 1984–1987 [18]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)17
 Conservative Party (Høyre)6
 Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)1
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)2
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)2
 Liberal Party (Venstre)1
Total number of members:29
Vadsø Kommunestyre 1980–1983 [19]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)14
 Conservative Party (Høyre)8
 Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)1
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)2
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)1
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)2
 Liberal Party (Venstre)1
Total number of members:29
Vadsø Kommunestyre 1976–1979 [20]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)15
 Conservative Party (Høyre)6
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)2
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)1
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)4
 Liberal Party (Venstre)1
Total number of members:29
Vadsø Kommunestyre 1972–1975 [21]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)15
 Conservative Party (Høyre)6
 Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)2
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)1
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)1
 Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti)2
 Liberal Party (Venstre)2
Total number of members:29
Vadsø Kommunestyre 1968–1971 [22]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)15
 Conservative Party (Høyre)6
 Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)2
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)1
 Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti)3
 Liberal Party (Venstre)2
Total number of members:29
Vadsø Kommunestyre 1964–1967 [23]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)17
 Conservative Party (Høyre)7
 Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)3
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)1
 Liberal Party (Venstre)1
Total number of members:29
Vadsø Bystyre 1960–1963 [24]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)12
 Conservative Party (Høyre)6
 Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)2
 Liberal Party (Venstre)1
Total number of members:21
Vadsø Bystyre 1956–1959 [25]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)11
 Conservative Party (Høyre)6
 Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)3
 Liberal Party (Venstre)1
Total number of members:21
Vadsø Bystyre 1952–1955 [26]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)11
 Conservative Party (Høyre)5
 Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)3
 Liberal Party (Venstre)1
Total number of members:20
Vadsø Bystyre 1948–1951 [27]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)8
 Conservative Party (Høyre)6
 Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)4
 Liberal Party (Venstre)1
 Local List(s) (Lokale lister)1
Total number of members:20
Vadsø Bystyre 1945–1947 [28]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)8
 Conservative Party (Høyre)3
 Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)5
 Liberal Party (Venstre)1
 Local List(s) (Lokale lister)3
Total number of members:20
Vadsø Bystyre 1938–1941* [29]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)10
 Local List(s) (Lokale lister)10
Total number of members:20
Vadsø Bystyre 1935–1937 [30]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)11
 Conservative Party (Høyre)4
 Nasjonal Samling Party (Nasjonal Samling)4
 Liberal Party (Venstre)1
Total number of members:20

Mayors

The mayors of Vadsø (incomplete list):

  • 2019–present: Wenche Pederson (Ap)
  • 2015-2019: Hans-Jacob Bønå (H)
  • 2014-2015: Rolf Arne Hanssen (SV)
  • 2007-2013: Svein Dragnes (Ap)
  • 2003-2007: Hauk Henrik Johnsen (Ap)
  • 1995-2003: Anne Strifeldt (Ap)

Geography
View of the northern lights

The municipality of Vadsø forms the southern coast of the Varanger Peninsula, which is largely covered by birch forests on this more sheltered side (as opposed to the northern side). The Varangerfjorden flows along the southern coast of the municipality and the river Jakobselva runs along the western border of Vadsø. The small islands of Lille Ekkerøy and Vadsøya lie in the Varangerfjorden. The Varangerhalvøya National Park lies in a large part of the interior parts of the municipality.[8] The "midnight sun" is above the horizon from 17 May to 28 July (73 days), and the period with continuous daylight lasts a bit longer, polar night from 25 November to 17 January (54 days).

Climate

Situated on the southern shore of the Varanger Peninsula, Vadsø has a subarctic climate, with long winters and a cool short summer, but warm enough for hardy forest to grow naturally.

Climate data for Vadsø Airport 1991-2020 (precipitation from Ekkerøy)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Daily mean °C (°F) −5.8
(21.6)		 −6.1
(21.0)		 −4.3
(24.3)		 −0.8
(30.6)		 3.5
(38.3)		 7.6
(45.7)		 11
(52)		 10.4
(50.7)		 7.8
(46.0)		 1.7
(35.1)		 −2.1
(28.2)		 −4.1
(24.6)		 1.6
(34.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 48
(1.9)		 39
(1.5)		 39
(1.5)		 41
(1.6)		 31
(1.2)		 41
(1.6)		 53
(2.1)		 55
(2.2)		 52
(2.0)		 53
(2.1)		 53
(2.1)		 45
(1.8)		 550
(21.7)
Source: Norwegian Meteorological Institute[31]

Wildlife

Birdlife

Situated on the shores of the Varangerfjorden the municipality of Vadsø is known for its interesting birdlife. Many of its coastal localities like Store Ekkerøy are internationally known for its rich and interesting birdlife. The harbor at Vadsø can produce all three species of eider, including the small and stunning Steller's eider.

River fishing

Fishing permits (for salmon fishing) are sold for use on specific rivers, including Komag-elva.[32]

E75 in Vadsø municipality

Transportation

Vadsø Airport is located in Kiby, just to the east of the town. The town is also a port of call for the Hurtigruten coastal express boats. Vadsø is located along the European route E75 highway.[8]

Notable residents
Terje Wold, 1935
Morten Gamst Pedersen, 2012

Sport

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

Twin towns — Sister cities

Vadsø is twinned with the following cities:

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 (2020). "Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)" (in Norwegian).
  4. Statistisk sentralbyrå (2020). "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. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
  6. Mæhlum, Lars, ed. (2019-12-24). "Troms og Finnmark". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 2019-12-26.
  7. Indrebø, Gustav (1927). Norsk namneverk. p. 161.
  8. Thorsnæs, Geir; Askheim, Svein, eds. (2018-01-10). "Vadsø". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 2018-05-29.
  9. "Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  10. "Kommunevåpen". Flags of the World. 28 June 2002. Retrieved 13 December 2008.
  11. Hansen, Tore, ed. (2016-05-12). "kommunestyre". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  12. "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2019 - Troms og Finnmark". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 2019-10-23.
  13. "Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M)" (in Norwegian). Statistics Norway.
  14. "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Finnmark". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 2019-10-23.
  15. "Kommunestyrevalget 1995" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
  16. "Kommunestyrevalget 1991" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
  17. "Kommunestyrevalget 1987" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
  18. "Kommunestyrevalget 1983" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
  19. "Kommunestyrevalget 1979" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
  20. "Kommunevalgene 1975" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1977. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
  21. "Kommunevalgene 1972" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1973. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
  22. "Kommunevalgene 1967" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1967. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
  23. "Kommunevalgene 1963" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1964. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
  24. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1960. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
  25. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1957. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
  26. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1952. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
  27. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1948. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
  28. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1947. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
  29. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1938. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
  30. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1934" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1935. Retrieved 2020-03-18.
  31. "eKlima Web Portal". Norwegian Meteorological Institute. Archived from the original on 2004-06-14.
  32. "Laksefiske for alle". Aftenposten. 19 July 2014. p. 11.
  33. IMDb Database retrieved 30 September 2020
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