Husnes

Husnes
Village
View of the village (2008)
Husnes
Location in Hordaland county
Husnes
Husnes (Norway)
Coordinates: 59°51′49″N 05°44′43″E / 59.86361°N 5.74528°E / 59.86361; 5.74528Coordinates: 59°51′49″N 05°44′43″E / 59.86361°N 5.74528°E / 59.86361; 5.74528
Country Norway
Region Western Norway
County Hordaland
District Sunnhordland
Municipality Kvinnherad
Area[1]
 • Total 2.76 km2 (1.07 sq mi)
Elevation[2] 28 m (92 ft)
Population (2013)[1]
 • Total 2,212
 • Density 801/km2 (2,070/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Husnesing
Time zone UTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+02:00 (CEST)
Post Code 5460 Husnes
Website husnesnett.no

Husnes is the largest village in Kvinnherad municipality in Hordaland county, Norway. The village is located on the southern shore of the Hardangerfjorden on the Folgefonna peninsula, about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) south of the village of Herøysund and immediately north of the villages of Sunde and Valen. The lake Onarheimsvatnet lies along the southwestern part of the village between Husnes and Sunde.[3]

The 2.76-square-kilometre (680-acre) village has a population (2013) of 2,212. This gives the village a population density of 801 inhabitants per square kilometre (2,070/sq mi). When the neighboring villages of Sunde and Valen are included, the entire urban area includes just under 4,500 people.[1][3]

Husnes is centered on the huge factory owned by Hydro, formerly Sør-Norge Aluminium, and the village has become the center of commerce and education in Kvinnherad municipality, as well as the site of Husnes Church. The government of Kvinnherad has at times proposed that Husnes become the new administrative centre of Kvinnherad which usually sparks debate in the municipality.[4]

Industry and commerce

Husnes is the commercial capital of Kvinnherad municipality, with Husnes Storsenter, the biggest shopping center in Sunnhordland, as the centerpiece. In addition, two of the largest companies in Kvinnherad, HMR Group and Hydro Husnes both have their headquarters in Husnes, along with local newspaper Kvinnheringen and several other firms.[3]

Prior to 2008, the downtown area of Husnes had three shopping malls, housing more than fifty different businesses and stores. In 2008, a new shopping center, "Husnes Storsenter" was constructed, partially merging two of the existing centers in addition to the new constructions. At the same time, the Nordic home electronics company Elkjøp constructed a new warehouse next to the shopping centres, making its Husnes department one of the biggest in Western Norway.

Husnes Storsenter is currently the biggest shopping center between Bergen and Haugesund, as well as one of the biggest shopping districts in Sunnhordland, with more than 70 stores, 50 of which are in the main shopping center.

Education

Husnes has one elementary school, one junior high school, and one high school, as well as two additional elementary schools in the immediate suburbs. The high school, Kvinnherad Vidaregåande Skule, is the only high school in Kvinnheard municipality, and houses around 400 students each year.

Notable residents

  • Asbjørn Slettemark, a journalist, TV-show host and former Pop Idol judge
  • Per Olav Alvestad, a television presenter and host
  • Steinar Taarn Sande, a musician

References

  1. 1 2 3 Statistisk sentralbyrå (1 January 2013). "Urban settlements. Population and area, by municipality".
  2. ↑ "Husnes, Kvinnherad (Hordaland)" (in Norwegian). yr.no. Retrieved 2015-03-18.
  3. 1 2 3 Store norske leksikon. "Husnes" (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2015-03-18.
  4. ↑ Torheim, Egil; Mosevoll, Dag Olav (2003-08-29). "Husnes som kommunesenter" (in Norwegian). NRK. Retrieved 2015-03-18.
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