Flora, Norway

Flora is a former municipality in Sogn og Fjordane county, Norway. It was located in the traditional district of Sunnfjord. The administrative centre was the town of Florø, which was founded in 1860. Florø has 8,957 inhabitants (2017) and the Eikefjord area in the east has 387 inhabitants (2017).[3] Other village areas in the municipality included Rognaldsvåg, Stavang, Grov, Norddalsfjord, Nyttingnes, Steinhovden, and Brandsøy.

Flora kommune
Former municipality
View of Florø
Flag
Coat of arms
Sogn og Fjordane within
Norway
Flora within Sogn og Fjordane
Coordinates: 61°35′15″N 05°16′38″E
CountryNorway
CountySogn og Fjordane
DistrictSunnfjord
Established1 Jan 1964
Disestablished1 Jan 2020
Administrative centreFlorø
Government
 • Mayor (2015-2019)Ola Teigen (Ap)
Area
 • Total693.06 km2 (267.59 sq mi)
 • Land647.51 km2 (250.01 sq mi)
 • Water45.55 km2 (17.59 sq mi)  6.6%
Area rank163 in Norway
 *Area at municipal dissolution.
Population
 (2018)
 • Total11,988
 • Rank96 in Norway
 • Density18.5/km2 (48/sq mi)
 • Change (10 years)
5.1%
Demonym(s)Floraværing[1]
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-1401
Official language formNynorsk[2]
Preceded byKinn, Florø, Bru, Eikefjord, Vevring in 1964
Succeeded byKinn in 2020
Websiteflora.kommune.no
Data from Statistics Norway

At the time of its dissolution in 2020, the 693-square-kilometre (268 sq mi) municipality is the 163rd largest by area out of the 422 municipalities in Norway. Flora is the 96th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 11,988. The municipality's population density is 18.5 inhabitants per square kilometre (48/sq mi) and its population has increased by 5.1% over the last decade.[4][5]

The municipality stretched from inner fjords where the mountains ascend to the Ålfotbreen glacier, to the outermost islands off the mainland coast. The town at its centre was both a charming little community, and at the same time a town with busy industries that are developing continuously. Trade and industry in Flora were mainly fishing industry, shipyards, and supply for the oil and gas industry in the North Sea.

General information

Name
Sunset over Flora municipality
Stavang Church
Kinn Church

The municipality is named after the farm Flora (Old Norse Flóra) since the town of Florø was built on its ground in 1860. The name is probably derived from a Germanic root meaning “flat” or “even” (cf. English floor). Flora itself is the accusative/dative case form of “Flore” (Old Norse: Flóri), from which the names Florø and Florelandet are derived. A common misunderstanding is that the name Florø is the Danish word ø (“island”) suffixed to Flora. Although not true, it almost lead to the town being renamed “Florøy” in the 1930s.[6][7]

Coat of arms

The coat of arms, originally made for the town of Florø, was granted on 19 February 1960. The arms show three silver colored herrings on a red background. The three herrings are a symbol for the great importance of herring fishing for the local development and economy.[8]

Background

The old municipality of Kinn was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt law). The original municipality was identical to the Kinn parish (prestegjeld) with the sub-parishes (sokn) of Bru, Kinn, and Bremanger.[9]

On 3 January 1861, the village area of Florø (population: 846) was incorporated as a ladested (port town) by royal decree, which removed it from the rural municipality of Kinn. This left Kinn with 6,531 residents. In 1864, the northern district of the municipality was separated from the Kinn parish and became the new parish of Bremanger. Then, on 1 January 1866, Bremanger (population: 1,852) became a separate municipality. After the split, Kinn was left with 4,679 inhabitants. On 1 January 1923, the municipality of Kinn was divided into three separate municipalities: the western (island) area was Kinn (population: 2,508); the central (mostly mainland) area was Bru (population: 1,560); and the southeasternmost inland area was Eikefjord (population: 929).[10]

During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee. On 1 January 1964, the new municipality of Flora was created upon the merger of the following areas:

  • the town of Florø (population: 2,040)
  • the parts of the municipality of Bru that were north of the Førdefjorden (population: 1,155)
  • the municipality of Eikefjord (population: 919)
  • the Steindal area of the municipality of Vevring (population: 25)
  • the Husefest and Breivik farms in Bremanger (population: 9)
  • the municipality of Kinn (population: 3,567)

After the merger, the new municipality of Flora had a total of 7,715 residents.[10]

On 1 January 2020, Flora was merged with most of the old Vågsøy Municipality to form a new Kinn Municipality. This non-contiguous municipality will be separated by the municipality of Bremanger, making it the only non-contiguous municipality in Norway.[11][12]

Churches

The Church of Norway had four parishes (sokn) within the municipality of Flora. It is part of the Sunnfjord prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Bjørgvin.

Churches in Flora
Parish (sokn)Church nameLocation of the churchYear built
BruAskrova ChapelAskrova1957
Stavang ChurchStavang1957
EikefjordEikefjord ChurchEikefjord1812
KinnBatalden ChapelFanøya1907
Florø ChurchFlorø1882
Kinn ChurchKinn12th century
NordalNordal ChurchNorddalsfjord1898

Government

All municipalities in Norway, including Flora, 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.[13] The municipality falls under the Sogn og Fjordane District Court and the Gulating Court of Appeal.

Local politics

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Flora was made up of 31 representatives that were elected to four year terms. The party breakdown of the final municipal council was as follows:

Flora Kommunestyre 2016–2019 [14]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)11
 Progress Party (Framstegspartiet)1
 Green Party (Miljøpartiet Dei Grøne)1
 Conservative Party (Høgre)7
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)1
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)1
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)1
 Liberal Party (Venstre)3
 Common List (Samlingslista)5
Total number of members:31
Flora Kommunestyre 2012–2015 [15]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)12
 Progress Party (Framstegspartiet)2
 Conservative Party (Høgre)13
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)1
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)1
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)1
 Liberal Party (Venstre)5
Total number of members:35
Flora Kommunestyre 2008–2011 [14]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)12
 Progress Party (Framstegspartiet)5
 Conservative Party (Høgre)6
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)1
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)2
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)3
 Liberal Party (Venstre)5
 Flora Democratic Solidarity (Flora Demokratiske Solidaritet)1
Total number of members:35
Flora Kommunestyre 2004–2007 [14]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)17
 Progress Party (Framstegspartiet)4
 Conservative Party (Høgre)8
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)2
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)3
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)5
 Liberal Party (Venstre)6
Total number of members:45
Flora Kommunestyre 2000–2003 [14]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)21
 Progress Party (Framstegspartiet)2
 Conservative Party (Høgre)9
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)3
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)2
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)3
 Liberal Party (Venstre)5
Total number of members:45
Flora Kommunestyre 1996–1999 [16]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)19
 Conservative Party (Høgre)10
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)3
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)3
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)3
 Liberal Party (Venstre)7
Total number of members:45
Flora Kommunestyre 1992–1995 [17]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)16
 Progress Party (Framstegspartiet)1
 Conservative Party (Høgre)9
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)3
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)4
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)7
 Liberal Party (Venstre)5
Total number of members:45
Flora Kommunestyre 1988–1991 [18]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)14
 Conservative Party (Høgre)17
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)3
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)3
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)5
 Liberal Party (Venstre)3
Total number of members:45
Flora Kommunestyre 1984–1987 [19]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)14
 Conservative Party (Høgre)16
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)4
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)3
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)5
 Liberal Party (Venstre)3
Total number of members:45
Flora Kommunestyre 1980–1983 [20]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)10
 Conservative Party (Høgre)12
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)5
 Liberal People's Party (Liberale Folkepartiet)1
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)4
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)7
 Liberal Party (Venstre)6
Total number of members:45
Flora Kommunestyre 1976–1979 [21]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)9
 Conservative Party (Høgre)6
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)6
 New People's Party (Nye Folkepartiet)1
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)5
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)10
 Liberal Party (Venstre)8
Total number of members:45
Flora Kommunestyre 1972–1975 [22]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)5
 Conservative Party (Høgre)2
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)3
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)4
 Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti)1
 Liberal Party (Venstre)4
 Local List(s) (Lokale lister)26
Total number of members:45
Flora Kommunestyre 1968–1971 [23]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)19
 Conservative Party (Høgre)6
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)4
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)5
 Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti)1
 Liberal Party (Venstre)10
Total number of members:45
Flora Kommunestyre 1964–1967 [24]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)18
 Conservative Party (Høgre)7
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)4
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)6
 Liberal Party (Venstre)10
Total number of members:45

Mayor

The mayor of a municipality in Norway is a representative of the majority party of the municipal council who is elected to lead the council. Ola Teigen of the Labour Party was elected mayor for the 2015–2019 term.[25]

Geography
Botnafjorden
Eikefjorden

Flora is located in the western central part of Sogn og Fjordane county. To the west, it is bordered by the North Sea, to the north it is bordered by Bremanger Municipality, to the east by Gloppen Municipality, and to the south by Naustdal Municipality and Askvoll Municipality. Flora includes many islands, including Reksta, Askrova, Svanøya, Skorpa, Fanøya, Hovden, and Kinn. The municipality also includes the large lakes of Endestadvatnet, Lykkjebøvatnet, and Vassetevatnet. The Norddalsfjorden runs through the northern part of the municipality, and it is crossed by the Norddalsfjord Bridge.

Attractions

Kinn

Right out in the sea lies the green, grass-covered island of Kinn. The area around Kinn was the central herring area in Norway for the most part of the 19th century. At the height, there lived approximately 15,000 people on Kinn and the surrounding islands in the herring season. Today, there are 15 inhabitants on Kinn.

On the island of Kinn, on the very edge of the ocean lies the historic Kinn Church from the 12th century. The church, built in Romanesque style, is the oldest church in the Sunnfjord region. The church has long been associated with the legend of St. Sunniva. The church choir is the oldest part of the church, and the lectern is the only preserved example of its kind in Scandinavia.

Every year during the third weekend in June, the Kinna Pageant is an historical play about love, hate, fidelity and loyalty to the church and humankind. About 150 actors take part and audiences of several thousand tourists visit the island to watch this beautiful play.[26]

Svanøy
View of the island of Svanøya

Svanøya is the southernmost and greenest island in the district of Flora. The island was the district's most important trade centre last century, and exports and shipping were major activities. A stone cross memorial commemorating King Olav the Holy and a sacrificial site from the Viking Age can be found here.

The Svanøy Estate is an old seat of nobility from 1685. It includes 62 acres (250,000 m2) of cultivated land and 30 acres (120,000 m2) of woodland. It has an impressive main building and an old garden full of beautiful trees.[26]

Eirikstad Farm

The Saga says that the Viking King Eirik Blodøks grew up here, hence the name. Contains a museum with old farming tools. The famous Fjord horses are bred and trained here.[26]

Batalden Boathouse

Norway's westernmost art gallery is housed in a restored fishing building. Regular painting and drawing courses are held.[26]

Troll Cave

Trollhola, a prehistoric cave, is located on the island of Askrova. The main cavern is the size of a cathedral, has several passages leading from it and it is a fascinating natural phenomenon. The highest point of the island, 233 metres (764 ft) above sea level, provides a sweeping view of the archipelago.[26]

Rock Carvings

In Ausevika, which is 41 kilometres (25 mi) south of Florø, lies one of the largest rock carving sites in Norway. There are 3000-year-old carvings here. The site boasts over 300 carvings depicting both animal and human figures.[26]

Coastal Museum
View of the town of Florø

The Coastal Museum in Sogn og Fjordane county was established in 1980. The aim was to concentrate on coastal nature and culture both past and present. Old boat houses and domestic dwellings were moved from various places in the district and re-erected in Florø near the museum. It includes many beautiful boats. The 250-year old Holmedalsjekta (coastal freighter) is Norway's oldest non-Viking ship. A large exhibition on North Sea oil, Snorreankeret, based on the Snorre platform is located in the museum.[26]

Lighthouses
Stabben lighthouse

The waters around Florø are dangerous and exposed. Three lighthouses were built in the fairways to the town at an early date. Two of them, Stabben Lighthouse and Kvanhovden Lighthouse are now automated and unmanned. The third and largest, Ytterøyane Lighthouse, is still manned. There is a lot of shallow areas in the waters west of Florø, which makes the coast around Florø ideal for diving most of the year. An abundance of shipwrecks are located beneath these waters, which attract divers from all over.[26]

Sports

Local sport teams include Florø TIF and Florø SK.

Notable residents

See also

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 (1 January 2016). "Urban settlements. Population and area, by municipality".
  4. Statistisk sentralbyrå (2018). "Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)" (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2019-10-13.
  5. Statistisk sentralbyrå. "09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M)" (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2019-10-13.
  6. http://www.flora150.no/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9:kvifor-heitte-byen-floro&catid=1:historia&Itemid=8
  7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2012-04-18.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. "Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 2019-10-13.
  9. Natvik, Oddvar (9 February 2005). "Some historical data on the 26 Kommunes". Archived from the original on 24 July 2011.
  10. Jukvam, Dag (1999). "Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Statistics Norway.
  11. "Prosjektrådmann nye Kinn kommune" (in Norwegian). Flora kommune. Retrieved 2017-10-21.
  12. Støylen, Wilhelm (2017-04-04). "Dette kan bli einaste kommunen i landet med delt kommunesenter". NRK Sogn og Fjordane (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2017-10-21.
  13. Hansen, Tore, ed. (2016-05-12). "kommunestyre". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 2019-04-06.
  14. "Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M)" (in Norwegian). Statistics Norway.
  15. "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Sogn og Fjordane". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 2019-10-29.
  16. "Kommunestyrevalget 1995" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
  17. "Kommunestyrevalget 1991" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
  18. "Kommunestyrevalget 1987" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
  19. "Kommunestyrevalget 1983" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  20. "Kommunestyrevalget 1979" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  21. "Kommunevalgene 1975" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1977. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  22. "Kommunevalgene 1972" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1973. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  23. "Kommunevalgene 1967" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1967. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  24. "Kommunevalgene 1963" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1964. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  25. "Ordføraren si side" (in Norwegian). Flora Kommune. Retrieved 2017-10-21.
  26. "Flora Municipality in Norway". Retrieved 10 August 2008.
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