The 326-square-kilometre (126 sq mi) municipality is the 255th largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Askvoll is the 227th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 2,949. The municipality's population density is 9.4 inhabitants per square kilometre (24/sq mi) and its population has decreased by 2.3% over the previous 10-year period.[4][5]
The municipality stretches from the Bulandet islands in the west and Sunnfjord Municipality in east. The highest peak is the 1,304-metre (4,278 ft) high mountain Blegja. Alden Mountain (known as the "Norwegian Horse") is located on the island of Alden in Askvoll. It rises almost vertically out of the sea to a height of 481 metres (1,578 ft) above sea level and is visible from more than 100 kilometres (62 mi) out at sea.
In 2016, the chief of police for Vestlandet formally suggested a reconfiguration of police districts and stations. He proposed that the police station in Askvoll be closed.[6]
General information
View of PrestmarkaView of the Heilefjell mountainsView of Vilnes Church
Askvoll was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt law). The original municipality was identical to the Askvoll parish(prestegjeld) with the sub-parishes (sokn) of Askvoll, Vilnes, Øn, and Hyllestad.[7] In 1862, the two southernmost sub-parishes of Øn and Hyllestad (population: 2,475) were separated from Askvoll and (along with the Bø sub-parish from Lavik municipality) formed the new municipality of Hyllestad. This left Askvoll with 2 sub-parishes and a population of 3,065.[8]
On 1 January 1888, several farms in the Hersvikbygda area on the northern part of the island of Sula and the smaller surrounding islands (population: 317) were transferred from Askvoll municipality to the neighboring municipality of Utvær. During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee. On 1 January 1964, the parts of the municipalities of Vevring (population: 407) and Bru (population: 92) that were located south of the Førdefjorden were merged into Askvoll municipality. This gave Askvoll a population of 3,585. On 1 January 1990, Askvoll and Fjaler did a land trade: the Fjaler farms of Vårdal, Holmedal, Rivedal, and part of Hestad (population: 731) were transferred to Askvoll; and the Askvoll farms of Fure, Folkestad, and Våge (population: 482) were transferred to Fjaler.[8]
Name
The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the old Askvoll farm (Old Norse: Askvǫllr) since the first Askvoll Church was built there. The first element is askr which means "ash tree". The last element is vǫllr which means "meadow" or "field".[9] Historically, the name of the municipality was spelled Askvold. On 3 November 1917, a royal resolution changed the spelling of the name of the municipality to Askvoll.[10]
Coat of arms
The coat of arms was granted on 5 January 1990. The official blazon is "Vert, a pierced Latin crosspattéeargent" (Norwegian: På grøn grunn ein utskrådd gjennombora sølv kross). This means the arms have a green field (background) and the charge is a latin cross with a cross pattée design and a circular hole in the centre. The cross has a tincture of argent which means it is commonly colored white, but if it is made out of metal, then silver is used. The design was chosen to symbolize the Korssundkrossen, an old medieval stone cross found in the municipality. The old cross is connected to several stories of St. Olav. The arms were designed by Kåre Ness. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms.[11][12][13]
The municipal council(Kommunestyre) of Askvoll is made up of 21 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political party.
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. Ole André Klausen of the Conservative Party was elected mayor in 2017 to finish out the 2015–2019 term after the previous mayor who left the job, because she was elected to parliament in 2017.[34]
View of Rivedal (and Fjaler municipality on the left side of the fjord)
Askvoll municipality covers an area of 321 square kilometres (124 sq mi). Of this, 254 square kilometres (98 sq mi) are on the mainland while the remaining 67 square kilometres (26 sq mi) are made up of islands and skerries along its 52 kilometres (32 mi) coastline. To the west, lies the North Sea, to the north is the municipalities of Flora and Naustdal, to the east are the municipalities of Førde and Gaular, and to the south are the municipalities of Fjaler and Solund. The majority of the municipality is on the mainland between the Førdefjorden (in the north) and the Dalsfjorden (in the south). The Bulandet archipelago lies in the westernmost part of the municipality. There are many other islands between Bulandet and the mainland, notably Værlandet, Alden, and Atløyna. Geita Lighthouse lies on a very small island off the coast of Askvoll.
Attractions
Birdlife
Askvoll has many seabird reserves within the municipality. Otherwise mainland Askvoll provides habitat that is typical for the region. These however have restrictions, especially during the breeding season. One area that is good for birding is the Askvika nature reserve. This wetland area has a rich bird life with 69 recorded species.
Bulandet
Part of the road between Bulandet and Vaerlandet that opened in 2003. The mountain at the left is Alden.
Bulandet is Norway´s westernmost fishing community. Bulandet includes 365 islands and has approximately 270 inhabitants. During the summer, Bulandet is a favourite spot for boaters and tourists staying in cottages and fisherman cabins. The name "Bulandet" comes from the numerous wharf-side cabins here, known as "bu".[35] Bulandet are linked together to the neighbour community Værlandet by six bridges and 5,240 metres (17,190 ft) of road. The Nordsjøporten road is not only important for traffic and communication in the area but also allows for a fantastic journey through the islands.
Værlandet
At the mouth of the fjord, near Alden Mountain, is Værlandet island. Værlandet has a population of approximately 200 people. Fishing and fish farming are the most important industries, but both tourism and the export of high quality stone (breccia) to Italy are expanding. There is a collection of picturesque small houses on the water's edge in Værøyhamna harbour.[35]
Alden
View of Alden
Also known as the "Norwegian Horse", Alden Mountain is an old and pronounced landmark for sailors along the coast. It rises almost vertically out of the sea to a height of 481 metres (1,578 ft) above sea level and is visible from more than 100 kilometres (62 mi) out at sea. There is a marked path to the top, accessible using the scheduled boat service from Askvoll.[35]
Blegja
The 1,304-metre (4,278 ft) high Blegja mountain in Askvoll has views from the top, and hikers can see the Jostedal glacier to the east and as far as Snønipa and the Ålfotbreen glacier in Bremanger municipality.[35]
Stongfjord Industries
Stongfjord Industries is Norway's oldest aluminium factory, and it is located in the village of Stongfjorden. British Aluminium Company started hydropower plant development in 1906, and produced aluminium from 1908 to 1945. Traces of the English industry are still apparent in the form of private houses, tennis courts, and football fields.[35]
The Ingólfur Arnarson statue in Rivedal is a monument to the pioneer spirit in the Dalsfjorden prior to the year 1000. Together with his brother, Ingólfur Arnarson he discovered Iceland, and laid the groundwork for the first Norwegian settlement there.[35]
Notable people
Anders Askevold (1834 in Askvoll – 1900), a Norwegian painter of landscapes and animal paintings
Nikolaus Gjelsvik (1866 in Vevring – 1938), a Norwegian jurist and law professor
Arve Furset (born 1964 in Askvoll), a Norwegian composer, jazz musician (piano, keyboards), and music producer
Alexander Breidvik (born 1986 in Askvoll), a TV3 talent contest winner and retired Norwegian footballer
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