The 2,704-square-kilometre (1,044 sq mi) municipality is the 18th largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Bardu is the 202nd most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 3,949. The municipality's population density is 1.6 inhabitants per square kilometre (4.1/sq mi) and its population has increased by 0.4% over the previous 10-year period.[4][5]
Norway's largest militarygarrison is located at Setermoen. The military is the municipality's largest employer and more than 1,000 young soldiers perform their duty service here each year. The world's most northern zoo, Polar Park, is located in the southern part of the municipality.
General information
View of the Kjeleelvtinden mountainView of Bardu
The municipality of Bardodalen was established in 1854 when the eastern part of the old Ibestad Municipality was separated to form the new municipality. The initial population of the new municipality was 757. The municipal borders have not changed since then, although the name was later changed to Bardu.[6]
On 1 January 2020, the municipality became part of the newly formed Troms og Finnmark county. Previously, it had been part of the old Troms county.[7] On 1 January 2024, the Troms og Finnmark county was divided and the municipality once again became part of Troms county.[8]
Name
The municipality has had several name variations since its establishment in 1854. Initially, the name was Bardodalen from 1854 until 1889. In 1889, the name was shortened to Bardo. On 6 January 1908, a royal resolution changed the spelling of the name of the municipality to Bardu.[9] The root of the name is possibly a Norwegianized form of the Sámi name Beardu. The meaning of the Sámi name is probably "long and steep mountain side". The original suffix of the name, dalen means "the valley", thus the name was "the valley of Bardo". An alternate explanation is that "Bardo" is a corruption of the old Norwegian male name Berto or Berdo (Old Norse: Bergþórr).[10][11]
Coat of arms
The coat of arms was granted on 6 June 1980. The official blazon is "Or, a wolverine statantsable" (Norwegian: I gull en gående svart jerv.). This means the arms have a charge that is a wolverine which has a tincture of sable. The field (background) has a tincture of Or which means it is commonly colored yellow, but if it is made out of metal, then gold is used. The wolverine was chosen as a symbol for the large forests and the rich wildlife in the municipality. There is a permanent population of wolverines living in the extensive forests and mountain areas of Bardu. The motif also expresses strength and continuity. The arms were designed by Arvid Sveen.[12][13][14]
The municipal council(Kommunestyre) of Bardu is made up of 19 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political party.
Bardu borders the municipalities of Lavangen and Salangen to the west, Målselv to the north, Narvik (in Nordland county) to the south, and Sweden to the east. The Barduelva river runs through the municipality from south to north along the Bardudalen valley. The Salangsdalen valley is located along the western part of the municipality. The largest lake in the county, Altevatnet, is located in the eastern part of the municipality, near the smaller lakes Geavdnjajávri and Leinavatn. These lakes lie in and near Rohkunborri National Park.
Climate
Bardu, although not far from the coast, is known for its cold winters compared to the coastal areas. This is caused by mountains usually blocking the milder, coastal air from reaching the Bardu valley. In summer, however, it is usually warmer than the coastal areas.
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