Beiarn

Beiarn is a municipality in Nordland county, Norway. It is part of the traditional district of Salten. Beiarn is also a part of the Bodø Region, a statistical metropolitan region. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Moldjord. Other villages in Beiarn are Høyforsmoen, Trones, and Tverrvika.

Not to be confused with Béarn.
Beiarn kommune
Municipality
Coat of arms of Beiarn kommune
Coat of arms
Official logo of Beiarn kommune
Nordland within
Norway
Beiarn within Nordland
Beiarn within Nordland
Coordinates: 66°55′02″N 14°40′29″E
CountryNorway
CountyNordland
DistrictSalten
Established1853
 • Preceded byGildeskål Municipality
Administrative centreMoldjord
Government
 • Mayor (2011)Monika Sande (Sp)
Area
 • Total1,222.30 km2 (471.93 sq mi)
 • Land1,178.73 km2 (455.11 sq mi)
 • Water43.57 km2 (16.82 sq mi)  3.6%
 • Rank#88 in Norway
Population
 (2022)
 • Total1,012
 • Rank#332 in Norway
 • Density0.9/km2 (2/sq mi)
 • Change (10 years)
Decrease −7.7%
DemonymBeiarværing[1]
Official language
[2]
 • Norwegian formBokmål
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-1839
WebsiteOfficial website
Data from Statistics Norway

The 1,222-square-kilometre (472 sq mi) municipality is the 88th largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Beiarn is the 332nd most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 1,012. The municipality's population density is 0.9 inhabitants per square kilometre (2.3/sq mi) and its population has decreased by 7.7% over the previous 10-year period.[3][4]

General information

The municipality of Beiarn was established in 1853 when it was separated from the large municipality of Gildeskål. Initially, Beiarn had 1,164 residents. The municipal boundaries have not changed since that time.[5]

Name

The municipality is named after Beiar Fjord (Old Norse: Beðir or Beðinn). The meaning of the name is not definitively known, but it may be related to the English word bed in the sense of a "river bed". The name was historically spelled Beieren.[6]

Beiarn Church

Coat of arms

The coat of arms has been used in Beiarn since 1988. The blazon is "Vert, a pine tree uprooted Or" (Norwegian: I gull en furu på grønn bunn). This means the arms have a green field (background) and the charge is a pine tree. The pine tree 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 pine tree was chosen to symbolize the mighty pine forests for which Beiarn has historically been well-known. This is mentioned both by Petter Dass' "Nordlands Trompet" and in Lars Hess Bing's "Description of the Kingdom of Norway, the Isles of Iceland and the Faroe Islands, as well as Greenland". There are remains of giant pine trees that are likely over one thousand years old. The green color of the field was chosen to represent the lush green forests and the gold/yellow color was chosen because the forest is "worth its weight in gold" for the municipality. The arms were designed by Erik Gabrielsen, who was a cultural consultant in Beiarn municipality. In 1995, the municipality applied to have the arms formally approved for use by the National Archives of Norway, but they were not approved because it did not meet the heraldic standards for coats of arms in Norway. The National Archives told the municipality that they can use the unapproved arms in some circumstances, but they cannot be put on a flag, road sign, or public buildings.[7][8][9][10]

Churches

The Church of Norway has one parish (sokn) within the municipality of Beiarn. It is part of the Salten prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Sør-Hålogaland.

Churches in Beiarn
Parish (sokn)Church NameLocation of the ChurchYear Built
BeiarnBeiarn ChurchMoldjord1873
Høyforsmoen ChapelHøyforsmoen1957

A privately owned stave church was built in 2006 at Savjord, about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) east of Moldjord. The Savjord Stave Church was modeled after the Gol Stave Church.

Geography
Tellingen mountain in February

The municipality of Beiarn is located just north of the Arctic Circle, along the Beiar River including the Beiar Valley and some surrounding areas in the Saltfjellet mountains. The river is one of the best salmon rivers in Northern Norway. There are several large lakes in Beiarn including Arstaddalsdammen, Litle Sokumvatnet, and Ramsgjelvatnet.

The Saltfjellet–Svartisen National Park is partially located in Beiarn. The world's most northern naturally occurring elm forest (Ulmus glabra) grows in the Arstadlia nature reserve, where the rich vegetation also includes orchids.[11]

Government

All municipalities in Norway, including Beiarn, 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.[12] The municipality falls under the Salten District Court and the Hålogaland Court of Appeal.

Municipal council

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Beiarn is made up of 15 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The party breakdown of the council is as follows:

Beiarn kommunestyre 2020–2023 [13]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 9
 Beiarn Local List (Beiarn Bygdeliste)3
Total number of members:15
Beiarn kommunestyre 2016–2019 [14]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 6
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
 Beiarn Local List (Beiarn Bygdeliste)4
Total number of members:15
Beiarn kommunestyre 2012–2015 [15]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
 Beiarn Local List (Beiarn Bygdeliste)4
Total number of members:15
Beiarn kommunestyre 2008–2011 [14]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
 Beiarn local list (Beiarn bygdeliste)8
Total number of members:15
Beiarn kommunestyre 2004–2007 [14]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
 Beiarn local list (Beiarn Bygdeliste)4
 Rural development list (Bygdeutviklingslista)2
Total number of members:15
Beiarn kommunestyre 2000–2003 [14]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 8
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
 Beiarn local list (Beiarn bygdeliste)3
Total number of members:17
Beiarn kommunestyre 1996–1999 [16]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Joint list of the Centre Party (Senterpartiet) and the Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 8
Total number of members:17
Beiarn kommunestyre 1992–1995 [17]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Joint list of the Centre Party (Senterpartiet) and the Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 7
 Local people's list (Bygdefolkets liste)1
Total number of members:17
Beiarn kommunestyre 1988–1991 [18]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Joint list of the Centre Party (Senterpartiet) and the Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
 Local people's list (Bygdefolkets liste)2
Total number of members:17
Beiarn kommunestyre 1984–1987 [19]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Joint list of the Centre Party (Senterpartiet) and the Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 5
 Local people's list (Bygdefolkets lista)
 Working people's list (Arbeidsfolkets liste)1
Total number of members:17
Beiarn kommunestyre 1980–1983 [20]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Joint list of the Centre Party (Senterpartiet) and the Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 5
 Local people's list (Bygdefolkets liste)1
Total number of members:17
Beiarn kommunestyre 1976–1979 [21]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Joint list of the Centre Party (Senterpartiet) and the Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 8
Total number of members:17
Beiarn kommunestyre 1972–1975 [22]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 12
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 1
Total number of members:17
Beiarn kommunestyre 1968–1971 [23]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 11
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
Total number of members:17
Beiarn kommunestyre 1964–1967 [24]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 3
Total number of members:17
Beiarn herredsstyre 1960–1963 [25]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 5
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 3
Total number of members:17
Beiarn herredsstyre 1956–1959 [26]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 5
Total number of members:17
Beiarn herredsstyre 1952–1955 [27]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 4
Total number of members:16
Beiarn herredsstyre 1948–1951 [28]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 11
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 5
Total number of members:16
Beiarn herredsstyre 1945–1947 [29]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 13
  List of workers, fishermen, and small farmholders (Arbeidere, fiskere, småbrukere liste) 1
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 2
Total number of members:16
Beiarn herredsstyre 1938–1941* [30]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 11
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 1
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 4
Total number of members:16
Note: Due to the German occupation of Norway during World War II, no elections were held for new municipal councils until after the war ended in 1945.

Attractions

The area offers many outdoor activities to visitors, including fishing, caving, and mountain walking. The Beiarn farm museum includes an overview of Beiarn's cultural history, from the Viking Age through to the middle of the 20th century.

Notable people
  • Kristian Moljord (1882 in Beiarn – 1976) a fisherman, railroad worker, miner and politician

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. "Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)" (in Norwegian).
  4. Statistisk sentralbyrå. "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.
  6. Rygh, Oluf (1905). Norske gaardnavne: Nordlands amt (in Norwegian) (16 ed.). Kristiania, Norge: W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri. p. 193.
  7. "Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  8. "Om Kommunevåpenet". Beiarn kommune (in Norwegian). Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  9. Store norske leksikon. "Beiarn" (in Norwegian). Retrieved 26 March 2012.
  10. "Beiarn kommune, våpen". Digitalarkivet (in Norwegian). Arkivverket. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  11. "Arstadlia-Tverviknakken naturreservat" (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
  12. Hansen, Tore, ed. (12 May 2016). "kommunestyre". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  13. "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2019 - Nordland". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  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 - Nordland". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  16. "Kommunestyrevalget 1995" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  17. "Kommunestyrevalget 1991" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  18. "Kommunestyrevalget 1987" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  19. "Kommunestyrevalget 1983" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  20. "Kommunestyrevalget 1979" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  21. "Kommunevalgene 1975" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1977. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  22. "Kommunevalgene 1972" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1973. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  23. "Kommunevalgene 1967" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1967. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  24. "Kommunevalgene 1963" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1964. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  25. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1960. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  26. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1957. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  27. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1952. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  28. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1948. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  29. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1947. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  30. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1938. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
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