Sveio

Sveio is a municipality in Vestland county, Norway. Sveio is a border district that is sometimes considered to be located in the traditional district of Haugalandet since it is located on the Haugalandet peninsula, but it is also considered to be in the traditional district of Sunnhordland since it is located in southern Hordaland county.[3][4] The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Sveio. Other villages in the municipality include Auklandshamn, Førde, Våga, and Valevåg.

This article is about the municipality in Norway. For the village in Sveio municipality, see Sveio (village).
Sveio kommune
Sveen herred (historic)
Municipality
View of the Ryvarden coastline in Sveio
View of the Ryvarden coastline in Sveio
Flag of Sveio kommune
Flag
Coat of arms of Sveio kommune
Coat of arms
Official logo of Sveio kommune
Vestland within
Norway
Sveio within Vestland
Sveio within Vestland
Coordinates: 59°34′25″N 05°21′48″E
CountryNorway
CountyVestland
DistrictHaugalandet
Established1865
 • Preceded byFjelberg and Finnås
Administrative centreSveio
Government
 • Mayor (2015)Jorunn Skåden (Ap)
Area
 • Total246.14 km2 (95.04 sq mi)
 • Land224.26 km2 (86.59 sq mi)
 • Water21.88 km2 (8.45 sq mi)  8.9%
 • Rank#290 in Norway
Population
 (2022)
 • Total5,775
 • Rank#165 in Norway
 • Density25.8/km2 (67/sq mi)
 • Change (10 years)
Increase +10.5%
DemonymSveibu[1]
Official language
[2]
 • Norwegian formNynorsk
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-4612
WebsiteOfficial website
Data from Statistics Norway

The 246-square-kilometre (95 sq mi) municipality is the 290th largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Sveio is the 165th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 5,775. The municipality's population density is 25.8 inhabitants per square kilometre (67/sq mi) and its population has increased by 10.5% over the previous 10-year period.[5][6]

Sveio is the site of the Ryvarden Lighthouse which marks the western entrance to the Hardangerfjorden. The lighthouse is automated and the old keepers house and building have now been converted into art galleries, the Flókemuseum, and a cafe.[7] The composer Fartein Valen lived much of his life in Valevåg in northern Sveio. Valenheimen, the house he lived in is open to the public and the Fartein Valen Festival is held annually in Sveio.

The Triangle Link bridge-tunnel network is based in northern Sveio, connecting the islands to the north to the mainland. The southern entrance to the Bømlafjord Tunnel is located along the European route E39 highway, just south of the village of Valevåg.

General information
View of the Vikebygd area
View of the Ryvarden Lighthouse
View of Valen Chapel

The municipality of Sveio was established in 1865 when the part of Finnås municipality located south of the Bømlafjorden (population: 2,227) and the Vikebygd part of the municipality of Fjelberg (population: 1,062) were joined as the new municipality of Sveen (later the spelling was changed to Sveio). On 1 January 1902, the Vikebygd area (population: 1,092) was separated from Sveio to form its own municipality.[8]

During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee. On 1 January 1964, Sveio (population: 1,697) was merged with the neighboring municipality of Valestrand (population: 1,216), the western half of the municipality of Vikebygd (population: 471), and a small part of the municipality of Skjold (population: 24). The part of Skjold was transferred from Rogaland county to Hordaland county on the same date.[8]

Name

The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the old Sveio farm (Old Norse: Svíða) since the medieval Sveio Church was built there. The name is identical with the word svíða which means "to singe" or "to burn", referring to an area that was cleared by burning. Before 1912, the name was spelled Sveen.[9]

Coat of arms

The coat of arms was granted on 19 February 1982. The official blazon is "Gules, a fleur-de-lis cleft argent." (Norwegian: På raud grunn ei kløyvd kvit lilje). This means the arms have a red field (background) and the charge is a split fleur-de-lis. The charge 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 arms are derived from the historic arms of Jon Gauteson from Sveio, who lived around the year 1500. His family became Norwegian nobility in 1591, and he was the first in his family to use this symbol as part of his arms. The municipal arms were designed by Kolbjørn Ekkje. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms.[10][11][12]

Churches

The Church of Norway has two parishes (sokn) within the municipality of Sveio. It is part of the Sunnhordland prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Bjørgvin.

Churches in Sveio
Parish (sokn)Church nameLocation of the churchYear built
SveioSveio ChurchSveio1858
Valestrand og FørdeFørde ChurchFørde1938
Valestrand ChurchValestrand1873
Valen ChapelValevåg1707

Geography

The municipality is located on the mainland of Norway on the western coast of the county on the Haugalandet peninsula, facing the North Sea to the west. The entrance to the Hardangerfjorden lies along the northern side of the municipality, and the smaller Ålfjorden lies along the eastern border of the municipality. Sveio's southern border is also the county border, bordering the town of Haugesund and the municipality of Tysvær to the south, the municipality of Vindafjord to the east (across the Ålfjorden), and the island municipalities of Bømlo and Stord to the north (across the Hardangerfjorden). The lakes Vigdarvatnet and Stakkastadvatnet lie in the southern part of the municipality, crossing into the neighboring municipalities. The Ryvarden Lighthouse is located on a small point, along the Hardangerfjorden.

Population
Historical population
Year1865187519001910192019301946195119601970198019902000201020202023
Pop.3,2893,3403,1381,9571,9371,9381,9791,9541,7823,4774,2164,5824,6234,9995,7665,732
±% p.a.—    +0.15%−0.25%−4.61%−0.10%+0.01%+0.13%−0.25%−1.02%+6.91%+1.95%+0.84%+0.09%+0.79%+1.44%−0.20%
Note: The municipal borders were changed in 1902 and 1964, causing a significant change in the population.
Source: Statistics Norway[13][14] and Norwegian Historical Data Centre[15]

Government

All municipalities in Norway are responsible for primary education (through 10th grade), outpatient health services, senior citizen services, welfare and other social services, zoning, economic development, and municipal roads and utilities. The municipality is governed by a municipal council of directly elected representatives. The mayor is indirectly elected by a vote of the municipal council.[16] The municipality falls under the Haugaland og Sunnhordland District Court and the Gulating Court of Appeal.

Municipal council

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Sveio is made up of 25 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The party breakdown of the council is as follows:

Sveio kommunestyre 2020–2023 [17]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 7
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 4
  Green Party (Miljøpartiet Dei Grøne) 1
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 5
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
Total number of members:25
Sveio kommunestyre 2016–2019 [18]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 9
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 4
  Green Party (Miljøpartiet Dei Grøne) 1
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:25
Sveio kommunestyre 2012–2015 [19]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 5
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 5
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 6
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
  Joint list of the Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) and the Green Party (Miljøpartiet Dei Grøne) 1
Total number of members:25
Sveio kommunestyre 2008–2011 [18]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 8
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 5
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 4
  Coastal Party (Kystpartiet) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
 Local list for Sveio (Bygdeliste for Sveio)1
Total number of members:25
Sveio kommunestyre 2004–2007 [18]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 5
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 6
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 3
  Coastal Party (Kystpartiet) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
 Local list for Sveio (Bygdeliste for Sveio)2
Total number of members:25
Sveio kommunestyre 2000–2003 [18]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 3
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 6
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
 Local list for Sveio (Bygdeliste for Sveio)3
Total number of members:25
Sveio kommunestyre 1996–1999 [20]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 5
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 1
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
 Local list for Sveio (Bygdelista for Sveio)4
Total number of members:25
Sveio kommunestyre 1992–1995 [21]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 4
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 1
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
 Local list - South (Bygdelista - Sør)3
Total number of members:25
Sveio kommunestyre 1988–1991 [22]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 6
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 2
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
 Local list - South (Bygdelista - Sør)3
 Local list Eikeland (Bygdelista Eikeland)3
Total number of members:25
Sveio kommunestyre 1984–1987 [23]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 6
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 1
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 5
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
 Local list for the Rua, Lid, Sveio, Vandaskog, and Vikse areas (Bygdelista for krinsane Rua, Lid, Sveio, Vandaskog og Vikse)2
 Local list Eikeland (Bygdelista Eikeland)2
Total number of members:25
Sveio kommunestyre 1980–1983 [24]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 4
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 1
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 6
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 6
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
 Local list (Bygdelista)3
Total number of members:25
Sveio kommunestyre 1976–1979 [25]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 3
  Joint list of the Centre Party (Senterpartiet) and the Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 12
 Local list for Bua, Eikeland, Lid, Oa, Rød, Sveio, Vandaskog, and Vikse (Bygdelista for Bua, Eikeland, Lid, Oa, Rød, Sveio, Vandaskog og Vikse)6
 Local list for Einstabøvoll, Ørevik, and Førde
 (Bygdelista for Einstabøvoll, Ørevik og Førde)		4
Total number of members:25
Sveio kommunestyre 1972–1975 [26]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 4
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 21
Total number of members:25
Sveio kommunestyre 1968–1971 [27]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 4
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 21
Total number of members:25
Sveio kommunestyre 1964–1967 [28]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 5
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 20
Total number of members:25
Sveio heradsstyre 1960–1963 [29]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 2
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 15
Total number of members:17
Sveio heradsstyre 1956–1959 [30]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 3
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 14
Total number of members:17
Sveio heradsstyre 1952–1955 [31]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 4
  List of workers, fishermen, and small farmholders (Arbeidarar, fiskarar, småbrukarar liste) 1
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 11
Total number of members:16
Sveio heradsstyre 1948–1951 [32]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 2
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 14
Total number of members:16
Sveio heradsstyre 1945–1947 [33]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 2
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 14
Total number of members:16
Sveio heradsstyre 1938–1941* [34]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 2
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 14
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.

Mayors

The mayors of Sveio:[35][36][37]

  • 1865–1867: Jens Johannessen Tvedt
  • 1868–1869: Gunnar Johannessen Røkenes
  • 1870–1873: G.F. Gautessen
  • 1874–1877: Reinert Enerstvedt
  • 1878–1883: Gunnar Johannessen Røkenes
  • 1884–1893: Jakob Stensen Haukås (H)
  • 1894–1901: Ivar Rodvold (H)
  • 1902–1910: Absalon Eritsland (H)
  • 1911–1913: Bendik Bjelland
  • 1914–1916: Mikal Mølstrevold
  • 1917–1922: Peder Hansen (V)
  • 1923–1927: Georg Tveit (V)
  • 1928–1945: Jakob Enerstvedt (H)
  • 1946–1951: Sigurd Hjellum (V)
  • 1952–1955: Harald Unneland (V)
  • 1956–1963: Sigurd Hjellum (V)
  • 1964–1967: Harald Unneland (V)
  • 1968–1969: S. Ludvig Rasmussen (V)
  • 1970–1973: Ingebrigt Rossehaug (KrF)
  • 1974–1978: Harald Straume (Sp)
  • 1978–1979: Olav Vihovde (KrF)
  • 1988–1990: Mikal Møller Hovda (H)
  • 1991–1991: Reinert Rød (KrF)
  • 1992–1999: Magnus Skåden (Ap)
  • 1999–2003: Olav Haugen (KrF)
  • 2003–2011: Jorunn Skåden (Ap)
  • 2011–2015: Ruth Grethe Eriksen (FrP)
  • 2015–2019: Jorunn Skåden (Ap)
  • 2019–present: Linn Therese Erve (Ap)
May Britt Vihovde, 2009

Notable people

References
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  2. "Forskrift om målvedtak i kommunar og fylkeskommunar" (in Norwegian). Lovdata.no.
  3. Store norske leksikon. "Sunnhordland – område" (in Norwegian). Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  4. Store norske leksikon. "Sveio" (in Norwegian). Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  5. Statistisk sentralbyrå. "Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)" (in Norwegian).
  6. Statistisk sentralbyrå. "09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M)" (in Norwegian).
  7. "Ryvarden Lighthouse". Samarbeidsrådet for Sunnhordland.
  8. Jukvam, Dag (1999). Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen (PDF) (in Norwegian). Statistisk sentralbyrå. ISBN 9788253746845.
  9. Rygh, Oluf (1910). Norske gaardnavne: Søndre Bergenhus amt (in Norwegian) (11 ed.). Kristiania, Norge: W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri. p. 106.
  10. "Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  11. "Sveio, Hordaland (Norway)". Flags of the World. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  12. "Godkjenning av våpen og flagg". Lovdata.no (in Norwegian). Norges kommunal- og arbeidsdepartementet. 19 February 1982. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  13. Statistisk sentralbyrå. "Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)" (in Norwegian).
  14. Statistisk sentralbyrå. "Folketellingen 1960" (PDF) (in Norwegian).
  15. Universitetet i Tromsø – Norges arktiske universitet. "Censuses in the Norwegian Historical Data Archive (NHDC)".
  16. Hansen, Tore; Vabo, Signy Irene, eds. (20 September 2022). "kommunestyre". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  17. "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2019 - Vestland". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  18. "Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M)" (in Norwegian). Statistics Norway.
  19. "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Hordaland". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  20. "Kommunestyrevalget 1995" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  21. "Kommunestyrevalget 1991" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  22. "Kommunestyrevalget 1987" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  23. "Kommunestyrevalget 1983" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  24. "Kommunestyrevalget 1979" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  25. "Kommunevalgene 1975" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1977. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  26. "Kommunevalgene 1972" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1973. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  27. "Kommunevalgene 1967" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1967. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  28. "Kommunevalgene 1963" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1964. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  29. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1960. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  30. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1957. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  31. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1952. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  32. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1948. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  33. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1947. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  34. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1938. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  35. Sjurseth, Karl (1937). Hordaland fylke 1837–1937 (in Norwegian). Bergen. pp. 82–108.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  36. Steinsbø, Simon (1987). Gards- og ættesoge for Sveio (in Norwegian). Vol. 2. Sveio kommune. ISBN 8270961736.
  37. Steinsbø, Simon (1987). Gards- og ættesoge for Sveio (in Norwegian). Vol. 3. Sveio kommune. ISBN 8270961930.

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