Værøy

Værøy is an island municipality in Nordland county, Norway. It is part of the traditional district of Lofoten. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Sørland on the main island of Værøya. The other village in Værøy is Nordland. Most of the residents live in the Sørland area surrounding the main harbor. The old Værøy Lighthouse sits at the end of that harbor.

This article is about the municipality in Nordland county, Norway. For the island in that municipality, see Værøya.
Værøy kommune
Municipality
The islands and islets of Værøy
The islands and islets of Værøy
Flag of Værøy kommune
Flag
Coat of arms of Værøy kommune
Coat of arms
Official logo of Værøy kommune
Nordland within
Norway
Værøy within Nordland
Værøy within Nordland
Coordinates: 67°40′23″N 12°40′09″E
CountryNorway
CountyNordland
DistrictLofoten
Established1 Jan 1838
Administrative centreSørland
Government
 • Mayor (2019)Susann Berg Kristiansen (LL)
Area
 • Total18.64 km2 (7.20 sq mi)
 • Land18.60 km2 (7.18 sq mi)
 • Water0.04 km2 (0.02 sq mi)  0.2%
 • Rank#351 in Norway
Population
 (2022)
 • Total678
 • Rank#347 in Norway
 • Density36.5/km2 (95/sq mi)
 • Change (10 years)
Decrease −9.7%
DemonymVærøyværing[1]
Official language
[2]
 • Norwegian formBokmål
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-1857
WebsiteOfficial website
Data from Statistics Norway

The 19-square-kilometre (7.3 sq mi) municipality is the 351st largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Værøy is the 347th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of only 678. The municipality's population density is 36.5 inhabitants per square kilometre (95/sq mi) and its population has decreased by 9.7% over the previous 10-year period.[3][4]

General information
Måstad
Location of Værøy

The municipality of Værøy was established on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt law). On 1 July 1928, the southern district of Værøy (population: 731) was separated to become the new Røst Municipality.[5]

Name

The Old Norse form of the name was Veðrøy. The first element is veðr which means "weather" (here referring to harsh weather and the exposed and unsheltered position of the island). The last element is øy which means "island". Historically, the name has been spelled Værø.[6]

Coat of arms

The coat of arms was granted on 7 October 1988. The official blazon is "Azure, a puffin argent armed gules" (Norwegian: I blått en sølv lundefugl). This means the arms have a blue field (background) and the charge is a puffin. The puffin 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 charge is also "armed gules" which means that the beak and feet are colored red. The blue color in the field symbolizes the importance of the sea. The churge is a puffin to represent the fact that they nest in large numbers in the area and historically, they held great importance for the island municipality, both for meat and down feathers. The arms were designed by John Digernes.[7][8][9]

Churches

The Church of Norway has one parish (sokn) within the municipality of Værøy. It is part of the Bodø domprosti (arch-deanery) in the Diocese of Sør-Hålogaland.

Churches in Værøy
Parish (sokn)Church nameLocation of the churchYear built
VærøyVærøy ChurchSørland1939
Old Værøy ChurchNordland1799

Geography
Looking south at Mosken and then Værøya (from Moskenes)

The island municipality is made up of many islands, the two largest islands being Værøya and Mosken. It is located at the end of the Lofoten archipelago. The Norwegian Sea lies to the northwest and the Vestfjorden lies to the southeast. The Moskenstraumen maelstrom lies to the north between Værøya and Moskenesøya.

Climate

The weather in Værøy can be very changeable. Sunshine, rain, wind, and mist may interchange rapidly. The winter climate is mild and the temperature seldom drops below 0 °C (32 °F). This makes conditions for stockfish exceptionally good.

Røst and Værøy are among the most northern locations in the world where there is no meteorological winter because the average temperature generally stays above freezing all year. The winter temperatures in southern Lofoten represent the highest temperature anomaly in the world relative to latitude. However, the winter weather is rather windy.[10] The polar night occurs from December 13–29 and the midnight sun occurs from May 28- July 15.

Værøy has a subpolar oceanic climate (Cfc) with short, cool summers and long winters.

Climate data for Værøy 1991-2020 (precipitation 61-90, extremes 2005-2023)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 8.9
(48.0)		 8.4
(47.1)		 7.9
(46.2)		 12.5
(54.5)		 19
(66)		 21.1
(70.0)		 22.7
(72.9)		 23.1
(73.6)		 17.4
(63.3)		 15.2
(59.4)		 11.4
(52.5)		 9.7
(49.5)		 23.1
(73.6)
Daily mean °C (°F) 2.3
(36.1)		 1.5
(34.7)		 1.8
(35.2)		 3.5
(38.3)		 6.2
(43.2)		 9.3
(48.7)		 12.2
(54.0)		 12.1
(53.8)		 10.1
(50.2)		 7.1
(44.8)		 5
(41)		 3.3
(37.9)		 6.2
(43.2)
Record low °C (°F) −8
(18)		 −9.5
(14.9)		 −7.4
(18.7)		 −4.3
(24.3)		 −2
(28)		 1.5
(34.7)		 6.5
(43.7)		 4.2
(39.6)		 2.5
(36.5)		 −3.4
(25.9)		 −4.3
(24.3)		 −6.5
(20.3)		 −9.5
(14.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 96
(3.8)		 75
(3.0)		 74
(2.9)		 59
(2.3)		 40
(1.6)		 43
(1.7)		 57
(2.2)		 64
(2.5)		 98
(3.9)		 130
(5.1)		 104
(4.1)		 110
(4.3)		 950
(37.4)
Source: Norwegian Meteorological Institute[11]

Government

All municipalities in Norway, including Værøy, 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 Værøy is made up of 13 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The party breakdown of the council is as follows:

Værøy kommunestyre 2020–2023 [13]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 1
 Værøy List (Værøylista)4
 Common List for Værøy (Felleslista for Værøy)2
Total number of members:13
Værøy kommunestyre 2016–2019 [14]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
 Værøy List (Værøylista)3
 Common List for Værøy (Felleslista for Værøy)5
Total number of members:13
Værøy kommunestyre 2012–2015 [15]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
 Common List for Værøy (Felleslista for Værøy)8
Total number of members:13
Værøy kommunestyre 2008–2011 [14]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 5
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
 Common list for Værøy (Felleslista for Værøy)6
Total number of members:13
Værøy kommunestyre 2004–2007 [14]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
 Common list for Værøy (Felleslista for Værøy)7
Total number of members:13
Værøy kommunestyre 2000–2003 [14]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
 Common list for Værøy (Felleslista for Værøy)5
Total number of members:13
Værøy kommunestyre 1996–1999 [16]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 5
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
 Common list for Værøy (Felleslista for Værøy)6
Total number of members:13
Værøy kommunestyre 1992–1995 [17]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 5
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
Total number of members:13
Værøy kommunestyre 1988–1991 [18]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 8
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Joint list of the Centre Party (Senterpartiet) and the Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
Total number of members:13
Værøy kommunestyre 1984–1987 [19]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 8
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Joint list of the Centre Party (Senterpartiet) and the Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
 Free voters' list (Frie Velgeres lista)1
Total number of members:13
Værøy kommunestyre 1980–1983 [20]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Joint list of the Conservative Party (Høyre), Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti), and Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
Total number of members:13
Værøy kommunestyre 1976–1979 [21]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
 Cooperation List (Samarbeidsliste)6
Total number of members:13
Værøy kommunestyre 1972–1975 [22]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 8
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 4
Total number of members:13
Værøy kommunestyre 1968–1971 [23]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 6
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 5
Total number of members:13
Værøy kommunestyre 1964–1967 [24]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 5
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 6
Total number of members:13
Værøy herredsstyre 1960–1963 [25]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 2
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 4
Total number of members:13
Værøy herredsstyre 1956–1959 [26]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 4
Total number of members:13
Værøy herredsstyre 1952–1955 [27]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 3
Total number of members:12
Værøy herredsstyre 1948–1951 [28]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 2
Total number of members:12
Værøy herredsstyre 1945–1947 [29]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 12
Total number of members:12
Værøy herredsstyre 1938–1941* [30]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 12
Total number of members:12
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.

Mayor

The mayors of Værøy (incomplete list):

Transportation

Helicopter transport is available from Bodø at the Værøy Heliport in Sørland. There was airplane service at Værøy Airport, but it was discontinued after the Værøy accident in 1990 in which five people died. The airport was determined to be in a bad position, due to the location next to a mountain and the frequent presence of strong and unpredictable winds, which made takeoffs and landings dangerous.[31] Ferry service is also available from Bodø, Moskenes, and Røst.

Tourist attractions
View of the southern part of the island of Værøya, the abandoned village of Mostad is located here
Norwegian Lundehund looking out at the ocean on the north side of the island Værøya. The island on the top, in the middle, is "Mosken"
  • Sportfishing for cod, coalfish, and halibut is practiced here.
  • Turstien is a floodlit track which was opened in 1999. The surface is suitable for bikers, prams, and wheelchairs.
  • Breivika is situated on the road between Sørland and Nordland, and is the location of the Skarsursanden beach. From the main road there is a signposted path going up Breivikdalen.
  • Heia has views of the island. It can be reached via a step path called Bjørka, or by following the tarred road up Rømdalen. About halfway there is an old eagle trapping site.
  • Eagle trapping is a tradition peculiar to the Værøy islanders. They caught eagles with their bare hands. Ancient sites can still be seen, at Rømdalen, for instance.
  • Gjerdeheia forms a vast and completely flat plateau on top. It can be reached from Breiviksdalen by turning left at the end of the valley or following the path going up Rømdalen and turning right before passing Hornet.
  • Nordlandsnupen is Værøy's highest mountain. One must reach it by walking up Breiviksdalen and turning right at the end of the valley.
  • Mollbakken in Nordland consists of smoothly ground round stones. Here, many burial sites from the Viking Age have been found.
  • Old Værøy Church in Nordland is the oldest church in Lofoten, built around 1740. The altarpiece dates back to about 1714 and features alabaster figures made in England in 1430.
  • Nordlandshagen - the Garden of Nordland - is a popular area for the outdoor life. The midnight sun can be seen here from May 30 to July 13.
  • Mostad is located in the south. The mountainside more or less hangs right over the old, abandoned village of Mostad. This is where the puffin dog originated. Often people will walk from Nordlandshagen.
  • Norwegian Lundehund or Puffin dog is one of Norway's seven breeds of dogs, and the rarest one. It has an extra toe, is small, and very agile. Puffin dogs were used solely for the puffin hunt and because the hunt was of such great importance to the islanders, this race of dogs managed to survive in Værøy.
  • Sanden is a beach with a 400-metre (1,300 ft) tall wall of rock towers over the spot, making it incredibly warm on fine summer days. Access is only by boat.

In literature

Notable people

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. 351.
  7. "Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  8. "Vaeroy, Nordland". Flags of the World. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  9. "Godkjenning av våpen og flagg". Lovdata.no (in Norwegian). Norges kommunal- og arbeidsdepartementet. 2 December 1988. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  10. "Lofoten Temperature Anomalies". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
  11. "Norwegian Meteorological Institute".
  12. Hansen, Tore, ed. (12 May 2016). "kommunestyre". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  13. "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2019 - Nordland". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 28 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 28 October 2019.
  16. "Kommunestyrevalget 1995" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  17. "Kommunestyrevalget 1991" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  18. "Kommunestyrevalget 1987" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  19. "Kommunestyrevalget 1983" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  20. "Kommunestyrevalget 1979" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  21. "Kommunevalgene 1975" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1977. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  22. "Kommunevalgene 1972" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1973. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  23. "Kommunevalgene 1967" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1967. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  24. "Kommunevalgene 1963" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1964. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  25. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1960. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  26. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1957. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  27. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1952. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  28. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1948. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  29. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1947. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  30. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1938. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  31. "Accident description". Aviation-Safety.net. Retrieved 30 November 2008.
  32. Fisher, Benjamin F., ed. (2004). The Essential Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe. Spark Educational Publishing. p. 231. ISBN 1-59308-064-6.
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