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Bømlo

Coordinates: 59°46′46″N 05°13′06″E / 59.77944°N 5.21833°E / 59.77944; 5.21833
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This article is about the municipality in Norway. For the island, see Bømlo (island).
Bømlo Municipality
Bømlo kommune
Municipality
View of southern Bømlo
View of southern Bømlo
Flag of Bømlo Municipality
Flag
Coat of arms of Bømlo Municipality
Coat of arms
Vestland within Norway
Vestland within Norway
Bømlo within Vestland
Bømlo within Vestland
Coordinates: 59°46′46″N 05°13′06″E / 59.77944°N 5.21833°E / 59.77944; 5.21833
CountryNorway
CountyVestland
DistrictSunnhordland
Established1 January 1916
Administrative centreSvortland
Government
 • Mayor (2019)Sammy Olsen (Sp)
Area
 • Total246.57 km2 (95.20 sq mi)
 • Land235.45 km2 (90.91 sq mi)
 • Water11.12 km2 (4.29 sq mi)  4.5%
 • Rank#289 in Norway
Population
 (2020)
 • Total11,957
 • Rank#96 in Norway
 • Density50.8/km2 (132/sq mi)
 • Change (10 years)
Increase +6%
DemonymBømling[1]
Official language
[2]
 • Norwegian formNynorsk
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-4613[3]
WebsiteOfficial website
Data from Statistics Norway

Bømlo /ˈbʌmˌloʊ/ is a municipality in the southwestern part of Vestland county, Norway. It is located in the traditional district of Sunnhordland. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Svortland. Other villages in Bømlo include Mosterhamn, Rubbestadneset, Lykling, and Langevåg. Most of the municipal residents live on the island of Bømlo, which makes up the majority of the land in the municipality.

Bømlo was actively involved in the Shetland bus operation during the Second World War. A 23-year-old male from Bømlo, Nils Nesse, was the first of the Shetland Bus men to be killed.

The 247-square-kilometre (95 sq mi) municipality is the 289th largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Bømlo is the 96th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 11,957. The municipality's population density is 50.8 inhabitants per square kilometre (132/sq mi) and its population has increased by 6% over the previous 10-year period.[4][5]

General information

A 1720 map showing "Fundas or Bomel I."
View of Mosterhamn
View of the Old Moster Church

The municipality of Bømlo was established on 1 July 1916 when the old municipality of Finnås was divided into three smaller municipalities: Bømlo, Bremnes, and Moster. Initially, the municipality encompassed the southern part of the island of Bømlo and it had a population of 1,217. During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee. On 1 January 1963, the municipalities of Bremnes (population: 4,829) and Moster (population: 1,834) were merged with Bømlo (population: 1,463) which together formed a new, larger municipality called Bømlo. On 1 January 1970, a small area along the Valvatnavågen bay on the island of Stord was transferred from Bømlo to the neighboring Stord Municipality. On 1 January 1995, the islands of Aga, Agasystra, Gisøya, Vikøya, Selsøy, Risøya, and many smaller surrounding islands (population: 225) were transferred from the neighboring Fitjar Municipality to Bømlo. These islands had recently been connected to Bømlo by road bridges which precipitated the municipal transfer.[6]

Name

The municipality is named after the main island of Bømlo (Template:Lang-non), possibly derived from bembel, meaning navel or stomach. In this context, it is believed that it refers to something thick or swollen, similar to the mountain formation of Siggjo (for other possible interpretations, see Bamble). Until 1918 the name was written Bømmel.[7]

Coat of arms

The coat of arms was granted on 29 February 1980. Its colors include red and light grey, and illustrates the leaf of a water lily interlaced with a trefoil. The trefoil symbolizes the three former municipalities Bremnes, Moster, and Bømlo, which were united in 1963. The water lily leaf, however, was simply chosen as a decorative element without any further significance.[8]

Churches

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

Churches in Bømlo
Parish (sokn) Church name Location of the church Year built
Bremnes Bremnes Church Svortland 1869
Bømlo Bømlo Church Langevåg 1960
Old Bømlo Church Langevåg 1621
Lykling Lykling Church Lykling 1912
Moster Moster Church Mosterhamn 1874
Old Moster Church Moster 12th century

Geography

View of Espevær harbour
View of the Slåtterøy Lighthouse
View of Goddo island

The municipality includes about 900 islands, islets, and skerries, although most are very small and uninhabited. The main island is also called Bømlo, and other notable islands in Bømlo municipality include Moster, Otterøya, Spyssøya, Goddo, and Espevær. The municipality lies north of the entrance to the Hardangerfjorden, south of the Selbjørnsfjorden, and west of the Stokksundet. The Innværfjorden is a small fjord that cuts into the island of Bømlo around the village of Rubbestadneset.

The large island of Stord lies to the east. Bømlo is connected to Stord by the Triangle Link, which has made transportation to and from the municipality easier and more effective.

Bømlo is commonly distinguished in respect to residential ares. These areas include Svortland (previously Bremnes), Søra-Bømlo (South-Bømlo), Rubbestadneset, Moster, Finnås, Gilje, Goddo, and Hiskjo. Svortland is the administrative centre where there are stores, a cultural centre, schools and official buildings, and is located a bit north of the centre of the island. Moster is on the other hand more to the east with a high percentage of Christians devoted to at least three different christian denominations.

Siggjo

At 474 metres (1,555 ft) in height, the mountain Siggjo is the highest mountain on the island of Bømlo. The rocks on Siggjo contain large amounts of the igneous rock rhyolite, which was used in the Stone Age to create armament and tools. They have found rhyolite from Siggjo as far north as the Trøndelag region of Norway.[9] Siggjo is a popular attraction among locals and tourists.

Lykling

The Lykling village area has become a popular tourist attraction, mainly due to its history of extensive gold mining in Lyklingeberga. The discovery of gold in 1862 by a young shepherd, led to several constructions being built in the area. These were built by three major companies, mainly financed and run by English businessmen. In addition to the mining constructions, there was also built two hotels, one hotelship, several bakeries, and a number of retail stores. Mining activity started in 1882 and ended in 1910, lasting more than 25 years.

Government

All municipalities in Norway, including Bømlo, 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.[10] The municipality falls under the Sunnhordland District Court and the Gulating Court of Appeal.

Municipal council

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Bømlo is made up of 27 representatives that are elected to four-year terms. The party breakdown of the council is as follows:

Bømlo kommunestyre 2020–2023 [11]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 5
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 3
  Green Party (Miljøpartiet Dei Grøne) 1
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 7
  The Christians Party (Partiet Dei Kristne) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:27
Bømlo kommunestyre 2016–2019 [12]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 8
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 2
  Green Party (Miljøpartiet Dei Grøne) 1
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 5
  The Christians Party (Partiet Dei Kristne) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:27
Bømlo kommunestyre 2012–2015 [13]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 7
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 4
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 7
  The Christians Party (Partiet Dei Kristne) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:27
Bømlo kommunestyre 2008–2011 [12]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 4
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 6
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 9
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:27
Bømlo kommunestyre 2004–2007 [12]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 4
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 5
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 8
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 6
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:27
Bømlo kommunestyre 2000–2003 [12]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 4
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 8
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 11
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
 Election List for South Bømlo (Valliste for Søre Bømlo)6
Total number of members:35
Bømlo kommunestyre 1996–1999 [14]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 5
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 6
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 10
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 5
 Election list for South Bømlo (Valliste for Søre Bømlo)7
Total number of members:39
Bømlo kommunestyre 1992–1995 [15]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 6
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 8
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 10
 Election list for South Bømlo (Valliste for Søre Bømlo)3
 Election list for Moster and Håvik (Valliste for Moster og Håvik)2
Total number of members:39
Bømlo kommunestyre 1988–1991 [16]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 8
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 4
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 6
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 8
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 4
 Election list for South Bømlo (Valliste for Søre Bømlo)5
 Election list for Moster and Håvik (Valliste for Moster og Håvik)3
Total number of members:39
Bømlo kommunestyre 1984–1987 [17]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 9
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 2
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 9
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 11
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
 Non-party election list for South Bømlo
 (Upolitisk valliste for Søre Bømlo)		2
 Election list for Moster and Håvik (Valliste for Moster og Håvik)2
Total number of members:39
Bømlo kommunestyre 1980–1983 [18]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 5
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 10
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 13
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 4
 Non-party election list for South Bømlo
 (Upolitisk valliste for Søre Bømlo)		2
 Election list for Moster and Håvik (Valliste for Moster og Håvik)3
Total number of members:39
Bømlo kommunestyre 1976–1979 [19]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 6
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 6
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 13
  New People's Party (Nye Folkepartiet) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
 Non-party common list for Finnås, Moster, and Bømlo
 (Upolitisk Samlingsliste for Finnås, Moster og Bømlo)		4
 Election list for the Moster parish
 (Valliste for Moster Sokn)		3
 Election list for the Steinsbø area
 (Valliste for Steinsbø Krins)		1
Total number of members:39
Bømlo kommunestyre 1972–1975 [20]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 6
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 9
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 4
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 11
Total number of members:39
Bømlo kommunestyre 1968–1971 [21]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 6
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 7
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 5
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 18
Total number of members:39
Bømlo kommunestyre 1964–1967 [22]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 6
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 9
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 6
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 15
Total number of members:39
Bømlo heradsstyre 1960–1963 [23]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 15
Total number of members:15
Bømlo heradsstyre 1956–1959 [24]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 15
Total number of members:15
Bømlo heradsstyre 1952–1955 [25]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 12
Total number of members:12
Bømlo heradsstyre 1948–1951 [26]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 12
Total number of members:12
Bømlo heradsstyre 1945–1947 [27]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 12
Total number of members:12
Bømlo heradsstyre 1938–1941* [28]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 1
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 11
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 Bømlo (incomplete list):

  • 2019–present: Sammy Olsen (Sp)
  • 2011–2019: Odd Harald Hovland (Ap)
  • 1999–2011: Inge Reidar Kallevåg (H)

Culture

Historical population
YearPop.±%
19517,745—    
19618,104+4.6%
19718,276+2.1%
19819,258+11.9%
19919,727+5.1%
200110,839+11.4%
201111,421+5.4%
201711,806+3.4%
Source: Statistics Norway.

Bømlo is regionally known for several musical theatres and other theatrical productions performed in Moster Amfi, a local amphitheatre. The most famous performance, Mostraspelet, surrounds the topics of how Christianity arrived to Norway via Bømlo, late during the first millennium.

In 1975, the island of Espevær became known for its conspirative 'UFO-Ring', a physical imprint to the ground supposedly made from a stationed UFO, which is still visible as of 2012.[29]

Sports

Many local youths are active in some form of sport or activity, either as a hobby, as part of education, or sometimes even with the specific goal of becoming a professional.

Association football is one of the most popular sports played by the male population on the island. In recent years, there has been an increasing number of female footballers as well. Children often start playing football at an early age, and many play active for several years. As their skills develop, they are systematically graded up (or down) in divisions, a type of ranking system. Notable soccer players, such as Arne Larsen Økland, Geirmund Brendesæter, and Gunnar Meling, started their careers in Bremnes IL, one of the local sports clubs. Former top player and current coach for SK Brann, Mons Ivar Mjelde, had a brief stay at Moster IL.

Other popular sports and activities include team handball, motocross, athletics, shooting sports, social dance, floorball, baton twirling, rhythmic gymnastics, swimming, and martial arts.

Industry and economy

Chain ferry at Espevær

Wärtsilä, Eidesvik Offshore, Brandasund fiskeforedling, and Bremnes Seashore are notable industries, all of which are active in industries somehow related to the ocean. This, as well as tourism and agriculture, constitutes the main industries of Bømlo.

The economy of Bømlo is largely sustained by Eidesvik Offshore, Wärtsilä, fishing industry, tourism and general offshore related work.

Education

There are several schools in the area. They are all named according to their geographical locations, and include Svortland, Gilje, Meling, Folderøy, Våge, Håvik, and Espevær, which comprises students from 1st through 7th grade. Rubbestadneset, Moster, and Hillestveit have students from 1st through 10th grade. Bremnes Ungdomsskule, often abbreviated BUS, is located in Svortland, and gathers most students from 8th through 10th grade. There are two upper secondary schools, Bømlo Vidaregåande skule and Rubbestadnes Vidaregåande Skule (formerly Rubbestadnes Yrkesskule).

There is also a Folk High School, Olavskulen Folkehøgskule, which is located at Finnås.

Transport

An extensive tunnel and bridge system, the Triangle Link, connected Bømlo to the mainland and neighboring island Stord on 30 April 2001. It was officially opened on the latter date by king Harald V of Norway. The system includes the Bømlafjord Tunnel, the Bømla Bridge, and the Stord Bridge. The Norwegian County Road 542 is one of the main roads in Bømlo.

There is also a ferry that goes from Langevåg to Buavåg in Sveio, connecting the southern part of Bømlo to the mainland.

Notable people

Heine Totland, 2014
Arne Larsen Økland, 2014

Sport

References

  1. ^ "Navn på steder og personer: Innbyggjarnamn" (in Norwegian). Språkrådet.
  2. ^ "Forskrift om målvedtak i kommunar og fylkeskommunar" (in Norwegian). Lovdata.no.
  3. ^ Bolstad, Erik; Thorsnæs, Geir, eds. (26 January 2023). "Kommunenummer". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget.
  4. ^ Statistisk sentralbyrå (2020). "Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)" (in Norwegian).
  5. ^ Statistisk sentralbyrå (2020). "09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M)" (in Norwegian).
  6. ^ Jukvam, Dag (1999). "Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Statistisk sentralbyrå.
  7. ^ Rygh, Oluf (1910). Norske gaardnavne: Søndre Bergenhus amt (in Norwegian) (11 ed.). Kristiania, Norge: W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri. p. 126.
  8. ^ "Civic heraldry of Norway – Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  9. ^ "Ryolitt" (in Norwegian). SteinriketBømlo.
  10. ^ Hansen, Tore, ed. (12 May 2016). "kommunestyre". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  11. ^ "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2019 – Vestland". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  12. ^ a b c d "Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M)" (in Norwegian). Statistics Norway.
  13. ^ "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 – Hordaland". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  14. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1995" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  15. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1991" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  16. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1987" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  17. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1983" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  18. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1979" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  19. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1975" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1977. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  20. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1972" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1973. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  21. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1967" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1967. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  22. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1963" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1964. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  23. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1960. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  24. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1957. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  25. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1952. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  26. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1948. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  27. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1947. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  28. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1938. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  29. ^ "Bømlo kommune". Archived from the original on 25 February 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
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