Bardu

Bardu (Northern Sami: Bearddu suohkan, Kven: Perttulan komuuni) is a municipality in Troms og Finnmark county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Setermoen, the largest urban area in the municipality.

Bardu kommune Bearddu suohkan Perttulan komuuni
Municipality
Panorama of the village of Setermoen
Coat of arms Troms og Finnmark within Norway
Bardu within Troms og Finnmark
Coordinates: 68°51′51″N 18°21′10″E
Country	Norway
County	Troms og Finnmark
District	Midt-Troms
Established	1854
Administrative centre	Setermoen
Government
• Mayor (2015)	Toralf Heimdal (Sp)
Area
• Total	2,703.89 km^2 (1,043.98 sq mi)
• Land	2,513.60 km^2 (970.51 sq mi)
• Water	190.29 km^2 (73.47 sq mi)  7%
Area rank	18 in Norway
Population  (2020)
• Total	4,005
• Rank	203 in Norway
• Density	1.6/km^2 (4/sq mi)
• Change (10 years)	1.4%
Demonym(s)	Bardudøl[1]
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 code	NO-5416
Official language form	Neutral[2]
Website	bardu.kommune.no
Data from Statistics Norway

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 203rd most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 4,005. The municipality's population density is 1.6 inhabitants per square kilometre (4.1/sq mi) and its population has increased by 1.4% over the last decade.[3][4]

Norway's largest military garrison 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

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.[5]

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.[6]

Name

Bardu is a Norwegianized form of the Sámi name Beardu. The meaning of the Sámi name is probably "long and steep mountain side". Prior to 1889, the municipality was called "Bardodalen" which meant "the valley/dale of Bardo". From 1889 until 1908, the name was written "Bardo". Since 1909, it has been spelled "Bardu".[7]

Coat of arms

The coat of arms is from modern times; they were granted on 6 June 1980. The arms show a black wolverine on a gold background. It was chosen as a symbol for the large forests and the rich wildlife in the municipality.[8] The rock speedwell (Veronica fruticans) is the municipal flower.

Churches

The Church of Norway has one parish (sokn) within the municipality of Bardu. It is part of the Indre Troms prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Nord-Hålogaland.

Churches in Bardu

Parish (Sokn)	Church Name	Location of the Church	Year Built
Bardu	Bardu Church	Setermoen	1829
	Nedre Bardu Chapel	Brandmoen	1981
	Øvre Bardu Chapel	Sørdalen	1971
	Salangsdalen Chapel	Salangsdalen	1981

Government

All municipalities in Norway, including Bardu, 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.[9] The municipality falls under the Senja District Court and the Hålogaland Court of Appeal.

Municipal council

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Bardu is made up of 19 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The party breakdown of the council is as follows:

Bardu Kommunestyre 2020–2023 [10]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	4
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	2
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	12
	Liberal Party (Venstre)	1
Total number of members:		19

Bardu Kommunestyre 2016–2019 [11]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	7
	Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)	1
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	4
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	6
	Liberal Party (Venstre)	1
Total number of members:		19

Bardu Kommunestyre 2012–2015 [12]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	13
	Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)	1
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	7
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	3
	Liberal Party (Venstre)	1
Total number of members:		25

Bardu Kommunestyre 2008–2011 [11]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	7
	Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)	3
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	4
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	9
	Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)	1
	Liberal Party (Venstre)	1
Total number of members:		25

Bardu Kommunestyre 2004–2007 [11]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	8
	Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)	2
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	4
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	7
	Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)	2
	Liberal Party (Venstre)	1
	Bardu Independent Election List (Bardu Uavhengige Folkevalgte)	1
Total number of members:		25

Bardu Kommunestyre 2000–2003 [11]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	8
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	8
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	6
	Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)	1
	Liberal Party (Venstre)	1
	Bardu local list (Bardu bygdeliste)	1
Total number of members:		25

Bardu Kommunestyre 1996–1999 [13]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	9
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	8
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	6
	Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)	1
	Bardu local list (Bardu Bygdeliste)	1
Total number of members:		25

Bardu Kommunestyre 1992–1995 [14]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	8
	Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)	1
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	8
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	6
	Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)	2
Total number of members:		25

Bardu Kommunestyre 1988–1991 [15]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	10
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	9
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	5
	Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)	1
Total number of members:		25

Bardu Kommunestyre 1984–1987 [16]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	11
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	5
	Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)	1
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	7
	Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)	1
Total number of members:		25

Bardu Kommunestyre 1980–1983 [17]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	10
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	7
	Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)	1
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	6
	Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)	1
Total number of members:		25

Bardu Kommunestyre 1976–1979 [18]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	12
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	5
	Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)	1
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	6
	Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)	1
Total number of members:		25

Bardu Kommunestyre 1972–1975 [19]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	11
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	2
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	7
	Liberal Party (Venstre)	1
Total number of members:		21

Bardu Kommunestyre 1968–1971 [20]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	11
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	3
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	6
	Liberal Party (Venstre)	1
Total number of members:		21

Bardu Kommunestyre 1964–1967 [21]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	12
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	3
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	5
	Liberal Party (Venstre)	1
Total number of members:		21

Bardu Herredsstyre 1960–1963 [22]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	12
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	2
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	5
	Liberal Party (Venstre)	1
	Local List(s) (Lokale lister)	1
Total number of members:		21

Bardu Herredsstyre 1956–1959 [23]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	11
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	2
	Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister)	8
Total number of members:		21

Bardu Herredsstyre 1952–1955 [24]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	7
	Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister)	9
Total number of members:		16

Bardu Herredsstyre 1948–1951 [25]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	8
	Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister)	8
Total number of members:		16

Bardu Herredsstyre 1945–1947 [26]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	9
	Local List(s) (Lokale lister)	7
Total number of members:		16

Bardu Herredsstyre 1938–1941* [27]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	7
	Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister)	9
Total number of members:		16

Geography

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.

Climate data for Setermoen
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Daily mean °C (°F)	−10.3 (13.5)	−8.8 (16.2)	−5.3 (22.5)	−0.2 (31.6)	5.6 (42.1)	10.6 (51.1)	13.1 (55.6)	11.5 (52.7)	6.4 (43.5)	1.2 (34.2)	−5.2 (22.6)	−8.8 (16.2)	0.8 (33.4)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	73 (2.9)	67 (2.6)	45 (1.8)	42 (1.7)	35 (1.4)	49 (1.9)	69 (2.7)	79 (3.1)	79 (3.1)	106 (4.2)	75 (3.0)	78 (3.1)	797 (31.4)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm)	11.2	11.8	9.6	8.8	8.0	9.7	12.4	13.2	13.7	13.9	11.8	12.6	136.7
Source: Norwegian Meteorological Institute[28]

Media gallery

• 
  Bardu Church
• 
  The Bardu valley and river seen from Istind in the direction of Setermoen
• 
  Lynx at the Polar Park in Bardu.

Notable residents

Fred Børre Lundberg, 1991

• Alfred Henningsen (1918–2012) a military officer, spy and politician; Mayor of Bardu for over nine years, lived in Setermoen
• Sissel Solbjørg Bjugn (1947 in Bardu – 2011) a Norwegian poet and children's writer
• Regina Alexandrova (born 1967) a Norwegian politician, Bardu municipal councillor from 2007 to 2015

Sport

• Ole Hegge (1898 in Bardu – 1994) a cross-country skier and ski jumper, silver medallist at the 1928 Winter Olympics
• Fred Børre Lundberg (born 1969) a Nordic combined performer, won two team silver medals and one team gold medal at the 1992, 1994 and 1998 Winter Olympics and an individual gold at the 1994 Winter Olympics, raised in Bardufoss
• Kristian Hammer (born 1976) a Norwegian nordic combined skier, grew up in Setermoen

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 (2020). "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. Mæhlum, Lars, ed. (24 December 2019). "Troms og Finnmark". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 26 December 2019.
7. Store norske leksikon. "Bardu" (in Norwegian). Retrieved 28 September 2012.
8. "Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
9. Hansen, Tore, ed. (12 May 2016). "kommunestyre". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
10. "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2019 - Troms og Finnmark". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
11. "Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M)" (in Norwegian). Statistics Norway.
12. "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Troms Romsa". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
13. "Kommunestyrevalget 1995" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
14. "Kommunestyrevalget 1991" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
15. "Kommunestyrevalget 1987" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
16. "Kommunestyrevalget 1983" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
17. "Kommunestyrevalget 1979" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
18. "Kommunevalgene 1975" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1977. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
19. "Kommunevalgene 1972" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1973. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
20. "Kommunevalgene 1967" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1967. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
21. "Kommunevalgene 1963" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1964. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
22. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1960. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
23. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1957. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
24. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1952. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
25. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1948. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
26. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1947. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
27. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1938. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
28. "eKlima Web Portal". Norwegian Meteorological Institute. Archived from the original on 14 June 2004.

External links

• Municipal fact sheet from Statistics Norway
• Troms travel guide from Wikivoyage
• http://www.polarzoo.no