Kvinesdal

Kvinesdal is a municipality in Agder county, Norway. It is located in the traditional district of Lister. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Liknes. Other villages in Kvinesdal include Feda, Fjotland, and Storekvina.

Kvinesdal kommune
Municipality
View of the Kvinesdal valley
Agder within
Norway
Kvinesdal within Agder
Coordinates: 58°20′17″N 07°01′23″E
CountryNorway
CountyAgder
DistrictLister
Established1 Jan 1838
Administrative centreLiknes
Government
 • Mayor (2015)Per Sverre Kvinlaug (KrF)
Area
 • Total963.22 km2 (371.90 sq mi)
 • Land886.49 km2 (342.28 sq mi)
 • Water76.73 km2 (29.63 sq mi)  8%
Area rank120 in Norway
Population
 (2020)
 • Total5,987
 • Rank158 in Norway
 • Density6.8/km2 (18/sq mi)
 • Change (10 years)
3.7%
Demonym(s)Kvindøl[1]
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-4227
Official language formNeutral[2]
Websitekvinesdal.kommune.no
Data from Statistics Norway

Kvinesdal is an elongated mountain-to-coast municipality, reaching saltwater at the head of the Fedafjorden, which provides access to the North Sea in the south. Further north, the landscape is cut by narrow valleys with scattered small villages. There are also abandoned mines at Knaben, a popular ski resort. Because Kvinesdal resembles the geography of the nation as a whole, it is often referred to as "Little Norway".[3]

The 963-square-kilometre (372 sq mi) municipality is the 120th largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Kvinesdal is the 158th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 5,987. The municipality's population density is 6.8 inhabitants per square kilometre (18/sq mi) and its population has increased by 3.7% over the previous 10-year period.[4][5]

Kvinesdal belongs to a central area in the Norwegian south from which many people emigrated to North America, particularly the United States, from the 1850s until the 1950s. It is noted for being an "American village" (Norwegian: Amerika-bygd) because of the high number of American residents. These are typically either Norwegians who moved to the States, obtained US Citizenship and later moved back to Norway, or are descendants of Norwegians who have never acquired Norwegian citizenship.

General information
View of the Kvinesdal valley
View of Kvinesdal (1963)
Kvinesdal Church

The parish of Kvinesdal was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt law). In 1841, the neighboring municipality of Fjotland (population: 980) was merged with Kvinesdal to form a new, larger municipality of Kvinesdal, although this was short-lived. In 1858, the merger was un-done and Fjotland became a separate municipality once again. After the split, Kvinesdal had 4,485 residents.

On 1 January 1900, the municipality of Kvinesdal was divided into two: the municipality of Feda in the far southern part (population: 1,090) and the municipality of Liknes in the northern part (population: 2,937). The name of Liknes municipality was changed (back) to Kvinesdal in 1917. 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 Fjotland (population: 1,244), Feda (population: 576), and Kvinesdal (population: 3,218) were merged to form one large municipality of Kvinesdal.[6]

Name

The Old Norse form of the name was Hvínisdalr. The first element is the genitive case of the fjord name Hvínir (now called the Fedafjorden) and the last element is dalr which means "valley" or "dale". The name of the fjord is derived from the river name Hvín (now Kvina), and that name is derived from the verb hvína which means "squeal". During the period from 1900 to 1917, the municipality was named Liknes.[7]

Coat of arms

The coat of arms was granted on 15 March 1985. The arms show a Y-shaped silver or white figure on a blue background. The Y-shape symbolizes the meeting of the two rivers: Kvina and Litleåna which join together and then flow into the Fedafjorden just south of Liknes.[8]

Churches

The Church of Norway has three parishes (sokn) within the municipality of Kvinesdal. It is part of the Lister og Mandal prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Agder og Telemark.

Churches in Kvinesdal
Parish (sokn)Church nameLocation of the churchYear built
FedaFeda ChurchFeda1802
FjotlandFjotland ChurchFjotland1836
Netlandsnes ChapelNetland1886
KvinesdalKvinesdal ChurchLiknes1837

Geography

The long, narrow municipality of Kvinesdal stretches from the mountains in the north, along the Kvinesdalen valley to the Fedafjorden in the south. To the west, Kvinesdal is bordered by Flekkefjord and Sirdal municipalities. To the east, it is bordered by Åseral and Hægebostad. To the south, it is bordered by Lyngdal, and it is bordered by Farsund in the east and south. A small segment of the northern boundary borders Bygland municipality in Agder county.

The river Kvina, which runs through the municipality, is known for its salmon, and salmon fishing is a popular activity.

Two valleys meet in Kvinesdal's center: Vesterdalen (the Western Valley) through which flows the river Kvina and Austerdalen (the Eastern Valley) through which flows the river Litleåna to join the Kvina.

Climate
Climate data for Liknes
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Daily mean °C (°F) −2.0
(28.4)		 −2.0
(28.4)		 1.0
(33.8)		 4.5
(40.1)		 10.1
(50.2)		 13.7
(56.7)		 15.2
(59.4)		 14.7
(58.5)		 10.7
(51.3)		 7.4
(45.3)		 2.5
(36.5)		 −1.5
(29.3)		 6.2
(43.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 180
(7.1)		 130
(5.1)		 135
(5.3)		 85
(3.3)		 105
(4.1)		 100
(3.9)		 115
(4.5)		 150
(5.9)		 205
(8.1)		 240
(9.4)		 240
(9.4)		 200
(7.9)		 1,885
(74.2)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm) 16.6 11.1 12.8 10.4 11.7 10.9 11.0 12.3 15.8 16.6 17.9 16.9 164
Source: Norwegian Meteorological Institute[9]

Population

About 10% of the inhabitants of Kvinesdal are American citizens, and Kvinesdal does enjoy a special relationship with the United States. Every year, the municipality hosts a special festival remembering the days when local people emigrated to the new world.

History
View of the Salmeli farm

Kvinesdal was home of many prominent characters in the Saga Period. Among them were the Skald Tjodolv the Frode. Frode means one with great knowledge of the history of ancestors. He composed a historic poem for his king Harold Fairhair. His work was later combined into the Heimskringla when it was recorded by Snorri Sturluson.

In northern Kvinesdal, along the high plateau which sits at 550 metres (1,800 ft) above sea level, records show that the Salmeli Farm dates back at least to the year 1300. During the Black Death years of 1350 the farm became deserted, but was back as a working farm again by 1647. It is now a historic site.

The bailiff Stig Bagge, who was granted local leadership from 1536 to 1542 by Christian III of Denmark, was an energetic man when he lived at his ancestral home of Eikeland in Kvinesdal. According to the reports of Peder Claussøn Friis, he executed refractory peasants so willingly that the district thought it was to excess; he was the district's bogeyman for many years thereafter. When the bailiff in Nedenes was killed in his bed and rebels came in an unsuccessful attempt to capture and execute Stig, he collected his men and brutally stifled the revolt. Stig himself died by being drawn and quartered by the Dutch when he was caught in piracy or espionage off their coast at Walcheren.[10]

Government

All municipalities in Norway, including Kvinesdal, 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.[11] The municipality falls under the Lister District Court and the Agder Court of Appeal.

Municipal council

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

Kvinesdal Kommunestyre 2020–2023 [12]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)6
 Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)4
 Conservative Party (Høyre)4
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)7
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)6
Total number of members:27
Kvinesdal Kommunestyre 2016–2019 [13]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)9
 Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)5
 Green Party (Miljøpartiet De Grønne)1
 Conservative Party (Høyre)5
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)5
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)2
Total number of members:27
Kvinesdal Kommunestyre 2012–2015 [14]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)11
 Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)4
 Conservative Party (Høyre)5
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)5
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)2
Total number of members:27
Kvinesdal Kommunestyre 2008–2011 [13]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)9
 Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)7
 Conservative Party (Høyre)3
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)5
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)3
Total number of members:27
Kvinesdal Kommunestyre 2004–2007 [13]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)6
 Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)6
 Conservative Party (Høyre)3
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)4
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)4
 Liberal Party (Venstre)1
 Cross-party list (Tverrpolitisk liste)3
Total number of members:27
Kvinesdal Kommunestyre 2000–2003 [13]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)7
 Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)5
 Conservative Party (Høyre)7
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)9
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)5
 Liberal Party (Venstre)2
Total number of members:35
Kvinesdal Kommunestyre 1996–1999 [15]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)8
 Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)3
 Conservative Party (Høyre)5
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)10
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)7
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)1
 Liberal Party (Venstre)1
Total number of members:35
Kvinesdal Kommunestyre 1992–1995 [16]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)8
 Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)3
 Conservative Party (Høyre)5
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)10
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)6
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)2
 Liberal Party (Venstre)1
Total number of members:35
Kvinesdal Kommunestyre 1988–1991 [17]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)9
 Conservative Party (Høyre)8
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)9
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)2
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)1
 Liberal Party (Venstre)1
 Local list (Bygdelista)5
Total number of members:35
Kvinesdal Kommunestyre 1984–1987 [18]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)7
 Conservative Party (Høyre)6
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)8
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)2
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)1
 Liberal Party (Venstre)1
 Local list against forced renovation
 (Bygdeliste mot tvungen renovasjon)		10
Total number of members:35
Kvinesdal Kommunestyre 1980–1983 [19]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)9
 Conservative Party (Høyre)9
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)10
 Liberal People's Party (Liberale Folkepartiet)1
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)2
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)1
 Liberal Party (Venstre)2
 Local list for Feda, Fjotland, and Kvinesdal
 (Bygdeliste for Feda, Fjotland og Kvinesdal)		1
Total number of members:35
Kvinesdal Kommunestyre 1976–1979 [20]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)7
 Conservative Party (Høyre)7
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)12
 New People's Party (Nye Folkepartiet)1
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)2
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)1
 Liberal Party (Venstre)3
 Non-party list for Feda, Kvinesdal, and Fjotland
 (Upolitisk liste for Feda, Kvinesdal og Fjotland)		2
Total number of members:35
Kvinesdal Kommunestyre 1972–1975 [21]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)12
 Conservative Party (Høyre)4
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)9
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)3
 Liberal Party (Venstre)6
 Local List(s) (Lokale lister)1
Total number of members:35
Kvinesdal Kommunestyre 1968–1971 [22]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)11
 Conservative Party (Høyre)4
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)9
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)2
 Liberal Party (Venstre)7
 Local List(s) (Lokale lister)2
Total number of members:35
Kvinesdal Kommunestyre 1964–1967 [23]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)12
 Conservative Party (Høyre)4
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)8
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)3
 Liberal Party (Venstre)8
Total number of members:35
Kvinesdal Herredsstyre 1960–1963 [24]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)6
 Conservative Party (Høyre)4
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)5
 Liberal Party (Venstre)7
 Local List(s) (Lokale lister)3
Total number of members:25
Kvinesdal Herredsstyre 1956–1959 [25]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)6
 Conservative Party (Høyre)2
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)5
 Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet)2
 Liberal Party (Venstre)7
 Local List(s) (Lokale lister)3
Total number of members:25
Kvinesdal Herredsstyre 1952–1955 [26]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)6
 Conservative Party (Høyre)1
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)5
 Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet)1
 Liberal Party (Venstre)6
 Local List(s) (Lokale lister)5
Total number of members:24
Kvinesdal Herredsstyre 1948–1951 [27]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)4
 Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)1
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)6
 Local List(s) (Lokale lister)13
Total number of members:24
Kvinesdal Herredsstyre 1945–1947 [28]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)6
 Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)1
 Local List(s) (Lokale lister)17
Total number of members:24
Kvinesdal Herredsstyre 1938–1941* [29]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)7
 Liberal Party (Venstre)4
 Local List(s) (Lokale lister)13
Total number of members:24

Economy

In addition to various small businesses and public services, Kvinesdal's economy is driven in part by hydroelectric power. The Sira-Kvina power company derives hydroelectric power from the Kvina river, in addition to various smaller dams. Eramet is an important local employer that provides work to about 200 persons in producing manganese-alloys.[30] There is also a small tourism industry, with golfing and fishing being the main draws.

Notable residents
Aril Edvardsen, 2007
Silvia Moi, 2006

Sport

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. Welle-Strand, Erling (1996). Adventure Roads in Norway. Nortrabooks. ISBN 82-90103-71-9.
  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. Store norske leksikon. "Kvinesdal" (in Norwegian). Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  8. "Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
  9. "eKlima Web Portal". Norwegian Meteorological Institute. Archived from the original on 14 June 2004.
  10. Stagg, Frank Noel (1958). South Norway. George Allen & Unwin, Ltd.
  11. Hansen, Tore, ed. (12 May 2016). "kommunestyre". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  12. "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2019 - Agder". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  13. "Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M)" (in Norwegian). Statistics Norway.
  14. "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Vest-Agder". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  15. "Kommunestyrevalget 1995" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  16. "Kommunestyrevalget 1991" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  17. "Kommunestyrevalget 1987" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  18. "Kommunestyrevalget 1983" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  19. "Kommunestyrevalget 1979" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  20. "Kommunevalgene 1975" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1977. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  21. "Kommunevalgene 1972" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1973. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  22. "Kommunevalgene 1967" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1967. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  23. "Kommunevalgene 1963" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1964. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  24. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1960. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  25. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1957. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  26. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1952. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  27. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1948. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  28. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1947. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  29. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1938. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  30. "Eramet Norway Kvinesdal". Eramet Norway.
  31. IMDb Database retrieved 14 November 2020
  32. IMDb Database retrieved 14 November 2020

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