Nesseby

Unjárga (Northern Sami) or Nesseby (Norwegian)[3] (also unofficially Uuniemi in Kven/Finnish) is a municipality in Troms og Finnmark county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Varangerbotn. Other villages in Nesseby include Gandvik, Karlebotn, Nesseby, and Nyelv. The European route E06 and European route E75 highways intersect at Varangerbotn in Nesseby.

Nesseby kommune Unjárgga gielda
Municipality
Abelsborg in Nesseby municipality
Flag Coat of arms Troms og Finnmark within Norway
Nesseby within Troms og Finnmark
Coordinates: 70°10′24″N 28°33′13″E
Country	Norway
County	Troms og Finnmark
District	Øst-Finnmark
Established	1839
Administrative centre	Varangerbotn
Government
• Mayor (2011)	Knut Inge Store (Ap)
Area
• Total	1,436.94 km^2 (554.81 sq mi)
• Land	1,365.92 km^2 (527.38 sq mi)
• Water	71.02 km^2 (27.42 sq mi)  4.9%
Area rank	62 in Norway
Population  (2020)
• Total	926
• Rank	340 in Norway
• Density	0.7/km^2 (2/sq mi)
• Change (10 years)	4.8%
Demonym(s)	Nessebyværing[1]
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 code	NO-5442
Official language form	Bokmål and Sami[2]
Website	nesseby.kommune.no
Data from Statistics Norway

The 1,437-square-kilometre (555 sq mi) municipality is the 62nd largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Nesseby is the 340th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 926. The municipality's population density is 0.7 inhabitants per square kilometre (1.8/sq mi) and its population has increased by 4.8% over the previous 10-year period.[4][5]

General information

The municipality of Nesseby was originally established in 1839 when the western part of the Vadsø landdistrikt was separated to form Nesseby. Initially, there were 598 residents. This was short-lived, however, since the two were merged back together in 1858. On 1 January 1864, the municipality of Nesseby was again created from the western district of Vadsø landdistrikt. The initial population (this time) was 886. The western part of Nesseby (population: 450) was separated on 1 January 1903 to form the new municipality of Polmak.[6]

On 1 January 2020, the municipality became part of the newly formed Troms og Finnmark county. Previously, it had been part of the old Finnmark county.[7]

Name

The official name of the municipality was Nesseby before 1989 when it was changed to Unjárga-Nesseby.[8] It was the second municipality in Norway to get a Sami name. In 2005, the name was again changed, such that either Unjárga or Nesseby can be used.[9]

The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the old Nesseby farm, since Nesseby Church was built there (in 1858). The first element is nes which means "headland" and the last element is by which means "town".[10]

The meaning of the first element (u-) in the Sami name is unknown and the last element is njárga which means "headland".[10]

Coat of arms

The coat of arms is from modern times; they were granted on 27 June 1986. The arms show a cloudberry plant (Rubus chamaemorus), since these plants are commonly found in the municipality and the region. The berries were historically exported to other parts of Norway by the barrel.[11]

Churches

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

Churches in Nesseby

Parish (sokn)	Church name	Location	Year built
Nesseby	Nesseby Church	Nesseby	1858

History

Farming of salmon in Nesseby

View of the lake Gánddajávri

Wild reindeer used to cross the isthmus in prehistoric times until the year 1900, causing extensive human activity throughout the millennia. Therefore, the area is full of archeological finds from different periods.

Sami culture

Most inhabitants are of Sami origin, and today Sami is being taught as the first language in schools. The municipality has its own Sami costume.

The Norwegian Sami Parliament's department of culture and environment is located in Unjárga-Nesseby. The Várjjat Sámi Museum is located in the municipality. The museum is about the sea-sami culture. Unjárga-Nesseby is also the birthplace of Isak Saba the first Sami to be elected into the Norwegian Parliament.

The popular teen-age pop-band The Blacksheeps come from Nesseby.

Government

All municipalities in Norway, including Nesseby, 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 Indre Finnmark District Court and the Hålogaland Court of Appeal.

Municipal council

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Nesseby is made up of 15 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The party breakdown of the council is as follows:

Unjárga Nesseby Kommunestyre 2020–2023 [13]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	7
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	1
	Sámi People's Party (Samefolkets Parti)	2
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	3
	Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)	1
	Cross-Party List (Tverrpolitisk liste)	1
Total number of members:		15

Unjárga Nesseby Kommunestyre 2016–2019 [14]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	7
	Sámi People's Party (Samefolkets Parti)	3
	Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)	2
	Cross-Party List (Tverrpolitisk liste)	3
Total number of members:		15

Unjárga Nesseby Kommunestyre 2012–2015 [15]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	6
	Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)	2
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	2
	Sámi People's Party (Samefolkets Parti)	2
	Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)	2
	Cross-Party List (Tverrpolitisk liste)	1
Total number of members:		15

Unjárga Nesseby Kommunestyre 2008–2011 [14]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	6
	Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)	3
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	1
	Sámi People's Party (Samefolkets Parti)	2
	Cross-Party List (Tverrpolitisk liste)	3
Total number of members:		15

Unjárga-Nesseby Kommunestyre 2004–2007 [14]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	6
	Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)	3
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	2
	Sámi People's Party (Samefolkets Parti)	3
	Cross-Party List (Tverrpolitisk liste)	3
Total number of members:		17

Unjárga-Nesseby Kommunestyre 2000–2003 [14]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	6
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	2
	Sámi People's Party (Samefolkets Parti)	2
	Cross-Party List (Tverrpolitisk liste)	5
	Free voters (Frie velgere)	2
Total number of members:		17

Unjárga-Nesseby Kommunestyre 1996–1999 [16]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	7
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	2
	Sámi List (Samefolkets liste)	3
	Cross-Party List (Tverrpolitisk liste)	5
Total number of members:		17

Unjárga-Nesseby Kommunestyre 1992–1995 [17]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	6
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	3
	Sámi List (Samefolkets liste)	2
	Cross-Party List (Tverrpolitisk liste)	6
Total number of members:		17

Unjárga-Nesseby Kommunestyre 1988–1991 [18]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	8
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	1
	Common List for Cross-Party Group and Centre Party (Fellesliste for tverrpolitiskgruppe og Senterpartiet)	5
	Sámi List (Samefolkets liste)	3
Total number of members:		17

Nesseby Kommunestyre 1984–1987 [19]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	9
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	1
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	2
	Sámi List (Samefolkets liste)	3
	Cross-Party list for fishermen, farmers, and others (Tverrpolitisk liste for fiskere, småbrukere og andre yrkesgruppe)	2
Total number of members:		17

Nesseby Kommunestyre 1980–1983 [20]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	7
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	4
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	3
	Sámi List (Samefolkets liste)	3
Total number of members:		17

Nesseby Kommunestyre 1976–1979 [21]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	7
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	2
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	2
	Local List(s) (Lokale lister)	2
Total number of members:		13

Nesseby Kommunestyre 1972–1975 [22]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	7
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	3
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	2
	Local List(s) (Lokale lister)	1
Total number of members:		13

Nesseby Kommunestyre 1968–1971 [23]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	7
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	4
	List of workers, fishermen, and small farmholders (Arbeidere, fiskere, småbrukere liste)	2
Total number of members:		13

Nesseby Kommunestyre 1964–1967 [24]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	8
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	2
	Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)	1
	List of workers, fishermen, and small farmholders (Arbeidere, fiskere, småbrukere liste)	2
Total number of members:		13

Nesseby Herredsstyre 1960–1963 [25]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	4
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	3
	Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)	1
	List of workers, fishermen, and small farmholders (Arbeidere, fiskere, småbrukere liste)	4
	Local List(s) (Lokale lister)	1
Total number of members:		13

Nesseby Herredsstyre 1956–1959 [26]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	7
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	2
	Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)	1
	List of workers, fishermen, and small farmholders (Arbeidere, fiskere, småbrukere liste)	3
Total number of members:		13

Nesseby Herredsstyre 1952–1955 [27]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	6
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	2
	Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)	1
	List of workers, fishermen, and small farmholders (Arbeidere, fiskere, småbrukere liste)	3
Total number of members:		12

Nesseby Herredsstyre 1948–1951 [28]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	4
	Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)	2
	List of workers, fishermen, and small farmholders (Arbeidere, fiskere, småbrukere liste)	6
Total number of members:		12

Nesseby Herredsstyre 1945–1947 [29]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	5
	List of workers, fishermen, and small farmholders (Arbeidere, fiskere, småbrukere liste)	7
Total number of members:		12

Nesseby Herredsstyre 1938–1941* [30]  

Party Name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	6
	List of workers, fishermen, and small farmholders (Arbeidere, fiskere, småbrukere liste)	2
	Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister)	2
	Local List(s) (Lokale lister)	2
Total number of members:		12

Geography

The municipality is situated on the isthmus between the Varangerfjord and the Tana River at the entrance to the Varanger Peninsula. All the people live in small settlements along the fjord. Varangerhalvøya National Park is partially located in the park. The river Jakobselva partially forms the municipal border between Nesseby and Vadsø to the northeast.

Birdlife

The municipality of Unjárga-Nesseby is known for its interesting birding localities and is mentioned in several birding guide books. Other than the Varangerford, the main habitat is tundra with areas of bog and marsh. One species that can usually be seen on small ponds during the summer months is the red-necked phalarope.

Climate

Climate data for Varangerbotn
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Daily mean °C (°F)	−11.9 (10.6)	−11.0 (12.2)	−7.4 (18.7)	−2.3 (27.9)	3.1 (37.6)	8.6 (47.5)	12.2 (54.0)	10.5 (50.9)	6.1 (43.0)	0.3 (32.5)	−5.7 (21.7)	−9.9 (14.2)	−0.6 (30.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	27 (1.1)	22 (0.9)	21 (0.8)	21 (0.8)	24 (0.9)	37 (1.5)	55 (2.2)	53 (2.1)	44 (1.7)	41 (1.6)	34 (1.3)	31 (1.2)	410 (16.1)
Source: Norwegian Meteorological Institute[31]

Notable people

Finn Lützow-Holm, 1934

• Søren Kristian Sommerfelt (1851–1934), Lutheran priest
• Anathon Aall (1867–1943), academic, philosopher and psychologist
• Isak Saba (1874–1921), the first Sami to be elected to the Stortinget
• Finn Lützow-Holm (1890–1950), military officer, aviation pioneer and polar explorer
• Anton Johnson Brandt (1893–1951), veterinarian and academic
• Signe Iversen (born 1956), Sami-language consultant and author of children's literature
• Raimo Valle (born 1965), civil servant and politician for the Labour Party
• Silje Karine Muotka (born 1975), member of the Sami Parliament of Norway
• Kirsti Bergstø (born 1981), politician for the Socialist Left Party
• Agnete Johnsen (born 1994), musician and lead singer of The BlackSheeps

References

1. "Navn på steder og personer: Innbyggjarnamn" (in Norwegian). Språkrådet.
2. "Forskrift om målvedtak i kommunar og fylkeskommunar" (in Norwegian). Lovdata.no.
3. "Stadnamn og rettskriving" (in Norwegian). Kartverket. Retrieved 2018-07-13.
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. Mæhlum, Lars, ed. (2019-12-24). "Troms og Finnmark". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 2019-12-26.
8. "Ot.prp. nr. 111 (2001-2002)" (in Norwegian). Regjeringen.no.
9. "Endring av skrivemåten for tospråklige kommuner. Endring av skrivemåten for tospråklige kommunenavn, Unjárga-Nesseby" (in Norwegian).
10. Rygh, Oluf (1924). Norske gaardnavne: Finmarkens amt (in Norwegian) (18 ed.). Kristiania, Norge: W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri. p. 246.
11. "Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 2017-08-20.
12. Hansen, Tore, ed. (2016-05-12). "kommunestyre". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 2018-05-30.
13. "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2019 - Troms og Finnmark". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 2019-10-23.
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 - Finnmark". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 2019-10-23.
16. "Kommunestyrevalget 1995" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
17. "Kommunestyrevalget 1991" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
18. "Kommunestyrevalget 1987" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
19. "Kommunestyrevalget 1983" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
20. "Kommunestyrevalget 1979" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
21. "Kommunevalgene 1975" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1977. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
22. "Kommunevalgene 1972" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1973. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
23. "Kommunevalgene 1967" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1967. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
24. "Kommunevalgene 1963" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1964. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
25. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1960. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
26. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1957. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
27. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1952. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
28. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1948. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
29. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1947. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
30. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1938. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
31. "eKlima Web Portal". Norwegian Meteorological Institute. Archived from the original on 2004-06-14.

External links

• http://www.nesseby.kommune.no/ Official homepage (in Norwegian)
• Municipal fact sheet from Statistics Norway (in Norwegian)
• http://www.varjjat.org/ Várjjat Sámi Museum (in Northern Sami)
• http://www.isaksaba.no/ Isak Saba center (in Northern Sami)