Egersund herred (historic name)
Country
Established
1 Jan 1838
• Created as
Administrative centre
• Mayor (2023)
Anja Hovland (H)
• Total
432.49 km2 (166.99 sq mi)
• Land
387.45 km2 (149.60 sq mi)
• Water
45.04 km2 (17.39 sq mi) 10.4%
• Rank
#228 in Norway
• Total
15,011
• Rank
#80 in Norway
• Density
38.7/km2 (100/sq mi)
+2.6%
Eigersunder[1]
• Summer (DST)
Website
Eigersund is a municipalityinRogaland county, Norway. It is in the traditional districtofDalane. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Egersund. The town was known for its pottery factory (closed in 1979) and it is among Norway's biggest fishing ports. The villages of Helleland, Hellvik, and Hestnes are also in Eigersund.
The island of Eigerøya lies just off shore from Egersund. The island has several well-known businesses and attractions including the Eigerøy war memorial from World War II.
The 432-square-kilometre (167 sq mi) municipality is the 228th largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Eigersund is the 80th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 15,011. The municipality's population density is 38.7 inhabitants per square kilometre (100/sq mi) and its population has increased by 2.6% over the previous 10-year period.[4][5]
The rural parish surrounding the town of Egersund was established as the municipality of Egersund landdisstrikt (Egersund rural district) on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt law). In 1839, the northwestern district of Augne (population: 825) was separated to form its own municipality. On 12 December 1868, a small area of Eigersund municipality (population: 41) was transferred to neighboring Sokndal. In 1947, an area of Eigersund immediately surrounding the town of Egersund (population: 515) was transferred to the town of Egersund and another area in Sokndal (population: 7) was transferred to Eigersund.[6]
During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers in Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee. On 1 January 1965, the town of Egersund (population: 3,787) was merged with the surrounding municipalities of Eigersund (population: 4,664), Helleland (population: 851), and the Gyadalen and Grøsfjel areas of Heskestad (population: 114). The new municipality was also called Eigersund. On 1 January 1967, the Tjørn farm (population: 10) was transferred from Eigersund to Sokndal.[6]
The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the Eigersundet strait (Old Norse: Eikundarsund). The first element is the genitive case of the name of the island of Eikund (now Eigerøya). The name of the island comes from the word eik which means "oak" followed by the suffix -und which means "plentiful of" (i.e. "the island covered with oak trees"). The last element is sund which means "strait" or "sound".[7]
Historically, the name of the municipality was spelled Egersund. On 3 November 1917, a royal resolution changed the spelling of the name of the municipality to Eigersund.[8] The town of Egersund within the municipality, however, did not change and it kept the old spelling. The form of the name spelled without the diphthong [ei] (Egersund) is the Danish language form of the name and at that time the municipal name was changed to use the Norwegian language form. The town kept the old spelling for historic purposes.
The coat of arms was granted on 20 October 1972. The official blazonis"Vert, an oak leaf Or" (Norwegian: På grønn bunn et opprett gull eikeblad). This means the arms have a green field (background) and the charge is an oak leaf. The oak leaf has a tinctureofOr which means it is commonly colored yellow, but if it is made out of metal, then gold is used. The arms are canting arms since the name is derived from Eikundarsund and the eik part means "oak". Oaks are also very common in the municipality. The arms were designed by Hallvard Trætteberg. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms.[9][10][11]
The Church of Norway has three parishes (sokn) within the municipality of Eigersund. It is part of the Dalane prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Stavanger.
Churches in Eigersund
Parish (sokn)
Church name
Location of the church
Year built
Egersund
1607
1960
Eigerøy
1998
Helleland
1832
The place is mentioned in Snorri Sturluson's writings. Later, Christian IV set up a battery there.
Eigersund Municipality is responsible for primary education (through 10th grade), outpatient health services, senior citizen services, welfare and other social services, zoning, economic development, and municipal roads and utilities. The municipality is governed by a municipal councilofdirectly elected representatives. The mayorisindirectly elected by a vote of the municipal council.[12] The municipality is under the jurisdiction of the Sør-Rogaland District Court and the Gulating Court of Appeal.
The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Eigersund is made up of 31 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political party.
Eigersund kommunestyre 2023–2027 [13]
Party name (in Norwegian)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)
8
Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)
7
Conservative Party (Høyre)
7
Industry and Business Party (Industri‑ og Næringspartiet)
2
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)
3
Centre Party (Senterpartiet)
2
Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)
1
Liberal Party (Venstre)
1
Total number of members:
31
Eigersund kommunestyre 2019–2023 [14]
Party name (in Norwegian)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)
10
Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)
6
Conservative Party (Høyre)
5
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)
3
Centre Party (Senterpartiet)
4
Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)
2
Liberal Party (Venstre)
1
Total number of members:
31
Eigersund kommunestyre 2015–2019 [15]
Party name (in Norwegian)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)
10
Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)
5
Conservative Party (Høyre)
6
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)
5
Centre Party (Senterpartiet)
3
Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)
1
Liberal Party (Venstre)
1
Total number of members:
31
Eigersund kommunestyre 2011–2015 [16]
Party name (in Norwegian)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)
8
Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)
4
Conservative Party (Høyre)
8
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)
6
Centre Party (Senterpartiet)
2
Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)
1
Liberal Party (Venstre)
2
Total number of members:
31
Eigersund kommunestyre 2007–2011 [15]
Party name (in Norwegian)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)
9
Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)
6
Conservative Party (Høyre)
10
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)
5
Centre Party (Senterpartiet)
2
Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)
1
Liberal Party (Venstre)
2
Total number of members:
35
Eigersund kommunestyre 2003–2007 [15]
Party name (in Norwegian)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)
8
Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)
6
Conservative Party (Høyre)
10
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)
4
Centre Party (Senterpartiet)
3
Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)
1
Liberal Party (Venstre)
3
Total number of members:
35
Eigersund kommunestyre 1999–2003 [15]
Party name (in Norwegian)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)
18
Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)
4
Conservative Party (Høyre)
9
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)
8
Centre Party (Senterpartiet)
3
Liberal Party (Venstre)
3
Total number of members:
45
Eigersund kommunestyre 1995–1999 [17]
Party name (in Norwegian)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)
16
Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)
3
Conservative Party (Høyre)
8
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)
9
Centre Party (Senterpartiet)
5
Liberal Party (Venstre)
4
Total number of members:
45
Eigersund kommunestyre 1991–1995 [18]
Party name (in Norwegian)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)
16
Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)
2
Conservative Party (Høyre)
9
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)
7
Centre Party (Senterpartiet)
6
Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)
2
Liberal Party (Venstre)
3
Total number of members:
45
Eigersund kommunestyre 1987–1991 [19]
Party name (in Norwegian)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)
13
Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)
3
Conservative Party (Høyre)
12
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)
9
Centre Party (Senterpartiet)
4
Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)
1
Liberal Party (Venstre)
3
Total number of members:
45
Eigersund kommunestyre 1983–1987 [20]
Party name (in Norwegian)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)
14
Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)
2
Conservative Party (Høyre)
13
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)
9
Centre Party (Senterpartiet)
3
Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)
1
Liberal Party (Venstre)
3
Total number of members:
45
Eigersund kommunestyre 1979–1983 [21]
Party name (in Norwegian)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)
11
Conservative Party (Høyre)
16
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)
10
New People's Party (Nye Folkepartiet)
1
Centre Party (Senterpartiet)
3
Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)
1
Liberal Party (Venstre)
3
Total number of members:
45
Eigersund kommunestyre 1975–1979 [22]
Party name (in Norwegian)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)
11
Conservative Party (Høyre)
9
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)
11
New People's Party (Nye Folkepartiet)
3
Centre Party (Senterpartiet)
5
Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)
1
Liberal Party (Venstre)
2
Cross-Party Alternative (Tverrpolitisk Alternativ)
3
Total number of members:
45
Eigersund kommunestyre 1971–1975 [23]
Party name (in Norwegian)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)
14
Conservative Party (Høyre)
6
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)
8
Centre Party (Senterpartiet)
6
Liberal Party (Venstre)
5
Total number of members:
39
Eigersund kommunestyre 1967–1971 [24]
Party name (in Norwegian)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)
15
Conservative Party (Høyre)
5
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)
7
Centre Party (Senterpartiet)
5
Liberal Party (Venstre)
7
Total number of members:
39
Eigersund kommunestyre 1963–1967 [25]
Party name (in Norwegian)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)
7
Conservative Party (Høyre)
3
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)
4
Centre Party (Senterpartiet)
3
Liberal Party (Venstre)
4
Total number of members:
21
Eigersund herredsstyre 1959–1963 [26]
Party name (in Norwegian)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)
6
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)
4
Centre Party (Senterpartiet)
3
Liberal Party (Venstre)
6
Local List(s) (Lokale lister)
2
Total number of members:
21
Eigersund herredsstyre 1955–1959 [27]
Party name (in Norwegian)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)
6
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)
4
Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet)
4
Liberal Party (Venstre)
7
Total number of members:
21
Eigersund herredsstyre 1951–1955 [28]
Party name (in Norwegian)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)
4
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)
4
Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet)
2
Liberal Party (Venstre)
6
Total number of members:
16
Eigersund herredsstyre 1947–1951 [29]
Party name (in Norwegian)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)
4
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)
3
Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet)
3
Liberal Party (Venstre)
6
Total number of members:
16
Eigersund herredsstyre 1945–1947 [30]
Party name (in Norwegian)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)
5
Liberal Party (Venstre)
8
Local List(s) (Lokale lister)
3
Total number of members:
16
Eigersund herredsstyre 1937–1941* [31]
Party name (in Norwegian)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)
2
Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister)
13
Local List(s) (Lokale lister)
1
Total number of members:
16
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.
The mayors (Norwegian: ordfører) of Eigersund:[32][33]
Eigersund extends from the North Sea coast to the border of Agder county. It borders the municipalities of Hå and Bjerkreim to the north and Sokndal to the south. The municipality is centered on the town of Egersund, and includes the island of Eigerøya. The landscape includes many rivers and lakes, as well as woods and several barren rocky and heather-clad moors. The lakes Grøsfjellvatnet, Eiavatnet, Nodlandsvatnet, and Teksevatnet lie in the municipality.
Eigerøya is an island off the coast of Egersund. The island is connected to the mainland over Eigerøy bridge, which was completed in 1951. The island's coastline is characterized by a number of small bays, as well as Lundarviga. Eigerøya is divided almost in two of the large bay of Lundarviga. The island is surrounded by a number of small islets. Eigerøy Lighthouse and Vibberodden Lighthouse are both located along the shores of Eigerøya.
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)
3.0
(37.4)
2.8
(37.0)
4.3
(39.7)
7.4
(45.3)
12.2
(54.0)
14.8
(58.6)
16.2
(61.2)
16.6
(61.9)
13.6
(56.5)
10.8
(51.4)
7.1
(44.8)
4.8
(40.6)
9.5
(49.1)
Daily mean °C (°F)
1.1
(34.0)
0.7
(33.3)
2.3
(36.1)
4.8
(40.6)
9.0
(48.2)
12.1
(53.8)
13.4
(56.1)
14.1
(57.4)
11.7
(53.1)
9.1
(48.4)
5.2
(41.4)
2.7
(36.9)
7.2
(45.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)
−0.5
(31.1)
−1.0
(30.2)
0.5
(32.9)
2.4
(36.3)
7.0
(44.6)
9.6
(49.3)
11.4
(52.5)
12.1
(53.8)
9.6
(49.3)
7.0
(44.6)
3.3
(37.9)
1.1
(34.0)
5.2
(41.4)
Average precipitation mm (inches)
121
(4.8)
80
(3.1)
95
(3.7)
68
(2.7)
77
(3.0)
76
(3.0)
96
(3.8)
117
(4.6)
154
(6.1)
168
(6.6)
163
(6.4)
135
(5.3)
1,350
(53.1)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm)
16.2
10.7
13.1
10.9
9.9
9.5
10.3
11.2
15.9
17.3
19.3
17.5
161.8
Source: Norwegian Meteorological Institute[35]
European route E39 runs through the municipality, passing the village of Helleland. The Sørlandet Line runs through the municipality, stopping at Egersund Station and Hellvik Station.
International
Geographic