Volden herred (historic name)
Country
Established
1 Jan 1838
• Created as
Administrative centre
• Mayor (2019)
Sølvi Dimmen (Sp)
• Total
876.85 km2 (338.55 sq mi)
• Land
833.63 km2 (321.87 sq mi)
• Water
43.24 km2 (16.70 sq mi) 4.9%
• Rank
#132 in Norway
• Total
10,960
• Rank
#105 in Norway
• Density
13.1/km2 (34/sq mi)
+8.9%
Volding[1]
• Summer (DST)
Website
Volda is a municipalityinMøre og Romsdal county, Norway. It is part of the Sunnmøre region. The administrative centre is the village of Volda. Other villages in the municipality include Dravlaus, Fyrde, Straumshamn, Leira, Bjørke, and Grodås. The municipality is located about 50 kilometres (31 mi) south of the town of Ålesund.
The 877-square-kilometre (339 sq mi) municipality is the 132nd largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Volda is the 105th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 10,960. The municipality's population density is 13.1 inhabitants per square kilometre (34/sq mi) and its population has increased by 8.9% over the previous 10-year period.[4][5]
The municipality of Volden was established on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt law). The original municipality was the same as the parish (prestegjeld) of Volden, including the sub-parishes of Ørsta and Dalsfjord. On 1 August 1883, the sub-parish of Ørsta (population: 2,070) was separated from Volden to form a new municipality of its own. This left Volden with 3,485 residents. On 1 January 1893, the Ytrestølen farm in the Ørsta municipality (population: 13) was transferred to Volden municipality. In 1918, the name was changed from VoldentoVolda.[6]
On 1 July 1924, the sub-parish of Dalsfjord (population: 960) was separated from Volda to become a municipality of its own. This left Volda with 4,715 residents. During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee. On 1 January 1964, the municipalities of Dalsfjord (population: 1,151) and Volda (population: 6,056) were merged back together. The new Volda municipality had 7,207 residents.[6]
On 1 January 2020, another large municipal border adjustment took place. The neighboring municipality of Hornindal (previously in Sogn og Fjordane county) and the Bjørke and Leira areas of Ørsta were merged with Volda to make a much larger Volda Municipality (in Møre og Romsdal county).[7]
The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the Voldsfjorden (VǫldorValdr). The meaning of the name is uncertain, but it may come from vella which means "gush" or "roar" or from another word meaning "wave". It could be compared with the welle which means "wave".[8] Historically, the name of the municipality was spelled Volden. On 3 November 1917, a royal resolution changed the spelling of the name of the municipality to Volda.[9]
The original coat of arms was granted on 19 June 1987 and they were in use until 1 January 2020 when the municipality was greatly enlarged. The official blazon was "Azure, a downwards pointing fountain pen nib argent" (Norwegian: På blå grunn ein nedvend sølv pennesplitt). This means the arms had a blue field (background) and the charge was the tip of a fountain pen. The charge had a tinctureofargent which means it was commonly colored white, but if it was made out of metal, then silver was used. This design was chosen to symbolize the long history of education in Volda–it was the site of the first secondary school outside of a major city in Norway. The arms were designed by Inge Rotevatn. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms.[10][11][12]
The current coat of arms was approved in 2019 for use starting on 1 January 2020 when Hornindal Municipality and part of Ørsta Municipality were added to Volda. The official blazonis"Azure, a downwards pointing fountain pen nib flanked by two scythes endorsed argent". This means the arms have a blue field (background) and the charge is the tip of a fountain pen with a scythe on each side. The charge has a tinctureofargent which means it is commonly colored white, but if it is made out of metal, then silver is used. The arms from 1987 were modified by adding two scythes on either side of the tip of a fountain pen. The scythes were taken from the old arms of the former municipality of Hornindal. Hornindal historically had large numbers of smiths and their scythe production was well known in the wider region. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms.[10][13]
The Church of Norway has six parishes (sokn) within the municipality of Volda. It is part of the Søre Sunnmøre prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Møre.
Churches in Volda
Parish (sokn)
Church name
Location of the church
Year built
Austefjord
1773
Dalsfjord
1910
Hornindal
1856
Kilsfjord
1974
Storfjorden
1919
Volda
1932
Volda's main geographical feature is the Voldsfjorden which branches off into the Austefjorden, Kilsfjorden, and Dalsfjorden. It is also mountainous, particularly southeast of the fjords, with the Sunnmørsalpene mountains surrounding the region. The 1,482-metre (4,862 ft) tall mountain Eidskyrkja is located in the southeastern part of the municipality.
Volda is bordered by municipalities of: Vanylven Municipality to the south-west/west; Herøy and Ulstein (only by sea) to the west; Ørsta to the north and east; and Stryn and Stad, in Vestland county, to the south.
The dominant centre, both in terms of population and administration, is the village of Volda, in the northernmost part of the municipality. Other population concentrations include Mork, Ekset, Folkestad, Fyrde, Steinsvika, Lauvstad, Bjørkedal, Grodås, and Straumshamn.
Some of the mountains in Volda include Hornindalsrokken, Kvitegga, and Jakta.
Climate data for Volda
Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)
0
(32)
1
(34)
3
(37)
5
(41)
10
(50)
13
(55)
14
(57)
15
(59)
11
(52)
8
(46)
3
(37)
1
(34)
7
(45)
Daily mean °C (°F)
−1.5
(29.3)
−1
(30)
0
(32)
2
(36)
7
(45)
10
(50)
11
(52)
11.5
(52.7)
8.5
(47.3)
6
(43)
1
(34)
−1
(30)
4.5
(40.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)
−3
(27)
−3
(27)
−3
(27)
−1
(30)
4
(39)
7
(45)
8
(46)
8
(46)
6
(43)
4
(39)
−1
(30)
−3
(27)
2
(36)
Average precipitation mm (inches)
188
(7.4)
146
(5.7)
154
(6.1)
100
(3.9)
77
(3.0)
95
(3.7)
117
(4.6)
136
(5.4)
238
(9.4)
237
(9.3)
218
(8.6)
237
(9.3)
1,943
(76.4)
Average precipitation days
25
22
22
19
16
17
21
22
26
25
25
27
267
Mean monthly sunshine hours
14
39
86
136
200
197
171
151
80
58
28
0
1,159
Source: World Climate Guide[14]
Volda 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.[15] The municipality is under the jurisdiction of the Møre og Romsdal District Court and the Frostating Court of Appeal.
The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Volda is made up of 33 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political party.
Volda kommunestyre 2023–2027 [16]
Party name (in Nynorsk)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)
5
Progress Party (Framstegspartiet)
4
Green Party (Miljøpartiet Dei Grøne)
1
Conservative Party (Høgre)
5
Industry and Business Party (Industri‑ og Næringspartiet)
2
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)
3
Red Party (Raudt)
1
Centre Party (Senterpartiet)
7
Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)
4
Liberal Party (Venstre)
1
Total number of members:
33
Volda kommunestyre 2019–2023 [17]
Party name (in Nynorsk)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)
4
Progress Party (Framstegspartiet)
2
Green Party (Miljøpartiet Dei Grøne)
2
Conservative Party (Høgre)
6
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)
3
Red Party (Raudt)
1
Centre Party (Senterpartiet)
7
Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)
3
Liberal Party (Venstre)
2
Volda List (Voldalista)
3
Total number of members:
33
Volda kommunestyre 2015–2019 [18]
Party name (in Nynorsk)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)
6
Progress Party (Framstegspartiet)
4
Green Party (Miljøpartiet Dei Grøne)
1
Conservative Party (Høgre)
3
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)
6
Centre Party (Senterpartiet)
3
Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)
2
Liberal Party (Venstre)
2
Total number of members:
27
Volda kommunestyre 2011–2015 [19]
Party name (in Nynorsk)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)
4
Progress Party (Framstegspartiet)
4
Conservative Party (Høgre)
4
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)
5
Centre Party (Senterpartiet)
3
Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)
2
Liberal Party (Venstre)
3
Ferry list (Ferjelista)
2
Total number of members:
27
Volda kommunestyre 2007–2011 [18]
Party name (in Nynorsk)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)
4
Progress Party (Framstegspartiet)
5
Conservative Party (Høgre)
3
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)
5
Centre Party (Senterpartiet)
5
Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)
3
Liberal Party (Venstre)
2
Total number of members:
27
Volda kommunestyre 2003–2007 [18]
Party name (in Nynorsk)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)
3
Progress Party (Framstegspartiet)
3
Conservative Party (Høgre)
5
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)
5
Centre Party (Senterpartiet)
4
Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)
5
Liberal Party (Venstre)
2
Total number of members:
27
Volda kommunestyre 1999–2003 [18]
Party name (in Nynorsk)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)
4
Progress Party (Framstegspartiet)
1
Conservative Party (Høgre)
10
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)
7
Centre Party (Senterpartiet)
6
Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)
4
Liberal Party (Venstre)
3
Total number of members:
35
Volda kommunestyre 1995–1999 [20]
Party name (in Nynorsk)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)
4
Progress Party (Framstegspartiet)
1
Conservative Party (Høgre)
8
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)
7
Centre Party (Senterpartiet)
7
Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)
3
Liberal Party (Venstre)
4
Centrum List (Sentrumslista)
1
Total number of members:
35
Volda kommunestyre 1991–1995 [21]
Party name (in Nynorsk)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)
5
Progress Party (Framstegspartiet)
1
Conservative Party (Høgre)
7
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)
7
Centre Party (Senterpartiet)
7
Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)
4
Liberal Party (Venstre)
3
Cross-party list for the west side of the Voldsfjorden
(Tverrpolitisk liste for vestsida av Voldsfjorden)
1
Total number of members:
35
Volda kommunestyre 1987–1991 [22]
Party name (in Nynorsk)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)
6
Conservative Party (Høgre)
8
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)
6
Centre Party (Senterpartiet)
4
Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)
2
Liberal Party (Venstre)
6
Kindergarten List (Barnehagelista)
1
Non-party election list for the west side of the Voldsfjorden
(Upolitisk valliste for Vestsida av Voldsfjorden)
2
Total number of members:
35
Volda kommunestyre 1983–1987 [23]
Party name (in Nynorsk)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)
6
Conservative Party (Høgre)
5
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)
8
Centre Party (Senterpartiet)
6
Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)
2
Liberal Party (Venstre)
5
Non-party election list for the west side of the Voldafjord
(Upolitisk valliste for Vestsida av Voldafjorden)
3
Total number of members:
35
Volda kommunestyre 1979–1983 [24]
Party name (in Nynorsk)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)
4
Conservative Party (Høgre)
6
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)
7
Centre Party (Senterpartiet)
6
Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)
1
Liberal Party (Venstre)
6
Election list for Dravlausbygda and Innselset area
(Valliste for Dravlausbygda og Innselset krins)
1
Local list for Lid and Yksnøy (Krinsliste for Lid og Yksnøy)
1
Non-party list for the Mork area (Upolitisk liste for Mork krins)
1
Non-party list for the west side of the Voldsfjorden
(Upolitisk liste for Vestsida av Voldsfjorden)
2
Total number of members:
35
Volda kommunestyre 1975–1979 [25]
Party name (in Nynorsk)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)
5
Conservative Party (Høgre)
3
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)
8
New People's Party (Nye Folkepartiet)
1
Centre Party (Senterpartiet)
8
Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)
1
Liberal Party (Venstre)
6
Election list for Mork (Valliste for Mork)
1
Local list for Lid og Yksnøy (Krinsliste for Lid og Yksnøy)
1
Non-party election list for Folkestad, Høydal, Fylsvik and the Bjørkedal area (Upolitisk Valliste for Folkestad, Høydal, Fylsvik og Bjørkedal Krins)
1
Total number of members:
35
Volda kommunestyre 1971–1975 [26]
Party name (in Nynorsk)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)
6
Conservative Party (Høgre)
2
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)
7
Centre Party (Senterpartiet)
10
Liberal Party (Venstre)
8
Local List(s) (Lokale lister)
2
Total number of members:
35
Volda kommunestyre 1967–1971 [27]
Party name (in Nynorsk)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)
7
Conservative Party (Høgre)
3
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)
6
Centre Party (Senterpartiet)
7
Liberal Party (Venstre)
9
Local List(s) (Lokale lister)
3
Total number of members:
35
Volda kommunestyre 1963–1967 [28]
Party name (in Nynorsk)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)
6
Conservative Party (Høgre)
2
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)
5
Centre Party (Senterpartiet)
6
Liberal Party (Venstre)
8
Local List(s) (Lokale lister)
8
Total number of members:
35
Volda heradsstyre 1959–1963 [29]
Party name (in Nynorsk)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)
4
Conservative Party (Høgre)
1
Centre Party (Senterpartiet)
2
Liberal Party (Venstre)
5
Local List(s) (Lokale lister)
15
Total number of members:
27
Volda heradsstyre 1955–1959 [30]
Party name (in Nynorsk)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)
4
Conservative Party (Høgre)
1
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti)
3
Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet)
2
Liberal Party (Venstre)
4
Local List(s) (Lokale lister)
13
Total number of members:
27
Volda heradsstyre 1951–1955 [31]
Party name (in Nynorsk)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)
3
Local List(s) (Lokale lister)
21
Total number of members:
24
Volda heradsstyre 1947–1951 [32]
Party name (in Nynorsk)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)
4
Local List(s) (Lokale lister)
20
Total number of members:
24
Volda heradsstyre 1945–1947 [33]
Party name (in Nynorsk)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)
6
Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgarlege Felleslister)
1
Local List(s) (Lokale lister)
17
Total number of members:
24
Volda heradsstyre 1937–1941* [34]
Party name (in Nynorsk)
Number of
representatives
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet)
6
Local List(s) (Lokale lister)
18
Total number of members:
24
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 (Nynorsk: ordførar) of Volda:
Volda is primarily known for strong cultural heritage and academic traditions. A private library at Egset, the first rural of its kind in Norway, is said to have inspired the young Ivar Aasen in the 19th century. Martin Ulvestad, Norwegian–American author who published an English-Danish-Norwegian dictionary in 1895, (Engelsk-Dansk-Norsk Ordbog med fuldstændig Udtalebetegnelse) was born in Volda. The Norsk Landboeblad newspaper was based in Volda in the 1800s. Volda landsgymnas (established 1910) was the first Norwegian secondary school outside a major city. Among the most important institutions today is the Volda University College.
Volda University College (HVO) is one of 25 university colleges in Norway. HVO, with an enrollment of about 3,000 students, specializes in education of teachers, animators, and journalists. This has attracted or incubated several animation companies to Volda, whose work is highlighted in the annual Animation Volda Festival, which started at HVO in 2007.[35] HVO is host of the annual Norwegian Documentary Film Festival (a.k.a. DOKFILM), which started in 1997.[36]
The national ski festival X2 is also held in Volda during April every year.
The Volda TI sports club includes an association football team, whose home field is Volda Stadion. The football squad has consistently played in the 2. divisjonto4. divisjon leagues (tiers three to five of the Norwegian football league system) for a number of decades.
As a logical consequence of the huge influx of students, as well as a county hospital, public services are by far the most dominant sector, representing almost 50% of economic life in Volda. Industry and agriculture are also prevalent.[citation needed] Bjørkedalen is noted for its tradition in building wooden boats.[citation needed]
The Sivert Aarflot Museum is located at Ekset in Volda.[37] Volda and its environs are featured prominently in the film Troll Hunter (2010).
The Ørsta–Volda Airport, Hovden, is located in neighbouring municipality of Ørsta, just north of the village of Volda. The European route E39 highway passes north through the municipality on its way to the city of Ålesund. As noted, the municipality is criss-crossed by fjords; therefore, both Lauvstad and Folkestad are linked to the population centre Volda by ferry. In February 2008, the underwater Eiksund Tunnel connected the municipalities of Ulstein, Hareid, Herøy, and Sande to Ørsta and Volda. The tunnel is the deepest undersea tunnel in the world. The Kviven Tunnel was completed in 2012, connecting Fyrde to the village of Grodås to the south on the other side of a large mountain. This tunnel led to the old Hornindal Municipality joining Volda in 2020.
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