Averøy is a municipality in Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. It is part of the region of Nordmøre. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Bruhagen. Other villages in the municipality include Bremsnes, Kornstad, Kvernes, Kårvåg, Langøy, Sveggen, and Vebenstad.

Averøy Municipality
Averøy kommune
View of Mekknoken in Averøy
View of Mekknoken in Averøy
Møre og Romsdal within Norway
Møre og Romsdal within Norway
Averøy within Møre og Romsdal
Averøy within Møre og Romsdal
Coordinates: 62°59′50″N 07°33′19″E / 62.99722°N 7.55528°E / 62.99722; 7.55528
CountryNorway
CountyMøre og Romsdal
DistrictNordmøre
Established1 Jan 1964
 • Preceded byKvernes, Kornstad, and Bremsnes
Administrative centreBruhagen
Government
 • Mayor (2015)Ingrid Ovidie Rangønes (Ap)
Area
 • Total
175.69 km2 (67.83 sq mi)
 • Land172.90 km2 (66.76 sq mi)
 • Water2.80 km2 (1.08 sq mi)  1.6%
 • Rank#312 in Norway
Population
 (2023)
 • Total
5,872
 • Rank#164 in Norway
 • Density34/km2 (90/sq mi)
 • Change (10 years)
Increase +3.9%
DemonymAverøying[1]
Official language
 • Norwegian formNeutral
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-1554[3]
WebsiteOfficial website

The municipality includes the main island of Averøya and the many small islands surrounding it. The Kornstadfjorden, Kvernesfjorden, and Bremsnesfjorden surround the municipality on three sides and the open ocean on the fourth side. The Hestskjær Lighthouse and Stavnes Lighthouse are located in the northern part of the municipality.

The 176-square-kilometre (68 sq mi) municipality is the 312th largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Averøy is the 164th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 5,872. The municipality's population density is 34 inhabitants per square kilometre (88/sq mi) and its population has increased by 3.9% over the previous 10-year period.[4][5]

General information

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View of northwestern Averøy

The municipality of Averøy was established on 1 January 1964 when the former municipality of Kvernes and most of the municipalities of Kornstad and Bremsnes were merged into one large municipality. On 1 January 1983, the small island of Eldhusøya (and the small surrounding islands) was transferred from Eide Municipality to Averøy Municipality.[6]

Name

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The municipality is named after the island of Averøya (or Averøy) (Old Norse: Afrey) since it is the main island in the municipality. The first element is unknown, but it could possibly come from afr which means "great" or "big". The last element comes from the word ey which means "island".[7][8]

Coat of arms

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The coat of arms was granted on 4 April 1986. The official blazon is "Gules, three downwards-pointing arrowheads Or" (Norwegian: I rødt tre nedvendte gull pilspisser). This means the arms have a red field (background) and the charge is three downwards-pointing arrowheads. The CHARGE has a tincture of Or which means it is commonly colored yellow, but if it is made out of metal, then gold is used. The arrowheads refer to actual Stone Age arrowheads, made of slate, which have been found in the municipality. The arrowheads thus symbolize the long time that the area has been inhabited. The arms were designed by Jarle Skuseth after an idea by Kristoffer Gjøten. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms.[9][10][11]

Churches

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The Church of Norway has three parishes (sokn) within the municipality of Averøy. It is part of the Ytre Nordmøre deanery in the Diocese of Møre.

Churches in Averøy
Parish (sokn) Church name Location of the church Year built
Kvernes Kvernes Church Kvernes 1893
Kvernes Stave Church Kvernes 14th century
Kornstad Kornstad Church Kornstad 1871
Bremsnes Bremsnes Church Bremsnes 1771
Langøy Chapel Langøy 1935

History

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The municipality of Averøy has many historic landmarks, like the Bremsnes cave with Mesolithic findings from the Fosna culture. Langøysund, now a remote fishing community, was once a bustling port along the main coastal route, and the site of the Compromise of 1040 between King Magnus I and the farmers along the coast. Also, the Medieval Kvernes Stave Church (built around 1300–1350).

Government

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Averøy 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 council of directly elected representatives. The mayor is indirectly elected by a vote of the municipal council.[12] The municipality is under the jurisdiction of the Møre og Romsdal District Court and the Frostating Court of Appeal.

Municipal council

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The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Averøy is made up of 23 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political party.

Averøy kommunestyre 2023–2027 [13]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 4
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:23
Averøy kommunestyre 2019–2023 [14]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 12
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:23
Averøy kommunestyre 2015–2019 [15]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 4
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 6
Total number of members:27
Averøy kommunestyre 2011–2015 [16]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 8
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 5
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 4
Total number of members:27
Averøy kommunestyre 2007–2011 [15]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 6
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 6
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 7
Total number of members:27
Averøy kommunestyre 2003–2007 [15]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 8
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 7
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:27
Averøy kommunestyre 1999–2003 [15]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 12
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 8
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 4
Total number of members:35
Averøy kommunestyre 1995–1999 [17]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 2
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 12
Total number of members:35
Averøy kommunestyre 1991–1995 [18]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 1
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 7
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 8
Total number of members:35
Averøy kommunestyre 1987–1991 [19]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 12
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 2
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 9
Total number of members:35
Averøy kommunestyre 1983–1987 [20]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 13
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 5
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 6
Total number of members:35
Averøy kommunestyre 1979–1983 [21]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 12
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 5
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 5
 Non-party list (Upolitisk liste)2
Total number of members:35
Averøy kommunestyre 1975–1979 [22]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 13
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 5
  New People's Party (Nye Folkepartiet) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 11
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 4
Total number of members:35
Averøy kommunestyre 1971–1975 [23]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 12
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 6
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 8
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 6
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 2
Total number of members:35
Averøy kommunestyre 1967–1971 [24]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 14
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 6
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 7
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 6
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 1
Total number of members:35
Averøy kommunestyre 1963–1967 [25]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 14
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 7
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 7
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 5
Total number of members:35

Mayors

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The mayors (Norwegian: ordfører) of Averøy:[26]

  • 1964–1967: Magnar Kjønnøy (KrF)
  • 1968–1970: Bjarne Strand (V)
  • 1970–1971: Arne Avset (Sp)
  • 1972–1973: Jon T. Søbstad (DNF)
  • 1974–1978: Ole Kaarvaag (Sp)
  • 1978–1979: Torger Hafskjær (KrF)
  • 1980–1983: Jarle Haga (V)
  • 1984–1985: Eilif Aae (Sp)
  • 1986–1997: Leif Helge Kongshaug (V)
  • 1997–2003: John Harry Kvalshaug (Sp)
  • 2003–2007: Kjell Magne Sandø (Ap)
  • 2007–2011: Jarle Haga (V)
  • 2011–2015: Ann-Kristin Sørvik (Sp)
  • 2015–present: Ingrid Ovidie Rangønes (Ap)

Transportation

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Atlantic Ocean Road

The tourist attraction Atlanterhavsveien (Atlantic Ocean Road) connects the island and municipality of Averøy to the neighboring Hustadvika Municipality, which is on the mainland to the west. The Storseisundet Bridge crosses the municipal boundary. In 2005, it was awarded the "Building of the Century" prize by the Norwegian Construction Industry. On the other side of the island near the village of Sveggen, Averøy is connected to Kristiansund Municipality via the undersea tunnel. This tunnel, known as Atlanterhavstunnelen (Atlantic Tunnel), was completed in December 2009, replacing the ferry from Bremsnes on Averøya to the city of Kristiansund.

Notable people

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  • Erling Kristvik (1882 in Kornstad – 1969) a Norwegian educationalist
  • Aud Inger Aure (born 1942 in Averøy) a Norwegian politician and Mayor of Kristiansund
  • Gunnar Kjønnøy (born 1947 in Averøy) an economist and County Governor of Finnmark, 1998 to 2016
  • Leif Helge Kongshaug (born 1949 in Averøy) a Norwegian politician, Mayor of Averøy, 1986 to 1997
  • Magne Hoseth (born 1980 in Averøy) a coach and former footballer with 423 club caps and 22 for Norway
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References

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  1. ^ "Navn på steder og personer: Innbyggjarnamn" (in Norwegian). Språkrådet.
  2. ^ "Forskrift om målvedtak i kommunar og fylkeskommunar" (in Norwegian). Lovdata.no.
  3. ^ Bolstad, Erik; Thorsnæs, Geir, eds. (26 January 2023). "Kommunenummer". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget.
  4. ^ Statistisk sentralbyrå. "Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)" (in Norwegian).
  5. ^ Statistisk sentralbyrå. "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. ISBN 9788253746845.
  7. ^ Thorsnæs, Geir, ed. (22 August 2017). "Averøy". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  8. ^ Rygh, Oluf (1908). Norske gaardnavne: Romsdals amt (in Norwegian) (13 ed.). Kristiania, Norge: W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri. p. 325.
  9. ^ "Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  10. ^ "Averøy, Møre og Romsdal". Flags of the World. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  11. ^ "Godkjenning av våpen og flagg". Lovdata.no (in Norwegian). Norges kommunal- og arbeidsdepartementet. 13 June 1986. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  12. ^ Hansen, Tore; Vabo, Signy Irene, eds. (20 September 2022). "kommunestyre". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  13. ^ "Kommunestyrevalg 2023 - Møre og Romsdal". Valgdirektoratet. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  14. ^ "Kommunestyrevalg 2019 – Møre og Romsdal". Valgdirektoratet. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  15. ^ a b c d "Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M)" (in Norwegian). Statistics Norway.
  16. ^ "Kommunestyrevalg 2011 – Møre og Romsdal". Valgdirektoratet. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  17. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1995" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  18. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1991" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  19. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1987" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  20. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1983" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  21. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1979" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  22. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1975" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1977. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  23. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1972" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1973. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  24. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1967" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1967. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  25. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1963" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1964. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  26. ^ Uran, Sverre; Bergem, Bjørg (1994). Averøy kommune 1964–1994 (in Norwegian). Averøy kommune. p. 26.
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