Andøy
Encyclopedia
Andøy is the northernmost municipality
in Nordland
county
, Norway
, and it belongs to the Vesterålen
archipelago
. The largest island
in the municipality is Andøya
. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Andenes
.
Andøy was created as a new municipality on 1 January 1964 after the merger of the old municipalities of Andenes, Bjørnskinn
, and Dverberg
. Today, Andenes is a thriving fishing village and enjoys a number of tourists
every year.
form of the name was Andarøy (from Amdarøy). The first element is the genitive case
of the old uncompounded name of the island: Ömd. The last element is øy which means "island". The meaning of the uncompounded name is unknown.
is from modern times. They were granted on 7 January 1983. The arms show a wave
as a symbol for the fact that the municipality is situated at the sea
and that fishing
is important.
has been an important fishing village since the Iron Age
, and today it is the starting point of whale safaris (whale watching
) to see the sperm whales off the island that migrate here in the summer.
, the northernmost island in the archipelago of Vesterålen
, and Hinnøya
, the largest and most populous island in Norway. The municipality also consists of smaller skerries
like Bleiksøya, Vomma, and Stavaøyan.
The midsection of the island consists of marsh
es, known for their Arctic cloudberries
. The island is also the only place in continental Norway where coal
and fossil
s from dinosaur
s are to be found. Forfjorddalen nature reserve
on Hinnøya has some of the oldest pine
trees in Scandinavia
, some more than 700 years old.
land fen
s, with a backdrop of high peaked mountains. The coast is famous for its sheltered bay
s with white sandy shores. The area has a rich bird life and this is reflected in some good birding localities like Forfjorddalen Nature Reserve and Skogvoll, the latter a Ramsar
site of international importance.
The bird cliff
at Bleiksøya, outside of Bleik
, is a spectacular and photogenic landmark outside the northern part of Andøya, with many species of seabird
s including puffin
.
boat stops at Risøyhamn
. Andøya Airport
at Andenes is served by Widerøe
airlines. During the summer, Andenes is connected to Gryllefjord
on the island of Senja
by ferry
. By car, you reach Andøy on Route 82, northbound from Sortland
.
is located next to Andenes. It is the home of the 333rd Squadron
of the Royal Norwegian Air Force
and houses all P-3 Orion
maritime patrol aircraft in the Norwegian Armed Forces
.
Andøya Rocket Range
is a civilian facility for launching sounding rocket
s, located a few kilometres south of Andenes.
Municipalities of Norway
Norway is divided into 19 administrative regions, called counties , and 430 municipalities...
in Nordland
Nordland
is a county in Norway in the North Norway region, bordering Troms in the north, Nord-Trøndelag in the south, Norrbottens län in Sweden to the east, Västerbottens län to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The county was formerly known as Nordlandene amt. The county administration is...
county
Counties of Norway
Norway is divided into 19 administrative regions, called counties . The counties form the primary first-level subdivisions of Norway and are further divided into 430 municipalities...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, and it belongs to the Vesterålen
Vesterålen
Vesterålen is a district and archipelago in Nordland, Norway, just north of Lofoten.-The name:The Norse forms of the name were Vestráll and Vestrálar . The first element is vestr n west, the last element is áll m ' sound, strait'...
archipelago
Archipelago
An archipelago , sometimes called an island group, is a chain or cluster of islands. The word archipelago is derived from the Greek ἄρχι- – arkhi- and πέλαγος – pélagos through the Italian arcipelago...
. The largest island
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
in the municipality is Andøya
Andøya
Andøya is the northernmost island in the archipelago of Vesterålen. Andøya is located in the Andøy municipality in Nordland county, Norway.The island has an area of 489 km², making it the tenth largest island in Norway. The island is connected to the neighboring island of Hinnøya using the...
. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Andenes
Andenes
is a town and former municipality in Vesterålen district in Nordland county, Norway.Andenes was separated from Dverberg January 1, 1924. It was merged with Dverberg and Bjørnskinn to create the new municipality of Andøy January 1, 1964....
.
Andøy was created as a new municipality on 1 January 1964 after the merger of the old municipalities of Andenes, Bjørnskinn
Bjørnskinn
Bjørnskinn is a former municipality in the Andøy municipality of Nordland county, Norway.-History:Bjørnskinn is located on Andøya, a few km northwest of the village of Risøyhamn. Andenes and Bjørnskinn were separated from Dverberg on January 1, 1924. At that point Bjørnskinn had a population of...
, and Dverberg
Dverberg
Dverberg is a small village in Andøya municipality in Nordland county, Norway.Dverberg was established as a municipality January 1, 1838 . Andenes and Bjørnskinn were separated from Dverberg January 1, 1924...
. Today, Andenes is a thriving fishing village and enjoys a number of tourists
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
every year.
Name
The Old NorseOld Norse
Old Norse is a North Germanic language that was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and inhabitants of their overseas settlements during the Viking Age, until about 1300....
form of the name was Andarøy (from Amdarøy). The first element is the genitive case
Genitive case
In grammar, genitive is the grammatical case that marks a noun as modifying another noun...
of the old uncompounded name of the island: Ömd. The last element is øy which means "island". The meaning of the uncompounded name is unknown.
Coat-of-arms
The coat-of-armsCoat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
is from modern times. They were granted on 7 January 1983. The arms show a wave
Ocean surface wave
In fluid dynamics, wind waves or, more precisely, wind-generated waves are surface waves that occur on the free surface of oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, and canals or even on small puddles and ponds. They usually result from the wind blowing over a vast enough stretch of fluid surface. Waves in the...
as a symbol for the fact that the municipality is situated at the sea
Sea
A sea generally refers to a large body of salt water, but the term is used in other contexts as well. Most commonly, it means a large expanse of saline water connected with an ocean, and is commonly used as a synonym for ocean...
and that fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
is important.
History and tourism
The village of AndenesAndenes
is a town and former municipality in Vesterålen district in Nordland county, Norway.Andenes was separated from Dverberg January 1, 1924. It was merged with Dverberg and Bjørnskinn to create the new municipality of Andøy January 1, 1964....
has been an important fishing village since the Iron Age
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
, and today it is the starting point of whale safaris (whale watching
Whale watching
Whale watching is the practice of observing whales and other cetaceans in their natural habitat. Whales are watched most commonly for recreation but the activity can also serve scientific or educational purposes. A 2009 study, prepared for IFAW, estimated that 13 million people went whale watching...
) to see the sperm whales off the island that migrate here in the summer.
Geography
The municipality of Andøy is spread across AndøyaAndøya
Andøya is the northernmost island in the archipelago of Vesterålen. Andøya is located in the Andøy municipality in Nordland county, Norway.The island has an area of 489 km², making it the tenth largest island in Norway. The island is connected to the neighboring island of Hinnøya using the...
, the northernmost island in the archipelago of Vesterålen
Vesterålen
Vesterålen is a district and archipelago in Nordland, Norway, just north of Lofoten.-The name:The Norse forms of the name were Vestráll and Vestrálar . The first element is vestr n west, the last element is áll m ' sound, strait'...
, and Hinnøya
Hinnøya
-Geography and environment:Covering an area of , it is the fourth-largest island in the country, and the largest off the mainland. The western part of the island is in the Vesterålen district, while the southwestern part is in Lofoten. As of 2006, it had a population of 31,851, of which the only...
, the largest and most populous island in Norway. The municipality also consists of smaller skerries
Skerry
A skerry is a small rocky island, usually defined to be too small for habitation. It may simply be a rocky reef. A skerry can also be called a low sea stack....
like Bleiksøya, Vomma, and Stavaøyan.
The midsection of the island consists of marsh
Marsh
In geography, a marsh, or morass, is a type of wetland that is subject to frequent or continuous flood. Typically the water is shallow and features grasses, rushes, reeds, typhas, sedges, other herbaceous plants, and moss....
es, known for their Arctic cloudberries
Cloudberry
Rubus chamaemorus is a rhizomatous herb native to alpine and arctic tundra and boreal forest, producing amber-colored edible fruit similar to the raspberry or blackberry...
. The island is also the only place in continental Norway where coal
Coal
Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock usually occurring in rock strata in layers or veins called coal beds or coal seams. The harder forms, such as anthracite coal, can be regarded as metamorphic rock because of later exposure to elevated temperature and pressure...
and fossil
Fossil
Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of animals , plants, and other organisms from the remote past...
s from dinosaur
Dinosaur
Dinosaurs are a diverse group of animals of the clade and superorder Dinosauria. They were the dominant terrestrial vertebrates for over 160 million years, from the late Triassic period until the end of the Cretaceous , when the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event led to the extinction of...
s are to be found. Forfjorddalen nature reserve
Nature reserve
A nature reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research...
on Hinnøya has some of the oldest pine
Pine
Pines are trees in the genus Pinus ,in the family Pinaceae. They make up the monotypic subfamily Pinoideae. There are about 115 species of pine, although different authorities accept between 105 and 125 species.-Etymology:...
trees in Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
, some more than 700 years old.
Birdlife
Lying furthest north in the area known as Vesterålen, Andøy is a mixture of vast areas of marshMarsh
In geography, a marsh, or morass, is a type of wetland that is subject to frequent or continuous flood. Typically the water is shallow and features grasses, rushes, reeds, typhas, sedges, other herbaceous plants, and moss....
land fen
Fen
A fen is a type of wetland fed by mineral-rich surface water or groundwater. Fens are characterised by their water chemistry, which is neutral or alkaline, with relatively high dissolved mineral levels but few other plant nutrients...
s, with a backdrop of high peaked mountains. The coast is famous for its sheltered bay
Bay
A bay is an area of water mostly surrounded by land. Bays generally have calmer waters than the surrounding sea, due to the surrounding land blocking some waves and often reducing winds. Bays also exist as an inlet in a lake or pond. A large bay may be called a gulf, a sea, a sound, or a bight...
s with white sandy shores. The area has a rich bird life and this is reflected in some good birding localities like Forfjorddalen Nature Reserve and Skogvoll, the latter a Ramsar
Ramsar Convention
The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands, i.e., to stem the progressive encroachment on and loss of wetlands now and in the future, recognizing the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural,...
site of international importance.
The bird cliff
Bird cliff
Bird cliffs are steep cliffs with numerous small shelves which serve as nesting locations for bird colonies. Bird cliffs are found on islands in the North Atlantic and Arctic, such as the Faroe Islands, the Svalbard archipelago and on islands off Northern Norway...
at Bleiksøya, outside of Bleik
Bleik
Bleik is a village in the municipality of Andøy, Norway. Its population is 456. The triangle shaped island of the coast is "Bleiksøya". This island is the biggest resort of puffins in the whole of Norway...
, is a spectacular and photogenic landmark outside the northern part of Andøya, with many species of seabird
Seabird
Seabirds are birds that have adapted to life within the marine environment. While seabirds vary greatly in lifestyle, behaviour and physiology, they often exhibit striking convergent evolution, as the same environmental problems and feeding niches have resulted in similar adaptations...
s including puffin
Puffin
Puffins are any of three small species of auk in the bird genus Fratercula with a brightly coloured beak during the breeding season. These are pelagic seabirds that feed primarily by diving in the water. They breed in large colonies on coastal cliffs or offshore islands, nesting in crevices among...
.
Transportation
The HurtigrutenHurtigruten
Hurtigruten or Hurtigruta is a Norwegian passenger and freight line with daily sailings along Norway's western and northern coast. Sometimes referred to in English as Norwegian Coastal Express, Hurtigruten ships sail almost the entire length of the country, completing the roundtrip journey in 11...
boat stops at Risøyhamn
Risøyhamn
Risøyhamn is a village on the island of Andøya in the municipality of Andøy, Norway.Shipping company Hurtigruten has a service from and to Risøyhamn twice a day.The island of Andøya is connected to the island of Hinnøya by bridge in Risøyhamn....
. Andøya Airport
Andøya Airport, Andenes
Andøya Airport, Andenes is the airport serving Andenes, Norway, in the municipality of Andøy. It is located right next to the town of Andenes network in Norway, being served by Widerøe. Andøya Airport is owned and operated by Avinor.-History:The first idea of building a military airport was...
at Andenes is served by Widerøe
Widerøe
Widerøe's Flyveselskap AS, trading as Widerøe, is a regional airline in Norway and part of the SAS Group. It operates a fleet of 34 Bombardier Dash 8 aircraft , serving 41 domestic and 6 international destinations...
airlines. During the summer, Andenes is connected to Gryllefjord
Gryllefjord
Gryllefjord is a fishing village and also the administrative centre of Torsken municipality, on the island of Senja, in Troms county, Norway. Its population is 378....
on the island of Senja
Senja
Senja is the second largest island in Norway . It is located along the Troms county coastline with Finnsnes as the closest town. Senja is connected to the mainland by the Gisund Bridge. The municipalities located on Senja are Lenvik , Berg, Torsken, and Tranøy...
by ferry
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
. By car, you reach Andøy on Route 82, northbound from Sortland
Sortland
is a town and municipality in Nordland county, Norway. It is part of the Vesterålen traditional region. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Sortland. In 1997, the municipality decided to declare township for Sortland...
.
Military
Andøya Air StationAndøya Air Station
Andøya Air Station is situated in the north of Norway, in the municipality of Andøy. At Andøya, the 333 Squadron is based with P-3C Orions. The squadron is Norway's only surveillance squadron and stands as the airborne defence of northern Norway...
is located next to Andenes. It is the home of the 333rd Squadron
Squadron (aviation)
A squadron in air force, army aviation or naval aviation is mainly a unit comprising a number of military aircraft, usually of the same type, typically with 12 to 24 aircraft, sometimes divided into three or four flights, depending on aircraft type and air force...
of the Royal Norwegian Air Force
Royal Norwegian Air Force
The Royal Norwegian Air Force is the air force of Norway. It was established as a separate arm of the Norwegian armed forces on 10 November 1944. The RNoAF's peace force is approximately 1,430 employees . 600 personnel also serve their draft period in the RNoAF...
and houses all P-3 Orion
P-3 Orion
The Lockheed P-3 Orion is a four-engine turboprop anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft developed for the United States Navy and introduced in the 1960s. Lockheed based it on the L-188 Electra commercial airliner. The aircraft is easily recognizable by its distinctive tail stinger or...
maritime patrol aircraft in the Norwegian Armed Forces
Norwegian Armed Forces
The Norwegian Armed Forces numbers about 23,000 personnel, including civilian employees. According to mobilisation plans , the strength during full mobilisation would be approximately 83,000 combatant personnel. Norway has mandatory military service for men and voluntary service for women...
.
Andøya Rocket Range
Andøya Rocket Range
Andøya Rocket Range is a rocket launch site and rocket range on Andøya island in Andøy municipality in northern Norway...
is a civilian facility for launching sounding rocket
Sounding rocket
A sounding rocket, sometimes called a research rocket, is an instrument-carrying rocket designed to take measurements and perform scientific experiments during its sub-orbital flight. The origin of the term comes from nautical vocabulary, where to sound is to throw a weighted line from a ship into...
s, located a few kilometres south of Andenes.