Gulen Municipality Gulen kommune | |
|---|---|
| Evindvig herred (historic name) | |
 View ofEivindvik Credit: Bjarne Thune | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
 Vestland within Norway | |
 Gulen within Vestland | |
| Coordinates:61°01′27″N05°07′10″E / 61.02417°N 5.11944°E /61.02417; 5.11944 | |
| Country | Norway |
| County | Vestland |
| District | Sogn |
| Established | 1 Jan 1838 |
| • Created as | Formannskapsdistrikt |
| Administrative centre | Eivindvik |
| Government | |
| • Mayor(2023) | May-Lynn Osland (Ap) |
| Area | |
• Total | 599.41 km2 (231.43 sq mi) |
| • Land | 577.10 km2 (222.82 sq mi) |
| • Water | 22.31 km2 (8.61 sq mi) 3.7% |
| • Rank | #189 in Norway |
| Highest elevation | 877.44 m (2,878.7 ft) |
| Population (2025) | |
• Total | 2,260 |
| • Rank | #266 in Norway |
| • Density | 3.8/km2 (9.8/sq mi) |
| • Change(10 years) |  −3.5% |
| Demonym | Guling[2] |
| Official language | |
| • Norwegian form | Nynorsk |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| ISO 3166 code | NO-4635[4] |
| Website | Official website |
Gulenⓘ is amunicipality in the western part ofVestlandcounty,Norway. It is part of thetraditional district ofSogn. Theadministrative center of the municipality is the village ofEivindvik. Other villages in Gulen includeBrekke,Byrknes,Dalsøyra,Dingja,Instefjord,Mjømna,Oppedal, andRutledal.
The 599-square-kilometre (231 sq mi) municipality is the 189th largest by area out of the 357 municipalities in Norway. Gulen Municipality is the 266th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 2,260. The municipality'spopulation density is 3.8 inhabitants per square kilometre (9.8/sq mi) and its population has decreased by 3.5% over the previous 10-year period.[5][6]
Gulen Municipality sits to the south of theSognefjorden and it surrounds theGulafjorden, which is considered to be the place whereNorway's west-coastalVikings met for theGulating, a governing body. The area along the Gulafjorden calledFlolid (just east of the village of Eivindvik) is now a national historic place, where an open-air theater and annual summer play commemorates the Vikings who gathered there 1000 years ago to acceptChristianity.
In 2016, the chief of police forVestlandet formally suggested a reconfiguration of police districts and stations. He proposed that the police station in Gulen be closed.[7]
Theparish ofEvindvig was established as amunicipality on 1 January 1838 (seeformannskapsdistrikt law). The municipality of 1838 was created to be identical to the EvindvigChurch of Norwayprestegjeld that included the three parishes (sokn) ofEvindvig,Brekke, andHusøy.[8]
In 1850, the eastern part of the municipality (population: 898) split off to became the newBrekke Municipality which reduced the size of Evindvig Municipality (population: 3,944). (Later, Brekke Municipality was merged withLavik Municipality and becameLavik og Brekke Municipality. This was short-lived and Brekke Municipality later became a separate municipality once again.) In 1858, the western part of the municipality (population: 1,384) was separated from Evindvig Municipality to become the newUtvær Municipality. This reduced Evindvig Municipality to a population of 3,018. (in 1923, Utvær Municipality was renamedSolund Municipality). On 1 July 1890, the name of Evindvig Municipality was officially changed to Gulen Municipality.[8]
During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of theSchei Committee. On 1 January 1964, the following areas were merged to for a new, larger Gulen Municipality (population: 3,250):[8][9]
Historically, this municipality was part of the oldSogn og Fjordane county. On 1 January 2020, the municipality became a part of the newly-formedVestland county (afterHordaland andSogn og Fjordane counties were merged).[10]
The municipality (originally theparish) was originally named after the oldEvindvig farm (Old Norse:Eyvindarvík, now spelledEivindvik) since the firstEvindvig Church was built there. The first element is derived from the male nameEyvindr. The last element isvík which means "smallbay", "cove", or "inlet".
Historically, the name of the municipality was spelledEvindvig. On 1 July 1890, aroyal resolution changed the name of the municipality toGulen.[11] The new nameGulen (Old Norse:Guli) was the original name of the localGulafjorden. The name is probably derived from the wordgul which means "(strong) wind" or "gale".[12]
Thecoat of arms was granted on 9 February 1990. The officialblazon is"Azure, twoLatin crossesforméeargent" (Norwegian:På blå grunn to utbøygde sølv krossar). This means the arms have a bluefield (background) and thecharge is a set of twoLatin crosses that are designed as across formée. The charge has atincture ofargent which means it is commonly colored white, but if it is made out of metal, then silver is used. The crosses represent the two stone crosses found near the village ofEivindvik that are believed to be about 1000 years old, erected there in 1023 after theVikings who met at theGulating gathering embracedChristianity. These are some of the oldest monuments to Christianity still existing in Norway. One of the crosses was damaged by a falling tree in 2012. The arms were designed by Even Jarl Skoglund. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms.[13][14][15]
TheChurch of Norway has three parishes(sokn) within Gulen Municipality. It is part of theNordhordland prosti (deanery) in theDiocese of Bjørgvin.
| Parish (sokn) | Church name | Location of the church | Year built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brekke | Brekke Church | Brekke | 1862 |
| Gulen | Gulen Church | Eivindvik | 1863 |
| Mjømna | Mjømna Church | Mjømna | 1901 |
The roughly 2,500 residents live scattered throughout the municipality and are divided into four school districts:Brekke,Eivindvik,Dalsøyra, andByrknes.[16]
Gulen Municipality is responsible forprimary education (through 10th grade), outpatienthealth services,senior citizen services,welfare and othersocial services,zoning,economic development, and municipalroads and utilities. The municipality is governed by amunicipal council ofdirectly elected representatives. Themayor isindirectly elected by a vote of the municipal council.[17] The municipality is under the jurisdiction of theSogn og Fjordane District Court and theGulating Court of Appeal.
Themunicipal council(Kommunestyre) of Gulen Municipality is made up of 21 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by politicalparty.
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 4 | |
| Conservative Party(Høgre) | 7 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 2 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 7 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 1 | |
| Total number of members: | 21 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 4 | |
| Conservative Party(Høgre) | 6 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 1 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 9 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 1 | |
| Total number of members: | 21 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 3 | |
| Conservative Party(Høgre) | 5 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 1 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 9 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 3 | |
| Total number of members: | 21 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 2 | |
| Progress Party(Framstegspartiet) | 1 | |
| Conservative Party(Høgre) | 5 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 2 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 8 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 3 | |
| Total number of members: | 21 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 3 | |
| Conservative Party(Høgre) | 4 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 5 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 6 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 3 | |
| Total number of members: | 21 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 4 | |
| Conservative Party(Høgre) | 4 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 5 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 5 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 3 | |
| Total number of members: | 21 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 5 | |
| Conservative Party(Høgre) | 4 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 5 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 4 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 3 | |
| Total number of members: | 21 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 3 | |
| Conservative Party(Høgre) | 2 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 3 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 10 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 3 | |
| Total number of members: | 21 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 4 | |
| Conservative Party(Høgre) | 3 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 3 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 8 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 3 | |
| Total number of members: | 21 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 7 | |
| Conservative Party(Høgre) | 5 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 3 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 7 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 3 | |
| Total number of members: | 25 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 6 | |
| Conservative Party(Høgre) | 6 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 3 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 7 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 3 | |
| Total number of members: | 25 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 4 | |
| Conservative Party(Høgre) | 7 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 3 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 7 | |
| Non-political common list(Upolitisk Fellesliste) | 4 | |
| Total number of members: | 25 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 3 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 3 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 9 | |
| Non-party common list(Upolitiske Fellesliste) | 10 | |
| Total number of members: | 25 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 6 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 4 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 8 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 6 | |
| Local List(s)(Lokale lister) | 1 | |
| Total number of members: | 25 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 6 | |
| Conservative Party(Høgre) | 1 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 4 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 9 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 9 | |
| Total number of members: | 29 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 5 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 9 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 8 | |
| Local List(s)(Lokale lister) | 7 | |
| Total number of members: | 29 | |
| Note: On 1 January 1964,Brekke Municipality became part of Gulen Municipality. | ||
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 6 | |
| Conservative Party(Høgre) | 1 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 7 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 6 | |
| Local List(s)(Lokale lister) | 9 | |
| Total number of members: | 29 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 7 | |
| Conservative Party(Høgre) | 1 | |
| Farmers' Party(Bondepartiet) | 8 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 7 | |
| Local List(s)(Lokale lister) | 6 | |
| Total number of members: | 29 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 8 | |
| Farmers' Party(Bondepartiet) | 11 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 13 | |
| Total number of members: | 32 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 5 | |
| Farmers' Party(Bondepartiet) | 8 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 11 | |
| Local List(s)(Lokale lister) | 8 | |
| Total number of members: | 32 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 4 | |
| Farmers' Party(Bondepartiet) | 5 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 8 | |
| Local List(s)(Lokale lister) | 15 | |
| Total number of members: | 32 | |
| Party name(in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeidarpartiet) | 5 | |
| Farmers' Party(Bondepartiet) | 6 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 9 | |
| Local List(s)(Lokale lister) | 12 | |
| Total number of members: | 32 | |
| Note: Due to theGerman occupation of Norway duringWorld War II, no elections were held for new municipal councils until after the war ended in 1945. | ||
Themayor (Nynorsk:ordførar) of Gulen Municipality is the political leader of the municipality and the chairperson of the municipal council. Here is a list of people who have held this position:[37]
Gulen Municipality has an area of about 600 square kilometres (230 sq mi) including about 1500 small islands, islets, andskerries. The largest of the islands areByrknesøyna,Hisarøyna,Mjømna, andSandøyna.[39] The mainland is characterized by small valleys and large mountains crossing the landscape. The lakeDingevatnet is one of Norway's deepest lakes. The highest point in the municipality is the 877.44-metre (2,878.7 ft) tall mountain Svadfjellet, in the southeastern part of the municipality.[1]
Gulen Municipality is bounded on the north by theSognefjorden and theSognesjøen, and to the south by theFensfjorden with theNorth Sea to the west of the municipality. Gulen Municipality is also bordered bySolund Municipality andHyllestad Municipality to the north (across the Sognefjorden), byHøyanger Municipality to the east, and byAustrheim Municipality (across the Fensfjorden),Alver Municipality, andMasfjorden Municipality to the south.
The area is a geological region that contains a relatively low nutrition content ground, which characterizes the types offlora. Themoors, which are frequently covered with wild purpleheather, are the dominating picture of the area. Due to the large quantity of rain in the area, there are many types ofmoss andlichen in Gulen Municipality.[40] Most of the land in Gulen is very mountainous and inhospitable.
| Land type | Percent |
|---|---|
| Agricultural | 4% |
| Forest | 19% |
| Water | 3% |
| Other | 74% |
Gulen has atemperate oceanic climate (Cfb in theKöppen climate classification), also known as amarine west coast climate. Gulen Municipality is among the wettest areas of Norway, with almost 3,000 millimetres (120 in) of annual precipitaiton, and on average 202 days annually with precipitation. It comes mainly as rain in low-elevation areas, but mountains can pack on a lot of snow during the winter. Wettest season is autumn and winter, and December the wettest month. The average date for the last overnight freeze (low below 0 °C (32.0 °F)) in spring is 19 April[41] and average date for first freeze in autumn is 31 October[42] giving a frost-free season of 194 days (1981-2010 average). The Takle weather station started recording in June 1950.
| Climate data for Takle 1991–2020 (38 m) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 4.4 (39.9) | 3.9 (39.0) | 5.5 (41.9) | 9.1 (48.4) | 12.9 (55.2) | 16.1 (61.0) | 18.1 (64.6) | 17.7 (63.9) | 14.6 (58.3) | 10.3 (50.5) | 7 (45) | 4.9 (40.8) | 10.4 (50.7) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 2.2 (36.0) | 1.7 (35.1) | 3 (37) | 5.7 (42.3) | 9.3 (48.7) | 12.5 (54.5) | 14.6 (58.3) | 14.4 (57.9) | 11.7 (53.1) | 7.8 (46.0) | 4.8 (40.6) | 2.8 (37.0) | 7.5 (45.5) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 0.2 (32.4) | −0.3 (31.5) | 0.6 (33.1) | 2.9 (37.2) | 5.8 (42.4) | 9.3 (48.7) | 11.7 (53.1) | 11.6 (52.9) | 9.2 (48.6) | 5.4 (41.7) | 2.7 (36.9) | 0.8 (33.4) | 5.0 (41.0) |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 351 (13.8) | 285 (11.2) | 261 (10.3) | 170 (6.7) | 137 (5.4) | 129 (5.1) | 148 (5.8) | 190 (7.5) | 269 (10.6) | 313 (12.3) | 336 (13.2) | 370 (14.6) | 2,959 (116.5) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 1.0 mm) | 20 | 17 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 202 |
| Source 1: yr.no/Met.no[43] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: Noaa WMO averages 91-2020 Norway[44] | |||||||||||||
Historically, Gulen's economy has been centered around farming and fishing. More recently, Gulen has become important because of its close proximity to theMongstad industrial area which includes manyoil refineries operated byStatoil,Shell Oil, and other oil companies. Other factories and industries in Gulen include Wergeland-Halsvik, Baker Oil Tools, Johnny Birkeland Transport, and Vest Tank. There are many other small businesses located in Gulen today.
TheGulating was a legislative assembly which met regularly for a period of at least five hundred years in Gulen on the shores of theGulafjorden. In 1300, the assembly was moved toBergen. The members of the assembly represented the farmers of Western Norway. This was where important political issues were discussed and decisions were made. The old assembly was also used as a law court for both civil and criminal cases. The Gulating was thus related to the representative institutions of today such as the municipal council and the Norwegian Parliament,Storting.[45]
A sculpture park was built in Flolid in Gulen in order to commemorate theGulating legislative assembly. Norwegian sculptorBård Breivik was responsible for the artistic elements which were opened by the public during August 2005. The park is a work of art in its own right that is used as the setting for outdoor dance and musical performances in beautiful and unique natural surroundings.[46]
Wooden shoes were produced in Sellevåg from 1899 to 1975. The factory was powered by water in the Sellevåg Lake. The wooden shoe factory is still there with all its production equipment intact. A guided tour with demonstration can be arranged on request.[46]
The historic mail route fromBergen andTrondheim, The post-road goes throughFjaler Municipality,Hyllestad Municipality and Gulen Municipality. Built between 1801 and 1806, it passes over many beautiful stone bridges.[46]
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Data from WikidataPlaces adjacent to Gulen Municipality | |
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