Ballangen Municipality Ballangen kommune | |
|---|---|
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
 Nordland within Norway | |
 Ballangen within Nordland | |
| Coordinates:68°18′23″N16°44′39″E / 68.30639°N 16.74417°E /68.30639; 16.74417 | |
| Country | Norway |
| County | Nordland |
| District | Ofoten |
| Established | 1 July 1925 |
| • Preceded by | Evenes Municipality |
| Disestablished | 1 Jan 2020 |
| • Succeeded by | Narvik Municipality |
| Administrative centre | Ballangen |
| Government | |
| • Mayor(2015-2020) | Per Kristian Arntzen (Sp) |
| Area (upon dissolution) | |
• Total | 932.22 km2 (359.93 sq mi) |
| • Land | 846.38 km2 (326.79 sq mi) |
| • Water | 85.84 km2 (33.14 sq mi) 9.2% |
| • Rank | #119 in Norway |
| Highest elevation | 1,724 m (5,656 ft) |
| Population (2019) | |
• Total | 2,470 |
| • Rank | #292 in Norway |
| • Density | 2.6/km2 (6.7/sq mi) |
| • Change(10 years) |  −5.8% |
| Demonym | Ballangsværing[2][3] |
| Official language | |
| • Norwegian form | Bokmål |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| ISO 3166 code | NO-1854[5] |
Ballangen (Northern Sami:Bálák) is aformer municipality inNordlandcounty,Norway. The municipality existed from 1925 until its dissolution in 2020 when it became part ofNarvik Municipality. The 932-square-kilometre (360 sq mi) municipality was part of thetraditional district ofOfoten. Theadministrative centre of the municipality was thevillage of Ballangen. Other villages in the municipality includedBjørkåsen,Kjeldebotn,Kobbvika, andSkarstad.
Prior to its dissolution in 2020, the 932-square-kilometre (360 sq mi) municipality was the 119th largest by area out of the 422 municipalities in Norway. Ballangen Municipality was the 292nd most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 2,470. The municipality'spopulation density was 2.6 inhabitants per square kilometre (6.7/sq mi) and its population had decreased by 5.8% over the previous 10-year period.[6][7]
The municipality borderedNarvik Municipality to the east andTysfjord Municipality to the south, and had a short border withSweden to the southeast. Ballangen was situated on the southern shore ofOfotfjorden. Ballangen also included the long and narrowEfjorden, just south of the much larger Ofotfjorden. Its immediate surroundings were dominated byfjords,mountains, andforests. Ballangen relied on the nearbytown of Narvik as its economic base.
The municipality of Ballangen was established on 1 July 1925 when it was separated from the largeEvenes Municipality. The new municipality encompassed all of the area of Evenes Municipality that was located south of theOfotfjorden. Initially, Ballangen had 3,270 residents.[8]
During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of theSchei Committee. On 1 January 1962, the southern part ofLødingen Municipality (the island ofBarøya and the area surrounding theEfjorden; population: 433) was transferred from Lødingen Municipality to Ballangen Municipality.[8]
On 1 January 2020, the municipality was merged with the neighboringNarvik Municipality and the eastern half ofTysfjord Municipality to form a new, largerNarvik Municipality. This decision had been reached in 2017 after national and local discussions involving municipal mergers.[9]
Thecoat of arms was granted on 18 July 1980 and it was in use until 1 January 2020 when the municipality was dissolved. The officialblazon is"Vert, a hammerOrin pale" (Norwegian:På grønn bunn en gull opprett hammer). This means the arms have a greenfield (background) and thecharge is an uprighthammer. The hammer has atincture ofOr which means it is commonly colored yellow, but if it is made out of metal, then gold is used. The green color in the field symbolizes the importance ofagriculture and the hammer was chosen to representmining in the municipality. There used to becopper mines in the municipality. The arms were designed byHallvard Trætteberg.[10][11][12]
The municipality is named after the oldBallangen farm (Old Norse:Bagangr) which is located at the head of a small fjord with the same name. The first element isbag which has an unknown meaning. The last element isangr which means "fjord".[13][14][15]
TheChurch of Norway had one parish (sokn) within Ballangen Municipality. It was part of theOfoten prosti (deanery) in theDiocese of Sør-Hålogaland.
| Parish (sokn) | Church name | Location of the church | Year built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ballangen | Ballangen Church | Ballangen | 1923 |
| Efjord Chapel | Kobbvika | 1985 | |
| Kjeldebotn Church | Kjeldebotn | 1956 |
The first person living in Ballangen was Lodve Lange (Lodve the long), who is mentioned inHeimskringla as being one of KingOlav Tryggvason's most trusted warriors, and being placed near the king in the famous shipOrmen Lange(long serpent).[16] Lodve probably participated in theBattle of Svolder in the year 1000, and might have been killed there. He lived at Saltvik, which is near the fjord, east of today'svillage of Ballangen.[16]
There is a long history ofmining in Ballangen, starting from the 17th century. Over the years as many as 36 mines have been operated in Ballangen, including minerals likecopper,nickel andiron,zinc,manganese, andlead, but the most serious mining started in 1911 with Bjørkåsen Gruver mining mostlypyrite. Mining for nickel andolivine continued until 2002. There is also adolomitequarry in Ballangen. Ballangen is the main agricultural municipality in the Ofoten region.[15] TheBallangen Museum is located in the village of Bjørkåsen in the municipality and presents the local mining history.[17]
Ballangen has the dubious distinction of having Norway's highest rate of sick leave from work,[18] probably due to the high number of people who worked in the mines there, and related environmental effects.[19]
While it existed, Ballangen Municipality was responsible forprimary education (through 10th grade), outpatienthealth services,senior citizen services,welfare and othersocial services,zoning,economic development, and municipalroads and utilities. The municipality was governed by amunicipal council ofdirectly elected representatives. Themayor wasindirectly elected by a vote of the municipal council.[20] The municipality was under the jurisdiction of theOfoten District Court and theHålogaland Court of Appeal.
Themunicipal council (Kommunestyre) of Ballangen Municipality was made up of 17 representatives that were elected to four year terms. The tables below show the historical composition of the council by politicalparty.
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 5 | |
| Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) | 2 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 2 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 1 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 7 | |
| Total number of members: | 17 | |
| Note: On 1 January 2020, Ballangen Municipality became part ofNarvik Municipality. | ||
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 4 | |
| Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) | 2 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 6 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 1 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 4 | |
| Total number of members: | 17 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 4 | |
| Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) | 4 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 3 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 2 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 4 | |
| Total number of members: | 17 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 4 | |
| Progress Party(Fremskrittspartiet) | 3 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 7 | |
| Joint list of theConservative Party(Høyre) andChristian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 3 | |
| Total number of members: | 17 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 6 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 4 | |
| Joint list of theConservative Party(Høyre),Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti), andLiberal Party (Venstre) | 7 | |
| Total number of members: | 17 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 9 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 6 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 2 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 5 | |
| Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 1 | |
| Total number of members: | 23 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 8 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 5 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 2 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 6 | |
| Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 2 | |
| Total number of members: | 23 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 12 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 4 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 2 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 3 | |
| Socialist Left Party(Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 2 | |
| Total number of members: | 23 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 11 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 2 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 2 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 8 | |
| Total number of members: | 23 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 11 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 4 | |
| Christian Democratic Party(Kristelig Folkeparti) | 3 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 4 | |
| Joint list of theLiberal Party and Free Voters(Venstre og Frie velgere) | 1 | |
| Total number of members: | 23 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 13 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 3 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 4 | |
| Non-socialist common list(Ikkesosialistisk fellesliste) | 3 | |
| Total number of members: | 23 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 13 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 2 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 6 | |
| Socialist People's Party(Sosialistisk Folkeparti) | 1 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 1 | |
| Total number of members: | 23 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 13 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 2 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 4 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 3 | |
| Local List(s)(Lokale lister) | 1 | |
| Total number of members: | 23 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 13 | |
| Conservative Party(Høyre) | 2 | |
| Centre Party(Senterpartiet) | 4 | |
| Liberal Party(Venstre) | 3 | |
| Local List(s)(Lokale lister) | 1 | |
| Total number of members: | 23 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 10 | |
| Communist Party(Kommunistiske Parti) | 1 | |
| Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties(Borgerlige Felleslister) | 10 | |
| Total number of members: | 21 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 9 | |
| Communist Party(Kommunistiske Parti) | 2 | |
| Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties(Borgerlige Felleslister) | 5 | |
| Local List(s)(Lokale lister) | 5 | |
| Total number of members: | 21 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 7 | |
| Communist Party(Kommunistiske Parti) | 3 | |
| Local List(s)(Lokale lister) | 11 | |
| Total number of members: | 21 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 8 | |
| Communist Party(Kommunistiske Parti) | 4 | |
| Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties(Borgerlige Felleslister) | 9 | |
| Total number of members: | 21 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 8 | |
| Communist Party(Kommunistiske Parti) | 3 | |
| Local List(s)(Lokale lister) | 10 | |
| Total number of members: | 21 | |
| Party name(in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party(Arbeiderpartiet) | 8 | |
| Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties(Borgerlige Felleslister) | 7 | |
| Local List(s)(Lokale lister) | 1 | |
| Total number of members: | 16 | |
| 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 (Norwegian:ordfører) of Ballangen Municipality was the political leader of the municipality and the chairperson of the municipal council. Here is a list of people who held this position:[38]
Thevillage of Ballangen lies along the southern shore of theOfotfjorden along theEuropean route E6 highway. The highway crosses theEfjord Bridges on its way to Ballangen and then on again to the town ofNarvik.
TheEfjorden area is dominated by large slopes of bare rock with a narrow green area of vegetation near the fjord. Theobelisk-like mountain,Stetind, nearby is dominated by the same, dark blue-grey rock, which contrasts with the clear water in the fjord where the sand banks can be seen just below the surface. Climbers and hikers are often tempted to test their skills on the rocky slopes. The largeFrostisenglacier is located in the southeastern part of the municipality. The highest point in the municipality was the 1,724-metre (5,656 ft) tall mountainFrostisen.[1]
In the east, Ballangen bordered on lakeSiiddašjávri which it shares withSweden. Siiddašjávri is the14th largest lake which lies in or partially in Norway. Other lakes in the municipality includedBørsvatnet,Geitvatnet,Hjertvatnet,Kjelvatnet,Langvatnet,Melkevatnet,Røvatnet,Søre Bukkevatnet, andStorvatnet.
The island ofBarøya sits near the entrances to theEfjorden from theOfotfjorden. TheBarøy Lighthouse sits on the northern edge of the island.
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