Deatnu - Tana

Infobox_Kommune
name=Tana
alt_names_first=Deatnu gielda
idnumber=2025
county=Finnmark
landscape=
capital=Tana Bru
governor=Ingrid Smuk Rolstad (Ap)
governor_as_of=2003
arearank=5
area=4049
arealand=3833
areapercent=1.25
population_as_of=2004
populationrank=272
population=3004
populationpercent=0.07
populationdensity=1
populationincrease=-8.2
language=Bokmål and Northern Sami
lat_deg=70| lat_min=13| lat_sec=18| lon_deg=27| lon_min=57| lon_sec=7
utm_zone=35W| utm_northing=7790898 |utm_easting=0535958| geo_cat=adm2nd




munwebpage=www.tana.kommune.no

Deatnu (Sami language) or Tana (Norwegian) is a municipality in the county of Finnmark, Norway.

The areas of Tana, Berlevåg and Polmak (separated from Lebesby January 1, 1846) were merged together with the area of Nesseby (separated from Vadsø the same date) to create the greater municipality of Nesseby.

Tana (together with Berlevåg) was separated from Nesseby January 1, 1864 - and together with the area of Gamvik (separated from Lebesby the same date) these were merged to create the greater municipality of Tana.

The areas of Berlevåg and Gamvik were separated from Tana as municipalities of there own July 1, 1913. The municipality of Polmak (separated from Nesseby January 1, 1903) was merged with Tana January 1, 1964.

Geography

Deatnu - Tana is situated along the lower river basin of the Tana, which borders Finland along most of its course. People live in small settlements along the river, notably Sirma, Polmak, Rustefjelbma, Seida, Skipagurra, Austertana and Tana Bru. The last is where the municipal centre is to be found. Most inhabitants are Sami, and the Sami language and culture are today promoted by the municipality and the schools.

The river Tana has represented a mainstay in the economy, as it is one of Europe's main salmon rivers. River transportation is traditionally done by long, narrow river boats, that are still in use, albeit motorized. Lakes in this area include Nissojávri.

The name

"Tana" is a Norwegianized form of the Sami name "Deatnu". The Sami name is identical with the Sami word "deatnu" 'great river; main river'.

Until 1918 the name was written "Tanen". In 1992 the name was changed to Deatnu-Tana [ [http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/fad/dok/regpubl/otprp/20012002/Otprp-nr-111-2001-2002-.html?id=125740 Ot.prp. nr. 111 (2001-2002) - regjeringen.no ] ] . Then in 2005 the name was again changed such that either "Deatnu" or "Tana" can be used [ [http://www.lovdata.no/cgi-wift/wiztldles?doc=/usr/www/lovdata/for/lf/ov/ov-20041210-1636.html FOR-2004-12-10-1636 Endring av skrivemåten for tospråklige kommuner. Endring av skrivemåten for tospråklige kommunenavn, Deatnu-Tana, Gáivuotna-Kåfjord, Guovdageaidnu-Kautokeino, Kárášjohka-Karasjok og Unjárga-Nesseby, Troms og Finnmark ] ] .

Coat-of-arms

The coat-of-arms is from modern times (1984). It shows three traditional riverboats (see above). The number of three symbolizes the three peoples living in the municipality (Norwegians, Sami and Finns).

Birdlife

With the Tana River flowing through wild and spectacular habitat, the municipality of Tana has a one of the most spectacular gatherings in Norway. As many as 25,000 Goosanders can accumulate along the Tana waterway system. Add to this, thousands of Common Eider and Long-tailed Duck, then you have one of the largest concentrations of wildfowl in Norway.

External links

* [http://www.fishtana.com/pages/page_14.php Angling in Tana river]

References