Balestrand

Infobox_Kommune
name = Balestrand


idnumber = 1418
county = Sogn og Fjordane
landscape = Sogn
capital = Balestrand
demonym = Balestrending
language = Nynorsk


munwebpage = www.balestrand.kommune.no
governor = Einar Målsnes (H)
governor_as_of = 2007
arearank = 231
area = 430
arealand = 411
areapercent = 0.13
population_as_of = 2004
populationrank = 372
population = 1,462
populationpercent = 0.03
populationdensity = 4
populationincrease = -8.3
lat_deg=61 | lat_min=10 | lat_sec=39 | lon_deg=6 | lon_min=24 | lon_sec=14
utm_zone=32V | utm_northing=6785338 | utm_easting=0360406 | geo_cat=adm2nd

Balestrand is a municipality in the county of Sogn og Fjordane, Norway. It is located in the traditional district of Sogn. The administrative center is the village of Balestrand.

The municipality is situated at the junction of the Sognefjord and Esefjord, the major industries are tourism and farming. Balestrand became popular early due to the interest of artists, such as Hans Gude, Alfred Heaton Cooper, Hans Dahl and Johannes Flintoe. Their paintings of the scenery around Balestrand inspired visitors, and Balestrand maintains its connection with art.

Besides tourism, farming is one of the traditional sources of income. Other industries include made-to-order kitchen interiors, local apple juice, and "Nesseplast" which produces industrial plastic.

General information

The name

The compounded name "Balestrand" was created in 1849. The first element is the name of the old farm Bale (Old Norse "Bali") and the last element is (Old Norse "strönd") or "strand" which means "beach". The name of the farm is identical with the word "bali" which means "hillside along a beach".

Coat-of-arms

The coat-of-arms is from modern times. The arms were granted on 23 October 1989. It shows the hilt of a Viking sword. [cite web|url=http://www.ngw.nl/int/nor/b/balestrand.htm|author=Norske Kommunevåpen|date=1990|title=Nye kommunevåbener i Norden|accessdaymonth=3 August|accessyear=2008]

Background

Balestrand was established as a municipality in 1849. It was created by separating three sub-parishes "(sokn)" from neighboring Leikanger municipality. The three sub-parishes were Vangsnes, Tjugum, and Mundal. The population upon the creation of the municipality was 2,122.

In 1861, the Mundal sub-parish was re-named "Fjærland".

On 1 January 1964 the municipalities of Vik, Leikanger, and Balestrand changed their boundaries in a land trade. The sub-parish of Vangsnes (population: 189) was transferred from Balestrand to Vik, Balestrand gained the sub-parish of Kvamsøy (population: 389) from Vik, and Leikanger gained the Hella-Eitorn area (population: 31) from Balestrand. Balestrand had a population of 1,606 after the changes were completed.cite web|first=Dag|last=Jukvam|publisher=Statistics Norway|title=Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen|date=1999|url=http://www.ssb.no/emner/00/90/rapp_9913/rapp_9913.pdf no icon]

On 1 January 2000, the sub-parish of Fjærland was transferred from Balestrand to Sogndal.cite web|url=http://www.emigration.no/sff/emigration3.nsf/0/326D0346278A5909C1256F570048962C?OpenDocument|title=Some historical data on the 26 Kommunes|first=Oddvar|last=Natvik|date=9 Feb 2005|accessdaymonth=23 June|accessyear=2008]

Churches

The Church of Norway has three churches within the municipality of Balestrand. It is part of the Diocese of Bjørgvin and the Rural Deanery "(Prosti)" of Ytre Sogn.

There is also one Anglican church in Balestrand:
*"St Olafs kyrkje" (built in 1897) is located in the village of Balestrand

Government

All municipalities in Norway, including Balestrand, are responsible for primary education (through 10th grade), outpatient health services, senior citizen services, unemployment and other social services, zoning, economic development, and municipal roads. The municipality is governed by a municipal council of elected representatives, which in turn elect a mayor.

Municipal council

The municipal council "(Kommunestyre)" of Balestrand is made up of 17 representatives that are elected to every four years. For 2007–2011, the party breakdown is as follows: [cite web|publisher=Statistics Norway|url=http://www.ssb.no/english/subjects/00/01/20/kommvalgform_en/tab-2008-01-29-15-en.html|title=Members of the local councils|accessdaymonth=23 June|accessyear=2008|date=2007] Infobox_Kommunestyre
name=Balestrand
start=2007
end=2011
Total=17
Arbeiderpartiet=3
Fremskrittspartiet=
Høyre=4
Kristelig_Folkeparti=3
Rød_Valgallianse=
Rødt=
Senterpartiet=4
Sosialistisk_Venstreparti=
Venstre=3
Local_Lists=|

Mayor

The mayor "(ordførar)" of a municipality in Norway is a representative of the majority party of the municipal council who is elected to lead the council. Einar Målsnes of the Conservative Party "(Høgre)" was elected mayor of Balestrand for the 2007–2011 term. [cite web|url=http://www.balestrand.kommune.no/?language=eng|title=Welcome to Balestrand Kommune|date=15 Dec 2006|publisher=Balestrand Kommune|accessdaymonth=23 June|accessyear=2008]

Geography

Balestrand lies between high snow-covered mountains in the center of the beautiful, lush Norwegian fjords. Three fjord arms stretch inland, winding through the mountains and dotted with charming hamlets.

Balestrand is located on the north side of the Sognefjord and to the west of the Fjærlandsfjord. It is bordered to the west by the municipalities of Høyanger and Gaular, to the north by Førde, and to the east by Sogndal and Leikanger. Across the Sognefjord to the south is the municipality of Vik.

Attractions

Kvikne's Hotel

Built in the 19th century, the Kvikne's Hotel is one of the most famous buildings in Balestrand. The Kvikne family, who own the place, took it over in 1877. Since then the establishment has undergone constant development which continues to this day. There are many new buildings and remodeling and expansion projects have been carried out without diminishing the distinctive architecture and charm of the Swiss chalet-style complex.

Today, the hotel is a highly modern facility resounding with tradition and culture. With 200 rooms, it is also one of Norway’s largest fine hotels catering to tourists. An impressive collection of art and historical pieces is a central feature of the hotel´s interior, and one of the elements of its distinct personality.

Kviknes Hotel was made popular for European visitors in the early part of the 20th century by Kaiser Wilhelm II, who often visited there during his summer vacations prior to World War I. The hotel still possesses the chair he used in their restaurant. The Kaiser is accompanied on the list by a number of emperors, kings, presidents, Prime ministers, film stars, and artists from many countries.cite web|url=http://www.gonorway.no/norway/counties/sogn-and-fjordande/balestrand/763b49bafb7d0da/index.html|publisher=GoNorway.no|accessdaymonth=23 June|accessyear=2008|title=Balestrand Kommune]

t. Olaf's Church

St Olaf's Church, also known as the "English Church", is an Anglican church built in the style of a Stave church. The church was completed in 1897 as a memorial to Margaret Green. Margaret, an English lady, came to the fjords as a tourist to hike the mountains. She met, fell in love with and married Knut Kvikne who was an avid mountain man. Being a very pious woman, she wished for an Anglican church in Balestrand. She started the church with her husband, but died before its completion. Sunday services are held during the summer months, beiing conducted by rotating vicars from England. [cite web|url=http://www.balestrand.net/?side=30|title=Things to do in Balestrand|publisher=Balestrand Hotel|accessdaymonth=23 June|accessyear=2008|]

Other attractions

*"Songnefjord Aquarium"
*"Museum of Tourism"
*"Balejazz" summer jazz festival
*"Balestrand Art Village"

External links

* [http://www.balestrand.kommune.no Official Website of Balestrand] no icon
* [http://dnn2.kvikneseng.gasta.no Kviknes Hotel]

References