Årdal

Infobox_Kommune
name = Årdal
idnumber = 1424
county = Sogn og Fjordane
landscape = Sogn
capital = Årdalstangen
demonym = Årdøl
language = Nynorsk


munwebpage = www.ardal.kommune.no
governor = Arild Ingar Lægreid (Ap)
governor_as_of = 2003
arearank = 108
area = 976
arealand = 931
areapercent = 0.30
population_as_of = 2004
populationrank = 175
population = 5,631
populationpercent = 0.12
populationdensity = 6
populationincrease = -6.1
lat_deg = 61 | lat_min = 17 | lat_sec = 29 | lon_deg = 7 | lon_min = 47 | lon_sec = 53
utm_zone = 32V | utm_northing = 6795848 | utm_easting = 0435604 | geo_cat = adm2nd

Årdal is a municipality in the county of Sogn og Fjordane, Norway. It is located in the traditional district of Sogn. The village of Årdalstangen is the administrative center of the municipality. Årdal was separated from Lærdal in 1860.

Årdal is a modern industrial community, with ties to the old society of farming and fishing. It is surrounded by dramatic nature with high mountains and waterfalls. The climate is rather mild and with less rain than normal in the west part of Norway. Årdal is a good starting point to explore the wild nature of the national park Jotunheimen, and with summer and winter activities within its boundaries. The Vettisfossen waterfall (highest in Norway) is located within the municipality.cite web|url=http://www.ardal.kommune.no/index.asp?strurl=1003625i|title=Welcome to Årdal|date=5 July 2004|publisher=Årdal Kommune| accessdate = 2008-06-24]

The group called "Årdal Sogelag" concerns itself with local history and serves as an information service for people with connections to Årdal.

General information

Name

The Old Norse form of the name was "Árdalr". The first element is the genitive case of "á" which means "river" (referring to the Utla river) and the last element is "dalr" which means "valley" or "dale". Until 1921 the name was written "Aardal".

Coat-of-arms

The coat-of-arms was granted on 9 August 1957. The local economy at the time was mainly based on heavy industry, which needs a lot of electricity. The zig-zag lines in the arms symbolize both the electrical power and the industries. The colors were chosen randomly. [cite web|url=http://www.ngw.nl/int/nor/a/aurland.htm|author=Norske Kommunevåpen|date=1990|title=Nye kommunevåbener i Norden|accessdaymonth=3 August|accessyear=2008]

Background

Lærdal was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt). The original municipality was identical to the Lærdal parish "(prestegjeld)" including the sub-parish "(sokn)" of "Årdal".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 February 2005| accessdate = 2008-06-24]

In 1863, the sub-parish of Årdal (population: 1,791) was separated from Lærdal and became a municipality of its own.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 1964, the Muggeteigen, Luggenes, and Bergmål farms (population: 11) were transferred to Lærdal.

Churches

The Church of Norway has two churches within the municipality of Årdal. It is part of the Diocese of Bjørgvin and the Rural Deanery "(Prosti)" of Indre Sogn.

Government

All municipalities in Norway, including Årdal, 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 Årdal is made up of 21 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| accessdate = 2008-06-23|date=2007] Infobox_Kommunestyre
name = Årdal
start = 2007
end = 2011
Total = 21
Arbeiderpartiet = 16
Fremskrittspartiet = 1
Høyre = 1
Kristelig_Folkeparti =
Rød_Valgallianse =
Rødt =
Senterpartiet = 2
Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
Venstre =
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. Arild Ingar Lægreid of the Labour Party "(Det Norske Arbeiderpartiet)" was elected mayor for the 2007–2011 term. [cite web|author=Årdal Kommune|title=Ordføraren|date=12 August 2005|url=http://www.ardal.kommune.no/index.asp?strUrl=1002852i| accessdate = 2008-06-24 no icon]

Geography

The municipality is situated at the beginning of the Sognefjord and is a gateway to the mountain area called Jotunheimen. There are two urban areas in Årdal: Årdalstangen and Øvre Årdal, with a total population of approximately 5,700. There are also smaller villages throughout the municipality: Naddvik (Vikadalen), Nundalen, inner and outer Ofredal, Seimsdalen, Fardalen, Utladalen and Vetti.cite web|url=http://www.ardal.kommune.no/index.asp?strurl=1003625i|title=Welcome to Årdal|date=5 July 2004|publisher=Årdal Kommune| accessdate = 2008-06-24]

Årdal is bordered to the north and west by the municipality of Luster, to the east by Vang (in Oppland county), and to the south by Lærdal.

Industry

Årdal became a symbol of modern Norway after World War II. In the course of a few years, Årdal was transformed from a scarcely populated rural community into a small town situated around the aluminium plant Årdal og Sunndal Verk. Construction of the aluminium plant at Årdal started in 1941. The purpose was to build a large aluminium industry as a part of the German war effort. The Norwegian State confiscated the unfinished plant in Årdal in 1945 at the end of the war. The plant was finished by the government and production started in 1948.

At Årdal, the aluminium factory produced semi-finished aluminium that went on to be transformed into various products in other factories. During the early years most of the aluminium was exported. The car and airplane industries were big aluminium consumers. Some finished products were made in Norway, such as Høyang kitchen equipment, kettles, and pans.

In 1986, Årdal og Sunndal Verk was merged with Norsk Hydro under the name Hydro Aluminium AS. [cite web|title=Årdal Aluminium plant|url=http://dreamfactories.eu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=23|first=Anne Marit|last=Karlsen| accessdate = 2008-06-24]

Attractions

Utladalen

The Vettisfossen waterfall was given protected status in 1924. With a free fall of 275 meters, it is the highest waterfall in Northern Europe.

"Vetti Gard og Turiststasjon", a farm rich in tradition dating from around 1120, is set in dramatic natural surroundings. The farm has been involved in tourism ever since the early 19th century and now serves as a cafè and tourist information office in the summer.

The Utladalen Landscape Protection Area (314 square kilometers) was established in conjunction with the Jotunheimen National Park. It comprises large parts of the Utladalen valey and adjoining side valleys. The area contains several old farms and mountain pasture farmsteads of historical interest.

"Utladalen Naturhus" is a nature center situated at Skåri, an old farm. Farming here ceased in the early 1970s. In 1996 work commenced on the restoration of the old cultural landscape, and the "Utladalen Naturhus" center was opened in May 1998. Run by the Utladalen Naturhus foundation, the aim of the centre is to inform visitors about the natural and cultural history of Utladalen and Western Jotunheimen. The centre also includes the Slingsby Museum.cite web|url=http://www.ardal.kommune.no/index.asp?strurl=1003625i|title=Welcome to Årdal|date=5 July 2004|publisher=Årdal Kommune| accessdate = 2008-06-24]

Avdalen Gård (Farm)

The [http://www.avdalen.no/avdalen/english.php Avdalen farm] is scenically situated on the mountainside above the beautiful Avdalen waterfall in the Utladalen valley. The land was cleared for farming in the 16th century. Abandoned in more recent times, the farm has now been restored to provide restaurant, accommodation and meeting facilities. The mill house can be seen in operation milling grain.cite web|url=http://www.ardal.kommune.no/index.asp?strurl=1003625i|title=Welcome to Årdal|date=5 July 2004|publisher=Årdal Kommune| accessdate = 2008-06-24]

Jotunheimen National Park

The Jotunheimen National Park, established in 1980, covers an area of approximately 1,145 square kilometers and comprises the Hurrungane, Fannaråki, and the "Rauddalstind og Mjølkedalstind" peaks. Jotunheimen is a popular area for hiking in summer and skiing in winter, and the Hurrungane massif is very popular with climbers.cite web|url=http://www.ardal.kommune.no/index.asp?strurl=1003625i|title=Welcome to Årdal|date=5 July 2004|publisher=Årdal Kommune| accessdate = 2008-06-24]

Indre Offerdal Museum

This old fjord-side settlement "right down by the shore" is packed with interesting history about Årdal. Ten buildings, including a mill, sawmill, a shoreside warehouse, and farm buildings dating from the 19th century, provide insight into the beginnings of the extensive industrialization of this local community.cite web|url=http://www.ardal.kommune.no/index.asp?strurl=1003625i|title=Welcome to Årdal|date=5 July 2004|publisher=Årdal Kommune| accessdate = 2008-06-24]

cenic Views

Mountain Road: Årdal-Turtagrø

In the summer, this road from Øvre Årdal to Turtagrø links Årdal to the Sognefjell mountain road. On the drive across you will enjoy spectacular views of breath-taking scenery.cite web|url=http://www.ardal.kommune.no/index.asp?strurl=1003625i|title=Welcome to Årdal|date=5 July 2004|publisher=Årdal Kommune| accessdate = 2008-06-24]

Folkev

From Vetti you can walk to Europe's highest waterfall (275 metres high). The road/path leads through beautiful scenery and passes four waterfalls!cite web|url=http://www.ardal.kommune.no/index.asp?strurl=1003625i|title=Welcome to Årdal|date=5 July 2004|publisher=Årdal Kommune| accessdate = 2008-06-24]

Trivia

The Irish comedian Ardal O'Hanlon is named after this village.

References

External links

* [http://www.heimatt.no Heimatt] no icon
* [http://www.ardal.kommune.no Årdal kommune] no icon
* [http://www.ardal.no Årdalsportalen] no icon
* [http://www.tindevegen.no Tindevegen] no icon
* [http://www.utladalen.no Opplev Utladalen] no icon
* [http://www.sogelaget.no Årdal Sogelag] no icon
* [http://www.avdalen.no Avdalen farm in Utladalen] no icon