Skjervøy

Infobox_Kommune
name=Skjervøy
idnumber=1941
county=Troms
landscape=
capital=Skjervøy
governor=Roy Waage (KP)
governor_as_of=2003
arearank=210
area=478
arealand=470
areapercent=0.15
population_as_of=2004
populationrank=274
population=3,002
populationpercent=0.07
populationdensity=6
populationincrease=-1.4
language=Bokmål
lat_deg=70| lat_min=5| lat_sec=7| lon_deg=20| lon_min=39| lon_sec=34
utm_zone=34W| utm_northing=7775420 |utm_easting=0487062| geo_cat=adm2nd

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munwebpage=www.skjervoy.kommune.no

Skjervøy is a municipality in the county of Troms, Norway.

Skjervøy was established as a municipality January 1, 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt). Two other municipalities were later separated from it: Kvænangen (1863) and Nordreisa (1886). The parts of Skjervøy lying on the mainland were transferred from Skjervøy to Nordreisa January 1, 1972.

Geography

The municipality consists of several islands, the major one being Arnøya. Most people, however, live on the relatively small beautiful island of Skjervøya, where more than 2000 people live in the central town. The main industries are fishing and the shipyard.

History

The church of Skjervøy dates from 1721, and is the oldest wooden church in the county of Troms. Maursund gård is an old trading post with well preserved 19th century houses.

The name

The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the small island Skjervøya (Norse "*Skerføy"), since the first church was built there. The first element is "skerf" n 'rocky ground', the last element is "øy" f 'island'.

Until 1909 the name was written "Skjervø".

Coat-of-arms

The coat-of-arms is from modern times (1987). It shows the head of a cormorant.

(See also the coat-of-arms of Loppa and Røst.)

Communications

Skjervøy is called at by the Hurtigruten, and also has a speedboat connection with Tromsø. A tunnel connects this island with the mainland. To Arnøy and Laukøy, there is a ferry connection.