Strand, Norway

Infobox_Kommune
name=Strand
idnumber=1130
county=Rogaland
landscape=Ryfylke
capital=Jørpeland
governor=Odd William Bøe (Ap)
governor_as_of=2007
arearank=321
area=218
arealand=195
areapercent=0.07
population_as_of=2007
populationrank=98
population=~10,600
populationpercent=0.23
populationdensity=53
populationincrease=7.3
language=Neutral
lat_deg=59| lat_min=3| lat_sec=48| lon_deg=6| lon_min=1| lon_sec=40
utm_zone=32V| utm_northing=6550919 |utm_easting=0329590| geo_cat=adm2nd

munwebpage=www.strand.kommune.no

Strand is a municipality in the county of Rogaland, Norway.

Strand was established as a municipality January 1, 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt). Høle (with Forsand) was separated from Strand in 1842.

To the north, lies Fiskå. Strand produces fruit, vegetables and dairy products, along with Fiskå Mølle (Fiskå Mill). To the south, Tau is the communication hub with ferry connections to Stavanger and bus services to Hjelmeland and deeper into Ryfylke. About 10 km south-east, Jørpeland is the largest settlement with about 5,500 people. Following the road southwards one passes Botne before entering into Forsand. To the east Bjørheimsbygd is a thriving agricultural site.

The famous biker Gunn-Rita Dahle comes from Bjørheimsbygd. She has won a gold medal in the Summer Olympics 2004, in Athens. Holtaheia was the mountain behind Holta farm where 34 school boys, 2 teachers and 3 crew died, when the Cunard Viking flight 'Papa Mike' crashed into the mountain, en route to Stavanger.

The name

The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the farm Strand (Norse "Strönd"), since the first church was built there. The name is identical with the word "strönd" f 'strand, beach'.

Social

Strand experienced a strong influx of newcomers from Stavanger and Jæren starting in the late 1970s. The original social fabric was divided into factory workers at the iron mill, farmers and the strong Lutheran tradition. The divides were in many ways exclusive, and only limited movement between the social groups was seen. In later years these divides have become significantly weaker.

Industry

Scana Steel Stavanger as is the largest company in Strand. Main activities are special steel alloys and casting for the shipping and oil/gas industry. Propellers of RMS "Queen Mary 2" were made here. About 220 workers.

Comrod Communication ASA, manufacturer of radio communication aerials. Deliveries to fisheries, shipping, oil and gas and also military defence. About 65 employees.

Culture

Strand may seem like a small, divided society. A newspaper article published in Bergens Tidende had the following statement about Strand: "Either you go to the local church, or you are lying in the ditch, drunk and puking." This is of course far from the truth. Many cultural events are held in Strand, like Ryfylke Ungdomsfestival (Ryfylke Youth Festival), Ryfylke Øl- og brødfestival (Ryfylke Beer and Bread Festival), Melting Pot (art seminar, mostly making decorative art out of scrap-iron) etc. Strandamila is also a local event, attracting hundreds of people for a race from Jørpeland to Tau, along the highway, either by bike or on foot. Strand also features a wide range of sports activities available for everyone to enjoy. There are a lot of soccer fields, as well as local fitness centres. Tau also has two tennis courts, a beach-volleyball field (there is also one near Barka and one near Klippen, Jørpeland), and a basketball court, as well as Ryfylkehallen, a massive indoor soccer field (the largest in the county of Rogaland).