Balsfjord
69°18′17″N 19°12′13″E / 69.30472°N 19.20361°E Balsfjord is a municipality in Troms in Norway. Its administrative centre is the village of Storsteinnes. It has a population of 5,576, with a population density of 3.9 inhabitants per square kilometre.[1] The municipality covers an area of 1,497 square kilometres (578 sq mi) and is the 58th largest municipality in Norway.[2] The area is known for its two fjords, Malangen and Balsfjorden. It is surrounded by fertile farmland and many peaks, including the southern end of the Lyngen Alps.[3]
Balsfjord | |
|---|---|
Municipality | |
 Landscape | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
| Coordinates: 69°18′17″N 19°12′13″E / 69.30472°N 19.20361°E | |
| Country | Norway |
| County | Troms og Finnmark |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1,496.98 km2 (577.99 sq mi) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 5,576 |
| • Rank |
|
| • Density | 3.9/km2 (10/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (Central European Time) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 |
| ISO 3166 code | NO-5422 |
| Website | http://balsfjord.kommune.no/ |
Coat of arms: The municipality's coat of arms features a red field with a plough, symbolizing the importance of agriculture to the area.
History
changeThe municipality was separated from the Tromsøe landdistrikt municipality in 1860. It has had several changes over the years, including a merger with neighboring Malangen municipality in 1964.
People
changeTrappers, people who hunt and trap wild animals for their fur, meat, or other parts, from Balsfjord were active in the Arctic from the 18th to the 20th century.
The local inhabitants are descendants of a mixture of Norwegian, Sámi, and Kven people.[dubious ]
Balsfjord played a role[clarification needed] in the mid-19th century ('Minde church' movement or) Mindekirken movement in Troms, which split from the state church parish in Tromsø.
Related pages
changeReferences
change- ↑ "06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M) 1951 - 2023. Statbank Norway". SSB. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
- ↑ "09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M) 2007 - 2023. Statbank Norway". SSB. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
- ↑ "Lyngen Alps – a world-class nature paradise". Visit Lyngenfjord. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
