Etne is a municipality in Vestland county, Norway. It is located in the traditional district of Sunnhordland, although it is also sometimes considered to be part of the district of Haugaland. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Etnesjøen. Other villages in the municipality include Skånevik and Fjæra. The two largest villages in the municipality are Etnesjøen with 1,159 residents and Skånevik with 594 residents (all figures from 1 January 2015).[3][4]
Etne kommune | |
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Municipality | |
![]() View of the lake Løkjelsvatnet in Etne | |
![]() Flag ![]() Coat of arms ![]() Vestland within Norway | |
![]() Etne within Vestland | |
Coordinates: 59°39′50″N 05°56′00″E | |
Country | Norway |
County | Vestland |
District | Sunnhordland |
Established | 1 Jan 1838 |
• Created as | Formannskapsdistrikt |
Administrative centre | Etnesjøen |
Government | |
• Mayor (2019) | Mette Heidi Bergsvåg Ekrheim (Sp) |
Area | |
• Total | 735.27 km2 (283.89 sq mi) |
• Land | 691.15 km2 (266.85 sq mi) |
• Water | 44.12 km2 (17.03 sq mi) 6% |
• Rank | #154 in Norway |
Population (2022) | |
• Total | 4,043 |
• Rank | #201 in Norway |
• Density | 5.8/km2 (15/sq mi) |
• Change (10 years) | ![]() |
Demonym(s) | Etnebu Etnesbu[1] |
Official language | |
• Norwegian form | Nynorsk |
Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
ISO 3166 code | NO-4611 |
Website | Official website |
The 735-square-kilometre (284 sq mi) municipality is the 154th largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Etne is the 201st most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 4,043. The municipality's population density is 5.8 inhabitants per square kilometre (15/sq mi) and its population has increased by 2% over the previous 10-year period.[5][6]
Etne is situated south of the city of Bergen and it borders the municipalities of Kvinnherad, Ullensvang, Sauda, Suldal, and Vindafjord, the latter three are located in the neighboring county of Rogaland.
A Norwegian motion picture called United was shot in Etne with local people as actors.
Etne was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt law). Originally, Etne encompassed the area around the Etnefjorden and the surrounding valleys. During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee. On 1 January 1965, the neighboring municipality of Skånevik was dissolved and merged into its neighboring municipalities. All of Skånevik located south of the Åkrafjorden and east of the village of Åkra on the north side of the fjord (population: 1,493) was merged into Etne.[7]
The municipality is named after the Etnefjorden (Old Norse: Eðni). The fjord is probably named after an old river name Etna (now called the "Etneelvi").[8]
The coat of arms was granted on 16 December 1983. The arms are blue on the left and silver/white on the right with a dovetailed line vertically down the middle. They represent the strong unity between the two former municipalities of Skånevik and Etne that were joined to form one municipality in 1965.[9]
The Church of Norway has two parishes (sokn) within the municipality of Etne. It is part of the Sunnhordland prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Bjørgvin.
Parish (sokn) | Church name | Location of the church | Year built |
---|---|---|---|
Etne | Gjerde Church | Etnesjøen | 1676 |
Grindheim Church | Etnesjøen | 1728 | |
Stødle Church | Etnesjøen | 1160 | |
Skånevik | Skånevik Church | Skånevik | 1900 |
Fjæra Chapel | Fjæra | 1913 |
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
1951 | 2,452 | — |
1960 | 2,512 | +2.4% |
1970 | 3,930 | +56.4% |
1980 | 3,980 | +1.3% |
1990 | 4,037 | +1.4% |
2000 | 3,917 | −3.0% |
2010 | 3,882 | −0.9% |
2019 | 4,077 | +5.0% |
Source: Statistics Norway. |
Etne is situated south of the city of Bergen and it borders the municipalities of Kvinnherad and Ullensvang in Vestland county and the municipalities of Sauda, Suldal, and Vindafjord in Rogaland county.
Etne has a varied landscape, extending from the Etnefjorden, Skånevikfjorden, and Åkrafjorden at sea level, through the villages up to the high mountains. In the far north, there is a barren and heavily eroded mountain glacier, Folgefonna, where the municipality's highest point rises 1,638 metres (5,374 ft) above sea level. Folgefonna National Park is partially located in Etne. In addition to that national park, Etne has three nature reserves: Brattholmen, Skåno, and Langebudalen. Lakes in the area include Løkjelsvatnet. The famous waterfall Langfossen is located in northern Etne.[10]
Recent archeological findings indicate that the area was already inhabited around 500 BC.[11]
All municipalities in Norway, including Etne, 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.[12] The municipality falls under the Haugaland og Sunnhordland District Court and the Gulating Court of Appeal.
The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Etne is made up of 17 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The party breakdown of the council is as follows:
Party Name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 2 | |
Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) | 4 | |
Conservative Party (Høgre) | 1 | |
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 2 | |
Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 7 | |
Liberal Party (Venstre) | 1 | |
Total number of members: | 17 |
Party Name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 5 | |
Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) | 4 | |
Conservative Party (Høgre) | 3 | |
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 2 | |
Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 6 | |
Liberal Party (Venstre) | 1 | |
Total number of members: | 21 |
Party Name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 6 | |
Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) | 3 | |
Conservative Party (Høgre) | 3 | |
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 2 | |
Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 6 | |
Liberal Party (Venstre) | 1 | |
Total number of members: | 21 |
Party Name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 6 | |
Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) | 3 | |
Conservative Party (Høgre) | 3 | |
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 2 | |
Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 6 | |
Liberal Party (Venstre) | 1 | |
Total number of members: | 21 |
Party Name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 4 | |
Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) | 3 | |
Conservative Party (Høgre) | 6 | |
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 3 | |
Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 3 | |
Liberal Party (Venstre) | 1 | |
Local list (Krinslista) | 1 | |
Total number of members: | 21 |
Party Name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 4 | |
Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) | 2 | |
Conservative Party (Høgre) | 5 | |
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 4 | |
Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 3 | |
Liberal Party (Venstre) | 1 | |
Local list (Krinslista) | 2 | |
Total number of members: | 21 |
Party Name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 5 | |
Conservative Party (Høgre) | 5 | |
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 4 | |
Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 7 | |
Liberal Party (Venstre) | 3 | |
Etne local list (Etne bygdeliste) | 2 | |
Local list for Skånevik (Krinsliste for Skånevik) | 3 | |
Total number of members: | 29 |
Party Name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 6 | |
Conservative Party (Høgre) | 4 | |
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 5 | |
Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 9 | |
Liberal Party (Venstre) | 1 | |
Etne local list (Etne bygdeliste) | 1 | |
Local list for Skånevik (Krinsliste for Skånevik) | 3 | |
Total number of members: | 29 |
Party Name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 7 | |
Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) | 1 | |
Conservative Party (Høgre) | 6 | |
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 5 | |
Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 5 | |
Liberal Party (Venstre) | 1 | |
Etne local list (Etne bygdeliste) | 2 | |
Local list for Skånevik (Krinsliste for Skånevik) | 2 | |
Total number of members: | 29 |
Party Name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 7 | |
Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) | 1 | |
Conservative Party (Høgre) | 5 | |
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 5 | |
Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 4 | |
Liberal Party (Venstre) | 1 | |
Non-party list (Upolitisk liste) | 2 | |
Local list for Skånevik (Krinsliste for Skånevik) | 4 | |
Total number of members: | 29 |
Party Name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 6 | |
Conservative Party (Høgre) | 5 | |
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 7 | |
Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 5 | |
Liberal Party (Venstre) | 1 | |
Non-party list (Upolitisk liste) | 1 | |
Local list for Skånevik (Krinsliste for Skånevik) | 4 | |
Total number of members: | 29 |
Party Name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 7 | |
Conservative Party (Høgre) | 4 | |
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 7 | |
New People's Party (Nye Folkepartiet) | 1 | |
Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 7 | |
Liberal Party (Venstre) | 1 | |
Local list for Skånevik (Krinsliste for Skånevik) | 2 | |
Total number of members: | 29 |
Party Name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 8 | |
Conservative Party (Høgre) | 4 | |
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 6 | |
Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 7 | |
Liberal Party (Venstre) | 4 | |
Total number of members: | 29 |
Party Name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 9 | |
Conservative Party (Høgre) | 4 | |
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 6 | |
Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 6 | |
Liberal Party (Venstre) | 4 | |
Total number of members: | 29 |
Party Name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 7 | |
Conservative Party (Høgre) | 3 | |
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 3 | |
Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 5 | |
Liberal Party (Venstre) | 3 | |
Total number of members: | 21 |
Party Name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 7 | |
Conservative Party (Høgre) | 2 | |
Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 3 | |
Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 5 | |
Liberal Party (Venstre) | 4 | |
Total number of members: | 21 |
Party Name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 6 | |
Conservative Party (Høgre) | 2 | |
Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) | 7 | |
Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgarlege Felleslister) | 6 | |
Total number of members: | 21 |
Party Name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 7 | |
Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgarlege Felleslister) | 11 | |
Local List(s) (Lokale lister) | 6 | |
Total number of members: | 24 |
Party Name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 7 | |
Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgarlege Felleslister) | 14 | |
Local List(s) (Lokale lister) | 3 | |
Total number of members: | 24 |
Party Name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 7 | |
Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgarlege Felleslister) | 3 | |
Local List(s) (Lokale lister) | 14 | |
Total number of members: | 24 |
Party Name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 6 | |
Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) | 11 | |
Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgarlege Felleslister) | 2 | |
Local List(s) (Lokale lister) | 5 | |
Total number of members: | 24 | |
Note: Due to the German occupation of Norway during World War II, no elections were held for new municipal councils until after the war ended in 1945. |
The mayors of Etne (incomplete list):
The European route E134 highway runs the length of the municipality connecting it to the city of Haugesund in the southwest and to Oslo in the east. The highway runs through Etnesjøen and then northeastwards along the Åkrafjorden before crossing into the neighboring municipality of Odda. There are many tunnels along the route, some quite long, including the Åkrafjord Tunnel, Fjæra Tunnel, Markhus Tunnel, and Rullestad Tunnel.
The Eintveitbrua is a bridge in rural Etne that is not connected to the road network. It is considered to be a bridge to nowhere.
Vestland county, Norway | |||
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