Gjerstad is a municipality in Agder county, Norway. It is located in the traditional region of Sørlandet, in the southeastern part of the county, along the border with Telemark county.[3] The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Gjerstad. Other villages in the municipality include Ausland, Eikeland, Fiane, Gryting, Østerholt, Rød, Sundebru, and Vestøl.
Gjerstad kommune | |
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Municipality | |
![]() View of Gjerstad from the Gjerstadvatnet | |
![]() Flag ![]() Coat of arms ![]() Agder within Norway | |
![]() Gjerstad within Agder | |
Coordinates: 58°53′33″N 08°57′24″E | |
Country | Norway |
County | Agder |
District | Østre Agder |
Established | 1 Jan 1838 |
• Created as | Formannskapsdistrikt |
Administrative centre | Gjerstad |
Government | |
• Mayor (2015) | Inger Løite (Ap) |
Area | |
• Total | 322.13 km2 (124.38 sq mi) |
• Land | 307.57 km2 (118.75 sq mi) |
• Water | 14.56 km2 (5.62 sq mi) 4.5% |
• Rank | #256 in Norway |
Population (2022) | |
• Total | 2,427 |
• Rank | #258 in Norway |
• Density | 7.9/km2 (20/sq mi) |
• Change (10 years) | ![]() |
Demonyms | Gjersdøl Gjersdøling[1] |
Official language | |
• Norwegian form | Neutral |
Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
ISO 3166 code | NO-4211 |
Website | Official website |
The 322-square-kilometre (124 sq mi) municipality is the 256th largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Gjerstad is the 258th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 2,427. The municipality's population density is 7.9 inhabitants per square kilometre (20/sq mi) and its population has decreased by 2.1% over the previous 10-year period.[4][5]
The parish of Gjerstad was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt law). The borders have not changed since that time.[6]
The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the old Gjerstad farm (Old Norse: Geirreksstaðir), since the Gjerstad Church was built there. One explanation of the name says that the first element is the genitive case of the male name Geirrekr and the last element is staðir which means "homestead" or "farm".[7][8] Another possibly explanation of the first part of the name says that it comes from the word geirr which means "spear". Historically, the name has been spelled Gerikstadum (c. 1400), Gierestat (c. 1567), Gierrestad, and Gjerrestad.
The coat of arms was granted on 18 April 1986. The arms show three white or silver knives on a red background. The knife was chosen as a symbol for the smithies and knife makers in the municipality. Knife making has long been a local tradition for which the village is well known.[9]
The Church of Norway has one parish (sokn) within the municipality of Gjerstad. It is part of the Aust-Nedenes prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Agder og Telemark.
Parish (sokn) | Church name | Location of the church | Year built |
---|---|---|---|
Gjerstad | Gjerstad Church | Gjerstad | 1848 |
Until about 1650, the prestegjeld of Gjerstad (the precursor to today's municipality) was named Vissedal (from vidr-ser-dalr meaning "wood-sea-dale"), a very proper description of the area. Gjerstad has been inhabited from the Stone Age and Viking Age through modern times. Agriculture has long been important, and until only decades ago the more marginal outfields in Upper Gjerstad were still utilized. Forestry also provided an important historic economic contribution, and logs were driven on rivers and streams in the municipality. To aid log transport by floating, numerous dams were constructed. Eikeland Ironworks were a significant contribution to the economy as well.
Gjerstad municipality has numerous glacially formed features, including a U-shaped valley, tarns, and lakes, most notably the large lake Gjerstadvatnet. It located in Agder county and it is bordered to the north by Nissedal and Drangedal municipalities (both in Vestfold og Telemark county); to the east by Kragerø municipality (also in Telemark); to the south by Risør municipality; and to the southwest by Vegårshei municipality. There are several larger roads that traverse Gjerstad: European route E18, Norwegian County Road 417, and Norwegian County Road 418.
All municipalities in Norway, including Gjerstad, 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.[10] The municipality falls under the Agder District Court and the Agder Court of Appeal.
The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Gjerstad is made up of 17 representatives that are elected to four year terms. Currently, the party breakdown is as follows:
Party Name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 6 | |
Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) | 2 | |
Conservative Party (Høyre) | 2 | |
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 1 | |
Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 6 | |
Total number of members: | 17 |
Party Name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 6 | |
Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) | 1 | |
Conservative Party (Høyre) | 4 | |
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 1 | |
Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 5 | |
Total number of members: | 17 |
Party Name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 6 | |
Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) | 2 | |
Conservative Party (Høyre) | 6 | |
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 1 | |
Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 5 | |
Liberal Party (Venstre) | 1 | |
Total number of members: | 21 |
Party Name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 7 | |
Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) | 1 | |
Conservative Party (Høyre) | 5 | |
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 2 | |
Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 4 | |
Liberal Party (Venstre) | 2 | |
Total number of members: | 21 |
Party Name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 7 | |
Conservative Party (Høyre) | 3 | |
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 3 | |
Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 5 | |
Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 1 | |
Liberal Party (Venstre) | 2 | |
Total number of members: | 21 |
Party Name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 6 | |
Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) | 2 | |
Conservative Party (Høyre) | 2 | |
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 2 | |
Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 8 | |
Liberal Party (Venstre) | 1 | |
Total number of members: | 21 |
Party Name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 6 | |
Conservative Party (Høyre) | 7 | |
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 3 | |
Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 4 | |
Liberal Party (Venstre) | 1 | |
Total number of members: | 21 |
Party Name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 7 | |
Conservative Party (Høyre) | 5 | |
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 2 | |
Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 4 | |
Liberal Party (Venstre) | 3 | |
Total number of members: | 21 |
Party Name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 10 | |
Conservative Party (Høyre) | 3 | |
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 3 | |
Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 3 | |
Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 1 | |
Liberal Party (Venstre) | 1 | |
Total number of members: | 21 |
Party Name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 11 | |
Conservative Party (Høyre) | 3 | |
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 3 | |
Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 2 | |
Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 1 | |
Liberal Party (Venstre) | 1 | |
Total number of members: | 21 |
Party Name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 10 | |
Conservative Party (Høyre) | 3 | |
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 4 | |
Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 2 | |
Liberal Party (Venstre) | 2 | |
Total number of members: | 21 |
Party Name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 10 | |
Conservative Party (Høyre) | 1 | |
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 4 | |
Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 3 | |
Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 1 | |
Joint list of the Liberal Party (Venstre) and New People's Party (Nye Folkepartiet) | 2 | |
Total number of members: | 21 |
Party Name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 12 | |
Conservative Party (Høyre) | 1 | |
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 3 | |
Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 2 | |
Liberal Party (Venstre) | 3 | |
Total number of members: | 21 |
Party Name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 12 | |
Conservative Party (Høyre) | 1 | |
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 3 | |
Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 2 | |
Liberal Party (Venstre) | 3 | |
Total number of members: | 21 |
Party Name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 12 | |
Conservative Party (Høyre) | 1 | |
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 3 | |
Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) | 5 | |
Total number of members: | 21 |
Party Name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 12 | |
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 3 | |
Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 2 | |
Liberal Party (Venstre) | 4 | |
Total number of members: | 21 |
Party Name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 11 | |
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 3 | |
Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) | 3 | |
Liberal Party (Venstre) | 4 | |
Total number of members: | 21 |
Party Name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 10 | |
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 3 | |
Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) | 2 | |
Liberal Party (Venstre) | 5 | |
Total number of members: | 20 |
Party Name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 9 | |
Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 4 | |
Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) | 2 | |
Liberal Party (Venstre) | 5 | |
Total number of members: | 20 |
Party Name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 11 | |
Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) | 2 | |
Liberal Party (Venstre) | 7 | |
Total number of members: | 20 |
Party Name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives | |
---|---|---|
Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 10 | |
Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) | 3 | |
Liberal Party (Venstre) | 7 | |
Total number of members: | 20 | |
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. |
Agder county, Norway | |||
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