Stavanger kommune
|
|
County
|
Rogaland
|
| Administrative centre |
Stavanger |
| Mayor (2004) |
Leif Johan Sevland |
|
Area
|
71.2 km²
|
Population
- Total (2004)
- Percent
- Density
|
112,405
%
/km² |
| www.stavanger.kommune.no http://www.stavanger.kommune.no/ |
|
|
Stavanger is a city and municipality in the county of Rogaland, Norway, located on the southwest coast of Norway. It is the fourth largest city in the country.
The city itself is an odd combination of new and old. There is a significant foreign influence with a nearby NATO base, as well as foreign oil interests. Norway's oldest Cathedral, Stavanger domkirke, is situated right in the city centre. Stavanger has several beautiful lakes, which are popular recreation areas. Breiavatnet is located in the heart of Stavanger, while Mosvatnet and Stokkavatnet is situated right outside.
Stavanger Airport is located 14 km from the city centre, in the municipality of Sola. The local football team, Viking F.K., plays in the Norwegian premier league (2004). The city now has a brand new football stadium, which was opened in 2004.
History
Stavanger (Old Norse 'Stafangr' which means Staff-fjord) was founded in the year 1125, mainly because the Stavanger bishop was established in the 1120s. But even before that time Stavanger fulfilled an important urban role. A number of historians have argued convincingly that Nord-Jæren was an economic and military centre as far back as the 800-900s with the consolidation of the nation at Hafrsfjord. Stavanger grew into a centre of civic administration and an important south-west coast market town around 1100-1200.
The city's history is a continuous alternation between upswings and recessions. The city is deeply rooted in religion and Christian life, and for long periods of time its most important industries have been shipping, shipbuilding, the canning industry and associated subcontractors.
In 1969 a new upswing started as oil was first discovered in the North Sea. In 2003 Norway was the world's third largest exporter of crude oil, only surpassed by Saudi-Arabia and Russia. Oil and gas production in 2003 was a very important part of Norwegian economy. Petroleum activities contributed to large revenues for the Norwegian government as well as the licence owners. The activities also create considerable effects through the demand for goods and services from other landbased business sectors such as mechanical industry and engineering. The petroleum sector in 2003 contributed to 18.8 % of GNP, 45.9 % of total Norwegian export value, 24.9 % of total state income and 24.6 % of total investmens.
Since petroleum exploration and production became the most important business sector in the Stavanger area during the mid 1970s, business and cultural climate has changed considerably. The self-esteem of Stavanger people has been strongly reinforced and there is a considerable amount of entrepreneur spirit. There is a powerful consciousness of the area's large contribution to GNP. The petroleum sector is strongly globalised and it can be argued that the Stavanger area is one of the dynamic and receptive regions in Norway in terms of business and culture.
Tourism
Vågen (the harbour) is located in the city center of Stavanger
For tourists, an interesting suggestion is to head for the hills. Two of the best day hikes in Norway (some would say in the world) are located a couple of hours out of town on the beautiful Lysefjorden. Not too far from Stavanger, alpine centers are ready for skiers and snowboarders throughout winter season.
Preikestolen (aka the Pulpit Rock) is a massive rock overhanging the fjord. It's a 3-4 hour round trip hike with fabulous views. Kjeragbolten is a rock wedged in the cliff 1000 meters above the fjord. It's a more strenuous 4-5 hour hike out and a longer drive, but a spectacular look down from the rock. The free fall makes Kjerag a very popular location for BASE jumping.
Along the coast south of Stavanger there are a number of large, sandy beaches, among which the one at Sola is within closest reach from the city. The beaches are quite unique in a country where fjords and mountains dominate. These beaches are widely used by the locals for walks (not so much for bathing due to the rather cold North Sea waters) and also by wind surfers.
For the more urban minded, Old Stavanger (Gamle Stavanger) is located right next to the city centre. This collection of eighteenth- and nineteenth century wooden structures is one of the finest in Northern Europe. Most houses in Old Stavanger are privately owned and maintained, and in the area you will also find the studios of a number of local artists and artisans. The Canning Museum is also located in Old Stavanger, commemorating the city's past glory as the herring capital of Norway. The city centre itself is small and intimate, with narrow streets and open spaces protected from car traffic. The open-air vegetable market is one of the very few in Norway (if not the only one) where you can buy produce directly from local farmers every working day through the year. Stavanger domkirke (St. Svithun's cathedral) was built between 1100 and 1125 by the English bishop Reinald in anglo-norman style. Among old stone churches in Norway the cathedral in Stavanger is the only one which has been preserved in its original architectural style. The cathedral is recognized as one of Norway's most beautiful medieval structures. The Norwegian Petroleum Museum is located at the harbour. The museum reflects the fact that Stavanger has been Norway's oil capital since oil drilling activities started in the North Sea in 1966.
Every May, Stavanger is host to MaiJazz, the Stavanger International Jazz Festival. Stavanger was the host port of the Cutty Sark Tall Ships' Race in 1997 and 2004.
External links
- Information in English about the European Capital of Culture 2008 http://www.stavanger2008.com/
- Tourist and cultural information http://www.stavanger-web.com/
- Municipality web site http://www.stavanger.kommune.no/
- Tourist guide to Stavanger http://www.destinasjon-stavanger.no/
- All you need to know about what's going on in Stavanger, in English http://www.stavanger-web.com/
- The Norwegian Canning Museum http://www.stavanger.museum.no/Eng/Hermetikk/index.htm
- Maijazz (in Norwegian) http://www.maijazz.no
- Webcams in Stavanger http://www.webcamsinnorway.com/webcams_noiframes.php?nr=1&viewcam=282
- The Norwegian Petroleum Museum http://www.norskolje.museum.no/
- Webcams in Stavanger distributed by the local newspaper Stavanger Aftenblad http://aftenbladet.no/dynamisk/webcam.jhtml?id=65762
Last updated: 05-03-2005 17:50:55
