Haugesund

Haugesund is a town within the Municipality of Haugesund, and is the capital of the municipality. It is within the Rogaland county in the country of Norway. It had a population of roughly 32,000 (42,000 including all of the suburbs)^[1] as of January 2020. The "birthplace of Norway", as it is called, Avaldsnes, is approximately 8.5km away from the town. The town is named after the nearby Haugesundet strait which is close to the town.

Haugesund
Town
Municipality of Haugesund
A view of the central part of Haugesund, close to the dockyards
Flag Coat of arms
Coordinates: 59°26′47″N 05°17′54″E
Area
• Total	72.68 km2 (28.06 sq mi)
• Land	68.37 km2 (26.40 sq mi)
• Water	4.31 km2 (1.66 sq mi)  5.9%
• Rank	338
Population  (2020)
• Total	32,000
• Rank	28
• Density	546.4/km2 (1,415/sq mi)

The residents of the town are nicknamed "Måke" (Seagulls), especially those who live in the east side of the town and support the local soccer team.

Tourist attractions

Here is a list of tourist attractions which can be found within the town:

• (Natural attraction) The Haraldsvang hiking area. It is quite close to the Skelsvannet lake.

• (Natural attraction) The Skelsvannet lake is good for fishing, and you could be able to find some fish that are from the region. It would also be good for birdwatching, mostly seagulls which are commonly found in Haugesund.

• There is a North Sea cycling route which runs through, which would be good for cyclists

• Haugesund also has an airport (HAU) for people who like planespotting.

• Haugesund also hosts the Norwegian International Film Festival, and the "Slidajazz" festival^[2][3] in August every year.

Sports in Haugesund

Haugesund is home to the soccer club Haugesund FK (FKH), who currently play in the Eliteserien, the highest tier in Norwegian soccer (20/21 season).

Municipal council

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Haugesund is made up of 49 representatives that are elected every four years. The government is located at the Haugesund City Hall.

International relations

Haugesund is a sister city with the following places:

• Søllerød, Hovedstaden, Denmark^[4]
• Ystad, Skåne, Sweden^[4]
• Ekenäs, Uusimaa, Finland^[4]
• Emden, Lower Saxony, Germany^[4]

Each of the sister cities (except Emden) has been given its name to a street in Haugesund. The streets are located in the same area near the border to the neighbouring municipality.^[5]

Gallery of images

• 
  The city hall, designed by Gudolf Blakstad and Herman Munthe-Kaas
• 
  Common street in Haugesund
• 
  Haugesund from the Risøy bridge
• 
  Risøybrua seen from Risøy. Photo: Knut Arne Gjertsen
• 
  Haugesund docks, with bridge to Risøy

Related pages

• List of mayors in Norway that are elected until 2027

References

1. Statistisk sentralbyrå (2020). "Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)" (in Norwegian).
2. "Den Norske Filmfestivalen i Haugesund". Den Norske Filmfestivalen i Haugesund. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
3. "Sildajazz 2020". sildajazz.no (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2020-12-29.
4. Pedersen, Idar H. (2004). "Vennskapsbyer" (in Norwegian). Haugesund kommune. Archived from the original on 2007-10-09. Retrieved 2007-10-25.
5. "Map of Norway". 1881.no. Retrieved 2015-10-12.