Sirdal
Encyclopedia : S : SI : SIR : Sirdal
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| County | Vest-Agder | |
| District | ||
| Municipality | ||
| Administrative centre | Tonstad | |
| Mayor (2003) | Thor Jørgen Tjørhom (Sp) | |
| Official language form | Neutral | |
| Area - Total - Land - Percentage | 1,555 Square kilometre>km² 1,375 km² 0.48 % | |
| Population - Total (as of 2004>2004) - Percentage - Change (10 years) - Density | Ranked 352 1,766 0.04 % 2.1 % 1/km² | |
| Coordinates | ||
| [www.sirdal.kommune.no] [Data from Statistics Norway] | ||
It was formed by the 1964 merger of Øvre Sirdal and Tonstad municipalities, as well as Haugomgrenda.
Geography
Lying inland, Sirdal borders on Aust-Agder county to the north east and Rogaland to the west. To the south it borders on the municipality of Flekkefjord, and to the east on Kvinesdal. Sirdal is the largest area municipality in Vest-Agder.In 1990, the mountain road opened between Sirdal, via the Suleskard mountain pass and eastwards over to neighboring Brokke in Setesdal. It shortens the distance from Oslo to Stavanger by 110 km in the summer, and passes through barren, glacier scoured highland and by Rosskreppfjord as it ascends to over 1000 meters above sea level.
Economy
Tourism is a mainstay for the Sirdal economy, taking advantage of the extensive mountains, mountainous plateaus, lakes and the great views. There are multiple alpine resorts and hotels in the valley, as well as cottages and camp spots. Winter activities include 5 ski resorts for winter enjoyment. Downhill ski areas include Ålsheia Ski Centre, Sirdal Alpine Centre, Fidjeland Ski Centre, and Ådneram Ski lift. Cross-country skiers can enjoy dozens of trails over spectacular terrain. Summer activities include hiking, horseback riding and river rafting.History
Tonstad church was built in 1852.At Kvæven, in northern Sirdalen one finds the Sirdal Mountain Museum. This museum has a collection of old Sirdal buildings. Former lifestyles are visible in the farmhouse, a schoolhouse, stable, blacksmith's shop, barn and mountain farm cottage as well as original equipment.
Famous residents
Among notable persons from Sirdal is World Cup woman biathlete Linda Tjørhom.References
- South Norway by Frank Noel Stagg, George Allen & Unwin, Ltd., 1958.
- Adventure Roads in Norway by Erling Welle-Strand; Nortrabooks, 1996. ISBN 82-90103-71-9
External links
| Municipalities of Vest-Agder |
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|---|---|
| Audnedal | Farsund | Flekkefjord | Hægebostad | Kristiansand | Kvinesdal | Lindesnes | Lyngdal | Mandal | Marnardal | Sirdal | Songdalen | Søgne | Vennesla | Åseral | |
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