Storfjord
Encyclopedia : S : ST : STO : Storfjord
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| County | Troms | |
| District | ||
| Municipality | ||
| Administrative centre | Oteren | |
| Mayor (2003) | Hanne Braathen (Sp) | |
| Official language form | Neutral | |
| Area - Total - Land - Percentage | 1,543 Square kilometre>km² 1,477 km² 0.48 % | |
| Population - Total (as of 2004>2004) - Percentage - Change (10 years) - Density | Ranked 340 1,912 0.04 % -0.3 % 1/km² | |
| Coordinates | ||
| [www.storfjord.kommune.no] [Data from Statistics Norway] | ||
The municipality is situated around the inner parts of the fjord of Lyngen. The ethnic mix is interesting, with both Sami and Finnish cultures represented. In the valley of Signaldalen, a Norwegian dialect of southern origin is spoken, a reminiscent of the valley's settlement from the south in the early 19th. c.
Storfjord borders both Finland and Sweden, and the borders of the three countries meet at the beacon of Treriksrøysa (Swedish: Treriksröset), the northernmost point of Sweden. Treriksrøysa is a popular hiking destination; there are no fences, so at this location one step forward is all that is needed to get from one country to another.
Pine and birch forests are common in the dry climate in Storfjord, and the more rare calciferous pine forests, with several orchids, are also present.
History
The Sami culture is the original culture, however in the 19th. c. settles came from Finland and from the valleys of Southern Norway to settle. Sami culture, though, has survived in parts of Storfjord to the present. In the 19th. c. Laestadianism, a puritan religious movement, obtained a strong position. Skibotn is even today a stronghold for this movement.
The Market of Skibotn was traditionally a meeting point between ethnic groups, where Sami, Finns and Norwegians met to trade. This market still takes place today.
| Municipalities of Troms |
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|---|---|
| Balsfjord | Bardu | Berg | Bjarkøy | Dyrøy | Gratangen | Harstad | Ibestad | Karlsøy | Kvæfjord | Kvænangen | Kåfjord | Lavangen | Lenvik | Lyngen | Målselv | Nordreisa | Salangen | Skjervøy | Skånland | Storfjord | Sørreisa | Torsken | Tranøy | Tromsø | |
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