Kvænangen

Kvænangen is a municipality in Norway. The administrative centre of Kvænangen is the village of Burfjord. The European route E6 highway goes through the municipality and over the Sørstraumen Bridge, and many people stop at the Kvænangsfjellet pass to view the scenery of the Kvænangen fjord.

Kvænangen has an area of . However, it has a small population of only 1,159 people. The population density is very low, with only 0.6 people living in each square kilometre of land (2/sq mi). Over the last ten years, the population has decreased by 9.7%.

 General information 

The municipality of Kvænangen was established in 1863 when it was separated from the large Skjervøy Municipality. The area was named after the Kvænangen fjord, which is the main geographic feature for the municipality. Over time, fisheries became a primary industry, and the community exported dried fish to southern areas. Eventually, people native Norwegians moved to other places to help with business and government tasks. 

The population is primarily of Sámi origin, although the Kven people also make up a part of the population.  

The Norwegian Meteorological Institute has been operating a weather station in Nordstraum in Kvænangen since 1965.  

 History 
During the Nazi occupation during World War II, a temporary work camp was established at Kvænangen. In large part due to the generosity of the local population, prisoners had ample food. As the German Wehrmacht retreated in early 1945, the population was evacuated by force, and all buildings were burned. Today, a local museum shows typical reconstruction houses. Archeological finds indicate nomadic activity in the area going back 10,000 years. 

 Geography 
The geography of Kvænangen is varied, with coastal and plains geography, extending into Finnmarksvidda. There are mature pine forests in the valley at the head of the fjord, and there are several rivers, the largest of which is Kvænangselva. The Øksfjordjøkelen glacier is located in the northern part of the municipality on the border with Loppa.

Administration
The mayor, Kai Petter Johansen, is elected until late 2027.https://www.kommunal-rapport.no/kommunevalg/her-far-du-den-store-ordforeroversikten/154578!/. Retrieved 2023-10-26

Related pages
List of mayors in Norway that are elected until 2027

 References 

Category:Municipalities of Troms