Gamvik
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Gamvik kommune | |||
| — Municipality — | |||
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| Coordinates: | |||
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| Country | Norway | ||
| County | Finnmark | ||
| District | Nordkyn | ||
| Municipality ID | NO-2023 | ||
| Administrative centre | Mehamn | ||
| Government | |||
| - Mayor (2004) | Roger Hansen (Ap) | ||
| Area (Nr. 60 in Norway) | |||
| - Total | 1,415 km² (546.3 sq mi) | ||
| - Land | 1,354 km² (522.8 sq mi) | ||
| Population (2004) | |||
| - Total | 1,134 | ||
| - Density | 1/km² (2.6/sq mi) | ||
| - Change (10 years) | -22.4 % | ||
| - Rank in Norway | 397 | ||
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | ||
| - Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | ||
| Official language form | Neutral | ||
| Demonym | Gamviking or Gamvikværing[1] | ||
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| Website: www.gamvik.kommune.no | |||
Gamvik is a municipality in the county of Finnmark, Norway.
Gamvik was separated from Tana July 1, 1913.
The municipality consists of the eastern half of the Nordkyn peninsula. Kinnarodden is the northernmost point of mainland Europe (The North Cape is on Magerøya island). Most people live in Mehamn (ca 700 inhabitants), which has an airport, Mehamn Airport, and is also a port of call of the hurtigruten. Gamvik and Skjånes are two other villages in the county. The Slettnes lighthouse off Gamvik is the northernmost lighthouse on Europe's mainland.
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[edit] The name
The Norse form of the name was maybe *Gangvík. The first element is then gangr m 'path', the last element is vík f 'inlet'.
[edit] Coat-of-arms
The coat-of-arms is from modern times (1990). It shows three needles for the making of fishing nets.
[edit] 1982 air crash
- Main article: Widerøe 933
On March 12, 1982, a Widerøe Twin Otter, registration number LN-BNK, crashed into the sea near Mehamn, killing all fifteen on board. More than twenty years and four rounds of investigation later, this incident remains highly controversial in Norway.
[edit] Birdlife
The area surrounding the Lighthouse at Slettnes is also an interesting locality for those interested in birds and bird watching. There is a nature reserve and bird observatory.
[edit] External links
- SSB - Gamvik kommune
- Gamvik municipality's web page
- Mehamnulykken -- NRK's collection of articles about the 1982 air crash.
- Mehamn.net - steerable live webcam at Mehamn (English version).
- Nordic Safari Wildlife Adventures AS, Mehamn
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