Hamarøy

Hamarøy borders Tysfjord in the north, Steigen in the west, Sørfold in the south, Vestfjord in the northwest and Sweden to the southeast. The population is mostly located on a peninsula. Hamarøy is dominated by small fjords, pine, birch and aspen woodland and forest, and coastal mountains. There are several nature reserves, such as Trollpollen nature reserve dominated by pine and birch ([1]) located a few km north of Innhavet, Lilandsvatnet wetland area ([2]), Steinslandsosen estuary ([3]) and Kvannskogen with old aspen trees with rich lichen flora ([4]). The mountain Hamarøyskaftet has long been regarded as nature's own phallic symbol ([5], [6]). The warmest temperature ever recorded in Nordland county was 33.1°C on July 3, 1972 in Finnøy, Hamarøy.

[edit] Communication and economy

Skutvik, with ferry connection to Svolvær

The municipal administration and other public services are located in Oppeid. There is a hotel in the municipality, as well as a scenic situated lighthouse which can be rented ([7]). While Hamarøy has a low population density, it sees heavy traffic during the summer months as the main road connection to Svolvær and the Lofoten islands runs through Hamarøy and its administrative centre Oppeid. The ferry ride to Skrova and Svolvær is approximately 2 hours and departs Skutvik (approx 15 minutes from Oppeid) at regular intervals. Skutvik is a small residential and marina area concentrated around the ferry dock. In the high season the number of cars and motor homes in line for the ferry can be significant, and while there a few sights to see in Skutvik, there is a small bar/cafè and a Statoil gas station nearby.

The Hamsun literature festival takes place the first week of August every second year. The authors childhood home is now a museum - the Hamsun Museum.

[edit] The name

Tranøy lighthouse

The municipality is named after the former island (now peninsula) Hamarøya (Norse Hamarøy), since the first church was built there. The first element is the gentive case of *Höm, the former uncompounded name of the island. The last element is øy f 'island'. The former name of the island is probably identical with the word höm f 'thigh/leg (of an animal)' - and the island (or a part of it) is then compared in form with an animal's leg.