Os, Hordaland

Os is a municipality in the county of Hordaland, Norway. Os was established as a municipality January 1, 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt). Fusa was separated from Os in 1856. Samnanger was separated from Os January 1, 1907. Due to its proximity to Bergen, Os is experiencing strong population growth.

1 Population and settlements
- 1.1 Demographics
2 Politics
3 Community
4 The name
5 History
6 References
7 External links

[edit] Population and settlements

Osøyro is the municipality centre of Os, where most shops as well as the municipality administration is located.

[edit] Demographics

As of January 1, 2008, Os has a population of 16,055. The population density is 111.5 per km², compared to a county average of 29.5 per km² and a country average of 14.5 per km². 80% of the population lived in urban settlements. 1.9% of the population were registered as unemployed; the county and national average is 2.6%. 26% of the workforce were employed in public administration. 2% were employed in the primary sector of economic activity, 28.2 in the secondary sector, and 69.3% in the tertiary sector.^[2] In the period from October 29 to November 4, 2001, 45.7% of the workforce of Os commuted out of the municipality, mainly to Bergen. In the same period, Os received a daily average of 753 commuters from other municipalities, 15.8% of those employed in Os.^[3] In 2006, Os had a daily out-commuting of 3,001 people.^[2]

[edit] Politics

In 1999, the right-wing Progressive Party won the local election, and Terje Søviknes became mayor making him the first Progressive Party politician to hold that position in Os. Since then, twelve^{[citation needed]} other municipalities have elected a mayor from that party.

Before World War II, the municipality was mayored by Nils Tveit from 1916 to 1940. He also held the position briefly after the German occupation of Norway had ended.

[edit] Community

Os has a tradition for small boat building. The traditional boat of Os is Oselvaren, a small wooden boat. This boat is the official seal of Os. These boats have been used for everyday work and for travelling to church. These boats were either sail boats or one could row. They still build these boats the traditional way in Os, and tourists are able to visit and watch them work.

Os also has a modern boat building company, Askeladden, situated in Askvik.

[edit] The name

The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the farm Os (Norse Óss), since the first church was built there. The name is identical with the word óss m 'mouth of a river' (here Oselva).

[edit] History

The famous violinist Ole Bull built his summerhouse in Os, on an island named Lysøen. The special building was inspired by his travels, especially his travels to the Middle East.

Ruins of Lyse Abbey

Lysøen was originally owned by Lyse Abbey, the ruins of which still stand and are frequently visited.

[edit] References

^ Personnemningar til stadnamn i Noreg (Norwegian)
^ ^a ^b Figures on Os Municipality (Norwegian). Statistics Norway (2008). Retrieved on 2008-05-31.
^ Commuting. Population and housing Census 2001 (Norwegian). Population and housing Census 2001. Statistics Norway (2002). Retrieved on 2008-05-31.

[edit] External links

Municipality webpages

v • d • e Municipalities of Hordaland

Askøy · Austevoll · Austrheim · Bergen · Bømlo · Eidfjord · Etne · Fedje · Fitjar · Fjell · Fusa · Granvin · Jondal · Kvam · Kvinnherad · Lindås · Masfjorden · Meland · Modalen · Odda · Os · Osterøy · Radøy · Samnanger · Stord · Sund · Sveio · Tysnes · Ullensvang · Ulvik · Vaksdal · Voss · Øygarden