Randaberg

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Randaberg kommune
—  Municipality  —
Coat of arms of Randaberg kommune
Coat of arms
Official logo of Randaberg kommune
Rogaland within
Norway
Randaberg within Rogaland
Randaberg within Rogaland
Coordinates: 59°0′6″N 5°36′55″E / 59.00167, 5.61528
Country Norway
County Rogaland
District Jæren
Municipality ID NO-1127
Administrative centre Randaberg
Government
 - Mayor (2006) Tom Tvedt (Ap)
Area (Nr. 425 in Norway)
 - Total 25 km² (9.7 sq mi)
 - Land 24 km² (9.3 sq mi)
Population (2006)
 - Total 9,304
 - Density 377/km² (976.4/sq mi)
 - Change (10 years) 12.7 %
 - Rank in Norway 114
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 - Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Official language form Neutral
Data from Statistics Norway
Website: www.randaberg.kommune.no

Randaberg is a municipality in the county of Rogaland, Norway, located just to the north of Stavanger.

Randaberg was separated from Hetland July 1, 1922. The northernmost conurbation of Stavanger/Sandnes can be found here.

Contents

[edit] The name

The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the farm Randaberg (Norse Randaberg), since the first church was built there. The first element is the plural genitive case of rönd f 'edge, brink, verge', the last element is berg n 'mountain'.

[edit] Coat-of-arms

The coat-of-arms is from modern times (1981). It shows fourteen pebbles placed at the rand ('edge') of the shield.

[edit] History

Some of the first inhabitants of Norway settled here, and it is believed that the first people came here around 12,000 years ago. It is thought that Svarthola (a.k.a. Vistehålå) was the main shelter for a group of 25 persons, from around 6000 BC. These people were mainly gatherers and hunters, but from around 4000 BC they also started farming. From around 2000 BC, their main activity was farming.

[edit] Economy

Randaberg is still an active agricultural community, and produces over 80% of Norway's parsley. The first potatoes every year are grown here, and are given to the Royal Family of Norway. However, there are three suburbs where most people live: Sentrum (310 houses), Viste Hageby (315 houses) and Grødem (135 houses).

Sandestraen
Sandestraen
Grødem
Grødem

[edit] What to see

During the summer the beaches here are very popular, and among the finest in the area around Stavanger. This includes Sandestraen and Vistestraen. Hålandsvannet, a small lake, is also a popular place for swimming.