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{{short description|Town in Tromsø Municipality, Norway}} | |||
{{about|the city of Tromsø|the broader municipality|Tromsø}} | |||
{{about|the city of Tromsø located within ]|other uses|Tromsø (disambiguation)}} | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}} | |||
{{Infobox settlement | {{Infobox settlement | ||
| official_name |
| official_name = {{native name list|tag1=no|name1=Tromsø|tag2=se|name2=Romsa|tag3=fkv|name3=Tromssa}} | ||
| other_name |
| other_name = | ||
| native_name |
| native_name = | ||
| nickname |
| nickname = | ||
| settlement_type |
| settlement_type = ]<ref name="town">In the Norwegian language, the word ''by'' can be translated as "town" or "city".</ref> | ||
| image_skyline |
| image_skyline = Tromsø sentrum (5835702754).jpg | ||
| image_caption |
| image_caption = View of the town | ||
| |
| image_map = {{Infobox mapframe|zoom=9|marker=town}} | ||
| |
| pushpin_map = Troms#Norway | ||
| |
| pushpin_label = Tromsø | ||
| pushpin_label_position = top | |||
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of the town | |||
| subdivision_type |
| subdivision_type = ] | ||
| subdivision_name |
| subdivision_name = ] | ||
| subdivision_type1 |
| subdivision_type1 = ] | ||
| subdivision_name1 |
| subdivision_name1 = ] | ||
| subdivision_type2 |
| subdivision_type2 = ] | ||
| subdivision_name2 |
| subdivision_name2 = ] | ||
| subdivision_type3 |
| subdivision_type3 = ] | ||
| subdivision_name3 |
| subdivision_name3 = ] | ||
| subdivision_type4 |
| subdivision_type4 = ] | ||
| subdivision_name4 |
| subdivision_name4 = ] | ||
| timezone1 |
| timezone1 = ] | ||
| utc_offset1 |
| utc_offset1 = +01:00 | ||
| timezone1_DST |
| timezone1_DST = ] | ||
| utc_offset1_DST |
| utc_offset1_DST = +02:00 | ||
| |
| established_title = Established as | ||
| |
| established_date = | ||
| established_title1 = ] | |||
| population_as_of = 2017 | |||
| established_date1 = 1794 | |||
⚫ | | population_footnotes |
||
| |
| area_footnotes = <ref name="ssb" /> | ||
| |
| area_total_km2 = 13.79 | ||
| |
| population_as_of = 2023 | ||
⚫ | | population_footnotes = <ref name="ssb" /> | ||
⚫ | | postal_code_type |
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| |
| population_total = 41915 | ||
| population_density_km2 = 3040 | |||
⚫ | | coordinates |
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| population_demonym = Tromsøværing | |||
⚫ | | elevation_m |
||
⚫ | | postal_code_type = Post Code | ||
| elevation_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|title=Tromsø (Troms)|url=https://www.yr.no/place/Norway/Troms/Troms%C3%B8/Troms%C3%B8/|publisher=]|access-date=2018-08-14}}</ref> | |||
| |
| postal_code = 9008 Tromsø | ||
⚫ | | coordinates = {{Wikidatacoord|Q42328401|region:NO_type:city|display=inline,title}} | ||
⚫ | | elevation_m = 5 | ||
| elevation_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web |title=Tromsø, Troms |url=https://www.yr.no/nb/v%C3%A6rvarsel/daglig-tabell/1-305409/Norway/Troms/Troms%C3%B8/Troms%C3%B8 |publisher=] |access-date=11 July 2024 |archive-date=11 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240711194449/https://www.yr.no/nb/v%C3%A6rvarsel/daglig-tabell/1-305409/Norway/Troms/Troms%C3%B8/Troms%C3%B8 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
}} | }} | ||
⚫ | '''Tromsø''',{{efn|{{IPA|no|ˈtrʊ̂msœ|audio=Tromso.ogg}}}} also called '''Romsa'''{{efn|Erroneously, the Sámi name is often believed to be "Romssa". This is because "Tromsø Municipality" is "Roms'''s'''a Suohkan". Romssa, however is the ''genitive case'', so that "Roms'''s'''a Suohkan" translates to "the Municipality '''of''' Romsa".}} in ], '''Tromssa''' in ],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://stadnamn.kartverket.no/fakta/503295 |title=Informasjon om stadnamn |website=Norgeskart |publisher=] |language=no |access-date=11 July 2024 |archive-date=9 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009182920/https://stadnamn.kartverket.no/fakta/503295 |url-status=live }}</ref> and several other names,{{efn|{{langx|fi|Tromssa}}, {{IPA|fi|ˈtromsːɑ}}; {{langx|sv|Tromsö}}}} is a ] in ] in ] county, ].<ref name="town" /> The city is the ] of the municipality as well as the administrative centre of ] county. The ] and its ] are based at the ] in the city. The city is located on the island of ] which sits in the ] strait, just off the mainland of ]. The mainland suburb of ] is connected to the city centre on Tromsøya by the ] and the ]. The suburb of ] on the island of ] is connected to the city centre by the ]. | ||
⚫ | ] (white), in the central part of the large municipality.]] | ||
⚫ | '''Tromsø''' |
||
⚫ | The {{convert|13.79|km2|acre|adj=on}} town has a population (2023) of 41,915<!--this is the population of the city (tettsted) of Tromsø, not the population of the whole municipality--> and a ] of {{convert|3040|PD/km2}}.<ref name="ssb">{{Cite web |last=Statistisk sentralbyrå |author-link=Statistics Norway |date=23 December 2023 |title=Urban settlements. Population and area, by municipality |url=https://www.ssb.no/en/befolkning/folketall/statistikk/tettsteders-befolkning-og-areal |access-date=29 September 2024 |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203140543/https://www.ssb.no/en/befolkning/folketall/statistikk/tettsteders-befolkning-og-areal |url-status=live }}</ref> The mainland suburb of the city, ], has a population of 18,202 and the suburb of ] on the island of ] has a population of 8,868. This give the Tromsø metropolitan area a population of nearly 69,000 people.<ref name="ssb" /> The most populous town in Norway located north of Tromsø is ], with a population of 15,931 (2023), making Tromsø a very large city for this vast rural northern part of Norway. It is also the northernmost city in the world with a population exceeding 20,000. It is the largest urban area in Northern Norway and the third largest north of the ] anywhere in the world (following ], ] and ]). | ||
⚫ | ] |
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⚫ | The {{convert| |
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The city's largest workplaces are the ] (UiT) and ]. The ] also has its headquarters in Tromsø. The ] was established in 1928, and two companies affiliated with the ] collect satellite data from space using the observatory. The ] is very important. Norway's ] and ] (seafood council) both have their headquarters in Tromsø. ] also has its headquarters in the city. Furthermore, "Skatt nord", an agency of the ] is based here too. | The city's largest workplaces are the ] (UiT) and ]. The ] also has its headquarters in Tromsø. The ] was established in 1928, and two companies affiliated with the ] collect satellite data from space using the observatory. The ] is very important. Norway's ] and ] (seafood council) both have their headquarters in Tromsø. ] also has its headquarters in the city. Furthermore, "Skatt nord", an agency of the ] is based here too. | ||
The city is warmer than most other places located on the same latitude, due to the warming effect of the ]. Tromsø is even milder than places much farther south of it elsewhere in the world, such as on the ] and in ], with the warm-water current allowing for both relatively mild winters and ] in spite of its |
The city is warmer than most other places located on the same latitude, due to the warming effect of the ]. Tromsø is even milder than places much farther south of it elsewhere in the world, such as on the ] and in ], with the warm-water current allowing for both relatively mild winters and ] in spite of its high latitude. | ||
The city centre of Tromsø contains the highest number of old wooden houses in ], the oldest house dating from 1789. The city is a cultural centre for its region, with several festivals taking place in the summer. Torbjørn Brundtland and Svein Berge of the electronica duo ] and ] grew up and started their careers in Tromsø. Noted electronic musician ] also hails from Tromsø. | The city centre of Tromsø contains the highest number of old wooden houses in ], the oldest house dating from 1789. The city is a cultural centre for its region, with several festivals taking place in the summer. Torbjørn Brundtland and Svein Berge of the electronica duo ] and ] grew up and started their careers in Tromsø. Noted electronic musician ] also hails from Tromsø. | ||
==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
The city of Tromsø is named after the ] of ], on which it stands. The last element of the city's name comes from the word for "island" ({{ |
The city of Tromsø is named after the ] of ], on which it stands. The last element of the city's name comes from the word for "island" ({{langx|no|øy}}, ]: ø), but the ] of the first element is uncertain. Several theories exist. One theory holds "Troms-" to derive from the old (uncompounded) name of the island (]: ''Trums''). Several islands and rivers in Norway have the name ''Tromsa'', and the names of these are probably derived from the word ''straumr'' which means "(strong) current". (The original form must then have been ''Strums'', for the missing ''s'' see ].) Another theory holds that Tromsøya was originally called ''Lille Tromsøya'' (Little Tromsøya), because of its proximity to the much bigger island today called ], that according to this theory was earlier called "Store Tromsøya" due to a characteristic mountain known as ''Tromma'' (the Drum). The mountain's name in ] (or Sámi), ''Rumbbučohkka'', is identical in meaning, and it is said to have been a sacred mountain for the Sámi in pre-Christian times. | ||
The Sámi name of the island, ''Romsa'', is assumed to be a loan from Norse |
The Sámi name of the island, ''Romsa'', is assumed to be a loan from Norse – but according to the phonetical rules of the Sami language the frontal ''t'' has disappeared from the name. However, an alternative form – ''Tromsa'' – is in informal use. There is a theory that holds the Norwegian name of Tromsø derives from the Sámi name, though this theory lacks an explanation for the meaning of ''Romsa''. A common misunderstanding is that Tromsø's Sámi name is ''Romssa'' with a double "s". This, however, is the accusative and ] of the noun used when, for example, writing "Tromsø Municipality" (Roms''s''a Suohkan). In Finnish, however, the word is written with a double "s": ''Tromssa''. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
The area has been inhabited since the end of the ]. Archeological excavations in ], just outside the city limits, have turned up artifacts and remains of buildings estimated to be 9,000 to 10,000 years old.<ref>{{ |
The area has been inhabited since the end of the ]. Archeological excavations in ], just outside the city limits, have turned up artifacts and remains of buildings estimated to be 9,000 to 10,000 years old.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pettersen |first=Egil |last2=Stav |first2=Torill |last3=Myreng |first3=Kent-Einar |date=27 July 2011 |title=Unike steinalderfunn |url=http://www.nrk.no/nordnytt/unike-steinalderfunn-1.7729694 |access-date=21 August 2013 |publisher=nrk.no |language=nb |archive-date=16 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416115604/http://www.nrk.no/nordnytt/unike-steinalderfunn-1.7729694 |url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
===Middle Ages: a fortress on the frontier=== | ===Middle Ages: a fortress on the frontier=== | ||
] of ] jewellery found in Tromsø dating from 7–8th |
] of ] jewellery found in Tromsø dating from 7–8th centuries AD now in the British Museum.<ref>{{Cite web |title=British Museum – Collection online – Search: Tromso |url=https://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/search.aspx?place=31638&plaA=31638-3-1 |access-date=9 June 2014 |website=British Museum |archive-date=16 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116060522/https://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/search.aspx?place=31638&plaA=31638-3-1 |url-status=live }}</ref>]] | ||
The area's rich ] and ] heritage is well documented. The Norse chieftain ], who lived during the 890s, is assumed to have inhabited the southernmost reaches of today's Tromsø municipality. He described himself as living "furthest to the North of all Norwegians" with areas north of this being populated by Sámi.<ref>{{ |
The area's rich ] and ] heritage is well documented. The Norse chieftain ], who lived during the 890s, is assumed to have inhabited the southernmost reaches of today's Tromsø municipality. He described himself as living "furthest to the North of all Norwegians" with areas north of this being populated by Sámi.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 August 2009 |title=Ottar fortalte om det ukjente "Norge" – Magasinet |url=http://www.dagbladet.no/magasinet/2007/12/04/520192.html |access-date=16 February 2012 |publisher=Dagbladet.no |archive-date=5 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805080837/http://www.dagbladet.no/magasinet/2007/12/04/520192.html |url-status=live }}</ref> An Icelandic source (''Rimbegla'') from the 12th century also describes the fjord ] in the south of today's Tromsø municipality as a border between Norse and Sámi coastal settlements during that part of the Middle Ages. There has also been extensive Sámi settlement on the coast south of this 'border' as well as scattered Norse settlements north of Malangen—for example, both Sámi and Norse Iron Age (0–1050 AD) remains have been found on southern ].<ref name="regjeringen.no">{{Cite web |date=3 December 2007 |title=2 Samisk tilstedeværelse... |url=http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/jd/dok/nouer/2007/nou-2007-14/67.html?id=584636 |access-date=16 February 2012 |publisher=regjeringen.no |archive-date=9 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009180750/http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/jd/dok/nouer/2007/nou-2007-14/67.html?id=584636 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sør-Kvaløya – fornminner — Kulturminneaaret 2009 |url=http://loype.kulturminneaaret2009.no/kulturminneloyper/soer-kvaloeya-fornminner |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501010953/http://loype.kulturminneaaret2009.no/kulturminneloyper/soer-kvaloeya-fornminner |archive-date=1 May 2012 |access-date=16 February 2012 |publisher=Loype.kulturminneaaret2009.no |language=no }}</ref> | ||
The first church on the island of Tromsøya was erected in 1252. ''Ecclesia Sanctae Mariae de Trums juxta paganos'' ("The Church of Saint Mary in Troms near the Heathens"—the |
The first church on the island of Tromsøya was erected in 1252. ''Ecclesia Sanctae Mariae de Trums juxta paganos'' ("The Church of Saint Mary in Troms near the Heathens"—the eponymous "heathens" being the Sámi), was built during the reign of ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Diplomatarium Norvegicum b.1 nr.112, the Papal letter (in Latin) first referring to ''Troms'' |url=http://www.dokpro.uio.no/perl/middelalder/diplom_vise_tekst.prl?b=114&s=100&str=sancte%20Marie%20de%20Trums%20%20iuxta%20paganos |access-date=22 November 2012 |publisher=Dokpro.uio.no |archive-date=17 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017011840/http://www.dokpro.uio.no/perl/middelalder/diplom_vise_tekst.prl?b=114&s=100&str=sancte%20Marie%20de%20Trums%20%20iuxta%20paganos |url-status=live }}</ref> At the time, it was the northernmost church in the world. Around the same time a turf ] was built to protect the area against raids from ] and ]. | ||
Tromsø was not just a Norwegian outpost in an area mainly populated by the Sámi, but also a frontier city towards Russia; the ] had the right to tax the Sámi along the coast to ] and inland to the ] or possibly the ], whereas Norway was allowed to tax areas east to |
Tromsø was not just a Norwegian outpost in an area mainly populated by the Sámi, but also a frontier city towards Russia; the ] had the right to tax the Sámi along the coast to ] and inland to the ] or possibly the ], whereas Norway was allowed to tax areas east to – and including – the ].<ref name="regjeringen.no" /> During the next five hundred years Norway's border with Russia and the limits of Norwegian settlement would be pushed eastwards to ], making Tromsø lose its character as a "frontier town".{{Citation needed|date=July 2017}} | ||
===1700s and 1800s: the "Paris of the north"=== | ===1700s and 1800s: the "Paris of the north"=== | ||
During the 17th century, while Denmark–Norway was solidifying its claim to the northern coast of ] and during this period a ], ''Skansen'', was built. Despite only being home to around 80 people, Tromsø was declared a ] and issued its city charter in 1794 by ]. This coincided with, and was a direct consequence of, the abolition of the city of ]'s centuries-old monopoly on the trade in cod. Tromsø quickly rose in importance. The ] was created in 1804, with the first bishop being ].<ref name="haalogaland">{{ |
During the 17th century, while Denmark–Norway was solidifying its claim to the northern coast of ] and during this period a ], ''Skansen'', was built. Despite only being home to around 80 people, Tromsø was declared a ] and issued its city charter in 1794 by ]. This coincided with, and was a direct consequence of, the abolition of the city of ]'s centuries-old monopoly on the trade in cod. Tromsø quickly rose in importance. The ] was created in 1804, with the first bishop being ].<ref name="haalogaland">{{Cite web |title=Biskoper i Hålogaland bispedømme 1804–1952 |url=http://www.kirken.no/nord-haalogaland/tekstsider.cfm?id=110781 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009035803/http://www.kirken.no/nord-haalogaland/tekstsider.cfm?id=110781 |archive-date=9 October 2007 |access-date=3 November 2011 |website=Den Norske Kirke }}</ref> The city was established as ] 1 January 1838 (see ]), but at that time it was a very small size in area. Over time the municipality grew much larger in area by merging with neighboring areas (especially during the 1960s). | ||
Arctic hunting, from ] to ], started up around 1820. By 1850, Tromsø was the major centre of Arctic hunting, overtaking the former centre of ], and the city was trading from ] to ]. {{Citation needed|date=July 2017}} | Arctic hunting, from ] to ], started up around 1820. By 1850, Tromsø was the major centre of Arctic hunting, overtaking the former centre of ], and the city was trading from ] to ]. {{Citation needed|date=July 2017}} | ||
In 1848, the teacher training college was also moved from ] (near current-day ]) to Tromsø, with part of its mission being to educate Sámi scholars |
In 1848, the teacher training college was also moved from ] (near current-day ]) to Tromsø, with part of its mission being to educate Sámi scholars – there was a quota ensuring that Sámi gained access.<ref>Statsarkivet i Tromsø 1992: Arkivkatalog TROMSØ OFFENTLIGE LÆRERSKOLE, page 6.</ref> The teacher college was followed by the ] in 1872,<ref name="tromsoemuseum">{{Cite web |title=Om museet |url=http://uit.no/tmu/152/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103085936/http://uit.no/tmu/152 |archive-date=3 November 2007 |access-date=3 November 2007 |publisher=Universitet i Tromsø |language=no }}</ref> and the ] in 1877.<ref name="mack">{{Cite web |title=Fra ølvogn til mikrobryggeri |url=http://www.mack.no/index.php?cat=16535 |access-date=3 November 2007 |publisher=Macks Ølbryggeri AS |archive-date=15 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815055355/http://www.mack.no/index.php?cat=16535 |url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
During the 19th century, Tromsø became known as the "Paris of the North". How this nickname came into being is uncertain, but the reason is generally assumed to be that people in Tromsø appeared far more sophisticated than visitors from the south typically expected.<ref>{{ |
During the 19th century, Tromsø became known as the "Paris of the North". How this nickname came into being is uncertain, but the reason is generally assumed to be that people in Tromsø appeared far more sophisticated than visitors from the south typically expected.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Destinasjon Tromsø – Facts about Tromsø |url=http://www.destinasjontromso.no/english/useful_info.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009002440/http://www.destinasjontromso.no/english/useful_info.html |archive-date=9 October 2011 |access-date=22 November 2012 |publisher=Destinasjontromso.no }}</ref> | ||
===Early 1900s: exploration and war=== | ===Early 1900s: exploration and war=== | ||
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By the end of the 19th century, Tromsø had become a major ] trade centre from which many Arctic expeditions originated. Explorers like ], ] and ] made use of the know-how in Tromsø on the conditions in the Arctic, and often recruited their crews in the city. {{citation needed|date=November 2017}} The ] observatory was founded in 1927. | By the end of the 19th century, Tromsø had become a major ] trade centre from which many Arctic expeditions originated. Explorers like ], ] and ] made use of the know-how in Tromsø on the conditions in the Arctic, and often recruited their crews in the city. {{citation needed|date=November 2017}} The ] observatory was founded in 1927. | ||
When Germany invaded Norway in 1940, Tromsø served briefly as the seat of the Norwegian government. General ] arrived in Tromsø on 10 April 1940 after flying in terrible conditions. From Tromsø he issued orders for total civilian and military mobilisation and declared Northern Norway a theatre of war. Fleischer's strategic plan was to first wipe out the German forces at ] and then transfer his division to ] to meet a German advance from ]. The Germans eventually captured all of Norway, after allied support had been withdrawn, although they encountered fierce resistance from the ]-based ] at Narvik. Tromsø escaped the war unscathed, although the ] was sunk by the ] off the Tromsøy island on 12 November 1944, killing close to 1,000 German sailors.<ref>{{ |
When Germany invaded Norway in 1940, Tromsø served briefly as the seat of the Norwegian government. General ] arrived in Tromsø on 10 April 1940 after flying in terrible conditions. From Tromsø he issued orders for total civilian and military mobilisation and declared Northern Norway a theatre of war. Fleischer's strategic plan was to first wipe out the German forces at ] and then transfer his division to ] to meet a German advance from ]. The Germans eventually captured all of Norway, after allied support had been withdrawn, although they encountered fierce resistance from the ]-based ] at Narvik. Tromsø escaped the war unscathed, although the ] was sunk by the ] off the Tromsøy island on 12 November 1944, killing close to 1,000 German sailors.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bomber Command: Tirpitz 12 November 1944 |url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/bombercommand/tirpitz.html |access-date=27 April 2008 |website=RAF History Bomber Command 60th Anniversary |archive-date=6 July 2007 |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20070706011932/http://www.raf.mod.uk/bombercommand/tirpitz.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>617 Squadron – The Operational Record Book 1943 – 1945 {{Cite web |title=Archived copy |url=http://www.dambusters.org.uk/docs/recordbook.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206073909/http://www.dambusters.org.uk/docs/recordbook.pdf |archive-date=6 December 2010 |access-date=4 August 2008}} http://www.dambusters.org with additional information by Tobin Jones; Binx Publishing, Pevensey House, Sheep Street, Bicester. OX26 6JF. Acknowledgement is given to ] as holders of the copyright on the Operational Record Book</ref> | ||
] was bombed and sunk off Tromsø island in 1944.]] | ] was bombed and sunk off Tromsø island in 1944.]] | ||
At the end of the war, the city received thousands of refugees from ] county and the northern areas of ] |
At the end of the war, the city received thousands of refugees from ] county and the northern areas of ] – areas which had been devastated by German forces using ] tactics in expectation of a ] ].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Derry, T.K. |title=A History of Modern Norway: 1814—1972 |publisher=Clarendon Press, Oxford |year=1972 |isbn=0-19-822503-2 }}</ref> | ||
===Municipal history=== | ===Municipal history=== | ||
The city of Tromsø was established as an independent municipality on 1 January 1838 (see ]). The city was completely surrounded by the ] (the rural municipality of Tromsø / later renamed ''Tromsøysund''), but they were governed separately. As the city grew in size, areas were added to the city from the rural district.<ref name="dag" /> | The city of Tromsø was established as an independent municipality on 1 January 1838 (see ] law). The city was completely surrounded by the ] (the rural municipality of Tromsø / later renamed ''Tromsøysund Municipality''), but they were governed separately. As the city grew in size, areas were added to the city from the rural district.<ref name="dag" /> | ||
On 1 January 1861, an area of ] (population: 110) was transferred to the city of Tromsø. On 1 January 1873, an unpopulated area of Tromsøysund was transferred to the city. On 1 July 1915, another area of Tromsøysund (population: 512) was merged into the city of Tromsø. On 1 January 1955, the ] area on ] (population: 1,583) was transferred from Tromsøysund to the city of Tromsø.<ref name="dag" /> | On 1 January 1861, an area of ] (population: 110) was transferred to the city of Tromsø. On 1 January 1873, an unpopulated area of Tromsøysund was transferred to the city. On 1 July 1915, another area of Tromsøysund (population: 512) was merged into the city of Tromsø. On 1 January 1955, the ] area on the island of ] (population: 1,583) was transferred from Tromsøysund to the city of Tromsø.<ref name="dag" /> | ||
During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the ]. On 1 January 1964, the city of Tromsø (population: 12,602), |
During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the ]. On 1 January 1964, the city of Tromsø (population: 12,602), all of ] (population: 16,727), most of ] except for the Svendsby area (population: 2,019), and most of ] except for the parts on the island of ] (population: 1,316) were all merged to form a new, larger ].<ref name="dag">{{Cite web |last=Jukvam |first=Dag |year=1999 |title=Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen |url=http://www.ssb.no/emner/00/90/rapp_9913/rapp_9913.pdf |publisher=] |language=no |access-date=15 August 2018 |archive-date=1 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120901160307/http://www.ssb.no/emner/00/90/rapp_9913/rapp_9913.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
==Climate== | ==Climate== | ||
Tromsø's climate is a ] with long, cold winters and short, mild summers. (]: Dfc) | |||
{{Weather box <!--Infobox begins--> | {{Weather box <!--Infobox begins--> | ||
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|width=95% | |||
|location= Tromsø, Norway 1981 - 2010, sunshine 1961 - 1990, extremes 1920 - present (100 m) | |location= Tromsø, Norway 1981 - 2010, sunshine 1961 - 1990, extremes 1920 - present (100 m) | ||
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<!--Mandatory fields, source--> | <!--Mandatory fields, source--> | ||
|source 1= ],<ref name="eklima"> |
|source 1= ],<ref name="eklima">{{Cite web |url=http://sharki.oslo.dnmi.no/portal/page?_pageid=73,39035,73_39049&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL |title=Norwegian Meteorological Institute's eklima site |access-date=20 September 2019 |archive-date=30 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130111955/http://sharki.oslo.dnmi.no/portal/page?_pageid=73,39035,73_39049&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 2013 |title=Tromsø (Troms) |url=http://www.yr.no/place/Norway/Troms/Troms%C3%B8/Troms%C3%B8_observation_site/statistics.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214124022/http://www.yr.no/place/Norway/Troms/Troms%C3%B8/Troms%C3%B8_observation_site/statistics.html |archive-date=14 December 2018 |access-date=20 September 2019 }}</ref> The Weather Network,<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 2011 |title=Climate Statistics for Tromsø, Norway (1961–1990) |url=http://www.theweathernetwork.com/statistics/c00008|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130105154713/http://www.theweathernetwork.com/statistics/c00008|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 January 2013}}</ref> Météo climat stats<ref>{{Cite web |title=Moyennes 1981–2010 Norvége |url=http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/listenormale-1981-2010-2-p159.php |access-date=11 January 2017 |language=fr |archive-date=9 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809133123/http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/listenormale-1981-2010-2-p159.php |url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
|source 2= Weather Atlas <ref name="Weather Atlas">{{Cite web |title=Tromsø, Norway – Monthly weather forecast and Climate data |url=https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/norway/tromso-climate |access-date=3 July 2019 |publisher=Weather Atlas |archive-date=24 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124092146/https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/norway/tromso-climate |url-status=live }}</ref> (UV index) | |||
| url = http://www.theweathernetwork.com/statistics/c00008 | |||
| title = Climate Statistics for Tromsø, Norway (1961-1990) | |||
| date = November 2011}}</ref> Météo climat stats<ref>{{cite web |url=http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/listenormale-1981-2010-2-p159.php|title=Moyennes 1981-2010 Norvége|language=fr|access-date=11 January 2017}}</ref> | |||
|source 2= Weather Atlas <ref name="Weather Atlas">{{cite web |url=https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/norway/tromso-climate |title=Tromsø, Norway - Monthly weather forecast and Climate data |publisher=Weather Atlas |access-date=3 July 2019 }}</ref> (UV index) | |||
}} | }} | ||
{|style="width: |
{|style="width:95%;text-align:center;line-height:1.2em;" class="wikitable mw-collapsible" | ||
|- | |- | ||
!Colspan=14|Climate data for Tromsø | !Colspan=14|Climate data for Tromsø | ||
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|style="background:#6E6EFF;color:#000000;border-left-width:medium"|7.3<br />(45.2) | |style="background:#6E6EFF;color:#000000;border-left-width:medium"|7.3<br />(45.2) | ||
|- | |- | ||
!Colspan=14 style="background:#f8f9fa;font-weight:normal;font-size:95%;"|Source: Weather Atlas <ref name="Weather Atlas" |
!Colspan=14 style="background:#f8f9fa;font-weight:normal;font-size:95%;"|Source: Weather Atlas <ref name="Weather Atlas"/> | ||
|} | |} | ||
<!--Infobox ends--> | <!--Infobox ends--> | ||
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==Cityscape== | ==Cityscape== | ||
The compact city centre has the biggest concentration of historic wooden houses north of the city of ], and they co-exist with modern architecture. The houses date from 1789 to 1904, when building wooden houses was banned in the city centre, as in several other Norwegian cities. The oldest house in Tromsø is ''Skansen'', built in 1789 on the remains of a 13th-century turf ].<ref>{{ |
The compact city centre has the biggest concentration of historic wooden houses north of the city of ], and they co-exist with modern architecture. The houses date from 1789 to 1904, when building wooden houses was banned in the city centre, as in several other Norwegian cities. The oldest house in Tromsø is ''Skansen'', built in 1789 on the remains of a 13th-century turf ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 August 2008 |title=Tromsø er "djevelsk stygg" – VG Nett om Reiselivsnyheter |url=http://www.vg.no/reise/artikkel.php?artid=525004 |access-date=29 May 2010 |publisher=Vg.no |language=no |archive-date=24 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130824084338/http://www.vg.no/reise/artikkel.php?artid=525004 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Carina Hansen |date=27 May 2010 |title=Forfall i hele byen – iTromsø |url=http://www.itromso.no/nyheter/article360981.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719220253/http://www.itromso.no/nyheter/article360981.ece |archive-date=19 July 2011 |access-date=29 May 2010 |publisher=Itromso.no |language=no }}</ref> | ||
] | ] | ||
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The ], a modern church built in 1965, is situated on the mainland, facing the sound and city centre. The church, in reality a parish church and not a ], was drawn by ]. The ] aquarium and experience centre from 1998 is a short walk south from the city centre. The ] is a university museum, presenting culture and nature of ]. The museum also displays the ], the world's northernmost botanical garden. A cable car goes up to mount ], {{convert|420|m|ft|abbr=off}} ], with a panoramic view over Tromsø. The mountain ], {{convert|1238|m|ft|0}}, on the mainland, which is easily spotted from the city centre, is also a major landmark. At the top of Tromsøya is a lake called '']''. | The ], a modern church built in 1965, is situated on the mainland, facing the sound and city centre. The church, in reality a parish church and not a ], was drawn by ]. The ] aquarium and experience centre from 1998 is a short walk south from the city centre. The ] is a university museum, presenting culture and nature of ]. The museum also displays the ], the world's northernmost botanical garden. A cable car goes up to mount ], {{convert|420|m|ft|abbr=off}} ], with a panoramic view over Tromsø. The mountain ], {{convert|1238|m|ft|0}}, on the mainland, which is easily spotted from the city centre, is also a major landmark. At the top of Tromsøya is a lake called '']''. | ||
==Transport== | |||
===Bus and taxi=== | |||
The public transport service in Tromsø is dominated by bus,<ref>{{Cite web |title=How to get around in Tromsø |url=https://www.visitnordic.com/en/article/getting-around-in-tromso |access-date=31 May 2022 |publisher=visitnordic.com |archive-date=2 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002140332/https://www.visitnordic.com/en/article/getting-around-in-tromso |url-status=live }}</ref> primarily by Troms fylkestrafikk. A private airport shuttle named the Airport Express Coach runs from the ] to the city centre in around 15 minutes. An alternative option is to use the local bus routes 40 and 42, which stop just a few minutes walk from the terminal, and are considerably cheaper.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 October 2017 |title=Transport in Tromsø |url=https://www.lifeinnorway.net/transport-in-tromso/ |access-date=31 May 2022 |publisher=lifeinnorway.net |archive-date=30 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630074534/https://www.lifeinnorway.net/transport-in-tromso/ |url-status=live }}</ref> There is also a taxi rank outside the airport terminal as well as several taxi ranks in downtown Tromsø. The taxi fare from the airport to the city centre during the daytime on weekdays is approximately NOK 200.<ref name="vistrom">{{Cite web |title=How to get around in Tromsø and the region |url=https://www.visittromso.no/travel/getting-around |access-date=31 May 2022 |publisher=visittromso.no |archive-date=25 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525093314/https://www.visittromso.no/travel/getting-around |url-status=live }}</ref> Buses run from early morning to late night Mon-Fri, with a less frequent service at weekends. There is also a ] on Friday and Saturday nights from the city centre to select parts of the city suburbs. District buses run within the municipality of Tromsø and depart from Prostneset, the main bus station in Tromsø, which is located beside the main Tourist Information Office.<ref name = vistrom/> | |||
===Flight=== | |||
] is approximately 4.5km from downtown. Its most common destination is smaller towns in ], ] and ], served by ]; as of December 2023, competing airlines and foreign airlines offer longer direct flights to southern Norway, ], ] (] and ]), ], ], and north and central Europe (including ], ], ] and ]).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Departures |url=https://avinor.no/en/airport/tromso-airport/flight-times/departures/ |access-date=13 December 2023 |publisher=] |language=en }}</ref> | |||
===Boat=== | |||
3 express boat lines lead to and from ], ] and ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 September 2023 |title=Express boat |url=https://fylkestrafikk.no/menu/plan-your-journey/routes-and-travel-search/timetables/express-boat/?sprak=3 |access-date=13 December 2023 |publisher=Troms fylkestrafikk |language=en,nb |archive-date=13 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213090511/https://fylkestrafikk.no/menu/plan-your-journey/routes-and-travel-search/timetables/express-boat/?sprak=3 |url-status=live }}</ref> The ] also docks in Tromsø. | |||
===Train=== | |||
Preliminary plans for a ] from ] (east of Bodø) to Tromsø have been brought up from time to time since 1968, but none have begun construction. The most common official reasons for not starting construction have been high costs, in part as a result of very difficult terrain; a report in October 2023 estimated a project cost of 281 billion NOK,<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 October 2023 |title=Må bygge 73 tunneler for å fullføre Nord-Norgebane: – Et enormt prosjekt |url=https://www.nrk.no/nordland/nord-norgebanen-vil-stort-sett-besta-av-tunneler-1.16573965 |access-date=13 December 2023 |publisher=] |language=nb |archive-date=13 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213090510/https://www.nrk.no/nordland/nord-norgebanen-vil-stort-sett-besta-av-tunneler-1.16573965 |url-status=live }}</ref> approximately 24.1 billion ]s at the time. | |||
===Car=== | |||
Tromsø is served by ], which connects to Norway's main north-south route ] at ] approximately 80km south of Tromsø. | |||
==Sports== | ==Sports== | ||
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Tromsø is the home of many football clubs, of which the three most prominent are ], which plays in the ] and is the world's ] Premier League football team, ] in the ], and ], playing in the ]. ] is arranged every year in June and recently also a ] in January. The city is home to many clubs in the top division in various sports. Most notably ]-outfit ] in the ], ] in the top ] league for men, and ] in the top volleyball league for women.{{Citation needed|date=November 2007}} The oldest sports club in Tromsø is ], a gymnastics club founded in 1862, that also was the cradle of the before mentioned football club ]. | Tromsø is the home of many football clubs, of which the three most prominent are ], which plays in the ] and is the world's ] Premier League football team, ] in the ], and ], playing in the ]. ] is arranged every year in June and recently also a ] in January. The city is home to many clubs in the top division in various sports. Most notably ]-outfit ] in the ], ] in the top ] league for men, and ] in the top volleyball league for women.{{Citation needed|date=November 2007}} The oldest sports club in Tromsø is ], a gymnastics club founded in 1862, that also was the cradle of the before mentioned football club ]. | ||
Tromsø was selected by the Norwegian National Olympic Committee as Norway's candidate for the ]. This would have made Tromsø the first city north of the ] to host the games. There were plans to use ships as the media village. In October 2008 the NOC suspended Tromsø's bid, citing excessive costs.<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007140950/http://www.aftenposten.no/english/sports/article2695284.ece |date= |
Tromsø was selected by the Norwegian National Olympic Committee as Norway's candidate for the ]. This would have made Tromsø the first city north of the ] to host the games. There were plans to use ships as the media village. In October 2008 the NOC suspended Tromsø's bid, citing excessive costs.<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007140950/http://www.aftenposten.no/english/sports/article2695284.ece |date=7 October 2008 }}</ref> From the southern to the northern tip of the island ], there is a floodlit ] ski track. A ] is also situated on the island, close to the university. As of the spring in 2010, the city's first ice rink has been open and is home to ], which plays in the Swedish Ice Hockey Association's League 3. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*] | * ] | ||
==Notes== | |||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
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{{Troms |
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Latest revision as of 02:03, 21 January 2025
Town in Tromsø Municipality, Norway This article is about the city of Tromsø located within Tromsø Municipality. For other uses, see Tromsø (disambiguation).Town/City in Northern Norway, Norway
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Town/City | |
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TromsøShow map of TromsTromsøShow map of Norway | |
Coordinates: 69°39′6″N 18°57′20″E / 69.65167°N 18.95556°E / 69.65167; 18.95556 | |
Country | Norway |
Region | Northern Norway |
County | Troms |
District | Midt-Troms |
Municipality | Tromsø Municipality |
Established as | |
Kjøpstad | 1794 |
Area | |
• Total | 13.79 km (5.32 sq mi) |
Elevation | 5 m (16 ft) |
Population | |
• Total | 41,915 |
• Density | 3,040/km (7,900/sq mi) |
Demonym | Tromsøværing |
Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
Post Code | 9008 Tromsø |
Tromsø, also called Romsa in Northern Sámi, Tromssa in Kven, and several other names, is a city in Tromsø Municipality in Troms county, Norway. The city is the administrative centre of the municipality as well as the administrative centre of Troms county. The Diocese of Nord-Hålogaland and its Bishop are based at the Tromsø Cathedral in the city. The city is located on the island of Tromsøya which sits in the Tromsøysundet strait, just off the mainland of Northern Norway. The mainland suburb of Tromsdalen is connected to the city centre on Tromsøya by the Tromsø Bridge and the Tromsøysund Tunnel. The suburb of Kvaløysletta on the island of Kvaløya is connected to the city centre by the Sandnessund Bridge.
The 13.79-square-kilometre (3,410-acre) town has a population (2023) of 41,915 and a population density of 3,040 inhabitants per square kilometre (7,900/sq mi). The mainland suburb of the city, Tromsdalen, has a population of 18,202 and the suburb of Kvaløysletta on the island of Kvaløya has a population of 8,868. This give the Tromsø metropolitan area a population of nearly 69,000 people. The most populous town in Norway located north of Tromsø is Alta, with a population of 15,931 (2023), making Tromsø a very large city for this vast rural northern part of Norway. It is also the northernmost city in the world with a population exceeding 20,000. It is the largest urban area in Northern Norway and the third largest north of the Arctic Circle anywhere in the world (following Murmansk, Norilsk and Vorkuta).
The city's largest workplaces are the University of Tromsø (UiT) and University Hospital of North Norway. The Norwegian Polar Institute also has its headquarters in Tromsø. The Northern Lights Observatory was established in 1928, and two companies affiliated with the Kongsberg Gruppen collect satellite data from space using the observatory. The fishing industry is very important. Norway's Norges Råfisklag and Norges sjømatråd (seafood council) both have their headquarters in Tromsø. Sparebanken Nord-Norge also has its headquarters in the city. Furthermore, "Skatt nord", an agency of the Norwegian Tax Administration is based here too.
The city is warmer than most other places located on the same latitude, due to the warming effect of the Gulf Stream. Tromsø is even milder than places much farther south of it elsewhere in the world, such as on the Hudson Bay and in Far East Russia, with the warm-water current allowing for both relatively mild winters and tree growth in spite of its high latitude.
The city centre of Tromsø contains the highest number of old wooden houses in Northern Norway, the oldest house dating from 1789. The city is a cultural centre for its region, with several festivals taking place in the summer. Torbjørn Brundtland and Svein Berge of the electronica duo Röyksopp and Lene Marlin grew up and started their careers in Tromsø. Noted electronic musician Geir Jenssen also hails from Tromsø.
Etymology
The city of Tromsø is named after the island of Tromsøya, on which it stands. The last element of the city's name comes from the word for "island" (Norwegian: øy, Danish: ø), but the etymology of the first element is uncertain. Several theories exist. One theory holds "Troms-" to derive from the old (uncompounded) name of the island (Old Norse: Trums). Several islands and rivers in Norway have the name Tromsa, and the names of these are probably derived from the word straumr which means "(strong) current". (The original form must then have been Strums, for the missing s see Indo-European s-mobile.) Another theory holds that Tromsøya was originally called Lille Tromsøya (Little Tromsøya), because of its proximity to the much bigger island today called Kvaløya, that according to this theory was earlier called "Store Tromsøya" due to a characteristic mountain known as Tromma (the Drum). The mountain's name in Sami (or Sámi), Rumbbučohkka, is identical in meaning, and it is said to have been a sacred mountain for the Sámi in pre-Christian times.
The Sámi name of the island, Romsa, is assumed to be a loan from Norse – but according to the phonetical rules of the Sami language the frontal t has disappeared from the name. However, an alternative form – Tromsa – is in informal use. There is a theory that holds the Norwegian name of Tromsø derives from the Sámi name, though this theory lacks an explanation for the meaning of Romsa. A common misunderstanding is that Tromsø's Sámi name is Romssa with a double "s". This, however, is the accusative and genitive form of the noun used when, for example, writing "Tromsø Municipality" (Romssa Suohkan). In Finnish, however, the word is written with a double "s": Tromssa.
History
The area has been inhabited since the end of the ice age. Archeological excavations in Tønsvika, just outside the city limits, have turned up artifacts and remains of buildings estimated to be 9,000 to 10,000 years old.
Middle Ages: a fortress on the frontier
The area's rich Norse and Sámi heritage is well documented. The Norse chieftain Ohthere, who lived during the 890s, is assumed to have inhabited the southernmost reaches of today's Tromsø municipality. He described himself as living "furthest to the North of all Norwegians" with areas north of this being populated by Sámi. An Icelandic source (Rimbegla) from the 12th century also describes the fjord Malangen in the south of today's Tromsø municipality as a border between Norse and Sámi coastal settlements during that part of the Middle Ages. There has also been extensive Sámi settlement on the coast south of this 'border' as well as scattered Norse settlements north of Malangen—for example, both Sámi and Norse Iron Age (0–1050 AD) remains have been found on southern Kvaløya.
The first church on the island of Tromsøya was erected in 1252. Ecclesia Sanctae Mariae de Trums juxta paganos ("The Church of Saint Mary in Troms near the Heathens"—the eponymous "heathens" being the Sámi), was built during the reign of King Hákon Hákonarson. At the time, it was the northernmost church in the world. Around the same time a turf rampart was built to protect the area against raids from Karelia and Russia.
Tromsø was not just a Norwegian outpost in an area mainly populated by the Sámi, but also a frontier city towards Russia; the Novgorod state had the right to tax the Sámi along the coast to Lyngstuva and inland to the Skibotn River or possibly the Målselv River, whereas Norway was allowed to tax areas east to – and including – the Kola Peninsula. During the next five hundred years Norway's border with Russia and the limits of Norwegian settlement would be pushed eastwards to Sør-Varanger Municipality, making Tromsø lose its character as a "frontier town".
1700s and 1800s: the "Paris of the north"
During the 17th century, while Denmark–Norway was solidifying its claim to the northern coast of Scandinavia and during this period a redoubt, Skansen, was built. Despite only being home to around 80 people, Tromsø was declared a kjøpstad and issued its city charter in 1794 by King Christian VII. This coincided with, and was a direct consequence of, the abolition of the city of Bergen's centuries-old monopoly on the trade in cod. Tromsø quickly rose in importance. The Diocese of Hålogaland was created in 1804, with the first bishop being Mathias Bonsak Krogh. The city was established as Tromsø Municipality 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt), but at that time it was a very small size in area. Over time the municipality grew much larger in area by merging with neighboring areas (especially during the 1960s).
Arctic hunting, from Novaya Zemlya to Canada, started up around 1820. By 1850, Tromsø was the major centre of Arctic hunting, overtaking the former centre of Hammerfest, and the city was trading from Arkhangelsk to Bordeaux.
In 1848, the teacher training college was also moved from Trondenes (near current-day Harstad) to Tromsø, with part of its mission being to educate Sámi scholars – there was a quota ensuring that Sámi gained access. The teacher college was followed by the Tromsø Museum in 1872, and the Mack Brewery in 1877.
During the 19th century, Tromsø became known as the "Paris of the North". How this nickname came into being is uncertain, but the reason is generally assumed to be that people in Tromsø appeared far more sophisticated than visitors from the south typically expected.
Early 1900s: exploration and war
By the end of the 19th century, Tromsø had become a major Arctic trade centre from which many Arctic expeditions originated. Explorers like Roald Amundsen, Umberto Nobile and Fridtjof Nansen made use of the know-how in Tromsø on the conditions in the Arctic, and often recruited their crews in the city. The Northern lights observatory was founded in 1927.
When Germany invaded Norway in 1940, Tromsø served briefly as the seat of the Norwegian government. General Carl Gustav Fleischer arrived in Tromsø on 10 April 1940 after flying in terrible conditions. From Tromsø he issued orders for total civilian and military mobilisation and declared Northern Norway a theatre of war. Fleischer's strategic plan was to first wipe out the German forces at Narvik and then transfer his division to Nordland to meet a German advance from Trøndelag. The Germans eventually captured all of Norway, after allied support had been withdrawn, although they encountered fierce resistance from the Finnmark-based Alta Battalion at Narvik. Tromsø escaped the war unscathed, although the German battleship Tirpitz was sunk by the RAF off the Tromsøy island on 12 November 1944, killing close to 1,000 German sailors.
At the end of the war, the city received thousands of refugees from Finnmark county and the northern areas of Troms – areas which had been devastated by German forces using scorched earth tactics in expectation of a Red Army offensive.
Municipal history
The city of Tromsø was established as an independent municipality on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt law). The city was completely surrounded by the Tromsøe landdistrikt (the rural municipality of Tromsø / later renamed Tromsøysund Municipality), but they were governed separately. As the city grew in size, areas were added to the city from the rural district.
On 1 January 1861, an area of Tromsøysund Municipality (population: 110) was transferred to the city of Tromsø. On 1 January 1873, an unpopulated area of Tromsøysund was transferred to the city. On 1 July 1915, another area of Tromsøysund (population: 512) was merged into the city of Tromsø. On 1 January 1955, the Bjerkaker area on the island of Tromsøya (population: 1,583) was transferred from Tromsøysund to the city of Tromsø.
During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee. On 1 January 1964, the city of Tromsø (population: 12,602), all of Tromsøysund Municipality (population: 16,727), most of Ullsfjord Municipality except for the Svendsby area (population: 2,019), and most of Hillesøy Municipality except for the parts on the island of Senja (population: 1,316) were all merged to form a new, larger Tromsø Municipality.
Climate
Tromsø's climate is a subarctic climate with long, cold winters and short, mild summers. (Köppen: Dfc)
Climate data for Tromsø, Norway 1981 - 2010, sunshine 1961 - 1990, extremes 1920 - present (100 m) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 8.4 (47.1) |
8.2 (46.8) |
9.1 (48.4) |
17 (63) |
26.6 (79.9) |
29.5 (85.1) |
30.2 (86.4) |
28.4 (83.1) |
22.4 (72.3) |
18.6 (65.5) |
11.9 (53.4) |
9.7 (49.5) |
30.2 (86.4) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −1.3 (29.7) |
−1.4 (29.5) |
0.2 (32.4) |
3.5 (38.3) |
8.2 (46.8) |
12.7 (54.9) |
15.8 (60.4) |
14.5 (58.1) |
10.0 (50.0) |
5.0 (41.0) |
1.3 (34.3) |
−0.5 (31.1) |
5.7 (42.3) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | −3.5 (25.7) |
−3.7 (25.3) |
−2.2 (28.0) |
0.9 (33.6) |
5.3 (41.5) |
9.4 (48.9) |
12.4 (54.3) |
11.3 (52.3) |
7.4 (45.3) |
2.9 (37.2) |
−0.7 (30.7) |
−2.6 (27.3) |
3.1 (37.6) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −5.6 (21.9) |
−5.9 (21.4) |
−4.6 (23.7) |
−1.8 (28.8) |
2.3 (36.1) |
6.1 (43.0) |
8.9 (48.0) |
8.0 (46.4) |
4.8 (40.6) |
0.8 (33.4) |
−2.6 (27.3) |
−4.8 (23.4) |
0.5 (32.9) |
Record low °C (°F) | −18.3 (−0.9) |
−18.4 (−1.1) |
−17.0 (1.4) |
−14.3 (6.3) |
−6.6 (20.1) |
−2.5 (27.5) |
0.7 (33.3) |
1.1 (34.0) |
−4.3 (24.3) |
−9.6 (14.7) |
−14.2 (6.4) |
−16.8 (1.8) |
−18.4 (−1.1) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 112.4 (4.43) |
95.4 (3.76) |
71.7 (2.82) |
66.1 (2.60) |
57.4 (2.26) |
54.1 (2.13) |
77.8 (3.06) |
86.6 (3.41) |
110.9 (4.37) |
135.9 (5.35) |
98.3 (3.87) |
112.3 (4.42) |
1,080.8 (42.55) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm) | 15.4 | 12.9 | 11.4 | 11.6 | 11.1 | 10.3 | 12.8 | 12.6 | 14.9 | 17.7 | 13.5 | 15.6 | 160.1 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 3 | 32 | 112 | 160 | 218 | 221 | 205 | 167 | 92 | 49 | 6 | 0 | 1,265 |
Average ultraviolet index | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Source 1: Met Norway, The Weather Network, Météo climat stats | |||||||||||||
Source 2: Weather Atlas (UV index) |
Climate data for Tromsø | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Average sea temperature °C (°F) | 5.2 (41.4) |
4.6 (40.3) |
4.2 (39.5) |
4.6 (40.3) |
6.2 (43.1) |
8.8 (47.8) |
10.8 (51.4) |
11.3 (52.4) |
10.1 (50.3) |
8.3 (47.0) |
7.6 (45.6) |
6.4 (43.6) |
7.3 (45.2) |
Source: Weather Atlas |
Light and darkness
The midnight sun occurs from about 18 May to 26 July, but the mountains in the north block the view of it for a few days, meaning that one can see the midnight sun from about 21 May to 21 July. Owing to Tromsø's high latitude, twilight is long, meaning there is no real darkness between late April and mid-August.
The sun remains below the horizon during the polar night from about 26 November to 15 January, but owing to the mountains, the sun is not visible from 21 November to 21 January. The return of the sun is an occasion for celebration. However, because of the twilight, there is some daylight for a couple of hours even around midwinter, often with bluish light. The nights shorten quickly. By 21 February the sun is above the horizon from 7:45 am to 4:10 pm, and by 1 April it is above the horizon from 5:50 am to 7:50 pm (daylight saving time). If we include astronomical twilight as "not night", then Tromso only has 14 hours of night on the winter solstice.
The combination of snow cover and sunshine often creates intense light conditions from late February until the snow melts in the lowland (usually late April), and sunglasses are essential when skiing. Because of these diametrically different light conditions in winter, Norwegians often divide it into two seasons: Mørketid (polar night) and Seinvinter (late winter).
It is possible to observe aurora borealis (northern lights) from Tromsø, as northern Norway is located in the auroral zone. As it is always light in the summer, no aurora is visible between late April and mid August. Additionally, due to the coastal location, Tromsø is often subject to cloudy conditions which prevents aurora being seen, even if they are present.
Cityscape
The compact city centre has the biggest concentration of historic wooden houses north of the city of Trondheim, and they co-exist with modern architecture. The houses date from 1789 to 1904, when building wooden houses was banned in the city centre, as in several other Norwegian cities. The oldest house in Tromsø is Skansen, built in 1789 on the remains of a 13th-century turf rampart.
The Polar Museum, Polarmuseet, situated in a wharf house from 1837, presents Tromsø's past as a centre for Arctic hunting and starting point for Arctic expeditions. Tromsø Cathedral, Norway's only wooden cathedral, built in 1861, is located in the middle of the city, and so is the small Catholic church Vår Frue ("Our Lady"). Northern Europe's oldest cinema still in use, Verdensteatret, was built in 1915–16. The cinema has large wall paintings, made by the local artist Sverre Mack in 1921, which picture scenes from Norwegian folk lore and fairy tales.
The Arctic Cathedral, a modern church built in 1965, is situated on the mainland, facing the sound and city centre. The church, in reality a parish church and not a cathedral, was drawn by Jan Inge Hovig. The Polaria aquarium and experience centre from 1998 is a short walk south from the city centre. The Tromsø Museum is a university museum, presenting culture and nature of North Norway. The museum also displays the Arctic-alpine botanic garden, the world's northernmost botanical garden. A cable car goes up to mount Storsteinen, 420 metres (1,380 feet) above sea level, with a panoramic view over Tromsø. The mountain Tromsdalstinden, 1,238 metres (4,062 ft), on the mainland, which is easily spotted from the city centre, is also a major landmark. At the top of Tromsøya is a lake called Prestvannet.
Transport
Bus and taxi
The public transport service in Tromsø is dominated by bus, primarily by Troms fylkestrafikk. A private airport shuttle named the Airport Express Coach runs from the airport to the city centre in around 15 minutes. An alternative option is to use the local bus routes 40 and 42, which stop just a few minutes walk from the terminal, and are considerably cheaper. There is also a taxi rank outside the airport terminal as well as several taxi ranks in downtown Tromsø. The taxi fare from the airport to the city centre during the daytime on weekdays is approximately NOK 200. Buses run from early morning to late night Mon-Fri, with a less frequent service at weekends. There is also a night bus service on Friday and Saturday nights from the city centre to select parts of the city suburbs. District buses run within the municipality of Tromsø and depart from Prostneset, the main bus station in Tromsø, which is located beside the main Tourist Information Office.
Flight
Tromsø Airport is approximately 4.5km from downtown. Its most common destination is smaller towns in Troms, Finnmark and Nordland, served by Widerøe; as of December 2023, competing airlines and foreign airlines offer longer direct flights to southern Norway, Longyearbyen, Finland (Helsinki and Rovaniemi), Copenhagen, Luton Airport, and north and central Europe (including Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam and Zürich).
Boat
3 express boat lines lead to and from Harstad, Skjervøy and Lysnes. The Norwegian Coastal Express also docks in Tromsø.
Train
Preliminary plans for a Northern Norway Line from Fauske (east of Bodø) to Tromsø have been brought up from time to time since 1968, but none have begun construction. The most common official reasons for not starting construction have been high costs, in part as a result of very difficult terrain; a report in October 2023 estimated a project cost of 281 billion NOK, approximately 24.1 billion Euros at the time.
Car
Tromsø is served by European route E8, which connects to Norway's main north-south route European route E6 at Nordkjosbotn approximately 80km south of Tromsø.
Sports
Tromsø is the home of many football clubs, of which the three most prominent are Tromsø IL, which plays in the Norwegian Premier League and is the world's northernmost Premier League football team, I.F. Fløya in the Norwegian First Division (women), and Tromsdalen U.I.L., playing in the Adeccoliga. Tromsø Midnight Sun Marathon is arranged every year in June and recently also a Polar Night Halfmarathon in January. The city is home to many clubs in the top division in various sports. Most notably basketball-outfit Tromsø Storm in the BLNO, BK Tromsø in the top volleyball league for men, and Tromsø Volley in the top volleyball league for women. The oldest sports club in Tromsø is Tromsø Turnforening, a gymnastics club founded in 1862, that also was the cradle of the before mentioned football club Tromsø IL.
Tromsø was selected by the Norwegian National Olympic Committee as Norway's candidate for the 2018 Winter Olympics. This would have made Tromsø the first city north of the Arctic Circle to host the games. There were plans to use ships as the media village. In October 2008 the NOC suspended Tromsø's bid, citing excessive costs. From the southern to the northern tip of the island Tromsøya, there is a floodlit cross country ski track. A ski jump is also situated on the island, close to the university. As of the spring in 2010, the city's first ice rink has been open and is home to Tromsø Hockey, which plays in the Swedish Ice Hockey Association's League 3.
See also
Notes
- Norwegian pronunciation: [ˈtrʊ̂msœ]
- Erroneously, the Sámi name is often believed to be "Romssa". This is because "Tromsø Municipality" is "Romssa Suohkan". Romssa, however is the genitive case, so that "Romssa Suohkan" translates to "the Municipality of Romsa".
- Finnish: Tromssa, Finnish pronunciation: [ˈtromsːɑ]; Swedish: Tromsö
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Troms county, Norway | |||||||
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