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Coordinates: 69°43′43″N 30°02′30″E / 69.72861°N 30.04167°E / 69.72861; 30.04167
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{{short description|Municipality in Finnmark, Norway}}
{{Infobox kommune
{{Infobox kommune
|name = Sør-Varanger
|name = Sør-Varanger
|native_name =
|native_name =
|native_name_lang =
|native_name_lang =
|other_name = <hr />{{native name|se|Mátta-Várjjaga gielda}}<br />{{native name|fkv|Etelä-Varankin kunta}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://stadnamn.kartverket.no/fakta/268631|title=Informasjon om stadnamn|website=Norgeskart|publisher=[[Norwegian Mapping Authority|Kartverket]]|language=no|accessdate=2024-06-27}}</ref>
|other_name = Mátta-Várjjaga gielda<br />Etelä-Varengin komuuni
|official_name =
|former_name = Sørvaranger herred
|image_skyline = N886-Grense-Jakobselv-2012-07-06-12-00-36.jpg
|image_skyline = N886-Grense-Jakobselv-2012-07-06-12-00-36.jpg
|image_caption =
|image_caption =
|idnumber = 5444
|idnumber = 5605
|county = Troms og Finnmark
|county = Finnmark
|district = Øst-Finnmark
|district = Øst-Finnmark
|capital = [[Kirkenes]]
|capital = [[Kirkenes]]
|established = 1 Jul 1858
|established = 1 Jul 1858
|preceded = [[Vadsø Municipality]]
|demonym = Varangværing
|demonym = Varangværing
|language = Bokmål
|language = Bokmål
|coatofarms = Sør-Varanger komm.svg
|coatofarms = Sør-Varanger komm.svg
|flag = Sør-Varanger flag.png
|flag = Flag of Sør-Varanger.png
|munwebpage = sor-varanger.kommune.no
|webpage = www.sor-varanger.kommune.no
|mayor = Magnus Mæland
|mayor = [[Lena Norum Bergeng]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nrk.no/tromsogfinnmark/ny-ordforer-i-sor-varanger-1.15473664|title=NY ordfører i Sør-Varanger|date=28 April 2021}}</ref>
|mayor_party = [[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]]
|mayor_party = [[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]]
|mayor_as_of = 2021
|mayor_as_of = 2023
|elevation_max_m = 497.1
|highest_point_ref = <ref name="elev">{{Cite web |date=2024-01-16 |title=Høgaste fjelltopp i kvar kommune |url=https://www.kartverket.no/til-lands/fakta-om-norge/hoyeste-fjelltopp-i-kommunen |publisher=[[Kartverket]] |language=no}}</ref>
|area_rank = 6
|area_rank = 6
|area_total_km2 = 3971.58
|area_total_km2 = 3971.42
|area_land_km2 = 3,458.68
|area_land_km2 = 3458.85
|area_water_km2 = 512.90
|area_water_km2 = 512.57
|area_water_percent = 12.9
|area_water_percent = 12.9
|population_as_of = 2020
|population_as_of = 2024
|population_rank = 112
|population_rank = 112
|population_total = 10,158
|population_total = 10063
|population_density_km2 = 2.9
|population_density_km2 = 2.5
|population_increase = 4.3
|population_increase = -0.3
|coordinates = {{coord|69|43|43|N|30|02|30|E|region:NO|display=inline,title}}
|coordinates = {{coord|69|43|43|N|30|02|30|E|region:NO|display=inline,title}}
|utm_zone = 35W |utm_northing = 7730906 |utm_easting = 0606607 | geo_cat = adm2nd
|utm_zone = 35W |utm_northing = 7730906 |utm_easting = 0606607 | geo_cat = adm2nd
}}
}}


'''Sør-Varanger''' ({{lang-sme|Máttá-Várjjat}}, {{lang-fkv|Etelä-Varenki}}, {{lang-fi|Etelä-Varanki}}, {{lang-ru|Сёр-Вара́нгер/Syor-Varánger}})<ref>{{IPA-ru|ˌsʲɵr vɐˈranɡʲɪr}}</ref> is a [[List of municipalities of Norway|municipality]] in [[Troms og Finnmark]] [[Counties of Norway|county]], [[Norway]]. The [[administrative centre]] of the municipality is the town of [[Kirkenes]]. Other settlements in the municipality include the villages of [[Bjørnevatn]], [[Bugøynes]], [[Elvenes, Finnmark|Elvenes]], [[Grense Jakobselv]], [[Hesseng]], [[Jakobsnes]], [[Neiden, Norway|Neiden]], and [[Sandnes, Finnmark|Sandnes]]. Located west of the [[Norway–Russia border]], Sør-Varanger is the only Norwegian municipality that shares a land border with [[Russia]], with the only legal border crossing at [[Storskog]].
'''Sør-Varanger''' (also: {{native name|se|Máttá-Várjjat}}, {{native name|fkv|Etelä-Varenki}}, {{native name|fi|Etelä-Varanki}}, {{native name|ru|Сёр-Вара́нгер}} {{transliteration|ru|Syor-Varánger}} (Russian transliteration)<ref>{{IPA|ru|ˌsʲɵr vɐˈranɡʲɪr}}</ref>) is a [[List of municipalities of Norway|municipality]] in [[Finnmark]] [[Counties of Norway|county]], [[Norway]]. The [[administrative centre]] of the municipality is the town of [[Kirkenes]]. Other settlements in the municipality include the villages of [[Bjørnevatn]], [[Bugøynes]], [[Elvenes, Finnmark|Elvenes]], [[Grense Jakobselv]], [[Hesseng]], [[Jakobsnes]], [[Neiden, Norway|Neiden]], and [[Sandnes, Finnmark|Sandnes]]. Located west of the [[Norway–Russia border]], Sør-Varanger is the only Norwegian municipality that shares a land border with [[Russia]], with the only legal border crossing at [[Storskog]].


The {{convert|3972|km2|adj=on}} municipality is the 6th largest by area out of the 422 municipalities in Norway.<ref name="ssb area">{{cite web|url=https://www.ssb.no/en/statbank/table/09280/|title=09280: Area of land and fresh water (km<sup>2</sup>) (M)|language=no|author=Statistisk sentralbyrå|author-link=Statistics Norway|access-date=2018-12-10}}</ref>
The {{convert|3971|km2|adj=on}} municipality is the 6th largest by area out of the 357 municipalities in Norway. Sør-Varanger is the 112th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 10,063. The municipality's [[population density]] is {{convert|2.5|PD/km2}} and its population has decreased by 0.3% over the previous 10-year period.<ref name="ssb pop">{{Cite web |last=Statistisk sentralbyrå |author-link=Statistics Norway |title=Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M) |url=https://www.ssb.no/en/statbank/table/06913/ |language=Norwegian}}</ref><ref name="ssb area">{{Cite web |last=Statistisk sentralbyrå |author-link=Statistics Norway |title=09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M) |url=https://www.ssb.no/en/statbank/table/09280/ |language=Norwegian}}</ref>

When Sør-Varanger had a population of 10,158, it was the 112th most populous municipality in Norway; however, media said in 2022 that the population is now barely below "10.000".<ref>https://www.aftenposten.no/amagasinet/i/0GRA2g/guro-brandshaug-rapport-fra-foerstelinjen. [[Aftenposten]].no. Retrieved 19 June 2022</ref> The municipality's [[population density]] is {{convert|2.9|PD/km2}}<!-- and its population has increased by 4.3% over the last decade-->.<ref name="ssb pop">{{cite web|title=Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)|url=https://www.ssb.no/en/statbank/table/06913/|year=2018|language=no|author=Statistisk sentralbyrå|author-link=Statistics Norway|access-date=2020-03-20}}</ref>


==Name==
==Name==
The meaning of the name Sør-Varanger comes from the name of the large [[Varangerfjorden]] ([[Old Norse]]: ''Ver(j)angr'') on the northern shore of the municipality. The first part is ''ver'' meaning "[[fishing village]]" and the last part is ''angr'' which means "[[fjord]]". It was first probably used for the narrow fjord on the inside of Angsnes which now is called "Meskfjorden" and leads into [[Varangerbotn]]. ''Sør'' means "south" in Norwegian. Prior to 1918, the name was spelled ''Sydvaranger'' (also meaning "South Varanger"). Before 1964, there also was a municipality named [[Nord-Varanger]], located north of the [[Varangerfjorden]], covering most of present-day [[Vadsø]] municipality.<ref>{{cite book|title=Norske gaardnavne: Finmarkens amt|edition=18|author-link=Oluf Rygh|last=Rygh|first=Oluf|publisher=W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri|year=1924|location=Kristiania, Norge|page=288|language=no}}</ref>
The municipality (originally the [[prestegjeld|parish]]) is named after the large [[Varangerfjorden]] ({{lang-non|Verangr}} or {{lang|non|Verjanger}}), located along the northern shore of the municipality (a neighboring municipality on the north side of the same fjord was [[Nord-Varanger]]). The first element is {{wikt-lang|non|verja}} which is the plural [[genitive case]] of the word which means "[[fishing village]]". The last element is {{wikt-lang|non|angr}} which means "[[bay]]" or "small [[fjord]]". It was first probably used for the narrow fjord on the inside of Angsnes which now is called "Meskfjorden" and leads into [[Varangerbotn]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rygh |first=Oluf |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qolBAAAAIAAJ |title=Norske gaardnavne: Finmarkens amt |date=1924 |publisher=W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri |edition=18 |location=Kristiania, Norge |page=288 |language=no |authorlink=Oluf Rygh}}</ref> Historically, the name of the municipality was spelled ''Sørvaranger'' or ''Sydvaranger''. On 3 November 1917, a [[royal decree|royal resolution]] changed the spelling of the name of the municipality to ''Sør-Varanger''.<ref>{{Cite journal |year=1917 |title=Norsk Lovtidende. 2den Afdeling. 1917. Samling af Love, Resolutioner m.m |url=https://www.nb.no/items/URN:NBN:no-nb_digitidsskrift_2015102381014_001 |journal=[[Norsk Lovtidend]] |language=no |location=Kristiania, Norge |publisher=Grøndahl og Søns Boktrykkeri |pages=1057-1065}}</ref> {{See also|Sør-Varanger#Name}}


==History==
==History==
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The original inhabitants of the area are the [[Skolts|Skolt Sami]]. This Sami group migrated between coast and inland in present Norwegian, Finnish, and Russian territory long before any borders existed. In the 16th century, they were converted to the [[Russian Orthodox]] faith, and still today the chapel of Saint George at Neiden, dating from 1565, is a reminder of eastern influence.
The original inhabitants of the area are the [[Skolts|Skolt Sami]]. This Sami group migrated between coast and inland in present Norwegian, Finnish, and Russian territory long before any borders existed. In the 16th century, they were converted to the [[Russian Orthodox]] faith, and still today the chapel of Saint George at Neiden, dating from 1565, is a reminder of eastern influence.


Sør-Varanger became Norwegian in 1826, after having been [part of] a Russian-Norwegian ''fellesdistrikt'' - a district shared between two countries - that had a small [[Eastern Sami]] population group that was under Russian jurisdiction.<ref>https://forskning.no/partner-etnisitet-sosialantropologi/forvirring-om-hvem-er-kven/978810. Forskning.no. Retrieved 9 May 2022. "Sør-Varanger ble norsk land i 1826 etter å ha vært et norsk-russisk fellesdistrikt med en liten østsamisk befolkning under russisk jurisdiksjon."</ref>
Sør-Varanger became Norwegian in 1826, after having been [part of] a Russian-Norwegian ''fellesdistrikt'' - a district shared between two countries - that had a small [[Eastern Sami]] population group that was under Russian jurisdiction.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-02-04 |title=Forvirring om hvem er kven |url=https://www.forskning.no/partner-etnisitet-sosialantropologi/forvirring-om-hvem-er-kven/978810 |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=www.forskning.no |language=nb-NO}}</ref> In 1826, the previously disputed areas were divided between Norway and [[Russia]], causing great difficulties for the [[Sami people|Sami]]. The Norwegian state also invited Norwegian settlers to come to the area, building [[Lutheran]] churches to counterbalance the Orthodox heritage, notably the [[King Oscar II Chapel]], located immediately west of the Russian border. The historic border crossing station was at [[Skafferhullet]] (which was replaced with the present day station at [[Storskog]]).
In 1826, the previously disputed areas were divided between Norway and [[Russia]], causing great difficulties for the [[Sami people|Sami]]. The Norwegian state also invited Norwegian settlers to come to the area, building [[Lutheran]] churches to counterbalance the Orthodox heritage, notably the [[King Oscar II Chapel]], located immediately west of the Russian border. The historic border crossing station was at [[Skafferhullet]] (which was replaced with the present day station at [[Storskog]]).


[[File:Kong Oscar IIs kapell-2012-07-06-15-45-09.jpg|left|thumb|The [[King Oscar II Chapel]] on the Russian border]]
[[File:Kong Oscar IIs kapell-2012-07-06-15-45-09.jpg|left|thumb|The [[King Oscar II Chapel]] on the Russian border]]
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In 1906, the [[Sydvaranger]] company opened the Bjørnevatn Mine at [[Bjørnevatn]] and four years later the mine was connected to the [[port]] in Kirkenes by [[Kirkenes–Bjørnevatn Line]], the world's most northern [[railway]]. The mine was closed in 1996, but re-opened in 2009.
In 1906, the [[Sydvaranger]] company opened the Bjørnevatn Mine at [[Bjørnevatn]] and four years later the mine was connected to the [[port]] in Kirkenes by [[Kirkenes–Bjørnevatn Line]], the world's most northern [[railway]]. The mine was closed in 1996, but re-opened in 2009.


In October 1944, Soviet forces chased Nazi-Germany's forces out of the municipality; some inhabitants were living in tunnels (outside Kirkenes) used for the mining industry, when the Soviet forces arrived; at the time Kirkenes was under intense bombing from aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-04 |title=De upassende krigsminnene |url=https://www.aftenposten.no/amagasinet/i/rll5al/de-upassende-minnene |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=www.aftenposten.no |language=nb}}</ref>
In a 1944 report to Norway's prime minister in exile, a Norwegian government official (''embedsmann '') in Finnmark—Thore Boye—said that Norwegian soldiers had [crop-] cut (''snauklippet'') "25 young girls—some of them married" who had been pointed out by local men, as having had relations with German soldiers".<ref name=Hairshearing>{{cite web|url=http://www.nrk.no/fordypning/skamklipt-av-norske-soldater-1.11236441 |publisher=nrk.no|title=Skamklipt av norske soldater - NRK Dokumentar |date=13 September 2013|access-date=21 August 2016}}</ref>

In a 1944 report to Norway's prime minister in exile, a Norwegian government official (''embedsmann '') in Finnmark—Thore Boye—said that Norwegian soldiers had [crop-] cut (''snauklippet'') "25 young girls—some of them married" who had been pointed out by local men, as having had relations with German soldiers".<ref name="Hairshearing">{{Cite web |date=13 September 2013 |title=Skamklipt av norske soldater - NRK Dokumentar |url=http://www.nrk.no/fordypning/skamklipt-av-norske-soldater-1.11236441 |access-date=21 August 2016 |publisher=nrk.no}}</ref>


===Establishment of municipality===
===Establishment of municipality===
The municipality of Sør-Varanger was established on 1 July 1858 when the southern district of the municipality of [[Vadsø]] (population: 1,171) was separated to form the new municipality. The borders of the municipality have not changed since that time.<ref>{{cite web|first=Dag|last=Jukvam|publisher=[[Statistics Norway|Statistisk sentralbyrå]]|title=Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen|year=1999|url=http://www.ssb.no/emner/00/90/rapp_9913/rapp_9913.pdf|language=no}}</ref>
The municipality of Sør-Varanger was established on 1 July 1858 when the large [[Vadsø Municipality]] (population: 1,171) was divided and the part located south of the Varangerfjorden became the new Sør-Varanger municipality. The borders of the municipality have not changed since that time.<ref>{{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=[[Statistics Norway|Statistisk sentralbyrå]] |language=no}}</ref>

On 1 January 2020, the municipality became part of the newly formed [[Troms og Finnmark]] county. Previously, it had been part of the old [[Finnmark]] county.<ref name="snl5">{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Troms og Finnmark |encyclopedia=[[Store norske leksikon]] |publisher=[[Kunnskapsforlaget]] |url=https://snl.no/Troms_og_Finnmark |access-date=2019-12-26 |date=2019-12-24 |editor-last=Mæhlum |editor-first=Lars |language=no}}</ref> On 1 January 2024, the [[Troms og Finnmark]] county was divided and the municipality once again became part of [[Finnmark]] county.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-05 |title=Fylkesinndelingen fra 2024 |url=https://www.regjeringen.no/no/tema/kommuner-og-regioner/kommunestruktur/fylkesinndelingen-fra-2024/id2922222/ |publisher=Regjeringen.no |language=no}}</ref>


===Coat of arms===
===Coat of arms===
The [[coat of arms]] were granted on 16 April 1982. The arms show three [[flame]]s in gold/orange. The division of the shield symbolizes the importance of the number three: The three main sources of income are [[agriculture]], [[mining]], and [[fishing]]; the municipality also has three main [[river]]s ([[Neiden River|Neiden]], [[Pasvikelva]], and [[Jakobselva (Sør-Varanger)|Jakobselva]]) that form the borders of Norway, [[Russia]], and [[Finland]]; and there are three cultures in the municipality: [[Norwegian people|Norwegians]], [[Finns]], and [[Sami people|Sami]].<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Heraldry of the World|title=Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen|url=http://www.ngw.nl/heraldrywiki/index.php?title=S%C3%B8r-Varanger|access-date=2017-08-20}}</ref>
The [[coat of arms]] was granted on 16 April 1982. The official [[blazon]] is ''"[[Per bend]] [[Line (heraldry)|rayonny]] [[Or (heraldry)|Or]] and [[gules]]"'' ({{lang-no|Skrådelt av gult og rødt ved tretunget flammesnitt}}). This means the arms have a [[field (heraldry)|field]] (background) with a diagonal line in the shape of flames. Above the line, the field has a [[tincture (heraldry)|tincture]] of [[Or (heraldry)|Or]] which means it is commonly colored yellow, but if it is made out of metal, then gold is used. Below the line, the field has a tincture of [[gules]] (red). The arms show three [[flame]]s along the [[division of the field]]. The division of the shield symbolizes the importance of the number three: The three main sources of income are [[agriculture]], [[mining]], and [[fishing]]; the municipality also has three main [[river]]s ([[Neiden River|Neiden]], [[Pasvikelva]], and [[Jakobselva (Sør-Varanger)|Jakobselva]]) that form the borders of Norway, [[Russia]], and [[Finland]]; and there are three cultures in the municipality: [[Norwegian people|Norwegians]], [[Finns]], and [[Sami people|Sami]]. The arms were designed by Sissel Sildnes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen |url=https://www.heraldry-wiki.com/heraldrywiki/index.php?title=S%C3%B8r-Varanger |access-date=2023-01-23 |publisher=Heraldry of the World}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sor-Varanger, Finmark |url=https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/no-20-30.html |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=Flags of the World}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1982-07-20 |title=Godkjenning av våpen og flagg |url=https://lovdata.no/dokument/LF/forskrift/1982-04-16-725 |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=Lovdata.no |publisher=Norges kommunal- og arbeidsdepartementet |language=no}}</ref>


==Geography==
==Geography==
[[File:Grense Jakobselv Grenze.jpg|thumb|left|The border with [[Russia]] follows the Grense Jakobselv in the northeast near the [[Barents Sea]], while Pasvikelva forms the border further south along the Pasvik Valley.]]
[[File:Grense Jakobselv Grenze.jpg|thumb|left|The border with [[Russia]] follows the Grense Jakobselv in the northeast near the [[Barents Sea]], while Pasvikelva forms the border further south along the Pasvik Valley.]]
[[File:Neiden panorama.jpg|thumb|right|Neiden, Sør-Varanger. The [[Skolts|Skoltesami]] traditionally catch salmon with an technique using small nets.]]
[[File:Neiden panorama.jpg|thumb|right|Neiden, Sør-Varanger. The [[Skolts|Skoltesami]] traditionally catch salmon with a technique using small nets.]]


Sør-Varanger is a vast area of about {{convert|3700|km2|mi2|0}}, situated between Finland and Russia. Most of the area is low-lying [[forest]] of [[pine]] and [[birch]], with barren sections facing the [[Barents Sea]].
Sør-Varanger is a vast area of about {{convert|3700|km2|mi2|0}}, situated between Finland and Russia. Most of the area is low-lying [[forest]] of [[pine]] and [[birch]], with barren sections facing the [[Barents Sea]]. The highest point in the municipality is the {{convert|497.1|m|adj=on}} tall mountain Báhttervárri.<ref name="elev" />


The [[Varangerfjorden]] runs along the northern part of the municipality and the [[Bøkfjorden]] runs north–south cutting into the municipality and flowing into the Varangerfjorden. The large island of [[Skogerøya]] lies on the west side of the Bøkfjorden. [[Skogerøytoppen]] is the tallest mountain on Skogerøya. The [[Bøkfjord Lighthouse]] lies along the mouth of the Bøkfjorden.
The [[Varangerfjorden]] runs along the northern part of the municipality and the [[Bøkfjorden]] runs north–south cutting into the municipality and flowing into the Varangerfjorden. The large island of [[Skogerøya]] lies on the west side of the Bøkfjorden. [[Skogerøytoppen]] is the tallest mountain on Skogerøya. The [[Bøkfjord Lighthouse]] lies along the mouth of the Bøkfjorden.
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Sør-Varanger has a boreal climate (subarctic) with long, cold winters. Summers are short, but can sometimes see warm temperatures.
Sør-Varanger has a boreal climate (subarctic) with long, cold winters. Summers are short, but can sometimes see warm temperatures.
{{Weather box
{{Weather box
|location = Kirkenes Airport 1991-2020 (89 m, extremes 1957-2020)
|location = Kirkenes Airport 1991–2020 (89 m, extremes 1957–2020)
|metric first = yes
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|single line = yes
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|Nov precipitation days = 9
|Nov precipitation days = 9
|Dec precipitation days = 8
|Dec precipitation days = 8
||source 1 = yr.no/statistics Kirkenes Airport <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.yr.no/en/statistics/table/5-99370/Norway/Troms%20og%20Finnmark/S%C3%B8r-Varanger/Kirkenes%20lufthavn |title=yr.no/ Norwegian Meteorological Institute (mean, precipitation) |access-date=31 December 2021 }}</ref>
||source 1 = yr.no/statistics Kirkenes Airport <ref>{{Cite web |title=yr.no/ Norwegian Meteorological Institute (mean, precipitation) |url=https://www.yr.no/en/statistics/table/5-99370/Norway/Troms%20og%20Finnmark/S%C3%B8r-Varanger/Kirkenes%20lufthavn |access-date=31 December 2021}}</ref>
|source 2= Météo Climat <ref>{{cite web|url=http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/listenormale-1991-2020-1-p159.php|title=Météo Climat stats for Kirkenes|publisher=Météo Climat|access-date=31 December 2021}}</ref>
|source 2= Météo Climat <ref>{{Cite web |title=Météo Climat stats for Kirkenes |url=http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/listenormale-1991-2020-1-p159.php |access-date=31 December 2021 |publisher=Météo Climat}}</ref>
}}
}}



{{Weather box
{{Weather box
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|year precipitation days=97.7
|year precipitation days=97.7
<!-- Mandatory fields, source -->
<!-- Mandatory fields, source -->
|source 1= Norwegian Meteorological Institute<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eklima.met.no|title=eKlima Web Portal|publisher=Norwegian Meteorological Institute|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040614073527/http://eklima.met.no/|archive-date=2004-06-14}}</ref>
|source 1= Norwegian Meteorological Institute<ref>{{Cite web |title=eKlima Web Portal |url=http://eklima.met.no |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040614073527/http://eklima.met.no/ |archive-date=2004-06-14 |publisher=Norwegian Meteorological Institute}}</ref>
}}
}}


==Economy==
==Economy==
The [[service sector]] is one of the two most important industries related to the city of Kirkenes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sør-Varanger – Store norske leksikon |url=https://snl.no/S%c3%b8r-Varanger |access-date=2022-08-13 |publisher=Snl.no}}</ref> Kimek, a company for repair of boats and ships,<ref>{{Citation |last=Askheim |first=Svein |title=Kirkenes |date=2023-12-21 |work=Store norske leksikon |url=https://snl.no/Kirkenes |access-date=2024-02-16 |language=no}}</ref> had around 80 employees until job losses of 30 (in Q2 2023);<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ghaderi |first=Hanna |date=2023-06-15 |title=Inntil 30 ansatte mister jobben ved skipsverftet Kimek i Kirkenes |url=https://www.nettavisen.no/5-95-1161125 |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=Nettavisen |language=no}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Horn |first=Knut-Sverre |date=2023-05-12 |title=Regjeringen skjerper sanksjonene mot Russland |url=https://www.nrk.no/tromsogfinnmark/regjeringen-skjerper-sanksjonene-mot-russland-1.16407491 |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=NRK |language=nb-NO}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-09 |title=Kirkenes rammes hardt av sanksjonene: – Det som skjer nå, kan vare |url=https://www.nettavisen.no/12-95-3424273404 |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=Nettavisen |language=no}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=6 April 2021 |title=Havarert tråler stenger kaia – russisk rederi skylder på verftet i Kirkenes |url=https://www.nrk.no/tromsogfinnmark/havarert-traler-stenger-kaia-_-russisk-rederi-skylder-pa-verftet-i-kirkenes-1.15445050}}</ref> the company is one of the largest employers in the municipality - alongside the municipality itself.


As of 2013, 2.8% of the work force in Sør-Varanger are employed in [[Primary sector of the economy|the primary sector]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sør-Varanger kommune |url=https://www.statsforvalteren.no/siteassets/utgatt/fm-finnmark/dokument-fmfi/kommunal-styring/kommunereformen/endelige-statusbilder/sor-varanger-kommune-statusbilde.pdf |website=Statsforvalteren.no |page=10 |language=no |quote="Arbeidsplasser - sysselsatte som arbeider i Sør-Varanger [...] 2013 [...] Primærnæring [...] Totalt [...] 5720"}}</ref>
The [[service sector]] is one of the two most important industries related to the city of Kirkenes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://snl.no/S%c3%b8r-Varanger |title=Sør-Varanger – Store norske leksikon |publisher=Snl.no |date= |accessdate=2022-08-13}}</ref> Kimek, a company for repair of boats and ships,<ref>https://snl.no/Kirkenes "I Kirkenes ligger skipsindustri; Kimek AS reparerer russiske båter." Accessed 7 March 2021</ref> has 80 employees;<ref>https://www.nettavisen.no/nyheter/kirkenes-rammes-hardt-av-sanksjonene-det-som-skjer-na-kan-vare/s/12-95-3424273404. [[Nettavisen]]. Retrieved 9 May 2022</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nrk.no/tromsogfinnmark/havarert-traler-stenger-kaia-_-russisk-rederi-skylder-pa-verftet-i-kirkenes-1.15445050|title = Havarert tråler stenger kaia – russisk rederi skylder på verftet i Kirkenes|date = 6 April 2021}}</ref> the company is one of the largest employers in the municipality - alongside the municipality itself.


Cruise ships have in 2022, stopped using the port at Kirkenes; ship owners consider the port to be too close to the [Russian border or] Russia;<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-21 |title=Cruiseskip dropper Kirkenes - for nært Russland |url=https://e24.no/i/g6m1B9 |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=e24.no |language=nb}}</ref> in 2022 the war between Russia and Ukraine escalated.
As of 2013, 2.8% of the work force in Sør-Varanger are employed in [[Primary sector of the economy|the primary sector]].<ref>https://www.statsforvalteren.no/siteassets/utgatt/fm-finnmark/dokument-fmfi/kommunal-styring/kommunereformen/endelige-statusbilder/sor-varanger-kommune-statusbilde.pdf. P.10. "Arbeidsplasser - sysselsatte som arbeider i Sør-Varanger [...] 2013 [...] Primærnæring [...] Totalt [...] 5720"</ref>


The mining company [[Sydvaranger]] went bankrupt in 2015 and its mining operations in the municipality does not have a timeframe for a restart (as of 2022), however there are 30 employees preparing for a possible restart;<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-07 |title=Den norske gigantgruva kan få nytt liv |url=https://www.dagsavisen.no/nyheter/2022/12/07/den-norske-gigantgruva-kan-fa-nytt-liv/ |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=Dagsavisen |language=no}}</ref> the company was acquired by [[Tacora Resources]] Inc (an American corporation) in 2021.<ref>{{Citation |title=Sydvaranger – gruveselskap |date=2023-08-29 |work=Store norske leksikon |url=https://snl.no/Sydvaranger_-_gruveselskap |access-date=2024-02-16 |language=no}}</ref> In Q2 2024, [[Grangex]] completed<ref>https://www.sagat.no/nyheter/450-ansatte-og-drift-mot-slutten-av-2027/19.44203. [[Ságat|Sagat]].no. Retrieved 2024-05-08</ref> the purchase of [[Sydvaranger Mining]];<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 June 2023 |title=GRANGEX enters into an exclusivity agreement to acquire Sydvaranger Mining AS |url=https://news.cision.com/grangex-ab--publ-/r/grangex-enters-into-an-exclusivity-agreement-to-acquire-sydvaranger-mining-as,c3796425}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-29 |title=Svensk gruveselskap kjøper Sydvaranger Gruve |url=https://www.nrk.no/tromsogfinnmark/svensk-gruveselskap-kjoper-sydvaranger-gruve-1.16465257 |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=NRK |language=nb-NO}}</ref> [[case work]] by the authorities shows planning for 400-500<ref>{{Cite web |last=Henriksen |first=Hallgeir |date=2023-12-01 |title=Sydvaranger solgt til Grangex for 356 millioner |url=https://www.sagat.no/sydvaranger-solgt-til-grangex-for-356-millioner/19.41674 |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=Ságat |language=no}}</ref> employees split between the mining complex at [[Bjørnevatn]] and the complex in Kirkenes (for processing and moving products onto [[freighting ship]]s).
Cruise ships have in 2022, stopped using to the port at Kirkenes; ship owners consider the port to be too close to the [Russian border or] Russia;<ref>https://e24.no/naeringsliv/i/g6m1B9/cruiseskip-dropper-kirkenes-for-naert-russland?referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vg.no. [[E24 Næringsliv]]. Retrieved 22 May 2022</ref> in 2022 the war between Russia and Ukraine escalated.


A research station at [[Svanvik, Finnmark|Svanvik]] (which is part of [[Norsk institutt for bioøkonomi]]), has employees of the national government.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-03 |title=Samarbeid med Russland lagt på is: – Et tap |url=https://www.dagsavisen.no/nyheter/2023/12/03/samarbeid-med-russland-lagt-pa-is-et-tap/ |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=Dagsavisen |language=no}}</ref>
The mining company [[Sydvaranger]] went bankrupt in 2015 and its mining operations in the municipality have not restarted as of 2022; the company was acquired by [[Tacora Resources]] Inc (an American corporation) in 2021.<ref>https://snl.no/Sydvaranger_-_gruveselskap. [[Store norske leksikon]]. Retrieved 19 June 2022</ref>


==Government==
==Government==
All municipalities in Norway, including Sør-Varanger, are responsible for [[primary education]] (through 10th grade), outpatient [[Health care|health services]], [[old age|senior citizen]] services, [[unemployment]] and other [[Social work|social services]], [[zoning]], [[economic development]], and municipal [[road]]s. The municipality is governed by a [[Municipal council (Norway)|municipal council]] of elected representatives, which in turn elect a [[Mayor#Scandinavia|mayor]].<ref name="ks">{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://snl.no/kommunestyre|title=kommunestyre|editor-first=Tore|editor-last=Hansen|access-date=2018-05-28|date=2016-05-12|encyclopedia=[[Store norske leksikon]]|publisher=[[Kunnskapsforlaget]] |language=no}}</ref> The municipality falls under the [[Øst-Finnmark District Court]] and the [[Hålogaland Court of Appeal]].
All municipalities in Norway are responsible for [[primary education]] (through 10th grade), outpatient [[Health care|health services]], [[old age|senior citizen]] services, [[welfare]] and other [[Social work|social services]], [[zoning]], [[economic development]], and municipal [[road]]s and utilities. The municipality is governed by a [[Municipal council (Norway)|municipal council]] of [[Direct election|directly elected]] representatives. The [[mayor]] is [[Indirect election|indirectly elected]] by a vote of the municipal council.<ref name="ks">{{Cite encyclopedia |title=kommunestyre |encyclopedia=[[Store norske leksikon]] |publisher=[[Kunnskapsforlaget]] |url=https://snl.no/kommunestyre |date=2022-09-20 |editor-last=Hansen |editor-first=Tore |language=Norwegian |editor2-last=Vabo |editor2-first=Signy Irene |accessdate=2022-10-14}}</ref> The municipality is under the jurisdiction of the [[Indre og Østre Finnmark District Court]] and the [[Hålogaland Court of Appeal]].


===Municipal council===
===Municipal council===
The [[Municipal council (Norway)|municipal council]] of Sør-Varanger is made up of 27 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The [[Political party|party]] breakdown of the council is as follows:
The [[Municipal council (Norway)|municipal council]] {{lang-no|(Kommunestyre)}} of Sør-Varanger is made up of 27 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political [[Political party|party]].
{{div col|colwidth=40em}}
{{div col}}
{{Kommunestyre table
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Sør-Varanger
|name = Sør-Varanger
|start = 2020
|start = 2023
|end = 2027
|reference = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Kommunestyrevalg 2023 - Finnmark Finnmárku |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2023/ko/finnmark%20finnm%C3%A1rku/s%C3%B8r-varanger#seats |publisher=Valg Direktoratet}}</ref>
|Total = 25
|Arbeiderpartiet = 7
|Fremskrittspartiet = 3
|Høyre = 8
|Rødt = 2
|Senterpartiet = 2
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Sør-Varanger
|start = 2019
|end = 2023
|end = 2023
|reference = <ref>{{cite web|publisher=Valg Direktoratet|url=https://valgresultat.no/troms%20og%20finnmark(menu:navigate/troms%20og%20finnmark)?type=ko&year=2019|title=Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2019 - Troms og Finnmark|access-date=2019-10-23}}</ref>
|reference = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2019 - Troms og Finnmark |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2019/ko/troms%20og%20finnmark/sør-varanger#seats |access-date=2019-10-23 |publisher=Valg Direktoratet}}</ref>
|collapsed = yes
|Total = 27
|Total = 27
|Arbeiderpartiet = 11
|Arbeiderpartiet = 11
Line 278: Line 297:
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 3
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 3
|Rødt = 1
|Rødt = 1
|Grønne = 1
|Grønne = 1`
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Sør-Varanger
|start = 2015
|end = 2019
|reference = <ref name="ssb valg">{{Cite web |title=Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M) |url=https://www.ssb.no/en/statbank/table/04813/ |publisher=Statistics Norway |language=no}}</ref>
|collapsed = yes
|Total = 27
|Arbeiderpartiet = 14
|Fremskrittspartiet = 2
|Høyre = 4
|Senterpartiet = 5
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Sør-Varanger
|start = 2011
|end = 2015
|reference = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Finnmark |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2011/ko/finnmark%20finnm%C3%A1rku/sør-varanger#seats |access-date=2019-10-23 |publisher=Valg Direktoratet}}</ref>
|collapsed = yes
|Total = 25
|Arbeiderpartiet = 10
|Fremskrittspartiet = 2
|Høyre = 5
|Senterpartiet = 5
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|Venstre = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Sør-Varanger
|start = 2007
|end = 2011
|reference = <ref name="ssb valg" />
|collapsed = yes
|Total = 25
|Arbeiderpartiet = 11
|Fremskrittspartiet = 4
|Høyre = 2
|Senterpartiet = 5
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|otherparty = Mátte Várjjat List
|otherparty_no = Mátte Várjjat Listu
|otherparty_number = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Sør-Varanger
|start = 2003
|end = 2007
|reference = <ref name="ssb valg" />
|collapsed = yes
|Total = 25
|Arbeiderpartiet = 7
|Fremskrittspartiet = 4
|Høyre = 4
|Senterpartiet = 3
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 5
|otherparty = Mátte Várjjat List
|otherparty_no = Mátte Várjjat Listu
|otherparty_number = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Sør-Varanger
|start = 1999
|end = 2003
|reference = <ref name="ssb valg" />
|collapsed = yes
|Total = 31
|Arbeiderpartiet = 14
|Høyre = 9
|Senterpartiet = 3
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 3
|Venstre = 1
|otherparty = Mátte Várjjat List
|otherparty_no = Mátte Várjjat Listu
|otherparty_number = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Sør-Varanger
|start = 1995
|end = 1999
|reference = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1996 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1995 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_c342.pdf |access-date=2020-02-20 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed = yes
|Total = 37
|Arbeiderpartiet = 17
|Høyre = 8
|Senterpartiet = 6
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 4
|Venstre = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Sør-Varanger
|start = 1991
|end = 1995
|reference = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1993 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1991 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_c057.pdf |access-date=2020-02-20 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed = yes
|Total = 37
|Arbeiderpartiet = 16
|Høyre = 9
|Senterpartiet = 3
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 9
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Sør-Varanger
|start = 1987
|end = 1991
|reference = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1988 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1987 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b765.pdf |access-date=2020-02-20 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed = yes
|Total = 37
|Arbeiderpartiet = 19
|Fremskrittspartiet = 2
|Høyre = 9
|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 1
|Rød_Valgallianse = 1
|Senterpartiet = 1
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 4
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Sør-Varanger
|start = 1983
|end = 1987
|reference = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1984 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1983 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b450.pdf |access-date=2020-02-20 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed = yes
|Total = 37
|Arbeiderpartiet = 21
|Høyre = 10
|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 1
|Rød_Valgallianse = 1
|Senterpartiet = 1
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Sør-Varanger
|start = 1979
|end = 1983
|reference = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1979 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1979 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b093.pdf |access-date=2020-02-20 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed = yes
|Total = 37
|Arbeiderpartiet = 18
|Høyre = 12
|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 1
|Senterpartiet = 2
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 4
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Sør-Varanger
|start = 1975
|end = 1979
|reference = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1977 |title=Kommunevalgene 1975 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a769.pdf |access-date=2020-03-16 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed = yes
|Total = 37
|Arbeiderpartiet = 19
|Høyre = 8
|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 2
|Senterpartiet = 2
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 5
|Venstre = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Sør-Varanger
|start = 1971
|end = 1975
|reference = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1973 |title=Kommunevalgene 1972 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a457.pdf |access-date=2020-03-16 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed = yes
|Total = 37
|Arbeiderpartiet = 20
|Høyre = 8
|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 1
|Senterpartiet = 2
|Venstre = 1
|otherparty = Socialist common list<br />
|otherparty_no = Venstresosialistiske felleslister
|otherparty_number = 5
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Sør-Varanger
|start = 1969
|end = 1971
|reference = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1967 |title=Kommunevalgene 1967 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a214.pdf |access-date=2020-03-16 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |volume=I |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed = yes
|Total = 37
|Arbeiderpartiet = 20
|Høyre = 8
|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 1
|NKP = 2
|Senterpartiet = 1
|Sosialistisk_Folkeparti = 2
|Venstre = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Sør-Varanger
|start = 1963
|end = 1967
|reference = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1964 |title=Kommunevalgene 1963 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xii_138.pdf |access-date=2020-03-16 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed = yes
|Total = 37
|Arbeiderpartiet = 20
|Høyre = 9
|NKP = 4
|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 1
|Sosialistisk_Folkeparti = 1
|Venstre = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Sør-Varanger
|herad = yes
|start = 1959
|end = 1963
|reference = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1960 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xii_022.pdf |access-date=2020-03-16 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed = yes
|Total = 33
|Arbeiderpartiet = 18
|Høyre = 6
|NKP = 6
|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 1
|Venstre = 1
|Local_Lists = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Sør-Varanger
|herad = yes
|start = 1955
|end = 1959
|reference = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1957 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xi_252.pdf |access-date=2020-03-16 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed = yes
|Total = 33
|Arbeiderpartiet = 16
|NKP = 7
|Høyre = 5
|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 1
|Venstre = 2
|Local_Lists = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Sør-Varanger
|herad = yes
|start = 1951
|end = 1955
|reference = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1952 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xi_120.pdf |access-date=2020-03-16 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed = yes
|Total = 28
|Arbeiderpartiet = 11
|NKP = 7
|AFS = 3
|Høyre = 4
|Venstre = 1
|Local_Lists = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Sør-Varanger
|herad = yes
|start = 1947
|end = 1951
|reference = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1948 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_x_165.pdf |access-date=2020-03-16 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed = yes
|Total = 28
|Arbeiderpartiet = 12
|NKP = 8
|Borgerlige_Felleslister = 8
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Sør-Varanger
|herad = yes
|start = 1945
|end = 1947
|reference = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1947 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_x_133.pdf |access-date=2020-03-16 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed = yes
|Total = 28
|Arbeiderpartiet = 12
|NKP = 10
|Local_Lists = 6
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name = Sør-Varanger
|herad = yes
|start = 1937
|end = 1941*
|reference = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1938 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_ix_133.pdf |access-date=2020-03-16 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed = yes
|Total = 28
|Borgerlige_Felleslister = 3
|Arbeiderpartiet = 12
|AFS = 5
|NKP = 2
|Local_Lists = 6
|}}
|}}
{{div col end}}


===Mayors===
The [[Mayor#Scandinavia|mayors]] ({{lang-no|ordfører}}) of Sør-Varanger:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ordførere i Sør-Varanger kommune 1858-2008 |url=https://www.sor-varanger.kommune.no/?id=4458184&cat=17876 |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=Sør-Varanger kommune |language=no}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*1858-1860: Hans Kirkgaard
*1861-1864: Christian Taftezon
*1865-1868: Hans Figenschau
*1869-1872: Johannes Belsheim
*1873-1886: Anders Tokle
*1887-1890: Edvard Bakken
*1891-1894: Anders Tokle ([[Liberal Party (Norway)|V]])
*1895-1900: Emil Stang Lund ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
*1900-1904: Johannes Haaheim ([[Liberal Party (Norway)|V]])
*1905-1910: Andreas Bredal Wessel ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*1911-1916: Mads Le Maire ([[Bygdeliste|LL]])
*1917-1919: Andreas Bergerud ([[Bygdeliste|LL]])
*1920-1922: Johan Hølvold ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*1923-1925: Bjarne Sårheim ([[Liberal Party (Norway)|V]])
*1926-1928: Johan Hølvold ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*1929-1931: Axel Borgen ([[Liberal Party (Norway)|V]])
*1923-1937: Sigurd Dørum ([[Liberal Party (Norway)|V]])
*1938-1940: Sverre Dølvik ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*1944-1945: Sverre Dølvik ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*1946-1947: [[Gotfred Johan Hølvold]] ([[Communist Party of Norway|NKP]])
*1948-1955: Harry Klippenvåg ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*1950-1955: Hilmar Isaksen ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*1956-1962: William Mikkelsen ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*1962-1980: Arnt Isaksen ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*1980-1982: Alfon Jerijärvi ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*1982-1989: Nils-Edvard Olsen ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*1990-1991: Halvard Kvamsdal ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*1991-2003: Alfon Jerijärvi ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*2003-2007: Tone Hatle ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
*2007-2011: Linda Beate Randal ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*2011-2015: Cecilie Hansen ([[Centre Party (Norway)|Sp]])
*2015-2021: Rune Rafaelsen ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*2021-2023: Lena Norum Bergeng ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-04-28 |title=Ny ordfører i Sør-Varanger |url=https://www.nrk.no/tromsogfinnmark/ny-ordforer-i-sor-varanger-1.15473664 |work=NRK Troms og Finnmark |language=no}}</ref>
*2023-present: Magnus Mæland ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
{{div col end}}


==Transportation==
==Transportation==
[[Kirkenes Airport, Høybuktmoen]] is operated by the state-owned [[Avinor]] and serves as the main primary airport for eastern Finnmark county. Located {{convert|10|km|sp=us}} west of Kirkenes, at [[Høybuktmoen]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.avinor.no/en/airport/kirkenes/tofromairport |title=To/from airport |publisher=[[Avinor]] |access-date=26 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120815083219/http://www.avinor.no/en/airport/kirkenes/tofromairport |archive-date=15 August 2012 }}</ref> the airport has a {{convert|2115|m|sp=us|adj=on}}<ref>{{cite web |title=ENKR – Kirkenes/Høybuktmoen |publisher=[[Avinor]] |url=https://www.ippc.no/norway_aip/current/AIP/AD/ENKR/EN_AD_2_ENKR_en.pdf |date=8 March 2012 |access-date=19 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201211131/https://www.ippc.no/norway_aip/current/aip/ad/enkr/EN_AD_2_ENKR_en.pdf |archive-date=1 February 2014 }}</ref> long runway which allows [[Scandinavian Airlines]] and [[Norwegian Air Shuttle]] to operate direct flights to [[Oslo]]. In addition [[Widerøe]] uses the airport as a [[airline hub|hub]] to regional airports throughout Finnmark.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.avinor.no/en/airport/kirkenes/timetables |title=Flight Timetables |publisher=[[Avinor]] |access-date=26 August 2012}}</ref>
[[Kirkenes Airport, Høybuktmoen]] is operated by the state-owned [[Avinor]] and serves as the main primary airport for eastern Finnmark county. Located {{convert|10|km|sp=us}} west of Kirkenes, at [[Høybuktmoen]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=To/from airport |url=http://www.avinor.no/en/airport/kirkenes/tofromairport |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120815083219/http://www.avinor.no/en/airport/kirkenes/tofromairport |archive-date=15 August 2012 |access-date=26 August 2012 |publisher=[[Avinor]]}}</ref> the airport has a {{convert|2115|m|sp=us|adj=on}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 March 2012 |title=ENKR – Kirkenes/Høybuktmoen |url=https://www.ippc.no/norway_aip/current/AIP/AD/ENKR/EN_AD_2_ENKR_en.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201211131/https://www.ippc.no/norway_aip/current/aip/ad/enkr/EN_AD_2_ENKR_en.pdf |archive-date=1 February 2014 |access-date=19 August 2012 |publisher=[[Avinor]]}}</ref> long runway which allows [[Scandinavian Airlines]] and [[Norwegian Air Shuttle]] to operate direct flights to [[Oslo]]. In addition [[Widerøe]] uses the airport as a [[airline hub|hub]] to regional airports throughout Finnmark.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flight Timetables |url=http://www.avinor.no/en/airport/kirkenes/timetables |access-date=26 August 2012 |publisher=[[Avinor]]}}</ref>


The [[Kirkenes–Bjørnevatn Line]] is a {{convert|8.5|km|sp=us|adj=on}} [[railway]], until 2010 the world's northernmost, which runs between Kirkenes and Bjørnevatn;<ref name=ottar>{{cite journal |title=Aktieselskabet Sydvarangers jernbane |last1=Bjerke |first1=Thor |last2=Jerijervi |first2=Ørjan |year=2003 |volume=244 |language=no |publisher=University of Tromsø |location=Tromsø |journal=Ottar |pages=32–39 }}</ref>
The [[Kirkenes–Bjørnevatn Line]] is a {{convert|8.5|km|sp=us|adj=on}} [[railway]], until 2010 the world's northernmost, which runs between Kirkenes and Bjørnevatn;<ref name="ottar">{{Cite journal |last=Bjerke |first=Thor |last2=Jerijervi |first2=Ørjan |year=2003 |title=Aktieselskabet Sydvarangers jernbane |journal=Ottar |language=no |location=Tromsø |publisher=University of Tromsø |volume=244 |pages=32–39}}</ref>


The [[European route E6]] highway has its northern endpoint in the town of [[Kirkenes]]. This highway heads west and then south to the rest of Norway. The [[European route E105]] highway has its northern endpoint in the village of [[Hesseng]], just south of Kirkenes. That highway heads south into Russia through the [[Storskog]] border crossing, the only legal public crossing on the [[Norway-Russia border]].
The [[European route E6]] highway has its northern endpoint in the town of [[Kirkenes]]. This highway heads west and then south to the rest of Norway. The [[European route E105]] highway has its northern endpoint in the village of [[Hesseng]], just south of Kirkenes. That highway heads south into Russia through the [[Storskog]] border crossing, the only legal public crossing on the [[Norway-Russia border]].
Line 291: Line 633:
==Religion==
==Religion==
===Churches===
===Churches===
The [[Church of Norway]] has one parish ''(sokn)'' within the municipality of Sør-Varanger. It is part of the [[Varanger prosti]] ([[deanery]]) in the [[Diocese of Nord-Hålogaland]].
The [[Church of Norway]] has one parish ({{lang|no|sokn}}) within the municipality of Sør-Varanger. It is part of the [[Varanger prosti]] ([[deanery]]) in the [[Diocese of Nord-Hålogaland]].


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ style="font-size:medium"|'''''Churches in Sør-Varanger'''''
|+ style="font-size:medium"|'''''Churches in Sør-Varanger'''''
!Parish ''(Sokn)''!!Church Name!!Location of the Church!!Year Built
!Parish ({{lang|no|sokn}})!!Church name!!Location of the church!!Year built
|-
|-
|rowspan="5"|Sør-Varanger||[[Bugøynes Chapel]]||[[Bugøynes]]||1989
|rowspan="5"|Sør-Varanger||[[Bugøynes Chapel]]||[[Bugøynes]]||1989
Line 309: Line 651:


==Archaeology==
==Archaeology==
In 2015 [[rock carving]]s, estimatedly dated to 4200–5200&nbsp;B.C. were found at [[Tømmerneset, Sør-Varanger|Tømmerneset]] on [[Gamneset]], several kilometers outside Kirkenes.<ref name="aftenposten.no">{{cite web|url=http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/Oppdaget-sensasjonelt-helleristningsfelt-i-lunsjpausen-8139761.html |publisher=aftenposten.no|title=Oppdaget sensasjonelt helleristningsfelt i lunsjpausen - Aftenposten |access-date=21 August 2016}}</ref><ref name="nrk">{{cite web|url=http://www.nrk.no/finnmark/sensasjonelt-helleristningsfunn-i-varanger-1.12518931 |publisher=nrk.no|title=Sensasjonelt helleristningsfunn i Varanger - NRK Finnmark - Lokale nyheter, TV og radio|date=26 August 2015 |access-date=21 August 2016}}</ref> The carvings were discovered along an old path used by reindeers—between two [[cliff|crags]]—by an archaeologist traveling between existing excavation sites at Gamneset.<ref name="aftenposten.no"/> (A planned oil terminal will expectedly shut out the general public, from the site of the carvings.<ref name="nrk2">{{cite web|url=http://www.nrk.no/video/PS*226442 |publisher=nrk.no|title=Helleristningene i Varanger - Video &#124; Tror ikke folk får se helleristningene |access-date=21 August 2016}}</ref>)
In 2015 [[rock carving]]s, estimatedly dated to 4200–5200&nbsp;B.C. were found at [[Tømmerneset, Sør-Varanger|Tømmerneset]] on [[Gamneset]], several kilometers outside Kirkenes.<ref name="aftenposten.no">{{Cite web |title=Oppdaget sensasjonelt helleristningsfelt i lunsjpausen - Aftenposten |url=http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/Oppdaget-sensasjonelt-helleristningsfelt-i-lunsjpausen-8139761.html |access-date=21 August 2016 |publisher=aftenposten.no}}</ref><ref name="nrk">{{Cite web |date=26 August 2015 |title=Sensasjonelt helleristningsfunn i Varanger - NRK Finnmark - Lokale nyheter, TV og radio |url=http://www.nrk.no/finnmark/sensasjonelt-helleristningsfunn-i-varanger-1.12518931 |access-date=21 August 2016 |publisher=nrk.no}}</ref> The carvings were discovered along an old path used by reindeers—between two [[cliff|crags]]—by an archaeologist traveling between existing excavation sites at Gamneset.<ref name="aftenposten.no" /> (A planned oil terminal will expectedly shut out the general public, from the site of the carvings.<ref name="nrk2">{{Cite web |title=Helleristningene i Varanger - Video &#124; Tror ikke folk får se helleristningene |url=http://www.nrk.no/video/PS*226442 |access-date=21 August 2016 |publisher=nrk.no}}</ref>)


==Leisure==
==Leisure==
Line 317: Line 659:
[[File:53531 Osvald Harjo.jpg|140px|thumb|Osvald Harjo, 1958]]
[[File:53531 Osvald Harjo.jpg|140px|thumb|Osvald Harjo, 1958]]
[[File:Helga Pedersen 2009.jpg|140px|thumb|Helga Pedersen, 2009]]
[[File:Helga Pedersen 2009.jpg|140px|thumb|Helga Pedersen, 2009]]
* [[Kathrine Bugge]] (1877–1951) an educator, cultural worker and politician, brought up in Jarfjord
* [[Kathrine Bugge]] (1877–1951), an educator, cultural worker, and politician who was brought up in Jarfjord
* [[John Savio]] (1902 in Bugøyfjord - 1938) an artist of Sami and Kven descent, made woodcuts
* [[John Savio]] (1902 in Bugøyfjord - 1938), an artist of Sami and Kven descent who made woodcuts
* [[Osvald Harjo]] (1910–1993) a resistance member in WWII and a prisoner in Soviet Gulag camps for over a decade
* [[Osvald Harjo]] (1910–1993), a resistance member in WWII and a prisoner in Soviet Gulag camps for over a decade
* [[Alfred Henningsen]] (1918 in Sør-Varanger – 2012) a military officer, spy and politician
* [[Alfred Henningsen]] (1918 in Sør-Varanger – 2012), a military officer, spy, and politician
* [[Gudmund Grytøyr]] (born 1920 in Sør-Varanger - 2001) a sailor, laborer in industry and forestry, a farmer and politician
* [[Gudmund Grytøyr]] (born 1920 in Sør-Varanger - 2001), a sailor, laborer in industry and forestry, a farmer, and politician
* [[Annemarie Lorentzen]] (1921 in Sør-Varanger – 2008) a politician and Norwegian ambassador to Iceland 1978 to 1985
* [[Annemarie Lorentzen]] (1921 in Sør-Varanger – 2008), a politician and Norwegian ambassador to Iceland from 1978 to 1985
* [[Aino Hivand]] (born 1947 in Bugøyfjord) Norwegian-Sami visual artist and children's book writer
* [[Aino Hivand]] (born 1947 in Bugøyfjord), a Norwegian-Sami visual artist and children's book writer
* [[Helga Pedersen (Norway)|Helga Pedersen]] (born 1973 in Sør-Varanger) a politician, former Minister and member of the Storting; brought up in Vestertana
* [[Helga Pedersen (Norway)|Helga Pedersen]] (born 1973 in Sør-Varanger), a politician, former Minister, and member of the Storting who was brought up in Vestertana
* [[Pavel Zakharov]] (born 2001 in Sør-Varanger) a Russian college basketball player
* [[Pavel Zakharov]] (born 2001 in Sør-Varanger), a Russian college basketball player
; and
{{See also|Kirkenes#Born_in_Kirkenes}}
{{See also|Kirkenes#Born_in_Kirkenes}}


Line 341: Line 682:


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Sør-Varanger}}
*[http://ssb.no/kommunefakta/sor-varanger Municipal fact sheet] from [[Statistics Norway]] {{in lang|no}}
*[http://ssb.no/kommunefakta/sor-varanger Municipal fact sheet] from [[Statistics Norway]] {{in lang|no}}
*[http://www.yr.no/place/Norway/Finnmark/Sør-Varanger/ Weather information for Sør-Varanger] {{in lang|no}}
*[http://www.yr.no/place/Norway/Finnmark/Sør-Varanger/ Weather information for Sør-Varanger] {{in lang|no}}
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*[http://www.nrk.no/video/PS*226442 Video of 2015 rock carvings find, ''Helleristningene i Varanger'']
*[http://www.nrk.no/video/PS*226442 Video of 2015 rock carvings find, ''Helleristningene i Varanger'']


{{use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Troms og Finnmark|municipalities}}
{{sister bar|auto=y|d=y|c=y|voy=Finnmark|wikt=Sør-Varanger}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Finnmark}}
{{authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Sor-Varanger}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sor-Varanger}}
[[Category:Sør-Varanger| ]]
[[Category:Sør-Varanger| ]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Troms og Finnmark]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Finnmark]]
[[Category:1858 establishments in Norway]]
[[Category:1858 establishments in Norway]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1858]]

Latest revision as of 22:03, 20 August 2024

Sør-Varanger Municipality
Sør-Varanger kommune

Mátta-Várjjaga gielda (Northern Sami)
Etelä-Varankin kunta (Kven)[1]
Sørvaranger herred  (historic name)
Flag of Sør-Varanger Municipality
Coat of arms of Sør-Varanger Municipality
Finnmark within Norway
Finnmark within Norway
Sør-Varanger within Finnmark
Sør-Varanger within Finnmark
Coordinates: 69°43′43″N 30°02′30″E / 69.72861°N 30.04167°E / 69.72861; 30.04167
CountryNorway
CountyFinnmark
DistrictØst-Finnmark
Established1 Jul 1858
 • Preceded byVadsø Municipality
Administrative centreKirkenes
Government
 • Mayor (2023)Magnus Mæland (H)
Area
 • Total3,971.42 km2 (1,533.37 sq mi)
 • Land3,458.85 km2 (1,335.47 sq mi)
 • Water512.57 km2 (197.90 sq mi)  12.9%
 • Rank#6 in Norway
Highest elevation497.1 m (1,630.9 ft)
Population
 (2024)
 • Total10,063
 • Rank#112 in Norway
 • Density2.5/km2 (6/sq mi)
 • Change (10 years)
Decrease −0.3%
DemonymVarangværing[3]
Official language
 • Norwegian formBokmål
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-5605[5]
WebsiteOfficial website

Sør-Varanger (also: Máttá-Várjjat (Northern Sami), Etelä-Varenki (Kven), Etelä-Varanki (Finnish), Сёр-Вара́нгер (Russian) Syor-Varánger (Russian transliteration)[6]) is a municipality in Finnmark county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Kirkenes. Other settlements in the municipality include the villages of Bjørnevatn, Bugøynes, Elvenes, Grense Jakobselv, Hesseng, Jakobsnes, Neiden, and Sandnes. Located west of the Norway–Russia border, Sør-Varanger is the only Norwegian municipality that shares a land border with Russia, with the only legal border crossing at Storskog.

The 3,971-square-kilometre (1,533 sq mi) municipality is the 6th largest by area out of the 357 municipalities in Norway. Sør-Varanger is the 112th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 10,063. The municipality's population density is 2.5 inhabitants per square kilometre (6.5/sq mi) and its population has decreased by 0.3% over the previous 10-year period.[7][8]

Name

[edit]

The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the large Varangerfjorden (Old Norse: Verangr or Verjanger), located along the northern shore of the municipality (a neighboring municipality on the north side of the same fjord was Nord-Varanger). The first element is verja which is the plural genitive case of the word which means "fishing village". The last element is angr which means "bay" or "small fjord". It was first probably used for the narrow fjord on the inside of Angsnes which now is called "Meskfjorden" and leads into Varangerbotn.[9] Historically, the name of the municipality was spelled Sørvaranger or Sydvaranger. On 3 November 1917, a royal resolution changed the spelling of the name of the municipality to Sør-Varanger.[10]

History

[edit]

Prehistoric labyrinth constructions at Holmengrå, were possibly used for religious purposes.

The original inhabitants of the area are the Skolt Sami. This Sami group migrated between coast and inland in present Norwegian, Finnish, and Russian territory long before any borders existed. In the 16th century, they were converted to the Russian Orthodox faith, and still today the chapel of Saint George at Neiden, dating from 1565, is a reminder of eastern influence.

Sør-Varanger became Norwegian in 1826, after having been [part of] a Russian-Norwegian fellesdistrikt - a district shared between two countries - that had a small Eastern Sami population group that was under Russian jurisdiction.[11] In 1826, the previously disputed areas were divided between Norway and Russia, causing great difficulties for the Sami. The Norwegian state also invited Norwegian settlers to come to the area, building Lutheran churches to counterbalance the Orthodox heritage, notably the King Oscar II Chapel, located immediately west of the Russian border. The historic border crossing station was at Skafferhullet (which was replaced with the present day station at Storskog).

The King Oscar II Chapel on the Russian border

The King Oscar II Chapel in Grense Jakobselv on the Russian border was built in 1869 to mark the border.

During the 19th century, Finnish settlers (Kven) arrived to the valleys, and since 1906, Norwegians came in large numbers because of the iron mining starting up near Kirkenes. After the Treaty of Tartu the area of Petsamo was ceded to Finland, and Sør-Varanger (and Norway) no longer bordered Russia, until Finland had to cede it back to the Soviet Union in 1944.

In 1906, the Sydvaranger company opened the Bjørnevatn Mine at Bjørnevatn and four years later the mine was connected to the port in Kirkenes by Kirkenes–Bjørnevatn Line, the world's most northern railway. The mine was closed in 1996, but re-opened in 2009.

In October 1944, Soviet forces chased Nazi-Germany's forces out of the municipality; some inhabitants were living in tunnels (outside Kirkenes) used for the mining industry, when the Soviet forces arrived; at the time Kirkenes was under intense bombing from aircraft.[12]

In a 1944 report to Norway's prime minister in exile, a Norwegian government official (embedsmann ) in Finnmark—Thore Boye—said that Norwegian soldiers had [crop-] cut (snauklippet) "25 young girls—some of them married" who had been pointed out by local men, as having had relations with German soldiers".[13]

Establishment of municipality

[edit]

The municipality of Sør-Varanger was established on 1 July 1858 when the large Vadsø Municipality (population: 1,171) was divided and the part located south of the Varangerfjorden became the new Sør-Varanger municipality. The borders of the municipality have not changed since that time.[14]

On 1 January 2020, the municipality became part of the newly formed Troms og Finnmark county. Previously, it had been part of the old Finnmark county.[15] On 1 January 2024, the Troms og Finnmark county was divided and the municipality once again became part of Finnmark county.[16]

Coat of arms

[edit]

The coat of arms was granted on 16 April 1982. The official blazon is "Per bend rayonny Or and gules" (Norwegian: Skrådelt av gult og rødt ved tretunget flammesnitt). This means the arms have a field (background) with a diagonal line in the shape of flames. Above the line, the field has a tincture of Or which means it is commonly colored yellow, but if it is made out of metal, then gold is used. Below the line, the field has a tincture of gules (red). The arms show three flames along the division of the field. The division of the shield symbolizes the importance of the number three: The three main sources of income are agriculture, mining, and fishing; the municipality also has three main rivers (Neiden, Pasvikelva, and Jakobselva) that form the borders of Norway, Russia, and Finland; and there are three cultures in the municipality: Norwegians, Finns, and Sami. The arms were designed by Sissel Sildnes.[17][18][19]

Geography

[edit]
The border with Russia follows the Grense Jakobselv in the northeast near the Barents Sea, while Pasvikelva forms the border further south along the Pasvik Valley.
Neiden, Sør-Varanger. The Skoltesami traditionally catch salmon with a technique using small nets.

Sør-Varanger is a vast area of about 3,700 square kilometres (1,429 sq mi), situated between Finland and Russia. Most of the area is low-lying forest of pine and birch, with barren sections facing the Barents Sea. The highest point in the municipality is the 497.1-metre (1,631 ft) tall mountain Báhttervárri.[2]

The Varangerfjorden runs along the northern part of the municipality and the Bøkfjorden runs north–south cutting into the municipality and flowing into the Varangerfjorden. The large island of Skogerøya lies on the west side of the Bøkfjorden. Skogerøytoppen is the tallest mountain on Skogerøya. The Bøkfjord Lighthouse lies along the mouth of the Bøkfjorden.

The municipal centre of Sør-Varanger is the town of Kirkenes, located on a peninsula in the Bøkfjorden. Other settlements include Bugøynes, Neiden, and little hamlets along the river of Pasvikelva. The local airport is called Kirkenes Airport, Høybuktmoen which is also a military camp. The Garrison of Sør-Varanger (GSV) is based at Høybuktmoen.

Aurora Borealis over Kirkenes

The flora of the area is a part of the Russian and Siberian taiga, including a few hundred spruce trees of the Russian variety. Bears also inhabit the upper valley, notably in the Øvre Pasvik National Park, Øvre Pasvik Landscape Protection Area, and Pasvik Nature Reserve.

Lakes include Ellenvatnet, Gardsjøen, Garsjøen, Klistervatnet, and Ødevatnet. The fjords include Korsfjorden.[20]

Climate

[edit]

Sør-Varanger has a boreal climate (subarctic) with long, cold winters. Summers are short, but can sometimes see warm temperatures.

Climate data for Kirkenes Airport 1991–2020 (89 m, extremes 1957–2020)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 5.3
(41.5)
7.3
(45.1)
6.1
(43.0)
14.4
(57.9)
28.8
(83.8)
31.6
(88.9)
32.7
(90.9)
30.7
(87.3)
22.2
(72.0)
13.6
(56.5)
8.8
(47.8)
7
(45)
32.7
(90.9)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −6.8
(19.8)
−6.8
(19.8)
−2.9
(26.8)
1.7
(35.1)
7.2
(45.0)
12.2
(54.0)
16.2
(61.2)
14.7
(58.5)
10.1
(50.2)
3
(37)
−2.2
(28.0)
−4.3
(24.3)
3.5
(38.3)
Daily mean °C (°F) −10.1
(13.8)
−9.9
(14.2)
−5.6
(21.9)
−0.8
(30.6)
4.3
(39.7)
8.7
(47.7)
12.4
(54.3)
11.3
(52.3)
7.3
(45.1)
1.2
(34.2)
−4.4
(24.1)
−7.3
(18.9)
0.6
(33.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −13.2
(8.2)
−13
(9)
−9.1
(15.6)
−4.2
(24.4)
1.2
(34.2)
5.6
(42.1)
9.2
(48.6)
8.3
(46.9)
4.8
(40.6)
−0.8
(30.6)
−6.9
(19.6)
−10.2
(13.6)
−2.4
(27.8)
Record low °C (°F) −41.8
(−43.2)
−38.9
(−38.0)
−29.8
(−21.6)
−20.9
(−5.6)
−13.6
(7.5)
−2.5
(27.5)
2.4
(36.3)
−1.5
(29.3)
−5.9
(21.4)
−21.7
(−7.1)
−27.5
(−17.5)
−34
(−29)
−41.8
(−43.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 31.3
(1.23)
30
(1.2)
28.7
(1.13)
26.9
(1.06)
26.8
(1.06)
49.2
(1.94)
56.2
(2.21)
55.4
(2.18)
37.9
(1.49)
43.7
(1.72)
36.8
(1.45)
32.5
(1.28)
458.8
(18.06)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 9 7 6 6 6 7 9.0 9 7 10 9 8 93
Source 1: yr.no/statistics Kirkenes Airport [21]
Source 2: Météo Climat [22]
Climate data for Kirkenes Airport, Høybuktmoen 1961-90
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −8.2
(17.2)
−7.8
(18.0)
−3.8
(25.2)
0.6
(33.1)
5.7
(42.3)
12.5
(54.5)
16.1
(61.0)
13.9
(57.0)
8.8
(47.8)
2.4
(36.3)
−2.8
(27.0)
−5.9
(21.4)
2.6
(36.7)
Daily mean °C (°F) −11.8
(10.8)
−11.3
(11.7)
−7.4
(18.7)
−2.4
(27.7)
3.0
(37.4)
8.5
(47.3)
12.1
(53.8)
10.5
(50.9)
6.2
(43.2)
0.4
(32.7)
−5.5
(22.1)
−9.7
(14.5)
−0.6
(30.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −16.2
(2.8)
−15.1
(4.8)
−10.8
(12.6)
−5.7
(21.7)
0.0
(32.0)
5.2
(41.4)
8.7
(47.7)
7.5
(45.5)
3.6
(38.5)
−1.9
(28.6)
−8.7
(16.3)
−13.4
(7.9)
−3.9
(25.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 32
(1.3)
23
(0.9)
21
(0.8)
20
(0.8)
23
(0.9)
41
(1.6)
60
(2.4)
62
(2.4)
47
(1.9)
35
(1.4)
33
(1.3)
33
(1.3)
430
(16.9)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm) 8.5 6.5 6.0 6.2 6.0 8.2 8.9 10.5 9.8 9.5 8.6 9.0 97.7
Source: Norwegian Meteorological Institute[23]

Economy

[edit]

The service sector is one of the two most important industries related to the city of Kirkenes.[24] Kimek, a company for repair of boats and ships,[25] had around 80 employees until job losses of 30 (in Q2 2023);[26][27][28][29] the company is one of the largest employers in the municipality - alongside the municipality itself.

As of 2013, 2.8% of the work force in Sør-Varanger are employed in the primary sector.[30]

Cruise ships have in 2022, stopped using the port at Kirkenes; ship owners consider the port to be too close to the [Russian border or] Russia;[31] in 2022 the war between Russia and Ukraine escalated.

The mining company Sydvaranger went bankrupt in 2015 and its mining operations in the municipality does not have a timeframe for a restart (as of 2022), however there are 30 employees preparing for a possible restart;[32] the company was acquired by Tacora Resources Inc (an American corporation) in 2021.[33] In Q2 2024, Grangex completed[34] the purchase of Sydvaranger Mining;[35][36] case work by the authorities shows planning for 400-500[37] employees split between the mining complex at Bjørnevatn and the complex in Kirkenes (for processing and moving products onto freighting ships).

A research station at Svanvik (which is part of Norsk institutt for bioøkonomi), has employees of the national government.[38]

Government

[edit]

All municipalities in Norway are responsible for primary education (through 10th grade), outpatient health services, senior citizen services, welfare and other social services, zoning, economic development, and municipal roads and utilities. The municipality is governed by a municipal council of directly elected representatives. The mayor is indirectly elected by a vote of the municipal council.[39] The municipality is under the jurisdiction of the Indre og Østre Finnmark District Court and the Hålogaland Court of Appeal.

Municipal council

[edit]

The municipal council Norwegian: (Kommunestyre) of Sør-Varanger is made up of 27 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political party.

Sør-Varanger kommunestyre 2023–2027 [40]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 8
  Red Party (Rødt) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 3
Total number of members:25
Sør-Varanger kommunestyre 2019–2023 [41]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 11
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 1
  Green Party (Miljøpartiet De Grønne) 1`
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Red Party (Rødt) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 3
Total number of members:27
Sør-Varanger kommunestyre 2015–2019 [42]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 14
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 2
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
Total number of members:27
Sør-Varanger kommunestyre 2011–2015 [43]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 2
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:25
Sør-Varanger kommunestyre 2007–2011 [42]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 11
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 4
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
 Mátte Várjjat List (Mátte Várjjat Listu)1
Total number of members:25
Sør-Varanger kommunestyre 2003–2007 [42]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 4
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 5
 Mátte Várjjat List (Mátte Várjjat Listu)2
Total number of members:25
Sør-Varanger kommunestyre 1999–2003 [42]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 14
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 9
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
 Mátte Várjjat List (Mátte Várjjat Listu)2
Total number of members:31
Sør-Varanger kommunestyre 1995–1999 [44]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 17
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 8
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 4
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:37
Sør-Varanger kommunestyre 1991–1995 [45]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 16
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 9
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 9
Total number of members:37
Sør-Varanger kommunestyre 1987–1991 [46]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 19
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 2
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 9
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Red Electoral Alliance (Rød Valgallianse) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 1
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 4
Total number of members:37
Sør-Varanger kommunestyre 1983–1987 [47]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 21
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 10
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Red Electoral Alliance (Rød Valgallianse) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 1
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 3
Total number of members:37
Sør-Varanger kommunestyre 1979–1983 [48]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 18
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 12
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 4
Total number of members:37
Sør-Varanger kommunestyre 1975–1979 [49]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 19
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 8
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 5
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:37
Sør-Varanger kommunestyre 1971–1975 [50]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 20
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 8
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
 Socialist common list
(Venstresosialistiske felleslister)
5
Total number of members:37
Sør-Varanger kommunestyre 1969–1971 [51]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 20
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 8
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 1
  Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
Total number of members:37
Sør-Varanger kommunestyre 1963–1967 [52]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 20
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 9
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:37
Sør-Varanger herredsstyre 1959–1963 [53]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 18
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 6
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 6
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 1
Total number of members:33
Sør-Varanger herredsstyre 1955–1959 [54]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 16
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 5
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 7
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 2
Total number of members:33
Sør-Varanger herredsstyre 1951–1955 [55]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 11
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 7
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
  List of workers, fishermen, and small farmholders (Arbeidere, fiskere, småbrukere liste) 3
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 2
Total number of members:28
Sør-Varanger herredsstyre 1947–1951 [56]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 12
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 8
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 8
Total number of members:28
Sør-Varanger herredsstyre 1945–1947 [57]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 12
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 10
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 6
Total number of members:28
Sør-Varanger herredsstyre 1937–1941* [58]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 12
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 2
  List of workers, fishermen, and small farmholders (Arbeidere, fiskere, småbrukere liste) 5
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 3
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 6
Total number of members:28
Note: Due to the German occupation of Norway during World War II, no elections were held for new municipal councils until after the war ended in 1945.

Mayors

[edit]

The mayors (Norwegian: ordfører) of Sør-Varanger:[59]

  • 1858-1860: Hans Kirkgaard
  • 1861-1864: Christian Taftezon
  • 1865-1868: Hans Figenschau
  • 1869-1872: Johannes Belsheim
  • 1873-1886: Anders Tokle
  • 1887-1890: Edvard Bakken
  • 1891-1894: Anders Tokle (V)
  • 1895-1900: Emil Stang Lund (H)
  • 1900-1904: Johannes Haaheim (V)
  • 1905-1910: Andreas Bredal Wessel (Ap)
  • 1911-1916: Mads Le Maire (LL)
  • 1917-1919: Andreas Bergerud (LL)
  • 1920-1922: Johan Hølvold (Ap)
  • 1923-1925: Bjarne Sårheim (V)
  • 1926-1928: Johan Hølvold (Ap)
  • 1929-1931: Axel Borgen (V)
  • 1923-1937: Sigurd Dørum (V)
  • 1938-1940: Sverre Dølvik (Ap)
  • 1944-1945: Sverre Dølvik (Ap)
  • 1946-1947: Gotfred Johan Hølvold (NKP)
  • 1948-1955: Harry Klippenvåg (Ap)
  • 1950-1955: Hilmar Isaksen (Ap)
  • 1956-1962: William Mikkelsen (Ap)
  • 1962-1980: Arnt Isaksen (Ap)
  • 1980-1982: Alfon Jerijärvi (Ap)
  • 1982-1989: Nils-Edvard Olsen (Ap)
  • 1990-1991: Halvard Kvamsdal (Ap)
  • 1991-2003: Alfon Jerijärvi (Ap)
  • 2003-2007: Tone Hatle (H)
  • 2007-2011: Linda Beate Randal (Ap)
  • 2011-2015: Cecilie Hansen (Sp)
  • 2015-2021: Rune Rafaelsen (Ap)
  • 2021-2023: Lena Norum Bergeng (Ap)[60]
  • 2023-present: Magnus Mæland (H)

Transportation

[edit]

Kirkenes Airport, Høybuktmoen is operated by the state-owned Avinor and serves as the main primary airport for eastern Finnmark county. Located 10 kilometers (6.2 mi) west of Kirkenes, at Høybuktmoen,[61] the airport has a 2,115-meter (6,939 ft)[62] long runway which allows Scandinavian Airlines and Norwegian Air Shuttle to operate direct flights to Oslo. In addition Widerøe uses the airport as a hub to regional airports throughout Finnmark.[63]

The Kirkenes–Bjørnevatn Line is a 8.5-kilometer (5.3 mi) railway, until 2010 the world's northernmost, which runs between Kirkenes and Bjørnevatn;[64]

The European route E6 highway has its northern endpoint in the town of Kirkenes. This highway heads west and then south to the rest of Norway. The European route E105 highway has its northern endpoint in the village of Hesseng, just south of Kirkenes. That highway heads south into Russia through the Storskog border crossing, the only legal public crossing on the Norway-Russia border.

Religion

[edit]

Churches

[edit]

The Church of Norway has one parish (sokn) within the municipality of Sør-Varanger. It is part of the Varanger prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Nord-Hålogaland.

Churches in Sør-Varanger
Parish (sokn) Church name Location of the church Year built
Sør-Varanger Bugøynes Chapel Bugøynes 1989
Kirkenes Church Kirkenes 1959
King Oscar II Chapel Grense Jakobselv 1869
Neiden Chapel Neiden 1902
Svanvik Church Svanvik (in the
Pasvikdalen valley)
1934

Archaeology

[edit]

In 2015 rock carvings, estimatedly dated to 4200–5200 B.C. were found at Tømmerneset on Gamneset, several kilometers outside Kirkenes.[65][66] The carvings were discovered along an old path used by reindeers—between two crags—by an archaeologist traveling between existing excavation sites at Gamneset.[65] (A planned oil terminal will expectedly shut out the general public, from the site of the carvings.[67])

Leisure

[edit]

Popular leisure activities include salmon fishing in one of the numerous rivers, hunting for moose and grouse, and snowmobile driving. Many inhabitants also own and frequently use a cabin located in more remote parts of the municipality.

Notable people

[edit]
Osvald Harjo, 1958
Helga Pedersen, 2009
  • Kathrine Bugge (1877–1951), an educator, cultural worker, and politician who was brought up in Jarfjord
  • John Savio (1902 in Bugøyfjord - 1938), an artist of Sami and Kven descent who made woodcuts
  • Osvald Harjo (1910–1993), a resistance member in WWII and a prisoner in Soviet Gulag camps for over a decade
  • Alfred Henningsen (1918 in Sør-Varanger – 2012), a military officer, spy, and politician
  • Gudmund Grytøyr (born 1920 in Sør-Varanger - 2001), a sailor, laborer in industry and forestry, a farmer, and politician
  • Annemarie Lorentzen (1921 in Sør-Varanger – 2008), a politician and Norwegian ambassador to Iceland from 1978 to 1985
  • Aino Hivand (born 1947 in Bugøyfjord), a Norwegian-Sami visual artist and children's book writer
  • Helga Pedersen (born 1973 in Sør-Varanger), a politician, former Minister, and member of the Storting who was brought up in Vestertana
  • Pavel Zakharov (born 2001 in Sør-Varanger), a Russian college basketball player
[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
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  2. ^ a b "Høgaste fjelltopp i kvar kommune" (in Norwegian). Kartverket. 16 January 2024.
  3. ^ "Navn på steder og personer: Innbyggjarnamn" (in Norwegian). Språkrådet.
  4. ^ "Forskrift om målvedtak i kommunar og fylkeskommunar" (in Norwegian). Lovdata.no.
  5. ^ Bolstad, Erik; Thorsnæs, Geir, eds. (26 January 2023). "Kommunenummer". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget.
  6. ^ Russian pronunciation: [ˌsʲɵr vɐˈranɡʲɪr]
  7. ^ Statistisk sentralbyrå. "Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)" (in Norwegian).
  8. ^ Statistisk sentralbyrå. "09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M)" (in Norwegian).
  9. ^ Rygh, Oluf (1924). Norske gaardnavne: Finmarkens amt (in Norwegian) (18 ed.). Kristiania, Norge: W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri. p. 288.
  10. ^ "Norsk Lovtidende. 2den Afdeling. 1917. Samling af Love, Resolutioner m.m". Norsk Lovtidend (in Norwegian). Kristiania, Norge: Grøndahl og Søns Boktrykkeri: 1057–1065. 1917.
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