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  • 21 Aug, 2019

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Suldal Municipality

Suldal is a municipality in the northeast corner of Rogaland county, Norway. It is located in the traditional district of Ryfylke. Since 1965, the administrative centre of Suldal is the village of Sand i Ryfylke (prior to that it was the village of Suldalsosen). Other villages in Suldal include Haugsland, Jelsa, Marvik, Nesflaten, and Suldalsosen.

The 1,737-square-kilometre (671 sq mi) municipality is the 46th largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Suldal is the 210th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 3,815. The municipality's population density is 2.4 inhabitants per square kilometre (6.2/sq mi) and its population has decreased by 1.5% over the previous 10-year period.

General information

View of the Suldalsporten in the lake Suldalsvatnet
View of Jelsa Church

The parish of Suledal was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt law). In 1842, the northern district of the municipality (population: 1,584) was separated to become the new municipality of Søvde. This left Suldal with 2,030 residents. During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee. On 1 January 1965, Suldal (population: 1,412) was merged with the neighboring municipalities of Sand (population: 1,135) and Erfjord (population: 610) as well as all of the municipality of Jelsa except for the parts on the island of Ombo (population: 928) and the parts of Imsland municipality located south of the Vindafjorden (population: 61). On 1 January 1978, the parts of Vindafjord Municipality located southeast of the Vindafjorden on the Ropeid peninsula (population: 13) was transferred to Suldal.

Name

The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the Suledalen valley (Old Norse: Súladalr) since it was a central geographical feature of the municipality. The first element is the plural genitive case of súla which means "pillar" or "column" (likely referring to the mountain pass Suldalsporten). The last element is dalr which means "valley" or "dale". Before 1891, the name was written "Suledal".

Coat of arms

The coat of arms was granted on 11 March 1976. The official blazon is "Gules, three bendlets wavy Or" (Norwegian: I raudt ein gull bølgjeforma trillingstreng, skråstilt høgre venstre). This means the arms have a red field (background) and the charge is a set of the three diagonal wavy lins. The charge has a tincture of Or which means it is commonly colored yellow, but if it is made out of metal, then gold is used. The lines represent the local river Suldalslågen which runs through the municipality. The arms were designed by Magnus Hardeland. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms.

Churches

The Church of Norway has four parishes (sokn) within the municipality of Suldal. It is part of the Ryfylke prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Stavanger.

Churches in Suldal
Parish (sokn) Church name Location of the church Year built
Erfjord Erfjord Church Hålandsosen 1877
Jelsa Jelsa Church Jelsa 1647
Sand Sand Church Sand 1853
Marvik Chapel Marvik 1920
Suldal Suldal Church Suldalsosen 1852
Nesflaten Chapel Nesflaten 1853

History

View of rural Suldal
View of the Suldal valley (with Sand village at the top)

The area that is now Suldal municipality has a long history of trade connections to the nearby valley regions to the north and east. The main mountain plateau trade route led east from Suldal municipality over the plateau to the nearby Setesdal valley in Bykle municipality in Agder county. Another route led north from Suldal in Rogaland county through the Røldal area in Vestland county, and then east into Vinje municipality in Telemark county. There has also been found Viking artefacts and graves in Suldal.

Geography

At 1,736 square kilometres (670 sq mi), Suldal is the largest municipality in Rogaland county. The municipality borders three counties: Vestland (north), Telemark (northeast), and Agder (east). To the north, Suldal is bordered by Sauda and Ullensvang municipalities, in the east by Vinje and Bykle, in the south by Hjelmeland, and in the west by Vindafjord. Across the Jelsafjorden and Vindafjorden lie the municipalities of Stavanger and Tysvær.

The mountain Kistenuten is located at the triple border point of Rogaland, Vestland and Telemark. Other mountains in Suldal are Vassdalseggi, the highest mountain in Rogaland, Trollaskeinuten, Snønuten, Mælen, Knoda, Fitjanuten, Leirnuten, Kaldafjellet, Simlenuten, Steinkilenuten, and Raudberga, all reaching above 1,400 metres (4,600 ft) m.a.s.l.

The Sandsfjorden and Hylsfjorden lie within Suldal, as does lake Suldalsvatnet. The Saudafjorden lies partially within the boundary of Suldal. The Erfjorden and the lakes Blåsjø, Holmavatnet, and Holmevatnet also lie on the boundary of Suldal.

Economy

View of the Erfjorden

The Ulla-Førre project of building huge hydroelectric dams in the mountains was initiated in the 1960s. At times, the project employed over a thousand people. The finished hydroelectric complex has a total capacity of approximately 2,100 megawatts (2,800,000 hp) and produces about 4.8 terawatt-hours (17 PJ) yearly.

Government

Suldal Municipality is 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. The municipality is under the jurisdiction of the Haugaland og Sunnhordland District Court and the Gulating Court of Appeal.

Municipal council

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Suldal is made up of 19 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political party.

Suldal kommunestyre 2023–2027   
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 6
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:19
Suldal kommunestyre 2019–2023   
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 3
  Green Party (Miljøpartiet Dei Grøne) 1
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 8
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:19
Suldal kommunestyre 2015–2019   
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 7
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
Total number of members:19
Suldal kommunestyre 2011–2015   
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 4
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 1
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:19
Suldal kommunestyre 2007–2011   
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 5
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 2
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 9
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:25
Suldal kommunestyre 2003–2007   
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 5
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 8
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 4
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:25
Suldal kommunestyre 1999–2003   
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 5
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 7
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 4
Total number of members:25
Suldal kommunestyre 1995–1999   
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 7
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 10
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 5
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 4
Total number of members:33
Suldal kommunestyre 1991–1995   
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 7
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 13
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
 Common List (Samlingslista)1
Total number of members:33
Suldal kommunestyre 1987–1991   
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 7
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 6
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 10
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
 Common list (Samlingslista)3
Total number of members:33
Suldal kommunestyre 1983–1987   
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 7
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 6
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 9
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
 Common list (Samlingslista)4
Total number of members:33
Suldal kommunestyre 1979–1983   
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 6
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 5
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 6
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 8
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
 Common list (Samlingsliste)4
Total number of members:33
Suldal kommunestyre 1975–1979   
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 5
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 8
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 10
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
 Common list (Samlingslista)7
Total number of members:33
Suldal kommunestyre 1971–1975   
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 7
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 7
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 13
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 6
Total number of members:33
Suldal kommunestyre 1967–1971   
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 8
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 6
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 11
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 6
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 2
Total number of members:33
Suldal kommunestyre 1963–1967   
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 6
Total number of members:13
Suldal heradsstyre 1959–1963   
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 1
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 10
Total number of members:13
Suldal heradsstyre 1955–1959   
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 1
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 9
Total number of members:13
Suldal heradsstyre 1951–1955   
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 2
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 10
Total number of members:12
Suldal heradsstyre 1947–1951   
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 3
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 9
Total number of members:12
Suldal heradsstyre 1945–1947   
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 3
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 9
Total number of members:12
Suldal heradsstyre 1937–1941*   
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 1
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 9
 Christian common party (Kristelig samlingsparti)2
Total number of members:12
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

The mayors (Norwegian: ordfører) of Suldal (incomplete list):

  • 1838-1845: Lars Olsson Kolbeinstveit
  • 1850-1855: Lars Olsson Kolbeinstveit
  • 1856-1859: Njeld Larsen Kolbenstvedt (V)
  • 1860-1861: Lars Olsson Kolbeinstveit
  • 1862-1863: Njeld Larsen Kolbenstvedt (V)
  • 1866-1869: Njeld Larsen Kolbenstvedt (V)
  • 1876-1880: Njeld Larsen Kolbenstvedt (V)
  • 1886-1889: Ole Osmundsson Berge (V)
  • 1981-1992: Halvard Bakka (Sp)
  • 1992-1998: Torkel Myklebust (Sp)
  • 1998-2000: Eldbjørg Sivertsen (KrF)
  • 2000-2003: Roar Obrestad (KrF)
  • 2003-2007: Andreas Drarvik (Sp)
  • 2007-2015: Torkel Myklebust (Sp)
  • 2015-2023: Gerd Helen Bø (Sp)
  • 2023-present: Mads Drange (Ap)
Hilde Sandvik, 2012

Notable people

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