Bleik

{{Short description|Village in Andøy Municipality, Norway}}

{{Infobox settlement

|official_name = Bleik

|other_name =

|native_name =

|nickname =

|settlement_type = Village

|image_skyline = Bleik_village_and_Bleik_island,_seen_from_Mount_Royken.jpg

|image_caption = View Bleik seen from Mount Røyken

|image_map = {{Infobox mapframe|zoom=11|marker=village}}

|pushpin_map = Nordland#Norway

|pushpin_label = Bleik

|pushpin_label_position = left

|subdivision_type = Country

|subdivision_name = Norway

|subdivision_type1 = Region

|subdivision_name1 = Northern Norway

|subdivision_type2 = County

|subdivision_name2 = Nordland

|subdivision_type3 = District

|subdivision_name3 = Vesterålen

|subdivision_type4 = Municipality

|subdivision_name4 = Andøy Municipality

|timezone1 = CET

|utc_offset1 = +01:00

|timezone1_DST = CEST

|utc_offset1_DST = +02:00

|area_footnotes =

|area_total_km2 = 0.38

|population_as_of = 2023

|population_footnotes =

|population_total = 456

|population_density_km2 = 1200

|postal_code_type = Post Code

|postal_code = 8481 Bleik

|coordinates = {{coord|69.2726|15.9554|region:NO_type:city|display=inline,title}}

|elevation_m = 7

|elevation_footnotes = {{cite web|title=Bleik, Andøy (Nordland)|url=https://www.yr.no/place/Norway/Nordland/And%C3%B8y/Bleik/|publisher=yr.no|accessdate=2019-01-01}}}}

Bleik{{cite web|url=https://stadnamn.kartverket.no/fakta/807136|title=Informasjon om stadnamn|website=Norgeskart|publisher=Kartverket|language=no|accessdate=2024-08-17}} is a fishing village in Andøy Municipality in Nordland county, Norway.The village is located on the northwestern part of the island of Andøya, about {{convert|10|km}} southwest of the village of Andenes.{{cite web|url=http://snl.no/Bleik|title=Bleik|author=Store norske leksikon|authorlink=Store norske leksikon|language=Norwegian|accessdate=2012-08-05}}

The {{convert|0.38|km2|acre|adj=on}} village has a population (2023) of 456 and a population density of {{convert|1200|PD/km2}}.{{Cite web |last=Statistisk sentralbyrå |authorlink=Statistics Norway |date=2023-12-23|title=Urban settlements. Population and area, by municipality |url=https://www.ssb.no/en/befolkning/folketall/statistikk/tettsteders-befolkning-og-areal}}

File:Bleiksøya.jpg

The triangle-shaped island off the coast is called Bleiksøya. This island is the biggest resort of puffins in all of Norway. The lake Bleiksvatnet lies just south of the village.

Bleik has one of the longest beaches in Norway, and it is said that the beach is the reason for the village's name. The beach is white, and bleik is a word for white/pale in the Norwegian language. In the village, there is a horse barn, an elementary school, and a grocery store. Tourist information, puffin safari, campsite and a local pub are also present.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nasjonaleturistveger.no/no/turistvegene/and%C3%B8ya?attraksjon=Bleik|title = Andøya}}

Bleik is also known for naming the Bleik Canyon, which starts about {{convert|15|km}} offshore from the beach of Bleik in the Norwegian Sea. Bleik Canyon is a very deep canyon with depths up to {{convert|3000|m}} and is the residence of whales and giant squid.{{Cite web|url=https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Map-of-the-location-of-the-Bleik-Canyon-in-relation-to-Andenes-Andoya-wwwMAREANOno_fig1_282619930|title = Figure 1. Map of the location of the Bleik Canyon in relation to}} It is a popular hotspot for whale safaris because of the presence of sperm whales.