Hammerfest Municipality

A municipality called Hammerfest by og landdistrikt (Hammerfest town and district) was established on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt law), which included the town of Hammerfest and the vast rural district surrounding it. The law at that time required that all towns should be separated from their rural districts, but because of low population and very few voters, this was impossible to carry out for Hammerfest in 1838. (This was also the case in the nearby towns of Vadsø and Vardø.) In 1839, the northern part of Hammerfest (population: 498) was separated to become a new Maasø Municipality. This left Hammerfest by og landdistrikt with 2,024 residents. On 1 January 1852, the rural district outside of the town (population: 1,256) was separated from the town to form the new Hammerfest landdistrikt Municipality. This left the town of Hammerfest with 1,125 residents. (The rural Hammerfest landdistrikt was later divided into two municipalities: Sørøysund Municipality in the north and Kvalsund Municipality in the south.)

On 1 January 1992, Sørøysund Municipality (population: 2,341) was merged with the town of Hammerfest (population: 6,909) to form a new, larger municipality that was called Hammerfest Municipality.{{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 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120901160307/http://www.ssb.no/emner/00/90/rapp_9913/rapp_9913.pdf |archive-date=2012-09-01 |access-date=2013-02-02 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no}}

In 2017, the neighboring Hammerfest Municipality and Kvalsund Municipality voted to merge into one large municipality effective 1 January 2020,{{Cite web |title=Om sammenslåingen |url=http://www.nyehammerfest.no/om-sammenslaringingen |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618230229/http://www.nyehammerfest.no/om-sammenslaringingen |archive-date=2018-06-18 |access-date=2018-06-18 |publisher=Nye Hammerfest kommune |language=no}} and that merger came into effect on the planned date. Also on the same day, the new municipality became part of the newly formed Troms og Finnmark county. Previously, it had been part of the old Finnmark county.{{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 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191027034837/https://snl.no/Troms_og_Finnmark |archive-date=2019-10-27 |url-status=live}} On 1 January 2024, the Troms og Finnmark county was divided and the municipality once again became part of Finnmark county.{{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}}

The municipality is named after the town of Hammerfest, which was established in 1789. The town was named after an old anchorage. The first element of the name is derived from the local Hamran ({{langx|non|Hamarr}}). Hamran were a number of large rocks, good for mooring boats in the local harbour. The name comes from the word {{wikt-lang|non|hamarr}} which means "stone", "steep cliff", or "rock face". The local Hamran were covered up in land reclaiming during the early years after World War II. The last element of the name comes from the word {{wikt-lang|non|festr}} which means "rope" or "fastening" (for boats).{{Cite book |last=Kortner |first=Olaf |author-link=Olaf Kortner |url=http://www.nb.no/utlevering/nb/03f532a1b9e0ac74e32c66ab5223fd51#&struct=DIV362 |title=Aschehoug og Gyldendals store norske leksikon |publisher=Kunnskapsforlaget |year=1993 |isbn=82-573-0581-2 |volume=6 |location=Oslo |page=354 |language=no |display-authors=etal |access-date=2009-12-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601204534/https://www.nb.no/nbsok/nb/03f532a1b9e0ac74e32c66ab5223fd51#&struct=DIV362 |archive-date=2022-06-01 |url-status=live}}

File:Ráhkkerávju_Kvalsund_from_the_southeast.JPG

On 1 January 2020 when the neighboring Hammerfest Municipality and Kvalsund Municipality were merged, the new municipality chose two parallel, bilingual, interchangeable names: {{native name|no|Hammerfest kommune}} and {{native name|se|Hámmerfeastta suohkan}}.{{Cite web |title=Hammerfest kommune – Hámmerfeastta suohkan |url=http://www.nyehammerfest.no/om-sammenslaringingen/hammerfest-kommune-hammarfeastta-suohkan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619063004/http://www.nyehammerfest.no/om-sammenslaringingen/hammerfest-kommune-hammarfeastta-suohkan |archive-date=2018-06-19 |access-date=2018-06-18 |publisher=Nye Hammerfest kommune |language=no}} The Sami language name spelling changes depending on how it is used. It is called {{lang|se|Hámmerfeasta}} when it is spelled alone, but it is {{lang|se|Hámmerfeastta suohkan}} when using the Sami language equivalent to "Hammerfest Municipality".{{Cite web |title=Stadnamn og rettskriving |url=https://www.kartverket.no/til-lands/stadnamn/stadnamn-og-offisielle-sprak-i-noreg |access-date=2023-11-19 |publisher=Kartverket |language=no}} Beside the official {{lang|se|Hámmerfeasta}}, there are also two other common variants of the Sámi name: {{lang|se|Hámmarfeasta}} and {{lang|se|Hámmárfeasta}}.{{Cite news |last=Jakobsen |first=Bjørn Egil |date=1 March 2018 |title=Det samiske navnet kan bli Hámmerfeasta suohkan [sic] |trans-title=New Sámi Name: "Hámmerfeastta suohkan"? |work=Hammerfestingen |page=8 |language=Norwegian Bokmål |volume=8 |issue=9}}

The coat of arms was granted on 16 December 1938, in preparation for the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the town's establishment in 1939. The official blazon is "Gules, a polar bear statant argent" ({{langx|no|En hvit isbjørn i rødt}}). This means the arms have a red field (background) and the charge is a polar bear. The polar bear has a tincture of argent which means it is commonly colored white, but if it is made out of metal, then silver is used. The polar bear was chosen as a symbol for the fishing in the polar seas north of Norway. The polar bear itself is not native to mainland Norway. Because of its town status, the arms often have a mural crown above them. The arms were designed by Ole Valle and the design was updated by Arvid Steen in 2001.{{Cite web |title=Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen |url=https://www.heraldry-wiki.com/heraldrywiki/index.php?title=Hammerfest |access-date=2023-01-21 |publisher=Heraldry of the World}}{{Cite web |title=Hammerfest, Finnmark |url=https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/no-20-04.html |access-date=2023-01-21 |website=Flags of the World}}{{Cite web |date=2022-04-21 |title=Forskrifter for bruk av Hammerfest kommunes våpen |url=https://hammerfest.kommune.no/politikk-og-organisasjon/om-kommunen/hammerfests-kommunevapen/forskrifter-for-bruk-av-hammerfest-kommunes-vapen.2931.aspx |access-date=2023-01-21 |website=Hammerfest kommune |language=no}}

The Church of Norway has three parishes ({{lang|non|sokn}}) within the municipality of Hammerfest. It is part of the Hammerfest prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Nord-Hålogaland.

{{see also|Hammerfest (town)#History}}

File:Korovin hammerfest.JPG, inspired by the Aurora Borealis in Hammerfest]]

Many grave sites dating back to the Stone Age can be found here. This location was an important fishing and Arctic hunting settlement for a long time before Hammerfest was given market town rights by royal decree of Christian VII of Denmark–Norway in 1789.

File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-091-0167-20A, Norwegen, Hammerfest, Wegweiser.jpg

File:Hauen Chapel in Hammerfest.jpg

After their victory in the Norwegian Campaign of the Second World War, the Germans soon fortified the town of Hammerfest and used it as a major base. The importance of Hammerfest to the Germans increased dramatically after their invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941. The occupiers installed three coastal batteries in and around Hammerfest, one with four {{convert|10.5|cm|abbr=on}} guns on Melkøya island near the town, one with three 10.5 cm guns on a hill right outside the town and a final battery with casemated {{convert|13|cm|abbr=on}} pieces on the Rypklubben peninsula near Rypefjord.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

The main German U-boat base in Finnmark was in Hammerfest, serving as a central supply base for the vessels attacking the allied supply convoys to Russia.{{Cite book |last=Knudsen |first=Svein Aage |title=Ubåtkrig - tyske ubåtmannskaper i norske farvann 1940-1945 |publisher=DANOR Forlag AS |year=2006 |location=Arendal |page=133 |language=no}} Luftwaffe seaplanes were based at an improvised naval air station in nearby Rypefjord.{{Cite book |last=Hafsten |first=Bjørn |title=Flyalarm - luftkrigen over Norge 1939-1945 |last2=Larsstuvold, Ulf |last3=Olsen, Bjørn |last4=Stenersen, Sten |publisher=Sem og Stenersen |year=1991 |isbn=82-7046-058-3 |edition=1st |location=Oslo |page=319 |language=no}} The garrison in Hammerfest was also protected by around 4,000 mines and numerous anti-aircraft guns.

During their long retreat following the Petsamo-Kirkenes Operation, the Germans no longer managed to transport troops by sea further east due to intensive Red Air Force raids. Thus Hammerfest became their main shipping port in Finnmark in the autumn of 1944.{{Cite book |last=Gamst |first=Thorbein |title=Finnmark under Hakekorset - Festung Finnmark |publisher=Agdin Forlag |year=1984 |location=Arendal |pages=137–141 |language=no}}

The town of Hammerfest was bombed twice by the Soviet Air Forces. The first time, on 14 February 1944, the town was hit by explosive and incendiary devices, but little damage was done. On 29 August 1944 Soviet bombers launched a second airstrike, inflicting significantly more damage to buildings and infrastructure in downtown Hammerfest. Two ships were sunk in the harbour.{{Cite encyclopedia |year=1995 |title=Hammerfest |encyclopedia=Norsk krigsleksikon 1940-45 |publisher=Cappelen |location=Oslo |url=http://mediabase1.uib.no/krigslex/h/h1.html#hammerfest |access-date=27 January 2010 |last=Ringdal |first=Nils Johan |author-link=Nils Johan Ringdal |editor-last=Dahl |editor-link=Hans Fredrik Dahl |page=153 |language=no |isbn=82-02-14138-9 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315115207/http://mediabase1.uib.no/krigslex/h/h1.html#hammerfest |archive-date=15 March 2012 |editor2=Hjeltnes |editor2-link=Guri Hjeltnes |editor3=Nøkleby |editor3-link=Berit Nøkleby |editor4=Ringdal |editor4-link=Nils Johan Ringdal |editor5=Sørensen |editor5-link=Øystein Sørensen |url-status=dead}} The ships lost were the local transports Tanahorn and Brynilen.{{Cite web |last=Lawson |first=Siri Holm |title=D/S Tanahorn |url=http://warsailors.com/homefleet/shipst1.html#tanahorn |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100107060744/http://www.warsailors.com/homefleet/shipst1.html#tanahorn |archive-date=7 January 2010 |access-date=27 January 2010 |website=Warsailors.com}}{{Cite web |last=Lawson |first=Siri Holm |title=M/S Brynilen |url=http://warsailors.com/homefleet/shipsb2.html#brynilen |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100225215134/http://www.warsailors.com/homefleet/shipsb2.html#brynilen |archive-date=25 February 2010 |access-date=27 January 2010 |website=Warsailors.com}}

The population was forcibly evacuated by the occupying German troops in the autumn of 1944 after a Soviet offensive at the northern extremity of the Eastern Front pushed into eastern Finnmark. All of Finnmark including the town was looted and burned to the ground by the Germans when they retreated in 1945, the last of the town having been destroyed by the time the Germans finally left on 10 February 1945. Only the town's small funeral chapel, built in 1937, was left standing. The Museum of Reconstruction in Hammerfest tells the story of these events and the recovery of the region. The Soviet troops in eastern Finnmark were withdrawn in September 1945.

Mines and munitions left over from the Second World War were found and destroyed as late as 2008.{{Cite news |title=Tysk mine på 300 kilo sprengt |url=http://www.finnmarkdagblad.no/nyheter/article3595357.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611122901/http://www.finnmarkdagblad.no/nyheter/article3595357.ece |archive-date=2008-06-11 |access-date=2008-06-09 |work=Finnmark Dagblad |language=no}}

File:Residential of Hammerfest at Storvannet in Troms og Finnmark, Norway, 2022 August.jpg

The island municipality encompasses parts of the mainland as well as three large islands: Kvaløya, Sørøya, and Seiland. Other small islands such as Lille Kamøya and Kamøya are also located here. The Sørøysundet, Kvalfjorden, and Repparfjorden are all located in the municipality. The Vargsundet strait separates the island Seiland from the mainland. Seiland National Park is partially located in the municipality on the island of Seiland. Seilandsjøkelen and Nordmannsjøkelen are both large glaciers that are located in the park. The Nordefjorden is a fjord that is part of the park. The highest point in the municipality is the {{convert|1078|m|adj=on}} tall mountain Seilandstuva. Komagaksla and Hammaren are both mountains located in Hammerfest Municipality.

Hasvik Municipality lies to the west, Alta Municipality lies to the southwest, Porsanger Municipality lies to the southeast, and Måsøy Municipality lies to the northeast. The Barents Sea lies to the north.

Hammerfest has an ocean-moderated subarctic climate (Köppen climate classification Dfc, Trewartha Eolo). In spite of the extreme northern location, there is no permafrost, as the mean annual temperature is approximately {{convert|2.5|C|F|0}}, about the same as Anchorage, Alaska, which is located at a latitude of 61° North. Hammerfest often experiences heavy snowfall in winter, and on some occasions, avalanches or risk of avalanches have forced some inhabitants to be evacuated from their exposed homes until the danger was over.{{Cite web |title=Avalanches in Norway |url=http://www.ngi.no/staticpages/sip6/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061228063406/http://www.ngi.no/staticpages/sip6/index.htm |archive-date=2006-12-28 |publisher=Norwegian Geotechnical Institute |language=no}}

The "midnight sun" is above the horizon from 14 May to 31 July (79 days), and the period with continuous daylight lasts a bit longer, conversely the polar night lasts from 23 November to 19 January (59 days). The weather data is from Hammerfest Airport about 80 m elevation and 2 km from the town. Hammerfest town is at sea level, thus the town itself might be slightly warmer.

{{Weather box

|metric first= yes

|single line = yes

|location = Hammerfest, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1957–present{{efn|Regarding the temperature data of Hammerfest, the data from 1957 to 1987 was recorded at Hammerfest Radio, and the temperature data from 2002 to the present was recorded at Hammerfest Airport.}}

|Jan record high C = 8.0

|Feb record high C = 9.3

|Mar record high C = 9.8

|Apr record high C = 12.3

|May record high C = 23.9

|Jun record high C = 28.9

|Jul record high C = 29.7

|Aug record high C = 29.3

|Sep record high C = 21.6

|Oct record high C = 18.9

|Nov record high C = 11.8

|Dec record high C = 9.9

|year record high C = 29.7

|Jan avg record high C = 4.8

|Feb avg record high C = 4.7

|Mar avg record high C = 5.1

|Apr avg record high C = 8.2

|May avg record high C = 15.1

|Jun avg record high C = 20.3

|Jul avg record high C = 24.4

|Aug avg record high C = 22.2

|Sep avg record high C = 17.1

|Oct avg record high C = 11.9

|Nov avg record high C = 7.6

|Dec avg record high C = 6.2

|year avg record high C = 24.8

|Jan high C = -1.3

|Feb high C = -1.6

|Mar high C = -0.2

|Apr high C = 3.0

|May high C = 7.3

|Jun high C = 10.7

|Jul high C = 15.3

|Aug high C = 13.9

|Sep high C = 10.4

|Oct high C = 5.3

|Nov high C = 2.4

|Dec high C = 0.6

|year high C = 5.5

|Jan mean C = -3.5

|Feb mean C = -4.0

|Mar mean C = -2.5

|Apr mean C = 0.1

|May mean C = 4.0

|Jun mean C = 7.6

|Jul mean C = 11.3

|Aug mean C = 10.6

|Sep mean C = 7.9

|Oct mean C = 2.9

|Nov mean C = -0.4

|Dec mean C = -1.8

|year mean C = 2.7

|Jan low C = -6.7

|Feb low C = -6.9

|Mar low C = -5.2

|Apr low C = -2.0

|May low C = 1.9

|Jun low C = 5.2

|Jul low C = 8.9

|Aug low C = 8.3

|Sep low C = 5.7

|Oct low C = 1.1

|Nov low C = -2.4

|Dec low C = -4.5

|year low C = 0.3

|Jan avg record low C = -14.1

|Feb avg record low C = -13.9

|Mar avg record low C = -11.6

|Apr avg record low C = -8.4

|May avg record low C = -3.4

|Jun avg record low C = 1.1

|Jul avg record low C = 5.2

|Aug avg record low C = 4.3

|Sep avg record low C = 1.3

|Oct avg record low C = -5.2

|Nov avg record low C = -8.9

|Dec avg record low C = -11.0

|year avg record low C = -16.2

|Jan record low C = -23.5

|Feb record low C = -23.0

|Mar record low C = -21.0

|Apr record low C = -16.5

|May record low C = -14.3

|Jun record low C = -4.3

|Jul record low C = 2.5

|Aug record low C = 0.0

|Sep record low C = -8.2

|Oct record low C = -15.0

|Nov record low C = -18.1

|Dec record low C = -20.4

|year record low C = -23.5

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 71

|Feb precipitation mm = 65

|Mar precipitation mm = 62

|Apr precipitation mm = 60

|May precipitation mm = 47

|Jun precipitation mm = 52

|Jul precipitation mm = 56

|Aug precipitation mm = 60

|Sep precipitation mm = 79

|Oct precipitation mm = 93

|Nov precipitation mm = 85

|Dec precipitation mm = 90

|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm

|Jan precipitation days = 15

|Feb precipitation days = 13

|Mar precipitation days = 13

|Apr precipitation days = 12

|May precipitation days = 10

|Jun precipitation days = 12

|Jul precipitation days = 11

|Aug precipitation days = 12

|Sep precipitation days = 15

|Oct precipitation days = 16

|Nov precipitation days = 15

|Dec precipitation days = 16

|Jan snow depth cm = 74

|Feb snow depth cm = 92

|Mar snow depth cm = 105

|Apr snow depth cm = 103

|May snow depth cm = 70

|Jun snow depth cm = 9

|Jul snow depth cm = 0

|Aug snow depth cm = 0

|Sep snow depth cm = 1

|Oct snow depth cm = 13

|Nov snow depth cm = 28

|Dec snow depth cm = 54

|year snow depth cm = 126

|Jan humidity = 76

|Feb humidity = 76

|Mar humidity = 76

|Apr humidity = 75

|May humidity = 74

|Jun humidity = 76

|Jul humidity = 77

|Aug humidity = 80

|Sep humidity = 79

|Oct humidity = 80

|Nov humidity = 79

|Dec humidity = 77

|year humidity = 77

|Jan dew point C = -7.7

|Feb dew point C = -7.9

|Mar dew point C = -6.2

|Apr dew point C = -3.3

|May dew point C = 0.2

|Jun dew point C = 3.8

|Jul dew point C = 7.6

|Aug dew point C = 7.1

|Sep dew point C = 5.1

|Oct dew point C = 0.2

|Nov dew point C = -3.1

|Dec dew point C = -4.9

|year dew point C = -0.8

|source 1= Norwegian Meteorological Institute{{efn|Extreme snow depth, precipitation and precipitation days 1961-90, dew point and humidity 1991-2020}}{{Cite web |title=Observations and weather statistics |url=https://seklima.met.no/ |access-date=October 8, 2023 |publisher=Norwegian Meteorological Institute}}{{Cite web |title=EKlima |url=http://sharki.oslo.dnmi.no/portal/page?_pageid=73,39035,73_39080&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128080558/http://sharki.oslo.dnmi.no/portal/page?_pageid=73,39035,73_39080&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL |archive-date=2021-01-28 |access-date=2021-01-31}}{{Cite web |title=Hammerfest (June 2022) |url=https://www.yr.no/en/statistics/table/1-325339/Norway/Troms%20og%20Finnmark/Hammerfest/Hammerfest?q=2022-06 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016071436/https://www.yr.no/en/statistics/table/1-325339/Norway/Troms%20og%20Finnmark/Hammerfest/Hammerfest?q=2022-06 |archive-date=2023-10-16 |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=yr.no |publisher=Norwegian Meteorological Institute |language=no}}

|source 2 = NOAA WMO averages 1991–2020 Norway{{Cite web |title=Hammerfest Climate Normals 1991–2020 |url=https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Norway/CSV/HAMMERFEST_LUFTHAVN_01052.csv |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008092101/https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Norway/CSV/HAMMERFEST_LUFTHAVN_01052.csv |archive-date=2023-10-08 |access-date=October 8, 2023 |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration}}

;Notes

{{notelist}}

}}

File:Hammerfest - Urban Reindeer.jpg.]]

During the summer, massive reindeer herds migrate from their winter pastures in the inner parts of Finnmark to the coast. Among the islands inhabited by reindeer during the summer months is Kvaløya, the island on which Hammerfest town is located. For years many of the 2,500 to 3,000 reindeer in the area have been coming into the town itself, wandering in the streets and among the houses. Although popular with tourists, this has been less favourably received by the town's population, with people complaining of traffic disturbances and the dung and urine left by the animals. For hygienic reasons large sums of money have to be spent every year to clean up after the animals.{{Cite news |last=Fouché |first=Gwladys |date=26 June 2006 |title=The rampaging reindeer of Hammerfest |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/jun/26/arctic |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027193909/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/jun/26/arctic |archive-date=27 October 2016 |access-date=11 December 2016 |work=The Guardian |location=London}} In response to the complaints the town authorities built a {{convert|12|mi|km|sigfig=1|order=flip|adj=mid|-long}}, {{convert|4|ft|m|sigfig=2|order=flip|adj=mid|-tall}} fence encircling the town to keep the animals out.{{Cite magazine |last=Purvis |first=Andrew |date=25 September 2007 |title=Reindeer Games in Norway |url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1665376,00.html?iid=sphere-inline-bottom |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103011413/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1665376,00.html?iid=sphere-inline-bottom |archive-date=November 3, 2012 |magazine=Time}} However, as of the 2008 reindeer season, the fence had proven ineffective, with reindeer managing to pass through on road crossings, despite the presence of electrified grates embedded in the ground.{{Cite news |last=Palm |first=Eirik |date=2 May 2008 |title=1-0 til Rudolf |url=http://www.finnmarkdagblad.no/nyheter/article3513054.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080504232122/http://www.finnmarkdagblad.no/nyheter/article3513054.ece |archive-date=4 May 2008 |access-date=23 June 2008 |work=Finnmark Dagblad |language=no}} The problem continues – the mayor, Alf E. Jakobsen, joked during the local election in 2011 that he was contemplating a career as a reindeer herder if he lost the vote.{{Cite web |title=Reindeers still visiting town in 2011 |url=http://visitnordkapp.no/north/2011_09_Reindeer_Loss_Grazing_Land.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425092555/http://visitnordkapp.no/north/2011_09_Reindeer_Loss_Grazing_Land.html |archive-date=2012-04-25 |access-date=2011-10-26}}

Hammerfest 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.{{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}} The municipality is under the jurisdiction of the Vestre Finnmark District Court and the Hålogaland Court of Appeal.

The municipal council {{lang|no|(Kommunestyre)}} of Hammerfest is made up of 35 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political party.

{{div col}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Hammerfest

|start = 2023

|end = 2027

|reference = {{Cite web |title=Kommunestyrevalg 2023 - Finnmark Finnmárku |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2023/ko/finnmark%20finnm%C3%A1rku/hammerfest#seats |access-date=2024-01-04 |publisher=Valgdirektoratet}}

|Total = 35

|Arbeiderpartiet = 7

|Fremskrittspartiet = 3

|Grønne = 1

|Høyre = 6

|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 1

|Rødt = 2

|Senterpartiet = 1

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 3

|smallparty = Northern Party

|smallparty_no = Partiet Nord

|smallparty_number = 5

|smallparty_color = purple

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Hammerfest

|start = 2019

|end = 2023

|reference = {{Cite web |title=Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2019 - Troms og Finnmark |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2019/ko/troms%20og%20finnmark/hammerfest#seats |access-date=2019-10-21 |publisher=Valg Direktoratet}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 35

|Arbeiderpartiet = 18

|Fremskrittspartiet = 2

|Høyre = 2

|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 3

|Senterpartiet = 3

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 4

|Rødt = 2

|Grønne = 1

|note = On 1 January 2020, Kvalsund Municipality became part of Hammerfest Municipality.

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Hammerfest

|start = 2015

|end = 2019

|reference = {{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/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200419034538/https://www.ssb.no/en/statbank/table/04813/ |archive-date=2020-04-19 |access-date=2019-10-22 |publisher=Statistics Norway |language=no}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 29

|Arbeiderpartiet = 20

|Fremskrittspartiet = 1

|Høyre = 3

|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 1

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 3

|Grønne = 1

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Hammerfest

|start = 2011

|end = 2015

|reference = {{Cite web |title=Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Finnmark |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2011/ko/finnmark%20finnm%C3%A1rku/hammerfest#seats |access-date=2019-10-21 |publisher=Valg Direktoratet}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 29

|Arbeiderpartiet = 19

|Fremskrittspartiet = 2

|Høyre = 5

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2

|Kyst = 1

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Hammerfest

|start = 2007

|end = 2011

|reference =

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 29

|Arbeiderpartiet = 15

|Fremskrittspartiet = 3

|Høyre = 5

|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 1

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 3

|Rød_Valgallianse = 1

|Kyst = 1

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Hammerfest

|start = 2003

|end = 2007

|reference =

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 29

|Arbeiderpartiet = 20

|Fremskrittspartiet = 2

|Høyre = 3

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2

|Rød_Valgallianse = 2

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Hammerfest

|start = 1999

|end = 2003

|reference =

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 29

|Arbeiderpartiet = 15

|Fremskrittspartiet = 2

|Høyre = 9

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2

|Rød_Valgallianse = 1

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Hammerfest

|start = 1995

|end = 1999

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1996 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1995 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_c342.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920122018/http://ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_c342.pdf |archive-date=2014-09-20 |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 29

|Arbeiderpartiet = 11

|Fremskrittspartiet = 1

|Høyre = 12

|Senterpartiet = 1

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2

|Rød_Valgallianse = 2

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Hammerfest

|start = 1991

|end = 1995

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1993 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1991 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_c057.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522201730/http://ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_c057.pdf |archive-date=2015-05-22 |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 45

|Arbeiderpartiet = 22

|Høyre = 9

|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 1

|Rød_Valgallianse = 1

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 9

|Sp/V = 3

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Hammerfest

|city = yes

|start = 1987

|end = 1991

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1988 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1987 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b765.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019115549/http://ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b765.pdf |archive-date=2014-10-19 |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 29

|Arbeiderpartiet = 17

|Høyre = 6

|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 1

|NKP = 1

|Rød_Valgallianse = 1

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 3

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Hammerfest

|city = yes

|start = 1983

|end = 1987

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1984 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1983 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b450.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019091914/http://ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b450.pdf |archive-date=2014-10-19 |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 29

|Arbeiderpartiet = 20

|Høyre = 5

|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 1

|NKP = 1

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Hammerfest

|city = yes

|start = 1979

|end = 1983

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1979 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1979 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b093.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140929113607/http://ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b093.pdf |archive-date=2014-09-29 |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 29

|Arbeiderpartiet = 16

|Høyre = 8

|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 1

|NKP = 1

|Rød_Valgallianse = 1

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Hammerfest

|city = yes

|start = 1975

|end = 1979

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1977 |title=Kommunevalgene 1975 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a769.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315223921/http://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a769.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-15 |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 29

|Arbeiderpartiet = 16

|DLF = 1

|Høyre = 6

|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 2

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 4

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Hammerfest

|city = yes

|start = 1971

|end = 1975

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1973 |title=Kommunevalgene 1972 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a457.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421043257/http://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a457.pdf |archive-date=2016-04-21 |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 29

|Arbeiderpartiet = 19

|Høyre = 5

|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 1

|Venstre = 1

|otherparty = Socialist common list

|otherparty_no = Venstresosialistiske felleslister

|otherparty_number = 3

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Hammerfest

|city = yes

|start = 1967

|end = 1971

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1967 |title=Kommunevalgene 1967 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a214.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421035823/http://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a214.pdf |archive-date=2016-04-21 |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo |volume=I}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 29

|Arbeiderpartiet = 18

|Høyre = 6

|NKP = 1

|Sosialistisk_Folkeparti = 2

|Venstre = 2

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Hammerfest

|city = yes

|start = 1963

|end = 1967

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1964 |title=Kommunevalgene 1963 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xii_138.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421050701/http://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xii_138.pdf |archive-date=2016-04-21 |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 29

|Arbeiderpartiet = 18

|Høyre = 7

|NKP = 2

|Venstre = 2

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Hammerfest

|city = yes

|start = 1959

|end = 1963

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1960 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xii_022.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317152829/http://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xii_022.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-17 |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 29

|Arbeiderpartiet = 18

|Høyre = 6

|NKP = 3

|Venstre = 2

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Hammerfest

|city = yes

|start = 1955

|end = 1959

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1957 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xi_252.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214033802/https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xi_252.pdf |archive-date=2020-02-14 |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 29

|Arbeiderpartiet = 18

|NKP = 3

|Høyre = 5

|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 1

|Venstre = 2

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Hammerfest

|city = yes

|start = 1951

|end = 1955

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1952 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xi_120.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317192202/http://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xi_120.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-17 |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 28

|Arbeiderpartiet = 15

|NKP = 5

|Høyre = 4

|Venstre = 4

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Hammerfest

|city = yes

|start = 1947

|end = 1951

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1948 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_x_165.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316182828/http://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_x_165.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-16 |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 28

|Arbeiderpartiet = 15

|NKP = 6

|Høyre = 4

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Hammerfest

|city = yes

|start = 1945

|end = 1947

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1947 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_x_133.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140825102312/http://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_x_133.pdf |archive-date=2014-08-25 |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 28

|Arbeiderpartiet = 15

|NKP = 7

|Borgerlige_Felleslister = 6

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Hammerfest

|city = yes

|start = 1937

|end = 1941*

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1938 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_ix_133.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306080913/http://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_ix_133.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-06 |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 28

|Høyre = 6

|Venstre = 5

|Arbeiderpartiet = 17

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Hammerfest

|city = yes

|start = 1934

|end = 1937

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1935 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1934 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_ix_057.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305031248/http://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_ix_057.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-05 |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 28

|Høyre = 4

|Venstre = 6

|Arbeiderpartiet = 18

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Hammerfest

|city = yes

|start = 1931

|end = 1934

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1932 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1931 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_viii_186.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421021925/http://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_viii_186.pdf |archive-date=2016-04-21 |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 28

|H/FV = 4

|Venstre = 7

|Arbeiderpartiet = 17

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Hammerfest

|city = yes

|start = 1928

|end = 1931

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1929 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1928 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_viii_093.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421045123/http://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_viii_093.pdf |archive-date=2016-04-21 |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 28

|Arbeiderpartiet = 18

|Borgerlige_Felleslister = 10

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Hammerfest

|city = yes

|start = 1925

|end = 1928

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1926 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1925 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_vii_192.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140825102236/http://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_vii_192.pdf |archive-date=2014-08-25 |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 28

|Arbeiderpartiet = 16

|H/FV = 6

|Venstre = 4

|Local_Lists = 2

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Hammerfest

|city = yes

|start = 1922

|end = 1925

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1923 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1922 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_vii_078.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421054735/http://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_vii_078.pdf |archive-date=2016-04-21 |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 28

|Arbeiderpartiet = 14

|Venstre = 3

|Local_Lists = 3

|Borgerlige_Felleslister = 8

|}}

{{div col end}}

The mayors ({{langx|no|ordfører}}) of Hammerfest:{{Cite book |last=Jacobsen |first=Ragnvald |url=https://urn.nb.no/URN:NBN:no-nb_digibok_2015070308004 |title=Bankens virke, byens vekst: Hammerfest sparekasses jubileumsbok |year=1974 |isbn=9788271310059 |location=Hammerfest |language=no}}{{Cite book |last=Sivertsen |first=Jørgen |url=https://urn.nb.no/URN:NBN:no-nb_digibok_2008052900048 |title=Hammerfest: 1789-1914 |publisher=Hammerfest kommune |year=1973 |isbn=9788271310011 |language=no}}

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}

• 1839–1841: Hans Cato Aall
• 1841–1843: Henrik Øwre
• 1843–1845: Hans Cato Aall
• 1845–1846: Anton Magnus Søeberg
• 1846–1851: Iver Christian Rostad
• 1851–1854: Gerhard Wiesener
• 1855-1855: Iver Christian Rostad
• 1856-1856: Emanuel Dohren Peters
• 1857–1858: Gerhard Wiesener
• 1859–1860: Iver Christian Rostad
• 1861–1862: Ole Johan Finckenhagen
• 1863–1866: Elias Andreas Nilsen
• 1867-1867: Ole Lund
• 1868-1868: Jakob Sverdrup Smitt
• 1869–1870: Ole Lund
• 1871–1872: Jakob Sverdrup Smitt
• 1873–1876: Ole Lund
• 1877–1878: Carl Rein
• 1879–1887: Marius Ørbek Berg (H)
• 1887–1891: Ole Lund (H)
• 1892-1892: Christian Finckenhagen (H)
• 1893-1893: Peder Johansen (V)
• 1894-1894: Christian Finckenhagen (H)
• 1895–1901: Ole Kristian Simonsen (H)
• 1902-1902: Peder Johansen (V)
• 1903–1913: Hans Alfred Hansen (V)
• 1914–1917: Olaf Eriksen (Ap)
• 1918-1918: Svein O. Øraker (Ap)
• 1919-1920: Olaf Eriksen (Ap)
• 1921–1923: Sigurd M. Eriksen (Ap)
• 1924–1925: Charles Robertson (H)
• 1926–1931: Sigurd M. Eriksen (Ap)
• 1932–1934: Hans Sætrum (Ap)
• 1935-1935: Sigurd Marius Eriksen (Ap)
• 1936-1936: Leif S. Olsen (Ap)
• 1936–1941: Thoralf Albrigtsen (Ap)
• 1941–1944: Peder J. Berg (NS)
• 1945-1945: Thoralf Albrigtsen (Ap)
• 1946–1951: Harald J. Olsen (Ap)
• 1952–1961: Ørjan Østvik (Ap)
• 1962–1966: Anton Eide (Ap)
• 1966-1966: Ragnvald Jacobsen (Ap)
• 1967–1971: Aksel Olsen (Ap)
• 1972–1975: Arnulf Olsen (Ap)
• 1976–1983: Erling Jensen (Ap)
• 1984–1987: Arnulf Olsen (Ap)
• 1988–1995: Kåre Rønbeck (Ap)
• 1995–1999: Tormod Bartholdsen (H)
• 1999–2006: Alf E. Jakobsen (Ap)
• 2006–2009: Kristine Jørstad Bock (Ap)
• 2009–2019: Alf E. Jakobsen (Ap)
• 2019–2021: Marianne Sivertsen Næss (Ap)
• 2021–2023: Terje Wikstrøm (Ap)
• 2023–present: Terje Rogde (H){{Cite news |title=Terje Rogde er ordfører |url=https://www.nrk.no/tromsogfinnmark/terje-rogde-er-ordforer-1.16601687 |access-date=2024-01-04 |work=NRK Troms og Finnmark |language=no}}

{{div col end}}

File:Hammerfest dusk LNG.jpg

The construction of the large liquefied natural gas site on Melkøya (island) just off Hammerfest, which will process natural gas from Snøhvit, is the most expensive construction project in the history of Northern Norway. This project has resulted in an economic boom and new optimism in Hammerfest in recent years, a stark contrast to the economic downhill and negative population growth most other municipalities in Finnmark are experiencing.{{Cite news |last=Blask |first=Sarah |date=4 December 2007 |title=Boomtown on the Barents |url=http://www.thesmartset.com/article/article12040702.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305043038/http://www.thesmartset.com/article/article12040702.aspx |archive-date=5 March 2008 |access-date=20 March 2008 |work=The Smart Set}}{{Cite news |last=Mouawad |first=Jad |date=9 October 2007 |title=A Quest for Energy in the Globe's Remote Places |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/09/business/worldbusiness/09polar.html?n=Top/News/World/Countries%20and%20Territories/Norway |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018181127/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/09/business/worldbusiness/09polar.html?n=Top%2FNews%2FWorld%2FCountries%20and%20Territories%2FNorway |archive-date=18 October 2015 |access-date=4 May 2010 |work=The New York Times}}{{Cite news |last=Krauss |first=Clifford |date=10 October 2005 |title=As Polar Ice Turns to Water, Dreams of Treasure Abound |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/10/science/10arctic.html?pagewanted=2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090423182319/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/10/science/10arctic.html?pagewanted=2 |archive-date=23 April 2009 |access-date=4 May 2010 |work=The New York Times}}{{Cite news |last=Duval-Smith |first=Alex |date=27 November 2005 |title=Arctic booms as climate change melts polar ice cap |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2005/nov/27/oilandpetrol.theobserver |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914230731/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2005/nov/27/oilandpetrol.theobserver |archive-date=14 September 2017 |access-date=11 December 2016 |work=The Observer |location=London}} After the opening of natural gas production on Melkøya there have been some problems with significant smoke and soot pollution in the initial production phases.{{Cite news |last=Berglund |first=Nina |date=31 August 2007 |title='Snow White' opening clouded by soot over Hammerfest |url=http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article1967883.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524065424/http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article1967883.ece |archive-date=24 May 2011 |work=Aftenposten}} Snøhvit is Europe's first export facility for liquefied natural gas.{{Cite news |date=6 October 2008 |title=Scheduled shutdown on Snoehvit |url=http://www.norwaypost.no/cgi-bin/norwaypost/imaker?id=199810 |access-date=2008-10-06 |work=The Norway Post}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}

File:Hammerfest Meridianstein.jpg in Hammerfest]]

Hammerfest offers sport and commercial fishing, both sea and freshwater, as well as scuba diving. The northernmost glacier on the Norwegian mainland is a hiking destination. The town is a starting point for northern tours. There is a daily boat to the North Cape ({{langx|no|Nordkapp}}). One chain of the Struve Geodetic Arc, now on the World Heritage List, is located at Fuglenes in Hammerfest.

Hammerfest is also a centre of Sami culture. Hammerfest is home to the Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society ({{langx|no|Isbjørnklubben}}); a museum displaying the history of Arctic hunting.

The newspaper Hammerfestingen is published in Hammerfest.

American author Bill Bryson begins his European travels in 1990, documented in his book Neither Here Nor There, with a visit to Hammerfest in order to see the Northern Lights, calling it "an agreeable enough town in a thank-you-God-for-not-making-me-live-here sort of way".{{Cite book |last=Bryson |first=Bill |author-link=Bill Bryson |title=Neither Here Nor There: Travels in Europe |publisher=Black Swan |year=1998 |isbn=978-0-552-99806-2}}

Hammerfest is connected to the main road network by Norwegian national road 94 which branches off from European route E6 at Skaidi in the neighbouring municipality of Kvalsund. The town is a port of call for the Hurtigruten ship route. Hammerfest also has Finnmark's third largest airport, Hammerfest Airport, opened 30 July 1974. Before the opening of the airport, the only air link to Hammerfest was by seaplane, the first route established in 1936.{{Cite magazine |date=8 June 1936 |title=North to Hammerfest |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,756236,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071104122209/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,756236,00.html |archive-date=November 4, 2007 |magazine=Time}}

{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Norway}}

File:Rypefjord8 (1).jpg suburb in Hammerfest]]

Hammerfest is town twinned with the following foreign settlements:

• {{flagicon|SWE}} – Haparanda, Sweden{{Cite web |date=April 2004 |title=Cities in the counties of Norrbotten and Västerbotten and their twin-cities in Finland, Norway and Russia |url=http://www.barents.fi/images/20040414155139.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060309123919/http://www.barents.fi/images/20040414155139.pdf |archive-date=March 9, 2006 |access-date=2008-12-08 |publisher=The Barents portal}}
• {{flagicon|DEN}} – Ikast, Denmark{{Cite web |title=Vennskapsamarbeid |url=http://www.norden.no/vennskap_oversikt.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927195147/http://www.norden.no/vennskap_oversikt.html |archive-date=2007-09-27 |publisher=Norden.no |language=no}}
• {{flagicon|RUS}} – Kola, Russia{{Cite web |title=Welcome to Kola village |url=http://www.kolatravel.com/kola.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150515090528/http://www.kolatravel.com/kola.htm |archive-date=15 May 2015 |access-date=8 December 2008 |publisher=Kola Travel}}
• {{flagicon|KOR}} – Mokpo, South Korea[https://web.archive.org/web/20151018181127/http://eng.mokpo.go.kr/home/eng/introduction/sister/hammerfest/ Hammerfest, Norway]
• {{flagicon|USA}} – Petersburg, Alaska, United States{{Cite web |title=Alaska's Sister States & Sister Cities |url=http://www.gov.state.ak.us/trade/2005/sister_states.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205045516/http://www.gov.state.ak.us/trade/2005/sister_states.php |archive-date=2012-02-05 |publisher=Gov.state.ak}}
• {{flagicon|FIN}} – Tornio, Finland{{Cite web |title=Tornio Twin Cities |url=http://www.tornio.fi/Ystavyyskaupungit#Ha |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222020043/http://www.tornio.fi/Ystavyyskaupungit#Ha |archive-date=2012-02-22 |access-date=2008-12-08 |publisher=Tornio.fi}}
• {{flagicon|SWE}} – Trelleborg, Sweden
• {{flagicon|ARG}} – Ushuaia, Argentina

Denmark,{{Cite web |title=Danish consulates in Norway, A-K |url=http://www.um.dk/da/menu/OmOs/Organisation/AmbassaderMv/Europa/Norge1.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100214023440/http://www.um.dk/da/menu/OmOs/Organisation/AmbassaderMv/Europa/Norge1.htm |archive-date=2010-02-14 |publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark |language=da}} Sweden,{{Cite web |title=Honorary Consulate of Sweden, Hammerfest |url=http://www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/5616/a/21012/l/en/pd/5616 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605063043/http://www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/5616/a/21012/l/en/pd/5616 |archive-date=2011-06-05 |access-date=2008-03-19 |publisher=Government Offices of Sweden}} Finland{{Cite web |title=Finland´s Honorary Consulate, Hammerfest |url=http://formin.finland.fi/public/default.aspx?nodeid=16187&contentlan=2&culture=en-US |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716073951/http://formin.finland.fi/public/default.aspx?nodeid=16187&contentlan=2&culture=en-US |archive-date=2011-07-16 |publisher=Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland}} and the Netherlands{{Cite web |title=Dutch Consulate in Hammerfest, Norway |url=http://www.embassiesabroad.com/embassies-in/Norway#6246 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100924030310/http://www.embassiesabroad.com/embassies-in/Norway#6246 |archive-date=2010-09-24 |access-date=2008-03-19 |publisher=Embassies/Consulates in Norway}} have honorary consulates in Hammerfest.

File:NFB03270 Ole Olsen.jpg

• Sir John Rice Crowe (1795–1877), an English businessman and diplomat, deputy vice-consul in Hammerfest and British consul in Finnmark who lived in Hammerfest
• Ole Olsen (1850–1927), an organist, composer, conductor, and military musician
• Adolf Lindstrøm (1866–1939), a chef and polar explorer
• Paal Berg (1873–1968), a politician who was the 12th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from 1929 to 1946
• Charles Robertson (1875–1958), the Norwegian Minister of Trade from 1926 to 1928
• Jørgen Holmboe (1902–1979), a Norwegian-American meteorologist
• Per Møystad Backe (1914–1991), a jurist who developed Scandinavian Airlines
• Annemarie Lorentzen (1921–2008), a teacher, politician, and Norwegian ambassador to Iceland from 1978 to 1985
• Knut Moe (1921–1989), a Norwegian resistance member in WWII and radio agent for the SIS
• Kåre Berg (1932–2009), a professor in medical genetics who discovered the Lipoprotein(a)
• Sven Ullring (born 1935), an engineer and businessperson
• Turi Josefsen (born 1936), a Norwegian-American businesswoman
• Kåre Kivijärvi (1938–1991), a photographer who did photojournalistic work in Northern Norway
• Bjørn Sundquist (born 1948), an actor who is famous for TV, theatre, and movie roles {{IMDb name|0839209|Bjørn Sundquist}}. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
• Annelise Josefsen (born 1949), a Norwegian-Sami artist
• Bodil Niska (born 1954), a jazz musician on saxophone who grew up in Hammerfest
• Thomas Thormodsæter Haugen, known as Samoth, (born 1974), a black metal musician and multi-instrumentalist
• Gunnar Garfors (born 1975), a traveller, author, media professional, and public speaker
• Máret Ánne Sara (born 1983), a Sami artist and author who lives and works in Kautokeino Municipality
• Hvaldimir, a beluga whale known for mysterious Russian origins and frequent appearances in Hammerfest Harbour

• Fred Børre Lundberg (born 1969), a Nordic skier who won two team silver medals and one team gold medal at the Winter Olympics and an individual gold at the 1994 Winter Olympics
• Christine Bøe Jensen (born 1975), a former footballer and team gold medallist at the 2000 Summer Olympics

{{Reflist}}

• {{Cite book |last=Brooke, Arthur de Capell |url=https://urn.nb.no/URN:NBN:no-nb_digibok_2015090729005 |title=A winter in Lapland and Sweden, with various observations relating to Finmark and its inhabitants |publisher=John Murray |year=1826}}

• [https://www.ssb.no/kommunefakta/hammerfest-hammerfeasta Municipal fact sheet] from Statistics Norway {{in lang|no}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100227012350/http://www1.fikas.no/index.php?id=523826 Webcam Hammerfest]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20071214134257/http://www.statoil.com/STATOILCOM/snohvit/svg02699.nsf?OpenDatabase&lang=en Information from Statoil about the Snøhvit LNG construction]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070609225710/http://www.uit.no/melkoya/Pub/poster.pdf Tromsø University Museum: Maritime hunter - fishers through 10,000 years at Melkøya]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060506033300/http://www.hammerfest-turist.no/index.php?page_id=33 Hammerfest official tourist information]
• [http://www.hifm.no/index.php?lang=eng Finnmark University College]
• [http://observer.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,6903,1651724,00.html Arctic booms as climate change melts polar ice cap]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080516055126/http://www.e-tidevannsenergi.com/ Power station using tidal current as energy in Kvalsund]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20091214085120/http://www.aftenposten.no/english/business/article1183572.ece New oil field discovered only {{convert|45|km|0|abbr=on}} off the coast]
• [http://www.aftenposten.no/english/business/article1197441.ece Goliat oil field larger than previously thought]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20170912071622/http://gasskraft.com/ Information about the planned natural gas power plant with CO2 reduction] {{in lang|no}}

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Category:Municipalities of Finnmark

Category:1838 establishments in Norway

Category:Populated places established in 1838

Category:Populated places of Arctic Norway

Category:Populated coastal places in Norway