Harstad Municipality

File:Toppen, Grytøya.JPG, October 2009).]]

The municipality is located on many islands in southern Troms county. Most of the municipality is located on the large island of Hinnøya, which is Norway's largest coastal island (three islands in the Svalbard archipelago are larger). The northern part of the municipality is located on the smaller islands of Grytøya, Bjarkøya, Sandsøya, Helløya, Flatøya and Krøttøya and many even smaller islands between the Andfjorden (to the west) and the Vågsfjorden (to the east). The municipality contains several small islands, including Arnøya, Gressholman, Helløya, Kjeøya, Kjøtta, Kjøttakalven, Flatøya, Meløyvær, Måga, Rogla, Lille Rogla and Åkerøya.

Harstad is bordered by Kvæfjord Municipality to the west. To the south and east, the Tjeldsund Bridge connects Hinnøya with Tjeldsund Municipality and the mainland across Tjeldsundet, and to the northeast is the Vågsfjorden, where Harstad shares a water border with Ibestad Municipality. The city of Harstad itself is located on the northeastern part of Hinnøya; it is the only city on the island, and is popularly known as Vågsfjordens perle (The pearl of Vågsfjorden).

The highest point in Harstad Municipality is Sætertinden, which is {{convert|1095|m|abbr=on}} above sea level.{{Cite web |title=Sætertinden |url=http://www.westcoastpeaks.com/Peaks/saetertinden.html}} It is located near the village of Sandtorg in southern Harstad. The {{convert|412|m|adj=on}} tall mountain, Nupen, is located in the northwestern part of the municipality on the border with Kvæfjord.

Despite being located north of the Arctic Circle, Harstad features either a dry-summer subarctic climate (Köppen climate classification: Dsc), or (barely, by only half a degree C){{Cite web |title=MSN |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/ |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=www.msn.com}} the rare cold-summer mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification: Csc), depending on if the {{convert|0|C}} or the {{convert|-3|C}} isotherm is used. Harstad features relatively mild, wet winters and cool, dry summers. Harstad does not have the brutal winters most locations north of the Arctic Circle experience, and is sheltered from Atlantic gales by mountains in the west, and has the main part of the Scandinavian Mountains to the east. The city experiences warmer winters than major cities located 25 degrees farther south in latitude such as Beijing, Chicago and Toronto. Summers in Harstad are cool, with average high temperatures seldom breaking the {{convert|22|C|F|0}} mark. Since the weather station opened August 2002, July 2014 was the warmest month with mean {{convert|16.9|C|F|0}}, average daily high {{convert|21.8|C|F|0}} and all-time high {{convert|31.7|C|F|0}} on 10 July. The record low of {{convert|-16.1|C|F|0}} was recorded in February 2010. The coldest month recorded was January 2003 with mean {{convert|-6.5|C|F|0}} and average daily low {{convert|-9.5|C|F|0}}. On 9. September 2024 Harstad recorded high {{convert|25.9|C|F|0}}, the warmest temperature in September recorded in Troms.

The municipality enjoys the midnight sun during the summer months, from 22 May to 18 July. There is also a period from early May to early August with twilight for a few hours each night as the sun just dips below the horizon, so there is no darkness. The polar night, when the sun is always below the horizon, lasts from 30 November to 12 January. At this time, there are 3–4 hours of dawn and dusk around noon, sometimes with colourful skies towards the south. From late January, the period of daylight rapidly increases, reaching 12 hours by March and 18 hours in April. Harstad is located in the midst of the aurora borealis ({{aka}} the northern lights) zone, and the aurora can often be seen on clear nights, but not in summer due to the continuous daylight.

{{Weather box

|location = Harstad (45 m, averages 2004–2018, extremes 2002–2025)

|metric first = Yes

|single line = Yes

|Jan record high C= 8.8

|Feb record high C= 9.2

|Mar record high C= 10.9

|Apr record high C= 16.9

|May record high C= 24.7

|Jun record high C= 29.6

|Jul record high C= 31.7

|Aug record high C= 31.5

|Sep record high C= 25.9

|Oct record high C= 17.5

|Nov record high C= 13.8

|Dec record high C= 9.8

|year record high C=

|Jan high C = -0.8

|Feb high C = -0.3

|Mar high C = 1.8

|Apr high C = 6

|May high C = 10.5

|Jun high C = 13.2

|Jul high C = 17.2

|Aug high C = 15.9

|Sep high C = 12.3

|Oct high C = 7

|Nov high C = 3.3

|Dec high C = 1.2

|year high C =

|Jan mean C = -2.2

|Feb mean C = -2.3

|Mar mean C = -0.8

|Apr mean C = 3

|May mean C = 7.3

|Jun mean C = 10.2

|Jul mean C = 13.9

|Aug mean C = 12.9

|Sep mean C = 9.5

|Oct mean C = 5

|Nov mean C = 1.7

|Dec mean C = -0.5

|year mean C =

|Jan low C = -4

|Feb low C = -4.3

|Mar low C = -3.4

|Apr low C = 0.1

|May low C = 4.1

|Jun low C = 7.3

|Jul low C = 10.5

|Aug low C = 9.8

|Sep low C = 6.8

|Oct low C = 3

|Nov low C = 0

|Dec low C = -2.2

|year low C =

|Jan record low C= -15.4

|Feb record low C= -16.1

|Mar record low C= -13.3

|Apr record low C= -9.4

|May record low C= -3.7

|Jun record low C= -0.6

|Jul record low C= 4.6

|Aug record low C= 1.7

|Sep record low C= -1.6

|Oct record low C= -7.9

|Nov record low C= -10.3

|Dec record low C= -14.5

|year record low C=

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 85

|Feb precipitation mm = 80

|Mar precipitation mm = 65

|Apr precipitation mm = 50

|May precipitation mm = 35

|Jun precipitation mm = 37

|Jul precipitation mm = 53

|Aug precipitation mm = 58

|Sep precipitation mm = 80

|Oct precipitation mm = 110

|Nov precipitation mm = 97

|Dec precipitation mm = 100

|year precipitation mm = 850

|source 1 = {{Cite web |title=Infoclimat Harstad averages |url=https://www.infoclimat.fr/climatologie/normales-records/2001-2030/harstad/valeurs/01180.html}}

|date=August 2010

|source 2 = {{Cite web |title=Eklima/met.no |url=http://sharki.oslo.dnmi.no/portal/page?_pageid=73,39035,73_39049&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130111955/http://sharki.oslo.dnmi.no/portal/page?_pageid=73,39035,73_39049&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL |archive-date=30 November 2016 |access-date=3 August 2019 |publisher=Norwegian Meteorological Institute – extremes and precipitation Harstad Stadion}}

}}

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

The town of Harstad was established as a municipality on 1 January 1904 when it was separated from the large Trondenes Municipality because it had just been declared a ladested (small seaport). The initial population of the town of Harstad was 1,246. During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee. On 1 January 1964, the town of Harstad (population: 3,808) was merged with neighboring Sandtorg Municipality (population: 7,512) and Trondenes Municipality (population: 6,567) to form a new, larger Harstad Municipality with a population of 17,882. Prior to the merger, the town of Harstad had 3,808 residents.{{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=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no}} On 1 January 2013, the neighboring Bjarkøy Municipality (to the north) was merged with Harstad, forming a new, larger Harstad Municipality.

On 1 January 2020, the municipality became part of the new Troms og Finnmark county which replaced the old Troms county. On 1 January 2024, the Troms og Finnmark county was divided and the municipality once again became part of Troms 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}}

In recent years, a 3000-year-old bronze axe{{Cite web |title=Bronze axe |url=http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article382361.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311034623/http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article382361.ece |archive-date=11 March 2007}} and a 2600-year-old bronze collar{{Cite web |title=Bronze collar |url=http://www.archaeology.org/0109/newsbriefs/horseshoe.html}} have been found at the Trondenes peninsula, just north of the city center. These, together with the burial cairns built close to the sea, are indications of a well-developed Bronze Age culture in the Harstad area.

There is also substantial archeological evidence of a well-developed Iron Age culture in the area, around 200 AD.

Trondenes is mentioned in the Heimskringla as a power centre in the Viking Age and a place to meet and discuss important issues (Trondarting). In 2020 archeologist concluded that Sandtorg, located along the Tjeldsundet strait, south of the town of Harstad, was the location of the only known Viking Age trading place in Northern Norway.{{Cite web |last=David Nikel |title=Viking Trading Place Discovered In Norway By Student Archaeologist |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidnikel/2020/07/20/viking-trading-place-discovered-in-norway-by-student-archaeologist/ |access-date=2022-03-27 |website=Forbes.com}} The Tjeldsundet strait was very likely an important ship lane back then as it still is today.

Trondenes Church, the world's northernmost medieval church, which dates back to the 13th–15th century, is situated just outside the town.

Adjacent to the church is the Trondenes Historical Center and nearby is the Adolf Gun, an enormous land-based cannon from World War II, and the last of four cannons originally constructed by the Nazis. Harstad is one of the few towns in this part of Norway which were left largely undamaged by World War II.

Beach at Sandtorg, Harstad municipality, Hinnøya island, Norway. The sea is part of Tjeldsundet strait, between Hinnøya and the mainland.jpg|Sandtorg, where a trading place from the Viking age was located

File:Harstad kulturhus.jpg|Harstad Kulturhus (culture house)

File:Richard Kaarbø - Byste.jpg|Rikard Kaarbø was the founder of Harstad.

File:Harstad Kirche von Trondenes.jpg|Trondenes Church at Trondenes.

File:Harstad at night seen from Gangsåstoppen.jpg|Northern part of Harstad at night, early August. View towards north-west from Gangsåstoppen

The municipality (and town) is named after the old Harstad farm ({{langx|non|Harðarstaðir}}), since the town is built where the farm once was located. The first element is (probably) the genitive case of the male name {{lang|non|Hǫrðr}}. The last element is {{wikt-lang|non|staðir}} which means "homestead" or "farm".{{Cite book |last=Rygh |first=Oluf |author-link=Oluf Rygh |url=http://www.dokpro.uio.no/perl/navnegransking/rygh_ng/rygh_bla.prl?enhid=270481&avid=59936&s=n |title=Norske gaardnavne: Troms amt |publisher=W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri |year=1911 |edition=17 |location=Kristiania, Norge |page=21 |language=no}} On 6 February 2017, the municipality of Harstad adopted a co-equal Sami language name for the municipality: Hárstták. The Sami language name spelling changes depending on how it is used. It is called {{lang|se|Hárstták}} when it is spelled alone, but it is {{lang|se|Hársttáid suohkan}} when using the Sami language equivalent to "Harstad 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}}{{Cite news |date=2017-02-06 |title=Harstad fikk samisk navn |url=https://www.nrk.no/tromsogfinnmark/harstad-fikk-samisk-navn-1.13362710 |work=NRK Nord-Norge |language=no}}

The coat of arms was granted on 24 April 1953. The official blazon is "Azure, two bars wavy argent" ({{langx|no|To bølgende sølv bjelker på blå bunn}}). This means the arms have a blue field (background) and the charge is two wavy bars. The bars have a tincture of argent which means they are commonly colored white, but if it is made out of metal, then silver is used. The blue color in the field symbolizes the importance of sea and the wavy bars were chosen to represent the waves in the sea. Since the town of Harstad is located in the municipality, a mural crown is typically shown above the shield. The arms were designed by Jardar Lunde in cooperation with Hallvard Træteberg.{{Cite web |title=Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen |url=https://www.heraldry-wiki.com/heraldrywiki/index.php?title=Harstad |access-date=2023-01-26 |publisher=Heraldry of the World}}{{Cite web |title=Harstad, Troms (Norway) |url=https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/no-19-01.html |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=Flags of the World}}{{Cite web |date=1988-02-09 |title=Forskrift for bruk av byvåpen |url=https://harstad.kommune.no/eknet/docs/pub/DOK00217.pdf |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=Harstad kommune |language=no |format=PDF}}

Harstad 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 Midtre Hålogaland District Court and the Hålogaland Court of Appeal.

The municipal council {{lang|no|(Kommunestyre)}} of Harstad 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 = Harstad

|start = 2023

|end = 2027

|reference = {{Cite web |title=Kommunestyrevalg 2023 - Troms Romsa |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2023/ko/troms%20romsa/harstad#seats |access-date=2024-01-06 |publisher=Valgdirektoratet}}

|collapsed =

|Total = 35

|Arbeiderpartiet = 11

|Fremskrittspartiet = 6

|Grønne = 1

|Høyre = 7

|INP = 2

|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 1

|Rødt = 2

|Senterpartiet = 2

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2

|Venstre = 1

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Harstad

|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/harstad#seats |access-date=26 October 2019 |publisher=Valg Direktoratet}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 35

|Arbeiderpartiet = 11

|Fremskrittspartiet = 5

|Høyre = 6

|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 1

|Senterpartiet = 6

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2

|Venstre = 1

|Rødt = 1

|Grønne = 2

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Harstad

|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/ |publisher=Statistics Norway |language=no}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 35

|Arbeiderpartiet = 13

|Fremskrittspartiet = 8

|Høyre = 4

|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 1

|Senterpartiet = 2

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1

|Venstre = 4

|Rødt = 1

|Grønne = 1

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Harstad

|start = 2011

|end = 2015

|reference = {{Cite web |title=Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 – Troms Romsa |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2011/ko/troms%20romsa/harstad#seats |access-date=26 October 2019 |publisher=Valg Direktoratet}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 35

|Arbeiderpartiet = 10

|Fremskrittspartiet = 12

|Høyre = 5

|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 1

|Senterpartiet = 3

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1

|Venstre = 2

|Rødt = 1

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Harstad

|start = 2007

|end = 2011

|reference =

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 43

|Arbeiderpartiet = 13

|Fremskrittspartiet = 10

|Høyre = 10

|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 1

|Senterpartiet = 4

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2

|Venstre = 1

|Rød_Valgallianse = 2

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Harstad

|start = 2003

|end = 2007

|reference =

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 43

|Arbeiderpartiet = 14

|Fremskrittspartiet = 8

|Høyre = 7

|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 2

|Senterpartiet = 4

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 6

|Venstre = 1

|Rød_Valgallianse = 1

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Harstad

|start = 1999

|end = 2003

|reference =

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 55

|Arbeiderpartiet = 22

|Fremskrittspartiet = 6

|Høyre = 14

|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 3

|Senterpartiet = 3

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 3

|Venstre = 2

|Rød_Valgallianse = 2

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Harstad

|start = 1995

|end = 1999

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

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 55

|Arbeiderpartiet = 22

|Fremskrittspartiet = 5

|Høyre = 16

|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 3

|Senterpartiet = 4

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2

|Venstre = 2

|Rød_Valgallianse = 1

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Harstad

|start = 1991

|end = 1995

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

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 55

|Arbeiderpartiet = 18

|Fremskrittspartiet = 3

|Høyre = 19

|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 2

|Rød_Valgallianse = 1

|Senterpartiet = 4

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 6

|Venstre = 2

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Harstad

|start = 1987

|end = 1991

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

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 55

|Arbeiderpartiet = 20

|Fremskrittspartiet = 7

|Høyre = 18

|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 2

|Rød_Valgallianse = 1

|Senterpartiet = 1

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 3

|Venstre = 3

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Harstad

|start = 1983

|end = 1987

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

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 55

|Arbeiderpartiet = 20

|Fremskrittspartiet = 4

|Høyre = 21

|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 3

|Rød_Valgallianse = 1

|Senterpartiet = 1

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 3

|Venstre = 2

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Harstad

|start = 1979

|end = 1983

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1979 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1979 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b093.pdf |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 55

|Arbeiderpartiet = 20

|Fremskrittspartiet = 1

|Høyre = 23

|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 4

|Rød_Valgallianse = 1

|Senterpartiet = 2

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2

|Venstre = 2

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Harstad

|start = 1975

|end = 1979

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

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 55

|Arbeiderpartiet = 19

|Høyre = 22

|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 5

|Senterpartiet = 4

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2

|Venstre = 3

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Harstad

|start = 1971

|end = 1975

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

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 55

|Arbeiderpartiet = 24

|Høyre = 19

|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 2

|Senterpartiet = 4

|Sosialistisk_Folkeparti = 3

|Venstre = 3

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Harstad

|start = 1967

|end = 1971

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

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 55

|Arbeiderpartiet = 25

|Høyre = 21

|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 1

|Senterpartiet = 2

|Sosialistisk_Folkeparti = 2

|Venstre = 4

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Harstad

|start = 1963

|end = 1967

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

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 55

|Arbeiderpartiet = 27

|Høyre = 18

|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 2

|Senterpartiet = 2

|Sosialistisk_Folkeparti = 1

|Venstre = 5

|note = On 1 January 1964, Trondenes Municipality and Sandtorg Municipality became part of Harstad Municipality.

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Harstad

|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 |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 29

|Arbeiderpartiet = 9

|Høyre = 17

|Venstre = 3

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Harstad

|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 |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 29

|Arbeiderpartiet = 10

|NKP = 1

|Høyre = 15

|Venstre = 3

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Harstad

|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 |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 28

|Arbeiderpartiet = 10

|NKP = 3

|Høyre = 10

|Venstre = 4

|Local_Lists = 1

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Harstad

|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 |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 28

|Arbeiderpartiet = 9

|NKP = 6

|Høyre = 9

|Venstre = 4

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Harstad

|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 |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 28

|Arbeiderpartiet = 7

|NKP = 9

|Høyre = 6

|Venstre = 3

|Borgerlige_Felleslister = 3

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Harstad

|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 |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 28

|H/FV = 12

|Venstre = 3

|Arbeiderpartiet = 8

|AFS = 3

|Local_Lists = 2

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Harstad

|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 |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 28

|H/FV = 8

|Venstre = 3

|Arbeiderpartiet = 10

|NKP = 4

|Local_Lists = 3

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Harstad

|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 |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 28

|H/FV = 8

|Venstre = 5

|Avholdspartiet = 1

|Arbeiderpartiet = 8

|NKP = 6

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Harstad

|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 |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 28

|H/FV = 6

|Venstre = 5

|Avholdspartiet = 1

|Arbeiderpartiet = 8

|NKP = 6

|Local_Lists = 2

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Harstad

|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 |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 28

|H/FV = 7

|Venstre = 3

|Avholdspartiet = 4

|Arbeiderpartiet = 7

|NKP = 5

|Local_Lists = 2

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Harstad

|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 |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 28

|Arbeiderpartiet = 5

|SDA = 1

|H/FV = 9

|Venstre = 3

|Borgerlige_Felleslister = 6

|Avholdspartiet = 4

|}}

{{div col end}}

The mayor ({{langx|no|ordfører}}) of Harstad is the political leader of the municipality and the chairperson of the municipal council. Here is a list of people who have held this position:{{Cite book |last=Simensen |first=S |url=http://urn.nb.no/URN:NBN:no-nb_digibok_2008050700031 |title=Harstad gjennom femti år |publisher=Harstad kommune |year=1953 |location=Harstad |pages=27–33 |language=no}}{{Cite web |title=Ordførere i Harstad |url=https://lokalhistoriewiki.no/wiki/Ordf%C3%B8rere_i_Harstad |access-date=2023-02-22 |publisher=LokalHistorieWiki.no |language=no}}

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}

• 1904–1906: Hans Buck (H)
• 1914–1916: Karl Eystein Kvam (V)
• 1929–1932: Israel Wulff (Ap)
• 1932–1935: Nils J. Hunstad (H)
• 1935–1938: Hans Stordahl (Ap)
• 1938–1940: Nils J. Hunstad (H)
• 1941–1945: Hans Methi (NS)
• 1945–1945: Odd Gangnæs (NS)
• 1945–1945: Alf Haaland (V)
• 1945–1945: Nils J. Hunstad (H)
• 1946–1947: Sigurd Simensen (NKP)
• 1948–1952: Sigurd Torgersen (Ap)
• 1952–1964: Leif Bothner (H)
• 1964–1968: Bjarne Berg-Sæther (Ap)
• 1968–1969: Leif Arne Heløe (H)
• 1970–1977: Arnljot Norwich (H)
• 1978–1987: Johan Nordvik (H)
• 1987–1993: Kjell Joachimsen (H)
• 1993–1995: Britt S. Nordlund (H)
• 1995–1998: Helge Aune (Ap)
• 1998–2007: Halvar Hansen (Ap)
• 2007–2011: Helge Eriksen (H)
• 2011–2019: Marianne Bremnes (Ap)
• 2019–present: Kari-Anne Opsal (Ap)

{{div col end}}

The oil industry of North Norway is centered in Harstad; including Statoil's main office for a new operational area for Northern Norway,{{Cite web |title=New operational area in Northern Norway |url=http://www.statoil.com/en/NewsAndMedia/News/2012/Pages/21Mar_DriftHarstad.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324191454/http://www.statoil.com/en/NewsAndMedia/News/2012/Pages/21Mar_DriftHarstad.aspx |archive-date=24 March 2012 |access-date=2 April 2012}} the DNV office for Northern Norway,{{Cite web |date=May 2, 2012 |title=DNV increases Arctic focus, acquires Norwegian Petro Services |url=http://www.offshore-mag.com/articles/2012/05/dnv-increases-arctic-focus.html |access-date=2022-03-27 |publisher=Offshore-mag.com}} as well as other regional offices including TotalEnergies,{{Cite web |title=Total.no - Organisation |url=http://www.total.no/normal/En/about/org/Pages/Home.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111034937/http://www.total.no/normal/En/about/org/Pages/Home.aspx |archive-date=11 November 2013 |access-date=5 May 2012}} Det Norske Oljeselskap ASA{{Cite web |title=Det norske oljeselskap ASA |url=http://www.detnor.no/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906164657/http://www.detnor.no/ |archive-date=6 September 2015 |access-date=5 May 2012}} and Aibel.{{Cite web |title=Multi-billion six year contract on Draugen — Aibel |url=http://aibel.com/en/news-and-media/press-releases/billion-nok-contract-gives-aibel-six-years-on-draugen |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023115850/http://aibel.com/en/news-and-media/press-releases/billion-nok-contract-gives-aibel-six-years-on-draugen |archive-date=23 October 2015 |access-date=5 May 2012}}{{Cite web |title=Harstad — Aibel |url=http://aibel.com/en/about/locations/harstad |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151022023512/http://aibel.com/en/about/locations/harstad |archive-date=22 October 2015 |access-date=5 May 2012}} Harstad also has shipyards and other industries that are important for the economy. Harstad and the surrounding area have traditionally been among the most productive agricultural regions in Northern Norway,.{{Cite web |title=Kvaefjord |url=http://www.destinationharstad.no/hno/Kommuner/Kvaefjord |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117115721/http://www.destinationharstad.no/hno/Kommuner/Kvaefjord |archive-date=17 January 2012 |access-date=2022-03-27 |publisher=Destinationharstad.no}} The old seabed, now dry land due to isostatic rebound (up to {{convert|60|to|80|m|disp=or}} above sea level), creating fertile soil that is well-suited for farming.[https://web.archive.org/web/20150924111941/http://www.skogoglandskap.no/filearchive/Rapport_02_98.pdf] {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}

File:Skjærstad Harstad Wilse 35840.jpeg

File:Harstad stadion.jpg

The city hosts the annual week-long Festival of North Norway in June.{{Cite web |title=Festspillene i Nord-Norge |url=http://www.festspillnn.no/default.asp?cmd=600 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041013073215/http://www.festspillnn.no/default.asp?cmd=600 |archive-date=13 October 2004}} It is also the home of the Arctic Moving Image and Film Festival, held in October each year.{{Cite web |title=Arctic Moving Image and Film Festival |url=http://www.amiff.no/home?cmd=600}}

Harstad University College, with approximately 1,100 students,{{Cite web |title=Harstad University College |url=http://www.hih.no/Internasjonale_programmer/infoenglish/default.asp}} has a thriving foreign exchange program with students from all over the world. The hospital in Harstad is part of the University Hospital of North Norway.

The most successful local football team is Harstad Idrettslag (a.k.a. HIL),{{Cite web |title=HIL |url=http://www.harstad-idrettslag.no |language=no}} and the most successful basketball team is the Harstad Vikings.{{Cite web |title=Harstad Vikings |url=http://www.mjodberget.net |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315071338/http://www.mjodberget.net/ |archive-date=15 March 2018 |access-date=10 March 2006 |language=no}}

Harstad is home port for the Anna Rogde, the world's oldest sailing schooner, also known as the sailing queen of Norway.{{Cite web |title=Anna Rogde |url=http://www.annarogde.no/default.asp?cmd=210 |language=no}}

Harstad Camping is a campsite located in the municipality.

The Church of Norway has five parishes ({{lang|no|sokn}}) within Harstad Municipality. It is part of the Trondenes prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Nord-Hålogaland.

Harstad traditionally has strong ties with the Norwegian Armed Forces. Kystjegerkommandoen (Coastal Ranger Command) has its home base at Trondenes, just north of the town of Harstad. Marinejegerkommandoen is based in Ramsund, a village in neighboring Tjeldsund Municipality on the mainland south of Harstad. General Carl Gustav Fleischer led the field operations of the Norwegian Armed Forces in World War II, among them the 7,500 soldiers which from the north pushed the Nazi Germans back to Narvik and participated in retaking Narvik on 28 May 1940. A street in Harstad is named Gen. Fleischers Gate in his honour.

Operation Judgement took place on 4 May 1945, when the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy attacked a U-boat base at Kilbotn, a village in the Harstad district, sinking two ships and a U-boat.

Harstad is also the hometown of the Norwegian army band "Forsvarets Musikkorps Nord Norge" with professional musicians.

File:MS Kong Harald in Harstad.jpg in Harstad]]

The local airport is Harstad/Narvik Airport, Evenes, located on the mainland in neighboring Evenes Municipality. It is {{convert|44|km|mi|0}} by road from the town center. The airport offers daily flights to Oslo, Trondheim, Bodø, Tromsø and Andenes.{{Cite web |title=Harstad/Narvik Lufthavn Evenes |url=http://www.supersaver.no/flyplasser/harstad-narvik-lufthavn-evenes |access-date=2011-06-11 |website=supersaver.no}}

Every morning a northbound and a southbound Hurtigruten ship stop in Harstad.{{Cite web |title=Coastal Express |url=http://www.hurtigruten.com |access-date=2011-10-14 |website=hurtigruten.com}}

High-speed craft regularly go between Harstad and Tromsø, Finnsnes, Senja and other places.{{Cite web |title=Troms fylkestrafikk |url=http://www.tromskortet.no |access-date=2011-06-30 |website=tromskortet.no}}

There are several ferries and buses in the district, and in Harstad there are local buses.

The leading helicopter company in Northern Norway, Heli-Team, is located in Harstad.{{Cite web |title=Heli-Team |url=http://www.heliteam.no |website=heliteam.no}}

File:Strandgata i Harstad.jpg

File:Harstadt im Februar 2005.jpg ship.]]

;Villages north/west of the city

Alvestad, Aune, Elgsnes, Ervik, Grøtavær, Hagan, Kasfjord, Kilhus, Kjøtta, Lundenes, Mustaparta, Nergården, Røkenes, Steinnes, Stornes, Storvassbotn, Sørlia, Tennvassåsen, Tømmeråsen, Undlandet, Vika, and Årnes.

;City neighbourhoods

Bergseng, Blåbærhaugen, Breivika, City Center, Eineberget, Gangsås, Grønnebakkan, Harstadbotn, Harstadåsen, Heggen, Holtet, Kanebogen, Kilbotn, Medkila, Ruggevika, Sama, Seljestad, Skaret, Stangnes, Trondenes, and Åsby.

;Villages south of the city

Brokvik, Fauskevåg, Gausvik, Halsebø, Haukebø, Melvik, Nordvik, Sandtorg, and Sørvika.

File:Harstad fra Eineberget.jpg|Northeastern part of Harstad seen from Eineberget; 4 May 2008

File:Andørja sett fra Harstad.jpg|View from Harstad towards the Vågsfjord and Andørja island; May 2008

File:Hogskolen i Harstad pano.jpg|Harstad university college

File:Gerd Kristiansen Folkets hus 2017 (155149).jpg

File:Kristin-Clemet.jpg

• Andrew V. Stoltenberg (1865 in Aarnes – 1921), a US Navy recipient of the Medal of Honor
• Hans Egede (1686–1758), a Dano-Norwegian Lutheran missionary known as the Apostle of Greenland
• Anders Holte (1849 in Oldra – 1937), a sea captain and navigator
• Rikard Kaarbø (1850–1901), a businessman and politician who established the town of Harstad
• John Bernhard Rekstad (1852 in Trondenes – 1934), a geologist and amateur photographer
• Erland Frisvold (1877–1971), a Norwegian colonel, civil engineer, and Mayor of Harstad
• Paal Frisvold (1908–1997), a Norwegian general who was head of the Norwegian Army 1961 to 1966
• Sverre Holm (1910–1996), a librarian, novelist, resistance member, and sociologist
• Bjarne Berg-Sæther (1919–2009), a Norwegian politician who was Mayor of Harstad 1963 to 1967 & county mayor
• Hanna Kvanmo (1926–2005), a controversial Norwegian politician who was convicted for treason after WWII and later a member of the Norwegian Nobel Committee
• Ola Heide (born 1931 in Trondenes), a botanist
• Leif Arne Heløe (born 1932), a Norwegian politician & former Minister of Social Affairs
• Pål Spilling (1934–2018), an internet pioneer and academic
• Ola M. Steinholt (1934–2009), a bishop of the Diocese of Nord-Hålogaland
• Unni Wikan (born 1944), a professor of social anthropology
• Gerd Kristiansen (born 1955), a licensed practical nurse and leader of the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions from 2013 to 2017
• Kristin Clemet (born 1957), a Norwegian politician & former Minister of Education
• Elisabeth Aspaker (born 1962), a Norwegian politician & former Minister of Fisheries
• Jon Lech Johansen (born 1983), also known as DVD Jon, a computer programmer
• Silje Lundberg (born 1988), an environmentalist who grew up in Harstad

File:Ragnhild Kaarbo.jpg

File:KineHellebust.jpg

• Ragnhild Kaarbø (1889–1949), a painter
• Knut Andersen (1931–2019), a film director{{IMDb name|0026195|Knut Andersen}}. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
• Reidar Thomassen (born 1936), a writer and javelin thrower
• Jan Høiland (1939–2017), a pop singer who lived in Harstad for many years
• Odd Børre (born 1939), a former pop singer who sang at the 1968 Eurovision Song Contest
• Leif Erik Forberg (born 1950) a television and radio presenter
• Kine Hellebust (born 1954), a singer, actress, children's writer, and playwright{{IMDb name|0375244|Kine Hellebust}}. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
• Ketil Stokkan (born 1956), a pop singer who sang at the 1986 and the 1990 Eurovision Song Contest
• Iren Reppen (born 1965), an actress{{IMDb name|0720112|Iren Reppen}}. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
• Bodil Arnesen (born 1967), a operatic soprano
• Kari Innerå (born 1982), a gourmet chef
• Iselin Steiro (born 1985), a model
• Sophie Elise, (Norwegian Wiki) (born 1994), a blogger and singer
• Ruben Markussen (born 1995), a singer and songwriter who grew up in Bjarkøy
• Thea Floer Kulseng, (Norwegian Wiki) (born 2003),the winner of Melodi Grand Prix Junior 2015

• Trygve Bornø (born 1942), a retired footballer with 419 club caps and 43 for Norway
• Knut Frostad (born 1967), a yachtsman, competed in the 1988 & 1992 Summer Olympics
• Marianne Paulsen (born 1980), a Norwegian football defender
• Tom Høgli (born 1984), a former football defender with 300 club caps and 49 for Norway
• Eirik Lamøy (born 1984), a Norwegian football striker with 300 club caps

File:Eineberget mot øst.jpg

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

The twin towns of Harstad are:{{Cite web |title=Twin towns |url=https://www.harstad.kommune.no/vennskapsbyer.177639.no.html}}

• {{flagicon|Denmark}} Elsinore in Denmark
• {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} Barnstaple in United Kingdom
• {{flagicon|Sweden}} Umeå in Sweden
• {{flagicon|Finland}} Vaasa in Finland

Harstad used to be a sister city to Kirovsk, but this agreement was ended in November 2022, due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

• List of schools in Harstad

{{Reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100512060028/http://www.harstad.kommune.no/hk/side/info-in-english Information in English] Harstad municipality
• [http://www.visitharstad.com Visit Harstad]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20040712052512/http://www.harstadkulturhus.no/english.htm Culture]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060222060324/http://www.eurotravelling.net/norway/harstad/harstad_history.htm Old history of Harstad]
• [http://www.norphoto.com/r/eng3508.php Harstad pictures]
• [http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap060329.html Green and black aurora over Harstad] NASA astronomy picture of the day
• [http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap040928.html Particularly rare purple auroral corona over Harstad] NASA astronomy picture of the day
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20051218214324/http://webcamera.hlk.no/ Web-cam] Showing various parts of the town
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlQbfcD-sHk&NR=1 Photo presentation on YouTube]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100223210344/http://artofthestates.org/cgi-bin/piece.pl?pid=382 Art of the States: Frozen Horizon] Musical work inspired by the Harstad landscape
• [http://www.ht.no/ Harstad Tidende] (Harstad Times) Newspaper for the district {{in lang|no}}
• [http://www.iharstad.no iHarstad.no] Information portal {{in lang|no}}
• [http://www.hikt.no/vaerdata/ Live weather station located in Harstad] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060218031849/http://www.hikt.no/vaerdata/ |date=18 February 2006 }} {{in lang|no}}
• [http://www.hinnoy.no/ About Hinnøy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071020142235/http://www.hinnoy.no/ |date=20 October 2007 }} {{in lang|no}}
• [http://magnar.aspaker.no/ Magnars garden at 69 degrees north] {{in lang|no}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}

{{sister bar|auto=y|d=y|commonscat=y|voy=Harstad|wikt=Harstad}}

{{Geographic location

|Centre = Harstad

|North =

|Northeast = Senja Municipality

|East = Ibestad Municipality

|Southeast = Tjeldsund Municipality

|South =

|Southwest = Kvæfjord Municipality

|West = Lødingen Municipality

|Northwest = Andøy Municipality

}}

{{Troms}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Populated coastal places in Norway

Category:Municipalities of Troms

Category:Populated places of Arctic Norway

Category:1904 establishments in Norway

Category:Populated places established in 1904