Fredrikstad

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Fredrikstad kommune
County Østfold
District
Municipality NO-0106
Administrative centre Fredrikstad
Mayor (2006) Ole Haabeth (Ap)
Official language form Bokmål
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Percentage
Ranked 283
288 km²
283 km²
0.09 %
Population
 - Total (2005)
 - Percentage
 - Change (10 years)
 - Density
Ranked 7
70,962
1.53 %
7.7 %
249/km²
Coordinates 59°12′N 10°57′E
www.fredrikstad.kommune.no

Data from Statistics Norway

Coordinates: 59°12′N 10°57′E

Fredrikstad (previously Frederiksstad) (literally Fredrik's Town) is a city and municipality in the county of Østfold, Norway. The city straddles the river Glomma where it meets the sea.

With Sarpsborg, Fredrikstad forms the fifth largest urban area in Norway. As of April 1st 2006, according to Statistics Norway these two municipalitites have a total population of 121,097 - 70,962 in Fredrikstad and 50,135 in Sarpsborg.

Fredrikstad was built at the mouth of Glomma as a replacement, after Sarpsborg (15 km upstream) was burned down by the Swedes. It was founded in 1567 by king Frederik II. Almost half the population of Sarpsborg stayed behind, and rebuilt their old town at its original site.

The city centre is situated on the west bank of river Glomma, while the old town on the east bank is Northern Europe's best preserved fortified town.

Fredrikstad used to have a large sawmill industry and was an important harbour for timber export, then later on shipbuilding, until the main yard was closed in the 1980s. The main industries are currently various chemical plants and other light industry.

In 2005, Fredrikstad was a host port for the Tall Ships' Race.

[edit] The name

The city is named after the Danish-Norwegian king Fredrik II in 1567. The last element is stad m 'city'.

[edit] Coat-of-arms

The coat-of-arms is from modern times (1967), but it is based upon a seal from 1610. It shows a bear guarding a castle.

[edit] Well known residents from Fredrikstad


Municipalities of Østfold Østfold coat of arms

Aremark | Askim | Eidsberg | Fredrikstad | Halden | Hobøl | Hvaler | Marker | Moss | Rakkestad | Rygge | Rømskog | Råde | Sarpsborg | Skiptvet | Spydeberg | Trøgstad | Våler