Måløy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Måløy is a town, and the administrative centre of the municipality of Vågsøy in the county of Sogn og Fjordane, Norway. It also has one of the most important fish refineries in the region.

Måløy is located on the island of Vågsøy, the namesake for the municipality, and is connected to the mainland by the formidable bridge, Måløybrua.

Måløy was originally founded as a trading center on the small Måløy island on the sound Ulvesundet between Vågsøy and the mainland. As trading grew, the town effectively moved to the larger island of Vågsøy but kept the name of the smaller island. This is the cause of some confusion, though now the smaller island is known as Lisje-Måløyna ("smaller Måløy"),

During World War II the small island was used for a coastal fortress. As a result, there was no settlement left there when the war ended.

Måløy will be a main port for the Tall Ships' Race in 2008.

Måløy has a friendship agreement with Lerwick on Shetland in the UK.