Orust Municipality

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Orust Municipality (Kommun)

V.G. County in Sweden; Orust to the west

Map outlining municipalities of Sweden
Coat of arms
Orust City Arms
Municipal facts
Seat Henån
58° 14′ N 11° 40′ E
County Västra Götaland County
Province Bohuslän
Area
     Rank
389 km²
207th of 290
Population
     Rank
(2005)
15,160
x of 290
Density 39/km²

Coordinates: 58° 14′ N 11° 40′ E

Orust Municipality is a municipality in western Sweden. It includes Sweden's third largest island Orust and some other small adjacent islets. The population of around 15,000 increases significantly in the summer due to all summer vacationers.

It is situated in the province of Bohuslän, and administratively it belongs to Västra Götaland County. The municipal seat is in the town Henån, with an approximate population of 1,800.

Contents

[edit] History

Historically, the area has been inhabited for thousands of years, as evident by ancient remains such as tombs, grave fields and rock carvings. From the Viking Age, runestones are plenty.

In the Nordisk familjebok the island of Orust is mentioned as a Geatish territory. Ramshult (the modern Swedish form), a hillfort is mentioned in Beowulf as Hrefnesholt, the Geatish hillfort which became the prison of Onela, Ohthere and their mother until their rescue byOngenþeow.

[edit] Sights

The geography offers several sights, with a couple of picturesque small towns. There is a nature reserve called Morlanda with a look out point offering a good view.

[edit] Industry

Industry wise, the area has always been dominated by fishing and boat production. Shipyard Hallberg-Rassy is the largerst employer nowadays. Its ship yard is located in Ellös, in the north-west part of the island, and it has a significant export of sailing boats. The second largest employer is Najadvarvet, also a shipyard.

[edit] Sources

  • Please see corresponding article on Swedish and German Wikipedia

[edit] See also

[edit] External links


Municipalities in Västra Götaland County
Ale | Alingsås | Bengtsfors | Bollebygd | Borås | Dals-Ed | Essunga | Falköping | Färgelanda | Grästorp | Gullspång | Götene | Gothenburg | Herrljunga | Hjo | Härryda | Karlsborg | Kungälv | Lerum | Lidköping | Lilla Edet | Lysekil | Mariestad | Mark | Mellerud | Munkedal | Mölndal | Orust | Partille | Skara | Skövde | Sotenäs | Stenungsund | Strömstad | Svenljunga | Tanum | Tibro | Tidaholm | Tjörn | Tranemo | Trollhättan | Töreboda | Uddevalla | Ulricehamn | Vara | Vårgårda | Vänersborg | Åmål | Öckerö
Counties of Sweden | Sweden