Jeløya
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jeløya is actually a peninsula in the Oslofjord, but was divided from the mainland in 1855 with a 20 meter broad canal that was built through the low isthmus Værlesanden. The bridge is the link between Jeløya and the mainland Moss, Norway. This low bridge was at first a sliding bridge, and since 1957 a simple-leaf Bascule bridge, but since the early 90's locked and unable to open. Part of Moss city lies on the south-eastern part of Jeløya.
With 19 km² the island is the largest island in the Oslofjord. It has about 12,000 inhabitants[citation needed].
Jeløya is today best known for its beaches, its scenery, a swarming harbor with boats, and one of Norway's most widely known art galleries, gallery F15 at Alby.
Two of Moss' largest industrial zones until the 1990s were on the southern part of Jeløya - Moss Glassverk (glass works) and Moss Verft (shipyard). These areas are now turning into costly apartments and trendy businesses.
Geologically, Jeløya belongs to the Oslo area, and is made up of a young lava rock-type from the Permian period. Other islands from the same time include several islands south in the Oslofjord, such as Revlingen, Eldøya, Missingene and the Søsterøyene.
