Skjervøy
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| Skjervøy kommune | |||
| — Municipality — | |||
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| Coordinates: | |||
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| Country | Norway | ||
| County | Troms | ||
| Municipality ID | NO-1941 | ||
| Administrative centre | Skjervøy | ||
| Government | |||
| - Mayor (2003) | Roy Waage (KP) | ||
| Area (Nr. 210 in Norway) | |||
| - Total | 478 km² (184.6 sq mi) | ||
| - Land | 470 km² (181.5 sq mi) | ||
| Population (2004) | |||
| - Total | 3,002 | ||
| - Density | 6/km² (15.5/sq mi) | ||
| - Change (10 years) | -1.4 % | ||
| - Rank in Norway | 274 | ||
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | ||
| - Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | ||
| Official language form | Bokmål | ||
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| Website: www.skjervoy.kommune.no | |||
Skjervøy is a municipality in the county of Troms, Norway.
Skjervøy was established as a municipality January 1, 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt). Two other municipalities were later separated from it: Kvænangen (1863) and Nordreisa (1886). The parts of Skjervøy lying on the mainland were transferred from Skjervøy to Nordreisa January 1, 1972.
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[edit] Geography
The municipality consists of several islands, the major one being Arnøya. Most people, however, live on the relatively small beautiful island of Skjervøya, where more than 2000 people live in the central town. The main industries are fishing and the shipyard.
[edit] History
The church of Skjervøy dates from 1721, and is the oldest wooden church in the county of Troms. Maursund gård is an old trading post with well preserved 19th century houses.
[edit] The name
The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the small island Skjervøya (Norse *Skerføy), since the first church was built there. The first element is skerf n 'rocky ground', the last element is øy f 'island'.
Until 1909 the name was written Skjervø.
[edit] Coat-of-arms
The coat-of-arms is from modern times (1987). It shows the head of a cormorant.
(See also the coat-of-arms of Loppa and Røst.)
[edit] Communications
Skjervøy is called at by the Hurtigruten, and also has a speedboat connection with Tromsø. A tunnel connects this island with the mainland. To Arnøy and Laukøy, there is a ferry connection.
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