Vestnes

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Vestnes kommune
—  Municipality  —
Coat of arms of Vestnes kommune
Coat of arms
Official logo of Vestnes kommune
Møre og Romsdal within
Norway
Vestnes within Møre og Romsdal
Vestnes within Møre og Romsdal
Coordinates: 62°35′4″N 7°1′6″E / 62.58444, 7.01833
Country Norway
County Møre og Romsdal
District Romsdal
Municipality ID NO-1535
Administrative centre Vestnes
Government
 - Mayor (2008) Øyvind Uren (AP)
Area (Nr. 256 in Norway)
 - Total 355 km² (137.1 sq mi)
 - Land 350 km² (135.1 sq mi)
Population (2004)
 - Total 6,389
 - Density 18/km² (46.6/sq mi)
 - Change (10 years) -1.1 %
 - Rank in Norway 156
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 - Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Official language form Nynorsk
Data from Statistics Norway
Website: www.vestnes.kommune.no

Vestnes is a village and municipality in the county of Møre og Romsdal, Norway, a 35 minute ferry ride from the town of Molde.

Vestnes was separated from Veøy the fall 1838. Tresfjord was separated from Vestnes January 1, 1899, but it was again merged with Vestnes January 1, 1964.

The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the farm Vestnes (Old Norse Vestnes), since the first church was built there. The first element is vestr n 'west', the last element is nes n 'headland'.

Until 1889 the name was written Vestnæs.

Contents

[edit] Coat-of-arms

The coat-of-arms is from modern times (1980). The figure represents the geography of the municipality: A headland between two fjords (Tresfjorden and Tomrefjorden).

[edit] Geography

Vestnes is located in an area of great natural splendour on the southern shores of Romsdalsfjord, bordering Rauma to the east, Stordal and Ørskog to the south. Across Moldefjord to the north is Midsund and Molde.

The area is known for nature and outdoor pursuits, and has a long history in ship building and maritime crafts.

The village of Vestnes (Helland) dates back to early Medieval times, and has 24 hour ferry and water taxi service with Molde.

[edit] Notable denizens

[edit] External links