Bugøynes

(in Finnish Pykeijä) is a fishing community in the very most northeastern tip of Norway, in the municipality of Sør-Varanger in the province of Finnmark, situated by the Varanger Fjord (Varangerfjorden in Norwegian) which is a vast bay off the Barents Sea (a part of the Arctic Ocean), near the border with Russia. The village is situated some 500 km (310 mi) north of the Arctic Circle, with nearly 230 inhabitants.

History

Before the road was built to Bugøynes in 1962, the main link between Bugøynes and the rest of the world was by sea. The most-visited town in those days was Vadsø, on the opposite side of the Varanger Fjord. Although Kirkenes, on the south side of the fjord, was the local administrative centre for Bugøynes, it did not become the centre for shopping until people could reach it by car.

Now most trade in this part of Finnmark takes place in Kirkenes. Workplaces in Bugøynes include fishing, salmon and other fish processing, the processing of reindeer meat and game, as well as slipway and machine workshops.

At Gandvika, 23 km from the village, is a salmon farm. The village has two grocery shops, a post-office and a doctor's surgery (every other Thursday). There are also a children's nursery, a school, a library branch, a dentist and a priest.

Sights

• The Pleym Pier. Restored piers dating back to the 19th century with a museum exhibition showing old coastal culture. Open on request.

• The Lassi House (Norwegian: Lassigården), culture house dating back to the 1850s, now used as museum and public library branch.

• Ranvika Bird Sanctuary. The largest bird sanctuary in Sør-Varanger is situated ca 90 minutes' walk from Bugøynes. The footpath to the sanctuary is well marked.

• The Norway King Crab. At Bugøynes, they are now fishing and farming the red king crab, which can weigh up to 10 kg. Bugøynes is a center in Norway for commercial fishing of this delicacy.