Sandstrand, Troms
| Sandstrand | |
|---|---|
| Village | |
  Sandstrand Location in Troms | |
| Coordinates: 68°40′41″N 16°47′11″E / 68.67806°N 16.78639°ECoordinates: 68°40′41″N 16°47′11″E / 68.67806°N 16.78639°E | |
| Country | Norway |
| Region | Northern Norway |
| County | Troms |
| District | Central Hålogaland |
| Municipality | Skånland |
| Elevation[1] | 13 m (43 ft) |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+01:00) |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+02:00) |
| Post Code | 9445 Tovik |
Sandstrand is a village situated in the middle of the municipality of Skånland in Troms county, Norway. The village is located along the Vagsfjorden, just west of the minor village of Tovik, at the mouth of the Astafjorden. It is located about mid-way between the small villages of Evenskjer and Grov. The population (2001) of Sandstrand is 303.[2]
The sports club IL Santor has its base in Sandstrand, though their football grounds is situated in nearby Renså.
Economy
The village boomed economically in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In the 1990s, however, most businesses had to close down due to competition from nearby cities and towns. Since being a thriving village, Sandstrand has arguably dwindled somewhat into rural passivity during recent years. Since then, many inhabitants commute to other areas where employment is easier to find.[3]
Åsesletta
Sometimes in the summer (but not annually), Sandstrand hosts the Åsesletta Kjærlighetsfestival (Åsesletta Love Festival).
Åsesletta, a rural area just outside Sandstrand, is named for its dramatic location under the sheer cliffs of Åsen, a towering hill which reaches its summit at the majestic peak of Høgåsen. Trails starting at Åsesletta lead, among other places, to the picturesque and serene lake of Bakåsvannet, known for its beautiful beach and reasonably warm water in the summer.
In the early eighties Åsesletta was scorched by a raging fire which threatened to spread to all surrounding areas, catching on with devastating speed in the forested hillside, fueled by dry brush and other vegetation. Though initially blame was cast on a couple of local male adolescents, the tragic event was in reality started by young local girls playing with matches under a pine tree. Luckily, the tiny creek above Åsesletta was flowing abnormally large this year, enabling the inhabitants of the village area of Sandstrand to take the matter into their own hands and extinguish the fire in a great collective manifestation of human will, thus avoiding imminent catastrophe.
The flora and fauna of Åsesletta has now returned to its former state, leaving no evidence of the disaster that almost took place on this otherwise beautiful summer afternoon.
Åsesletta is one of the entry points of I.L. Santor's floodlit cross country ski track, which goes all the way to Tovik and has provided training facilities for some of the greatest skiing talent in this part of the country.
References
- ↑ "Sandstrand" (in Norwegian). yr.no. Retrieved 2012-08-31.
- ↑ Statistisk sentralbyrå (2001). "Folke- og boligtellingen 2001, kommune- og bydelshefter 1913 Skånland" (PDF) (in Norwegian).
- ↑ Store norske leksikon. "Sandstrand" (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2010-03-31.