Torsken
Encyclopedia
Torsken is a municipality
on the western coast of Senja
island in Troms
county
, Norway
. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Gryllefjord
. The church of Torsken dates back to the 18th century. Ånderdalen National Park
is located in Torsken and neighboring Tranøy
.
. The initial population of Torsken was 1,229. On 1 January 1964, the Rødsand area of Torsken (population: 160) was transferred to the neighboring municipality of Tranøy
.
) is named after the old Torsken farm (Old Norse
: Þoskar), since the first church was built there. The farm is named after Torsken mountain, and that name is probably derived from Norse þo(r)skr which means "cod
". (Several mountains in Norway are named after their likeness with a fish.)
is from modern times. They were granted on 23 March 1990. The arms show a gold-colored anchor cross
on a black background. It is a symbol for both Christianity
and the importance of the local harbor
. The economy of Torsken is largely dependent on its harbor and an anchor
is an appropriate symbol.
village of Gryllefjord
. The second most important village is Torsken, only a few kilometers away. Kaldfarnes and Grunnfarnes are two other fishing villages further south. Most people work in fishing or fish processing
.
to Andøya
is operated during about two months in the summer. The road to Kaldfarnes and Grunnfarnes is far from direct, and goes through the neighbouring municipality of Lenvik
.
Municipalities of Norway
Norway is divided into 19 administrative regions, called counties , and 430 municipalities...
on the western coast of Senja
Senja
Senja is the second largest island in Norway . It is located along the Troms county coastline with Finnsnes as the closest town. Senja is connected to the mainland by the Gisund Bridge. The municipalities located on Senja are Lenvik , Berg, Torsken, and Tranøy...
island in Troms
Troms
or Romsa is a county in North Norway, bordering Finnmark to the northeast and Nordland in the southwest. To the south is Norrbotten Län in Sweden and further southeast is a shorter border with Lapland Province in Finland. To the west is the Norwegian Sea...
county
Counties of Norway
Norway is divided into 19 administrative regions, called counties . The counties form the primary first-level subdivisions of Norway and are further divided into 430 municipalities...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Gryllefjord
Gryllefjord
Gryllefjord is a fishing village and also the administrative centre of Torsken municipality, on the island of Senja, in Troms county, Norway. Its population is 378....
. The church of Torsken dates back to the 18th century. Ånderdalen National Park
Ånderdalen National Park
Ånderdalen National Park lies in Torsken and Tranøy municipalities in Troms county, Norway. The park was established on 6 February 1970 by royal decree. It was enlarged in 2004, and is now...
is located in Torsken and neighboring Tranøy
Tranøy
Tranøy is a municipality in Troms county, Norway. The municipality is situated on the southern coast of the island Senja. The municipal centre is the village of Vangsvik in the east. Stonglandseidet and Å in the west are other population centers. The now abandoned island of Tranøya, with its 18th...
.
General information
The municipality of Torsken was established on 1 January 1902 when it was separated from the municipality of BergBerg, Norway
Berg is a municipality in Troms county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Skaland. The municipality faces the Atlantic Ocean on the west side of the island of Senja. The largest urban area in Berg is the village of Senjahopen...
. The initial population of Torsken was 1,229. On 1 January 1964, the Rødsand area of Torsken (population: 160) was transferred to the neighboring municipality of Tranøy
Tranøy
Tranøy is a municipality in Troms county, Norway. The municipality is situated on the southern coast of the island Senja. The municipal centre is the village of Vangsvik in the east. Stonglandseidet and Å in the west are other population centers. The now abandoned island of Tranøya, with its 18th...
.
Name
The municipality (originally the parishParish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
) is named after the old Torsken farm (Old Norse
Old Norse
Old Norse is a North Germanic language that was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and inhabitants of their overseas settlements during the Viking Age, until about 1300....
: Þoskar), since the first church was built there. The farm is named after Torsken mountain, and that name is probably derived from Norse þo(r)skr which means "cod
Cod
Cod is the common name for genus Gadus, belonging to the family Gadidae, and is also used in the common name for various other fishes. Cod is a popular food with a mild flavor, low fat content and a dense, flaky white flesh. Cod livers are processed to make cod liver oil, an important source of...
". (Several mountains in Norway are named after their likeness with a fish.)
Coat-of-arms
The coat-of-armsCoat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
is from modern times. They were granted on 23 March 1990. The arms show a gold-colored anchor cross
Cercelée
Cercelée, or Sarcelly, is a term in heraldry. A cross cercelée is like an exaggerated cross moline and to a lesser extent like the anchored cross, with its forked tips curving around both ways, like a ram's horns. The form is also known as recercelée, for example by Boutell.-External links:* of...
on a black background. It is a symbol for both Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
and the importance of the local harbor
Harbor
A harbor or harbour , or haven, is a place where ships, boats, and barges can seek shelter from stormy weather, or else are stored for future use. Harbors can be natural or artificial...
. The economy of Torsken is largely dependent on its harbor and an anchor
Anchor
An anchor is a device, normally made of metal, that is used to connect a vessel to the bed of a body of water to prevent the vessel from drifting due to wind or current. The word derives from Latin ancora, which itself comes from the Greek ἄγκυρα .Anchors can either be temporary or permanent...
is an appropriate symbol.
Economy
Most of the inhabitants live in the fishingFishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
village of Gryllefjord
Gryllefjord
Gryllefjord is a fishing village and also the administrative centre of Torsken municipality, on the island of Senja, in Troms county, Norway. Its population is 378....
. The second most important village is Torsken, only a few kilometers away. Kaldfarnes and Grunnfarnes are two other fishing villages further south. Most people work in fishing or fish processing
Fish processing
The term fish processing refers to the processes associated with fish and fish products between the time fish are caught or harvested, and the time the final product is delivered to the customer...
.
Transportation
The Andenes–Gryllefjord FerryAndenes–Gryllefjord Ferry
Andenes–Gryllefjord Ferry is a automotive ferry service connecting the islands of Andøya and Senja in Norway. Operated by Senjafergene, the crossing between Andenes in Andøy and Gryllefjord in Torsken takes 1 hour and 40 minutes. The services is only operated from late May to late August, and has...
to Andøya
Andøya
Andøya is the northernmost island in the archipelago of Vesterålen. Andøya is located in the Andøy municipality in Nordland county, Norway.The island has an area of 489 km², making it the tenth largest island in Norway. The island is connected to the neighboring island of Hinnøya using the...
is operated during about two months in the summer. The road to Kaldfarnes and Grunnfarnes is far from direct, and goes through the neighbouring municipality of Lenvik
Lenvik
Lenvik is a municipality in Troms county, Norway. The municipality is partly situated on the mainland, partly on the island of Senja. The administrative center is the town of Finnsnes, where the Gisund Bridge connects Senja to the mainland by road. Other settlements include Aglapsvik, Gibostad,...
.
External links
- Municipal fact sheet from Statistics NorwayStatistics NorwayStatistics Norway is the Norwegian statistics bureau. It was established in 1876.Relying on a staff of about 1,000, Statistics Norway publish about 1,000 new statistical releases every year on its web site. All releases are published both in Norwegian and English...