Åmli
Encyclopedia
Åmli is a municipality in the county
of Aust-Agder
, Norway
. It is located in the traditional region
of Sørlandet. The main population centre and administrative center is the village of Åmli which lies along the river Nidelva
.
) is named after the old Åmli farm (Old Norse
Almlíð), since the first church was built there. The first element is almr which means "elm
" and the last element is líð which means "hillside". The name was previously spelled Omlid and Aamli.
is from modern times. The arms were granted in 1987. It shows a silver beaver
on a blue background. Odd Einar Ufsvatn was the designer. The beaver was chosen because the Åmli area is one of the few remaining beaver habitat
s in Europe
, and beavers from Norway have been used to help re-populate other areas in Europe where the beaver had gone extinct in the wild.
). In 1876, the area of Mykland
(population: 663) was separated from it to become a separate municipality. This left Åmli with 2,564 inhabitants. On 1 January 1908, the area of Gjøvdal
(pop: 590) and the area of Tovdal
(pop: 389) were both separated from the municipality of Åmli to form their own municipalities. This left Åmli with 2,024 residents.
During the 1960s, Norway enacted many municipal reforms such as mergers and border adjustments, including in Åmli. On 1 January 1960, the neighboring municipality of Gjøvdal (pop: 362) was merged with Åmli to form a new municipality called Åmli. The combined population was 2,309. On 1 January 1962, the Espestølsgrenda area (pop: 7) was transferred from Åmli (and Aust-Agder county) to neighboring Nissedal
municipality (in Telemark
county). Several uninhabited areas (the Espestøl, Reinefoss, and Espestølstykket farms) were transferred to Nissedal municipality in Telemark county on 1 January 1965. Then on 1 January 1967, the neighboring municipality of Tovdal (pop: 161) was merged back into the municipality of Åmli. Åmli then had a total of 2,211 inhabitants. On 1 January 1968, the Flateland farm (pop: 6) was transferred to the municipality of Froland
.
and Nissedal in Telemark county, on the east by Vegårshei
, on the south by Froland, on the west by Bygland
in Aust-Agder county.
The most densely populated area is around the administration center Åmli, which lies on the banks of the Nidelva. About 600 people lived in the administrative center in 1997. Side valleys which join the main valley include Gjøvdal and Tovdal. The rivers Nidelva and Tovdalselva
flow through the valleys.
In the south of the municipality the railway station
is at Nelaug
. The main settlement areas are Dølemo
, Nelaug, Tovdal
, and Gjøvdal
. The rest of the population is scattered among the valleys.
The Åmli hills are wooded and typically range from 700 to 800 m (2,296.6 to 2,624.7 ) above sea level. At 930 metres (3,051.2 ft), the highest point is Trongedalsfjell, which lies between Tovdal and Gjøvdal. Several large lakes are located in Åmli including Måvatn
, Nasvatn
, and Nelaug
.
There are several protected areas, for instance, the Årdalen nature reserve, bordering on the Rukkevatn nature reserve, and the Furubuhei marsh reserve, provide approximately 43 square kilometres (16.6 sq mi) of nature reserves.
production making it the third most import source of timber in Aust-Adger (after Froland and Birkenes). Agriculture, including sheep husbandry
, provides a minor contribution to the economy.
Electrical power is generated by a hydroelectric
plant at Flatefoss, which regulates the level of the lake
, Nelaug.
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...
of Aust-Agder
Aust-Agder
is a county in Norway, bordering Telemark, Rogaland, and Vest-Agder. In 2002, there were 102,945 inhabitants, which is 2.2% of the total population in Norway. Its area is . The administrative center of the county is in Arendal....
, 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...
. It is located in the traditional region
Districts of Norway
The country Norway is historically divided into a number of districts. Many districts have deep historical roots, and only partially coincide with today's administrative units of counties and municipalities. The districts are defined by geographical features, often valleys, mountain ranges, fjords,...
of Sørlandet. The main population centre and administrative center is the village of Åmli which lies along the river Nidelva
Nidelva (Aust-Agder)
Nidelva in Aust-Agder is the main river in the Arendal drainage basin. It is formed by the confluence of two rivers, Nisserelva and Fyreselv. The river flows into the Skagerak at Arendal. The total length of the system is , the watershed covers...
.
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 Åmli 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....
Almlíð), since the first church was built there. The first element is almr which means "elm
Elm
Elms are deciduous and semi-deciduous trees comprising the genus Ulmus in the plant family Ulmaceae. The dozens of species are found in temperate and tropical-montane regions of North America and Eurasia, ranging southward into Indonesia. Elms are components of many kinds of natural forests...
" and the last element is líð which means "hillside". The name was previously spelled Omlid and Aamli.
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. The arms were granted in 1987. It shows a silver beaver
Beaver
The beaver is a primarily nocturnal, large, semi-aquatic rodent. Castor includes two extant species, North American Beaver and Eurasian Beaver . Beavers are known for building dams, canals, and lodges . They are the second-largest rodent in the world...
on a blue background. Odd Einar Ufsvatn was the designer. The beaver was chosen because the Åmli area is one of the few remaining beaver habitat
Habitat
* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...
s in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, and beavers from Norway have been used to help re-populate other areas in Europe where the beaver had gone extinct in the wild.
History
The parish of Omlid was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistriktFormannskapsdistrikt
Formannskapsdistrikt was the name for a Norwegian local self-government districts put into force in 1838. This system of municipality was created in a bill approved by the Storting and signed into law by King Carl Johan on 14 January 1837...
). In 1876, the area of Mykland
Mykland (village)
Mykland is a village and former municipality in Aust-Agder county, Norway. It is currently part of the municipality of Froland in the traditional region of Sørlandet.-Name:...
(population: 663) was separated from it to become a separate municipality. This left Åmli with 2,564 inhabitants. On 1 January 1908, the area of Gjøvdal
Gjøvdal
Gjøvdal is a former municipality in Aust-Agder county, Norway. The municipality covered the Gjøv river valley and the surrounding moors. It is currently part of the municipality of Åmli in the Sørlandet region.-Name:...
(pop: 590) and the area of Tovdal
Tovdal
Tovdal is a former municipality in Aust-Agder county, Norway. Tovdal was made up of the valley surrounding the Tovdalselva. It is a part of the present-day municipality of Åmli in the Sørlandet region.-Name:...
(pop: 389) were both separated from the municipality of Åmli to form their own municipalities. This left Åmli with 2,024 residents.
During the 1960s, Norway enacted many municipal reforms such as mergers and border adjustments, including in Åmli. On 1 January 1960, the neighboring municipality of Gjøvdal (pop: 362) was merged with Åmli to form a new municipality called Åmli. The combined population was 2,309. On 1 January 1962, the Espestølsgrenda area (pop: 7) was transferred from Åmli (and Aust-Agder county) to neighboring Nissedal
Nissedal
Nissedal is a municipality in Telemark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Vest-Telemark. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Treungen. The municipality of Nissedal was established on January 1, 1838 .- Etymology :The modern form of the name stems...
municipality (in Telemark
Telemark
is a county in Norway, bordering Vestfold, Buskerud, Hordaland, Rogaland and Aust-Agder. The county administration is in Skien. Until 1919 the county was known as Bratsberg amt.-Location:...
county). Several uninhabited areas (the Espestøl, Reinefoss, and Espestølstykket farms) were transferred to Nissedal municipality in Telemark county on 1 January 1965. Then on 1 January 1967, the neighboring municipality of Tovdal (pop: 161) was merged back into the municipality of Åmli. Åmli then had a total of 2,211 inhabitants. On 1 January 1968, the Flateland farm (pop: 6) was transferred to the municipality of Froland
Froland
Froland is a municipality in Aust-Agder county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Sørlandet. The administrative center is the village of Blakstad, which along with Osedalen form the main population center of the municipality....
.
Geography
Åmli is bordered on the north by FyresdalFyresdal
Fyresdal is a municipality in Telemark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Vest-Telemark. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Moland. The municipality of Moland was established on 1 January 1838 . In 1879, the name was changed to...
and Nissedal in Telemark county, on the east by Vegårshei
Vegårshei
Vegårshei is a municipality in Aust-Agder county, Norway. It is located in the traditional district of Sørlandet. The administrative center is the village of Myra.-General information:...
, on the south by Froland, on the west by Bygland
Bygland
Bygland is a municipality in the county of Aust-Agder, Norway. The municipal center is the village of Bygland. Other villages in the municipality include Byglandsfjord, Lauvdal, and Åraksbø...
in Aust-Agder county.
The most densely populated area is around the administration center Åmli, which lies on the banks of the Nidelva. About 600 people lived in the administrative center in 1997. Side valleys which join the main valley include Gjøvdal and Tovdal. The rivers Nidelva and Tovdalselva
Tovdalselva
Tovdalselva or Topdalselva is long and is one of the longest rivers in Southern Norway. The river flows from the northeast to the southwest and reaches the sea at the Topdalsfjorden between Hamresanden and Kjevik...
flow through the valleys.
In the south of the municipality the railway station
Train station
A train station, also called a railroad station or railway station and often shortened to just station,"Station" is commonly understood to mean "train station" unless otherwise qualified. This is evident from dictionary entries e.g...
is at Nelaug
Nelaug
Nelaug is a village in the southern part of the municipality of Åmli in Aust-Agder county, Norway. The population was 161. The village lies east of the Nelaug lake, which is regulated by a hydroelectric power plant...
. The main settlement areas are Dølemo
Dølemo
Dølemo is a village in the municipality of Åmli in Aust-Agder county, Norway. The village has a population of about 200. It is home to the municipal kindergarten, an elementary school, a shop, and many thriving clubs and organizations...
, Nelaug, Tovdal
Tovdal
Tovdal is a former municipality in Aust-Agder county, Norway. Tovdal was made up of the valley surrounding the Tovdalselva. It is a part of the present-day municipality of Åmli in the Sørlandet region.-Name:...
, and Gjøvdal
Gjøvdal
Gjøvdal is a former municipality in Aust-Agder county, Norway. The municipality covered the Gjøv river valley and the surrounding moors. It is currently part of the municipality of Åmli in the Sørlandet region.-Name:...
. The rest of the population is scattered among the valleys.
The Åmli hills are wooded and typically range from 700 to 800 m (2,296.6 to 2,624.7 ) above sea level. At 930 metres (3,051.2 ft), the highest point is Trongedalsfjell, which lies between Tovdal and Gjøvdal. Several large lakes are located in Åmli including Måvatn
Måvatn
Måvatn is a lake in the municipality of Åmli in Aust-Agder county, Norway. It's located about northeast of Gjøvdal and about south of the municipal border with Nissedal....
, Nasvatn
Nasvatn
Nasvatn is a lake in the municipality of Åmli in Aust-Agder county, Norway. It's located about north of the village of Tovdal. The lake eventually drains in the Tovdalselva....
, and Nelaug
Nelaug (lake)
Nelaug is a lake in the municipalities of Froland and Åmli in Aust-Agder county, Norway. The lake is formed by a dam which regulates a hydroelectric power plant on the Nidelva river. The village of Nelaug is located near the dam. The lake is located about south of the municipal center of Åmli...
.
There are several protected areas, for instance, the Årdalen nature reserve, bordering on the Rukkevatn nature reserve, and the Furubuhei marsh reserve, provide approximately 43 square kilometres (16.6 sq mi) of nature reserves.
Economy
Lumbering in Åmli provides for about 12% of the Aust-Agder county's total timberLumber
Lumber or timber is wood in any of its stages from felling through readiness for use as structural material for construction, or wood pulp for paper production....
production making it the third most import source of timber in Aust-Adger (after Froland and Birkenes). Agriculture, including sheep husbandry
Sheep husbandry
Sheep husbandry is a subcategory of animal husbandry specifically dealing with the raising and breeding of domestic sheep. Sheep farming is primarily based on raising lambs for meat, or raising sheep for wool. Sheep may also be raised for milk or to sell to other farmers.-Shelter and...
, provides a minor contribution to the economy.
Electrical power is generated by a hydroelectric
Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity is the term referring to electricity generated by hydropower; the production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. It is the most widely used form of renewable energy...
plant at Flatefoss, which regulates the level of the lake
Lake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
, Nelaug.
Famous residents
- Engvald BakkanEngvald BakkanEngvald Bakkan was a Norwegian novelist and children's writer. Among his most best known works is the novel trilogy from the 18th century, Krossen er din, Gjenom fossane and Regnbogen i toreskya, published between 1947 and 1952. He was awarded the Gyldendal's Endowment in 1953.-References:...
(1897–1982), authorAuthorAn author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:... - Godtfred Lorentsen (1909–2000), photographer, local historianHistorianA historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
and author
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...
- Culture in Åmli on the map