Buskerud

Last updated
Buskerud fylke
Former county
Fylkeshuset i Drammen.jpg
County Council in Drammen
Flag of Buskerud.svg
Flag
Buskerud vapen.svg
Coat of arms
Norway Counties Buskerud Position.svg
Buskerud within Norway
Coordinates: 60°30′00″N09°30′00″E / 60.50000°N 9.50000°E / 60.50000; 9.50000 Coordinates: 60°30′00″N09°30′00″E / 60.50000°N 9.50000°E / 60.50000; 9.50000
Country Norway
County Buskerud
Region Østlandet
County ID NO-06
Administrative centre Drammen
Government
 •  Governor Kirsti Kolle Grøndahl
   Arbeiderpartiet
  (1999–2020)
 •  County mayor Morten Eriksrød
   Conservative Party
  (2011–2020)
Area
 • Total14,908 km2 (5,756 sq mi)
 • Land13,794 km2 (5,326 sq mi)
 • Rank#12 in Norway, 4.53% of Norway's land area
Population
 (30 September 2019)
 • Total284,955 Increase2.svg
 • Rank8 (5.29% of country)
 • Density18/km2 (50/sq mi)
 • Change (10 years)
6.7 %
Demonym Buskerudfolk
Time zone UTC+01 (CET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+02 (CEST)
Official language form Neutral
Income (per capita)155,400 NOK
GDP (per capita)227,626 NOK (2001)
GDP national rank7 (3.57% of country)
Website www.bfk.no
Data from Statistics Norway

Buskerud (Urban East Norwegian pronunciation:  [ˈbʉ̂skərʉː] ( Loudspeaker.svg listen )) is a former county and a current electoral district in Norway, bordering Akershus, Oslo, Oppland, Sogn og Fjordane, Hordaland, Telemark and Vestfold. The region extends from the Oslofjord and Drammensfjorden in the southeast to Hardangervidda mountain range in the northwest. The county administration was in modern times located in Drammen. [1] Buskerud was merged with Akershus and Østfold into the newly created Viken County on 1 January 2020. [2] On the 23 February 2022 Viken County Council voted in a 49 against 38 decision to submit an application to the Norwegian government for a county demerger. [3]

Contents

Etymology

The county was named after the old manor Buskerud (Old Norse : Biskupsruð) (Biskopsrøysa) located on the west side of the Drammen River in Åmot, Modum municipality. The first element is the genitive case of biskup, 'bishop' (referring to the Bishop of Hamar), the last element is ruð n 'clearing, farm'. The farm was one of the largest in Buskerud, and the original name of the farm (before it became a benefice) was probably Modum. At the time of the Reformation (c. 1536–39) the farm became property of the Crown at which time the farm then served as the residence of the king's bailiffs until 1668. [4] [5] [6]

Geography

Buskerud extended from Hurum at the Oslofjord to the Halling mountains and Hardanger. The county was conventionally divided into traditional districts. These were Hallingdal, Numedal, Ringerike, Lower Buskerud, which was originally part of Vestfold, and Western Vingulmark.

Hallingdal consisted of Flå, Nes, Gol, Hemsedal, Ål and Hol. [7] Numedal consisted of Flesberg, Rollag and Nore og Uvdal. [8] Ringerike consisted of Hole, Krødsherad, Modum, Ringerike and Sigdal. Western Vingulmark consisted of Hurum and Røyken. [9] [10] Lower Buskerud consisted of Drammen, Hurum, Kongsberg, Lier, Nedre Eiker, Røyken and Øvre Eiker. The district was merged from parts that belonged to Vestfold and Vingulmark. [11]

Buskerud's western part was a mountainous plateau with forested valleys and high, grassy pastures; its eastern part contains a lowland basin with many lakes and streams. Tyrifjorden and Krøderen were the biggest lakes. Numedalslågen, the third longest river in Norway, starting in Hordaland, ran through Buskerud unto Vestfold where it reached the sea, while river Begna sweeps into lake Sperillen.

Mountains

History

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1951156,220—    
1961168,351+7.8%
1971198,852+18.1%
1981214,571+7.9%
1991225,261+5.0%
2001238,833+6.0%
2011261,110+9.3%
2021?300,142+14.9%
2031?332,808+10.9%
Source: Statistics Norway. [12]
Religion in Buskerud [13] [14]
religionpercent
Christianity
 
83.01%
Islam
 
3.14%
Buddhism
 
0.31%
Other
 
13.54%

Buskerud was separated from Akershus as an amt of its own in 1685, but the amt was smaller than today. It then consisted of the present districts Eiker, Hallingdal, and Ringerike. The area of the present municipalities of Flesberg, Hurum, Kongsberg, Lier, Nore og Uvdal, Rollag and Røyken were transferred from Akershus amt to Buskerud amt in 1760. The name Buskeruds amt was changed to Buskerud fylke in 1919. The municipality of Skoger was transferred from Vestfold to Buskerud in 1964. [15]

The area Ringerike may once have been a small kingdom. During the 10th century, Norway's kings Olaf Tryggvason and Olaf Haraldsson grew up at Bønsnes in Ringerike. In the valley of Numedal, silver was mined in Kongsberg from the 17th century until discontinued in 1957. Weapons industry had been developed in Kongsberg from 1814, and various high tech industry companies now represent the town's major employers. At Modum there was also Blaafarveværket , a cobalt pigment production works (Blue Colour Works). [16]

Economy

Winter in Blefjell Vinter.jpg
Winter in Blefjell

Today, agriculture, lumber, wood-pulp mills and other related industries are the county's main economic activities; ample hydroelectric power is produced by the rivers Begna (Begnaelva) and Rands (Randselva) . Buskerud has also a large forested area. Substantial income is derived from high tech industries located in Kongsberg. Other significant income comes from the cabin areas in northern Buskerud. [17] [18]

Coat of arms

Buskerud's coat of arms were adopted in April 1966. It features a blue bear whose colours are symbolic of the blue colour works. The silver background of Buskerud's coat of arms represents the silver industry in Kongsberg.

Number of minorities (1st and 2nd gen.)
in Buskerud by country of origin in 2017 [19]
NationalityPopulation (2017)
Flag of Poland.svg  Poland 8,259
Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey 2,975
Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania 2,961
Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq 2,293
Flag of the Taliban.svg  Afghanistan 1,928
Flag of Somalia.svg  Somalia 1,874
Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 1,842
Flag of India.svg  India 1,662
Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan 1,641
Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 1,638
Flag of Kosovo.svg  Kosovo 1,499
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 1,482
Flag of Iran.svg  Iran 1,327
Flag of Eritrea.svg  Eritrea 1,211
Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg  Bosnia-Herzegovina 1,206
Flag of Vietnam.svg  Vietnam 1,193
Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand 1,095
Flag of Syria.svg  Syria 1,043
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 1,040
Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines 956

Notable people from Buskerud

Sports figures

Entertainers

Municipalities

Municipalities in Buskerud Buskerud-kommuner.png
Municipalities in Buskerud
RankNameInhabitants [20] Area km2
1 Drammen komm.svg Drammen 62,566136
2 Ringerike komm.svg Ringerike 28,8061,437
3 Kongsberg komm.svg Kongsberg 27,817761
4 Lier komm.svg Lier 23,267283
5 Nedre Eiker komm.svg Nedre Eiker 22,687116
6 Royken komm.svg Røyken 18,894112
7 Ovre Eiker komm.svg Øvre Eiker 16,616421
8 Modum komm.svg Modum 12,911468
9 Hurum komm.svg Hurum 9,045156
10 Hole komm.svg Hole 5,976135
11 Al komm.svg Ål 4,6721,083
12 Gol komm.svg Gol 4,479517
13 Hol komm.svg Hol 4,4221,669
14 Sigdal komm.svg Sigdal 3,514813
15 Nes Buskerud komm.svg Nes 3,420776
16 Flesberg komm.svg Flesberg 2,578542
17 Nore og Uvdal komm.svg Nore og Uvdal 2,5142,281
18 Krodsherad komm.svg Krødsherad 2,117341
19 Hemsedal komm.svg Hemsedal 2,087715
20 Rollag komm.svg Rollag 1,390484
21 Fla komm.svg Flå 998674
Total Buskerud vapen.svg Buskerud257,67312,336

Districts

Main page: Category:Districts of Buskerud

Cities

Parishes

Villages

Former Municipalities

Main article: list of former municipalities of Norway

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nore og Uvdal</span> Municipality in Viken, Norway

Nore og Uvdal is a municipality in Viken county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Numedal. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Rødberg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sigdal</span> Municipality in Viken, Norway

Sigdal is a municipality in Viken county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Prestfoss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Modum</span> Municipality in Viken, Norway

Modum is a municipality in Buskerud in Viken county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Vikersund. The municipality of Modum was established on 1 January 1838.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rollag</span> Municipality in Viken, Norway

Rollag is a municipality in the traditional and electoral district Buskerud in Viken county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Numedal. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Rollag, although the most populated area in the municipality is Veggli. Rollag is bordered in the north by Nore og Uvdal, in the east by Sigdal, in the south by Flesberg, and in the west by Tinn in Telemark.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norefjell</span> Mountain in Norway

Norefjell is a mountain range in the Scandes Mountains system in Norway. It stretches between the valleys of Eggedal (west) and Hallingdal (east). It covers parts of the municipalities Flå, Sigdal, and Krødsherad, all in the county Buskerud.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hønefoss</span> Unincorporated city in Buskerud, Norway

Hønefoss is a town and the administrative center of the municipality of Ringerike in Buskerud, Viken county, Norway. Hønefoss is an industrial center of inner Østlandet, containing several factories and other industry. As of 1 January 2022, Hønefoss had 16,547 inhabitants. Between 1852 and 1964, the town was an independent municipality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Numedal</span> District in Viken, Norway

Numedal is a valley and a traditional district in Eastern Norway located within the county of Buskerud. It traditionally includes the municipalities Flesberg, Nore og Uvdal and Rollag. Administratively, it now also includes Kongsberg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eiker</span> District in Viken, Norway

Eiker is a traditional district in the county of Buskerud, Norway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Numedalslågen</span> River in Norway

Numedalslågen is a river located in the counties of Vestfold and Telemark and Viken in southeastern Norway. It is one of the longest rivers in Norway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Veggli</span> Village in Buskerud, Norway

Veggli is a village in the municipality of Rollag, in the county of Buskerud, Norway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nore, Norway</span>

Nore is a village in the municipality of Nore og Uvdal in the county of Buskerud, Norway. It is located in the traditional region of Numedal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uvdal</span> Village and former municipality in Buskerud county, Norway

Uvdal is a village and former municipality in Buskerud county, Norway. It is situated in the traditional region of Numedal and is the location of the Uvdal Stave Church.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eggedal</span>

Eggedal is a valley and parish in Viken county, Norway. It consisting of the northwestern half of the municipality of Sigdal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyristrand</span>

Tyristrand is a village in Ringerike municipality in Buskerud county, Norway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hen, Buskerud</span>

Hen is a small village in the municipality of Ringerike in Buskerud, Norway.

Northern Buskerud Police Districtwas one of 27 police districts in Norway, covering the northern part of Buskerud. The district is headquartered in Hønefoss and consists of one police stations and ten sheriff's offices. The district is led by Chief of Police Sissel Hammer. Specifically the police district covers the municipalities of Ringerike, Hole, Flå, Nes, Gol, Hemsedal, Ål, Hol, Sigdal, Krødsherad, Modum, Nore og Uvdal plus Jevnaker in Oppland. As of 2011 the district had 184 employees.

Southern Buskerud Police District is one of 27 police districts in Norway, covering the southern part of Buskerud and northern Vestfold. The district is headquartered in Drammen and consists of two police stations, at Drammen and Kongsberg, and eight sheriff's offices. The district is led by Chief of Police Johan Brekke. Specifically the police district covers the municipalities of Drammen, Kongsberg, Øvre Eiker, Nedre Eiker, Lier, Røyken, Hurum, Flesberg, Rollag in Buskerud and Svelvik and Sande in Vestfold. As of 2011 the district had 455 employees. The police district was created in 2003 as a merger between the former Drammen Police District and Kongsberg Police District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lågendalen</span>

Lågendalen is a valley located in eastern Norway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ringerike (traditional district)</span> District in Viken, Norway

Ringerike is a traditional district in Norway, commonly consisting of the municipalities Hole and Ringerike in Buskerud county. In older times, Ringerike had a larger range which went westward to the municipalities Krødsherad, Modum, and Sigdal, also in Buskerud.

Buskerud District Court is a district court located Buskerud, Norway. This court is based at four different courthouses which are located in Drammen, Hokksund, Kongsberg, and Nesbyen. The court serves the western part of Buskerud which includes cases from 16 municipalities. The court in Drammen accepts cases from the municipalities of Drammen and Lier. The court in Hokksund accepts cases from the municipalities of Øvre Eiker, Modum, Sigdal, and Krødsherad. The court in Kongsberg accepts cases from the municipalities of Flesberg, Kongsberg, Nore og Uvdal, and Rollag. The court in Nesbyen accepts cases from the municipalities of Flå, Hemsedal, Hol, Gol, Nesbyen, and Ål. The court is subordinate to the Borgarting Court of Appeal.

References

  1. ↑ Geir Thorsnæs. "Buskerud". Store norske leksikon. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Prop. 84 S". Norwegian Government . Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  3. ↑ "Fylkestinget har vedtatt søknad om fylkesdeling". Viken County . Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  4. ↑ Einar Sørensen. "Buskerud gård på Modum". historieboka. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  5. ↑ Geir Thorsnæs. "Buskerud hovedgård". Store norske leksikon. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Buskerud, Modum herad". Matrikkelutkastet av 1950. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  7. ↑ Geir Thorsnæs. "Hallingdal". Store norske leksikon. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  8. ↑ Geir Thorsnæs. "Numedal". Store norske leksikon. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  9. ↑ Per G. Norseng. "Vestfold – gammelt navn". Store norske leksikon. Archived from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  10. ↑ Svein Askheim. "Vingulmark". Store norske leksikon. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  11. ↑ Munch, Peter Andreas (1849). Historisk-geographisk beskrivelse over kongeriget Norge (Noregsveldi) i middelalderen. W. Gram. pp.  5–7.
  12. ↑ Projected population - Statistics Norway
  13. ↑ Statistics Norway - Church of Norway.
  14. ↑ Statistics Norway - Members of religious and life stance communities outside the Church of Norway, by religion/life stance. County. 2006-2010 Archived November 2, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  15. ↑ Geir Thorsnæs. "Ringerike, Hallingdal, Eiker og Buskeruds amt". Store norske leksikon. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  16. ↑ Ingolf Jarle Rui. "Modum Blaafarveværk". Store norske leksikon. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  17. ↑ Geir Thorsnæs. "Begna". Store norske leksikon. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  18. ↑ Asbjørn Vinjar. "Randselva". Store norske leksikon. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  19. ↑ "Immigrants and Norwegian-born to immigrant parents, by immigration category, country background and percentages of the population". ssb.no. Retrieved 3 August 2017.
  20. ↑ Statistisk Sentralbyrå (1 January 2010). "www.ssb.no".
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