Kirkenes
Kirkenes | ||
---|---|---|
Region Northern Norway | | |
County | Finnmark | |
District | Øst-Finnmark | |
Municipality | Sør-Varanger | |
Area | ||
• Total | 2.14 km2 (0.83 sq mi) | |
Elevation | 9 m (30 ft) | |
Population (2018)[1] | ||
• Total | 3,529 | |
• Density | 1,649/km2 (4,270/sq mi) | |
Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) | |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) | |
Post Code | 9900 Kirkenes |
Kirkenes (Norwegian:
The 2.14-square-kilometre (530-acre) town has a population (2018) of 3,529, which gives the town a population density of 1,649 inhabitants per square kilometre (4,270/sq mi). When the neighbouring suburban villages of Hesseng, Sandnes, and Bjørnevatn are all included with Kirkenes, the urban area reaches a total population of almost 8,000 people.[1]
Although Kirkenes is the Norwegian town closest to the Russian border, Vardø to its north is located further east in Norway.
History
The area around Kirkenes was a common Norwegian–Russian district until 1826, when the present border was settled. The original name of the peninsula was Piselvnes ("Pis River headland"), but this was changed to Kirkenes (meaning "church headland") after the Kirkenes Church was built here in 1862. Kirkenes was a village until 1998 when it received town status.
World War II
During the
Reportedly, Kirkenes was second after
was pushed out and fled the area after having destroyed most of the remaining infrastructure. Only 13 houses survived the war.Close to the town there is a memorial to 11 freedom fighters who helped the partisans collect information about the German occupation. In the summer of 1943, their activities were discovered and many of them were sent to a prisoner-of-war camp near Kirkenes. Following a
Demographics
The majority of the inhabitants of Kirkenes are of a Norwegian background, and a minority are
Geography
Kirkenes is located in the extreme northeastern part of Norway on the
Kirkenes is located just east of the 30th meridian east. As a result, it is further east than Istanbul, which marks one of the European borders with Asia. The easternmost point of Norway and the municipality is also at a point further east than Saint Petersburg.
Unlike the vast majority of Norway, Kirkenes is located east of the neighbouring country of Finland. Because of this, travelling directly west from Kirkenes actually changes the time zone forwards instead of backwards, as it usually does. Travelling directly east from Kirkenes (into Russia) changes the time zone forward by an hour in summer, but by two in winter. When Russia implemented permanent daylight saving time between 2011 and 2014, there was a three-hour difference travelling forward from the eastern part of the municipality to westerly Russian areas during winter. Kirkenes shares time zone with areas much further west, e.g. Galicia in Spain which has a solar time difference of 2½ hours.
One can drive 100 kilometres (62 mi) south, and walk 10 kilometres (6.2 mi), into the Øvre Pasvik National Park, reaching the border point of the three countries (Muotkavaara), where the three time zones meet. There are only a few such places in the world. It is forbidden, according to both Norwegian and Russian law, to circumambulate the border marker, as the only lawful route across the Norwegian–Russian border is at the border control at Storskog.
Climate
The midnight sun shines from May 17 to July 21. The corresponding polar night extends from November 21 to January 21. Despite its location at the coast, Kirkenes exhibits a more continental subarctic climate (Dfc) than further west along the Northern Norwegian coast. This is due to less maritime air from the west reaching across the land east to Kirkenes. The all-time high 32.7 °C (91 °F) was recorded in July 1972 and the record low −41.8 °C (−43 °F) in January 1999. The coldest low after 2000 was −32.7 °C (−27 °F) in February 2003.[6] The vegetation is northern taiga, with forest of pine and birch. The average date for the last overnight freeze (low below 0 °C (32.0 °F)) in spring is 26 May[7] and average date for first freeze in autumn is 22 September [8] giving a frost-free season of 116 days (Kirkenes Airport, 1981-2010 average). Kirkenes Airport is situated 5 km outside the town and has been recording since 1940.
Climate data for Kirkenes 1991-2020, extremes 1957-2023 (89 m) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 5.3 (41.5) |
7.3 (45.1) |
6.8 (44.2) |
14.4 (57.9) |
28.8 (83.8) |
31.6 (88.9) |
32.7 (90.9) |
30.7 (87.3) |
22.2 (72.0) |
14 (57) |
8.8 (47.8) |
7 (45) |
32.7 (90.9) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −6.4 (20.5) |
−6.5 (20.3) |
−2.8 (27.0) |
1.7 (35.1) |
7.4 (45.3) |
12.4 (54.3) |
16.4 (61.5) |
14.8 (58.6) |
10.2 (50.4) |
3.2 (37.8) |
−1.9 (28.6) |
−4.3 (24.3) |
3.7 (38.6) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | −10.1 (13.8) |
−9.9 (14.2) |
−5.6 (21.9) |
−0.8 (30.6) |
4.3 (39.7) |
8.7 (47.7) |
12.4 (54.3) |
11.3 (52.3) |
7.3 (45.1) |
1.2 (34.2) |
−4.4 (24.1) |
−7.3 (18.9) |
0.6 (33.1) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −13.6 (7.5) |
−13.3 (8.1) |
−9.2 (15.4) |
−4.2 (24.4) |
1.1 (34.0) |
5.5 (41.9) |
9.1 (48.4) |
8.3 (46.9) |
4.7 (40.5) |
−0.9 (30.4) |
−7.2 (19.0) |
−10.6 (12.9) |
−2.5 (27.5) |
Record low °C (°F) | −41.8 (−43.2) |
−38.9 (−38.0) |
−29.8 (−21.6) |
−20.9 (−5.6) |
−13.6 (7.5) |
−2.5 (27.5) |
2.4 (36.3) |
−1.5 (29.3) |
−5.9 (21.4) |
−21.7 (−7.1) |
−27.5 (−17.5) |
−34 (−29) |
−41.8 (−43.2) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 31 (1.2) |
30 (1.2) |
29 (1.1) |
27 (1.1) |
27 (1.1) |
49 (1.9) |
56 (2.2) |
55 (2.2) |
38 (1.5) |
44 (1.7) |
37 (1.5) |
33 (1.3) |
456 (18) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 9.4 | 7.3 | 6.8 | 6.5 | 6.3 | 7.6 | 9.0 | 9.7 | 8.0 | 10.2 | 9.3 | 8.5 | 98.6 |
Source 1: Eklima [9] | |||||||||||||
Source 2: NOAA - WMO averages 91-2020 Norway [10] |
Climate data for Kirkenes Airport (2002–2020 averages & extremes; precipitation from Neiden since 2005) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 5.1 (41.2) |
4.7 (40.5) |
6.1 (43.0) |
14.2 (57.6) |
28.8 (83.8) |
28.7 (83.7) |
31.3 (88.3) |
30.7 (87.3) |
22.2 (72.0) |
13.6 (56.5) |
7.0 (44.6) |
7.0 (44.6) |
31.3 (88.3) |
Mean maximum °C (°F) | 1.8 (35.2) |
1.9 (35.4) |
3.2 (37.8) |
8.5 (47.3) |
18.6 (65.5) |
23.0 (73.4) |
25.7 (78.3) |
23.9 (75.0) |
17.4 (63.3) |
9.5 (49.1) |
4.1 (39.4) |
2.8 (37.0) |
26.5 (79.7) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −6.9 (19.6) |
−6.5 (20.3) |
−2.7 (27.1) |
2.3 (36.1) |
8.2 (46.8) |
12.5 (54.5) |
16.8 (62.2) |
14.9 (58.8) |
10.5 (50.9) |
3.5 (38.3) |
−1.4 (29.5) |
−3.6 (25.5) |
4.0 (39.1) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | −10.5 (13.1) |
−9.8 (14.4) |
−5.9 (21.4) |
−0.6 (30.9) |
4.9 (40.8) |
9.2 (48.6) |
13.1 (55.6) |
11.7 (53.1) |
7.8 (46.0) |
1.6 (34.9) |
−3.9 (25.0) |
−6.8 (19.8) |
0.9 (33.6) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −14.0 (6.8) |
−13.1 (8.4) |
−9.0 (15.8) |
−3.4 (25.9) |
1.6 (34.9) |
5.8 (42.4) |
9.4 (48.9) |
8.4 (47.1) |
5.0 (41.0) |
−0.4 (31.3) |
−6.4 (20.5) |
−10.0 (14.0) |
−2.2 (28.1) |
Mean minimum °C (°F) | −26.9 (−16.4) |
−25.7 (−14.3) |
−20.1 (−4.2) |
−12.9 (8.8) |
−3.4 (25.9) |
1.4 (34.5) |
5.5 (41.9) |
3.7 (38.7) |
−0.5 (31.1) |
−8.7 (16.3) |
−16.7 (1.9) |
−20.1 (−4.2) |
−29.1 (−20.4) |
Record low °C (°F) | −31.5 (−24.7) |
−32.7 (−26.9) |
−30.0 (−22.0) |
−19.3 (−2.7) |
−7.3 (18.9) |
−0.6 (30.9) |
3.2 (37.8) |
−0.7 (30.7) |
−4.3 (24.3) |
−17.0 (1.4) |
−27.5 (−17.5) |
−29.1 (−20.4) |
−32.7 (−26.9) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 34.9 (1.37) |
24.0 (0.94) |
24.0 (0.94) |
21.5 (0.85) |
32.5 (1.28) |
48.8 (1.92) |
65.0 (2.56) |
59.0 (2.32) |
45.1 (1.78) |
41.4 (1.63) |
31.3 (1.23) |
35.9 (1.41) |
463.4 (18.23) |
Source: Norsk Klimaservicesenter[11] |
Economy and tourism
Kirkenes is close to Norway's border with Russia, and this location influences the local economy. The Norwegian Barents Secretariat, which works to promote Norwegian-Russian collaboration, is located in Kirkenes.
In 2010, Norway's and Russia's Foreign Ministers signed an agreement that made it easier for 9,000 Norwegians and 45,000 Russians living near the common border to visit each other.[12]
Tourist attractions include Grenselandmuseet (The Border Area Museum), which shows the history of war and peace along the Norwegian–Russian border, Sami art exhibitions by the artist John Savio (1902–1938), and a history of the mining industry in the area. The museum has a small shop and café. Almost every last Thursday of each month the Russian Market takes place on the central square where traders from Murmansk sell their merchandise. Here you can find everything from matryoshkas, linen cloths, and handicrafts, to Russian crystal and porcelain dishes.
Just outside Kirkenes is a military base that is home to the
In the city centre of Kirkenes is Andersgrotta, a vast underground bunker built during World War II that provided shelter to the town's residents. Tours of the bunker are available.[13]
A pride parade held in 2017 in Kirkenes attracted participants from neighbouring Russia, who were unwilling to participate in LGBT events in Russia due to hostility from the government and police. In addition, the parade saw participants from Amnesty International and the Norwegian Helsinki Committee.[14]
Kirkenes's location on the Northeast Passage and the effect of climate change on sea ice have led to expressions of interest to develop port and transport infrastructure in the town, including from state-owned enterprises of China. Public reception to such projects in Kirkenes is mixed.[15]
Transportation
Kirkenes is one end of the route of the
Kirkenes is also the
The town of Kirkenes is also the starting point of EV13 The Iron Curtain Trail, a cycling route that runs along the historic border between the capitalist West and the communist East during the Cold War.
Religion
The main church for Kirkenes is Kirkenes Church, located in the Haganes area of the town.
Sister cities
Notable people
- Turid Balke (1921–2000) a Norwegian actress, playwright and artist[18]
- Arnfinn Laudal (born 1936) a Norwegian mathematician
- Per Oskar Kjølaas (born 1948) Bishop of the Diocese of Nord-Hålogaland from 2002 to 2014
- Roger Ryberg (born 1952) a Norwegian politician
- Morten Strøksnes (born 1965) a journalist and non-fiction writer
- Jarle Vespestad (born 1966) a Norwegian jazz musician
- Simen Johan (born 1973) a Norwegian-Swedish contemporary artist, photographer and sculptor living in New York City
- Yvonne Wartiainen (born 1976) a painter, mixing figurative shapes with abstract motives
- Ørjan Nilsen (born 1982) a producer and DJ
- Sport
- Grethe Mathiesen (born 1956) a swimmer, competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics in the women's 100 metre freestyle
- Kirsten Borgen (born 1957) is a Norwegian sport wrestler
- Vegard Ulvang (born 1963) a cross-country skier who won three Olympic gold medals, two silver, and one bronze
- Vegard Sannes (born 1976) a retired football midfielder, 125 club caps with FK Bodø/Glimt
- John Kristian Dahl (born 1981) three times Vasaloppet winner
See also
References
- ^ a b c Statistisk sentralbyrå (1 January 2018). "Urban settlements. Population and area, by municipality".
- ^ "Kirkenes" (in Norwegian). yr.no. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 16 March 2013.
- ^ "Ǩeârkknjargg (subst. erisnimi)". Neahttadigisánit. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
- ^ Details from memorial plaque
- ^ "Seeking asylum on children's bicycles". BBC News. 22 October 2015.
- ^ "Weather statistics for Kirkenes lufthavn as a table - 2003".
- ^ "Siste frostnatt om våren". 4 May 2012.
- ^ "Første frostnatt". 25 September 2013.
- ^ [1][permanent dead link]
- ^ "NOAA WMO normals Norway 1991-2020".
- ^ "Norsk Klimaservicesenter - Observations". Norwegian Meteorological Institute (in Norwegian).
- ^ Lindahl, Björn (3 November 2010). "FMs Lavrov and Støre call border agreement small yet important – Nordic Labour Journal". Nordic Labour Journal. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
- ^ Cooper, Tarquin (6 Dec 2007). "From Desk Till Dawn, How Far Can you Go". Financial Times Special Insert Article. p. 29.
- ^ Nilsen, Thomas (23 September 2017). "Russians cross border to Norway for Pride Parade". The Barents Observer. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
- ^ Borshoff, Isabella (20 November 2019). "Norway's 'northernmost Chinatown' eyes Arctic opportunity". Politico EU. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
- ^ The model of twin cities Barents Institute Reprint (2008) no. 2
- ^ [2][dead link]
- ^ Larsen, Svend Erik Løken, ed. (8 February 2021) [14 February 2009]. "Turid Balke". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian Bokmål).
External links
Kirkenes travel guide from Wikivoyage
- Tourist information: www.visitkirkenes.no
- Sør Varanger municipality: Forsiden - Sør-Varanger kommune
- Sør-Varanger climate statistics from met.no.