Honningsvåg

The 1.04 km2 town has a population of 2,245 (2023), which gives it a population density of 2159 PD/km2. Situated at a bay on the southeastern side of the large island of Magerøya, while the famous North Cape and its visitor center are on the northern side of the island. A port of call for Hurtigruten Coastal Express and cruise ships, especially in the summer months. The ice-free ocean (the southwestern part of the Barents Sea) provides rich fisheries and tourism is also important to the town. Even at 71°N, many private gardens in Honningsvåg have trees, although rarely more than 3 to tall. The famous dog Bamse that became the mascot of the Free Norwegian Forces during the Second World War came from Honningsvåg.

• Settlement Type — Town/City • Subdivision Type — Country • Subdivision Name — Norway • Subdivision Type1 — Region • Subdivision Name1 — Northern Norway • Subdivision Type2 — County • Subdivision Name2 — Finnmark • Subdivision Type3 — District • Subdivision Name3 — Vest-Finnmark • Subdivision Type4 — Municipality • Subdivision Name4 — Nordkapp Municipality • Timezone1 — CET • Utc Offset1 — +01:00 • Timezone1 Dst — CEST • Utc Offset1 Dst — +02:00 • Established Title — Established as • Established Title1 — Town (By) • Established Date1 — 1996 • Area Total Km2 — 1.04 • Population As Of — 2023 • Population Total — 2245 • Population Density Km2 — 2159 • Population Demonym — Honningsvåging • Postal Code Type — Post Code • Postal Code — 9750 Honningsvåg • Elevation M — 12

• Illustration — Honningsvåg harbor The port of Honningsvåg is an important stop-over for the ships of the nordic gas and oil industry. After the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine Norway imposed restrictions on Russian LNG projects, but vessels carrying the super chilled gas remain permitted to use services at the Honningsvåg port, including provisioning and crew changes. Honningsvåg is one of the main stops of the Hurtigruten coastal ships on their lengthy route along the Norwegian coast between Kirkenes in the north and Bergen in the south. The northbound ships to Kirkenes dock in the port generating heavy tourist activity in the city. The southbound ships to Bergen make a short stop as well. The Honningsvåg Airport, located 4 km north of the town, offer flights mainly to Tromsø, with connecting service to Oslo. Bus line 110 links to Alta.

• Illustration — Winter sky in Honningsvåg The area was first settled in prehistory, as early as 10,300 years ago. The sea was probably the main food source.

Honningsvåg was declared a city in 1996 by the municipal council of Nordkapp. National legislation was passed in 1997 that states that a Norwegian city must have at least 5,000 inhabitants, but since Honningsvåg was declared a city in 1996, it was exempt from this legislation. This makes it one of the smallest cities in Norway.

The town (originally it was a village) is named after the old Honningsvaag farm (Hornungsvágr). The meaning of the first element is uncertain. It may be from Hornungr, an old name (no longer used) for the nearby mountain Storefjell (big mountain). This mountain has a tall, hornlike peak near Honningsvåg which would imply that the name was derived from the word horn. The last element is which means "inlet" or "bay". The full name thus means "the bay lying beneath the mountain Hornungr."

Even though Honningsvåg is located at the northernmost extreme of Europe, it has a subarctic climate (not a polar climate; barely qualifying for Dfc when the isotherm of -3 C (27 F) is used), thanks to the North Atlantic Drift. Winter temperatures are softened by the ice-free ocean, and are extremely mild for the polar latitude, even milder than winters at Oslo Airport which is located 1400 km and 11 degrees of latitude further south. Located on the coast, Honningsvåg can experience strong winter storms and blizzard conditions, sometimes closing the road connection. On 29 December 2008, winds were recorded at 81 mph. Snow cover can be deep in winter, threatening avalanches in steep terrain. Precipitation is evenly spread throughout the year, but with a little peak in autumn. Honningsvåg has a polar day with midnight sun from 13 May to 31 July. From 21 November to 21 January, the sun is below the horizon (polar night). On 29 June 2022 a new record high was set with 28.4 °C.

• Illustration — Sun Viking at Honningsvåg in 1993

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