Editing Tysfjord Municipality (section)

==Geography==
The municipality is located along the Tysfjorden. The Tysfjorden is the second deepest fjord in Norway, with a maximum depth of {{convert|897|m|ft|0}}. Tysfjord borders [[Ballangen Municipality]] in the north, Hamarøy Municipality in the south, [[Sweden]] in the east, and the [[Vestfjorden (Norway)|Vestfjorden]] in the northwest. The island of [[Hulløya]] lies in the middle of the Tysfjorden.

The municipality is dominated by grey [[granite]] mountains; [[pine]], [[birch]], and [[aspen]] [[woodland]]s and [[forest]]s; and the many fjord branches. Tysfjord's most dominant mountain, [[Stetinden (Narvik)|Stetinden]], is famous in Norway. This {{convert|1392|m|adj=on}} high natural granite [[obelisk]], rising straight out of the fjord, is an awe-inspiring sight. In Norwegian, it is called {{Lang|no|gudenes ambolt}} which means the 'anvil of the gods', partly because the summit forms a [[plateau]]. This was selected to be the national mountain of Norway in the autumn of 2002. The famous [[United Kingdom|British]] climber [[William Slingsby|William C. Slingsby]] described it as "the ugliest mountain I ever saw"; he did not reach the summit.

The mountains near the border with Sweden have peaks up to {{convert|1500|m|ft|0}} above sea level, and a large glacier, [[Gihtsejiegŋa]] is located in this area. The highest point in the municipality was the {{convert|1520|m|adj=on}} tall mountain Bjørntoppen.<ref name="elev" /> There are several nature reserves in Tysfjord. Mannfjordbotn reserve has undisturbed forests at the head of a narrow fjord branch surrounded by granite mountain walls.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mannfjordbotn naturreservat |url=http://nordland.miljostatus.no/msf_themepage.aspx?m=1619#4486 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926224407/http://nordland.miljostatus.no/msf_themepage.aspx?m=1619#4486 |archive-date=2007-09-26 |access-date=2008-11-29 |language=no}}</ref> From [[Hellemobotn]], at the head of Hellemofjorden, the distance to the border with Sweden is only {{convert|6.3|km|mi|0}}; this is also a scenic hiking terrain with a [[canyon]] opening up in Hellemobotn. There are also caves, such as the very deep [[Raggejavreraige]]. Lakes in the region include [[Baugevatnet]], [[Båvrojávrre]], [[Kilvatnet]], [[Langvatnet (Tysfjord)|Langvatnet]], and [[Skilvatnet]]. [[Silver birch]] occurs in Tysfjord, as one of few areas in [[North Norway]] (silver birch need more summer warmth than the more common [[downy birch]]).

===Nature===
[[File:Tysfjord orca 2.jpg|thumb|right|Orca taking a look above the water]]
For many years since 1990, a large part of the stock of Norwegian [[herring]] has stayed in the fjord in winter, one of the largest gatherings of [[biomass]] in the world. Large number of [[whales]], [[orca]]s in particular, have followed to feed on the herring. This has attracted winter tourists from far away, but not in huge numbers. Since 2008, less herring and fewer orca have arrived in Tysfjord. [[Harbor porpoise]]s, [[Homarus gammarus|lobsters]], [[white-tailed eagle]]s, [[common raven]]s, [[European otter]]s, and [[moose]] are all common in the Tysfjord area.

[[File:Tommerasfjorden-tysfjorden-ofoten-nordland.jpg|thumb|right|Rugged fjord scenery in Tysfjord]]
The coastal municipality of Tysfjord is better known for its [[whale watching]] than its [[birdwatching]] but the region has still a lot to offer. Thanks to a range of [[habitat]]s the area has a varied birdlife. Though the area has no large [[seabird]] colonies, there is a small [[nature reserve]] at Ramnholmen with breeding populations of [[Arctic tern]] and [[common tern]].

===Climate===
The climate is surprisingly temperate considering the location north of the [[Arctic Circle]]. Mean annual temperature in Kjøpsvik is {{convert|4.2|C|F|0}} and mean annual precipitation is {{convert|1080|mm|in|1}}. Summer is usually pleasant, although there might be persistent [[rain]]. Average monthly 24-hr temperature in June, July, and August is {{convert|10.9|C|F|0}}, {{convert|13.3|C|F|0}}, and {{convert|12.5|C|F|0}}, with average daily high about {{convert|16|C|F|0}}.

The average temperatures are below freezing for slightly more than 4 months, statistically from 17 November to 30 March, with January average of {{convert|-2.7|C|F|0}}. October is the wettest month with on average {{convert|154|mm|in|1}} precipitation, May is the driest with {{convert|54|mm|in|1}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tysfjord i perioden 1961-1990 |url=http://met.no/observasjoner/nordland/normaler_for_kommune_1850.html?kommuner |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929091815/http://met.no/observasjoner/nordland/normaler_for_kommune_1850.html?kommuner |archive-date=2007-09-29 |access-date=2008-11-29 |language=no}}</ref>

The [[midnight sun]] can be seen from the end of May to mid-July, and the sun is below the horizon from the beginning of December to mid-January. The [[aurora borealis]] is commonly seen in winter and late autumn.

===Villages===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Villages in Tysfjord<br />''<small>(names in both official languages)</small>''
|-
!Lule Sami!!Norwegian
|-
|Ájládde||Hellandsberg
|-
|Ájluokta||[[Drag, Norway|Drag]]
|-
|Gásluokta||[[Kjøpsvik]]
|-
|Hierggenjárgga||[[Korsnes]]
|-
|Jågåsijdda||[[Storå, Norway|Storå]]
|-
|Måsske||[[Musken]]
|-
|Soahkeluokta||Bjørkvik
|-
|Stuorgiedde||Storjord
|-
|Tjierrekluokta||Nordbukt
|-
|Vuodnabahta||Hellemobotn
|}