Editing Aurland

{{short description|Municipality in Vestland, Norway}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox kommune
|name                   = Aurland
|native_name            = 
|native_name_lang       = 
|other_name             = 
|former_name            = 
|image_skyline          = Aurlandsvangen.JPG
|image_caption          = View of Aurlandsvangen
|idnumber               = 4641
|county                 = Vestland
|district               = Sogn
|capital                = [[Aurlandsvangen]]
|established            = 1 January 1838
|preceded               = none
|demonym                = Aurlending
|language               = Nynorsk
|coatofarms             = Aurland komm.svg
|webpage                = www.aurland.kommune.no
|mayor                  = Kjell Bøe Bjørgum
|mayor_party            = [[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]]
|mayor_as_of            = 2023
|area_rank              = 60
|area_total_km2         = 1467.69
|area_land_km2          = 1376.20
|area_water_km2         = 91.49
|area_water_percent     = 6.2
|population_as_of       = 2023
|population_rank        = 294
|population_total       = 1775
|population_density_km2 = 1.3
|population_increase    = 3.6
|coordinates            = {{coord|60|52|05|N|07|14|36|E|region:NO|display=inline,title}}
|utm_zone=32V |utm_northing=6749369 |utm_easting=0404607 | geo_cat=adm2nd
}}

'''Aurland''' ({{IPA|no-NO-03|ˈæ̂ʉrlɑn|lang}}) is a [[List of municipalities of Norway|municipality]] in the [[Counties of Norway|county]] of [[Vestland]], [[Norway]]. It is located on the south side of the [[Sognefjorden]] in the [[Districts of Norway|traditional district]] of [[Sogn]]. The [[administrative center]] is the village of [[Aurlandsvangen]]. Other villages include [[Bakka, Sogn og Fjordane|Bakka]], [[Flåm]], [[Undredal]], and [[Gudvangen]].

The {{convert|1468|km2|adj=on}} municipality is the 60th largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Aurland is the 294th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 1,775. The municipality's [[population density]] is {{convert|1.3|PD/km2}} and its population has increased by 3.6% over the previous 10-year period.<ref name="ssb pop">{{Cite web |last=Statistisk sentralbyrå |author-link=Statistics Norway |title=Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M) |url=https://www.ssb.no/en/statbank/table/06913/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526133944/https://www.ssb.no/en/statbank/table/06913/ |archive-date=26 May 2020 |access-date=26 January 2020 |language=Norwegian}}</ref><ref name="ssb area">{{Cite web |last=Statistisk sentralbyrå |author-link=Statistics Norway |title=09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M) |url=https://www.ssb.no/en/statbank/table/09280/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526133950/https://www.ssb.no/en/statbank/table/09280/ |archive-date=26 May 2020 |access-date=26 January 2020 |language=Norwegian}}</ref>

==General information==
[[File:View of the Aurlandsfjord, Aurlandsvangen and Flam from below the Prest Summit.jpg|thumb|left|View of the Aurlandsfjorden, [[Aurlandsvangen]], and [[Flåm]]]]
Aurland was established as a [[List of municipalities of Norway|municipality]] on 1 January 1838 (see [[formannskapsdistrikt]] law). The original municipality was identical to the Aurland [[Church of Norway|parish]] ''([[prestegjeld]])'' with the sub-parishes ({{lang|no|sokn}}) of [[Aurlandsvangen]], [[Flåm]], and [[Undredal]]. In 1859, the sub-parish of Nærøy was created by separating it from the sub-parish of Undredal. The municipal borders have not changed since 1838.<ref name="Dag">{{Cite book |last=Jukvam |first=Dag |url=http://www.ssb.no/emner/00/90/rapp_9913/rapp_9913.pdf |title=Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen |publisher=[[Statistics Norway|Statistisk sentralbyrå]] |year=1999 |isbn=9788253746845 |language=no |access-date=20 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120901160307/http://www.ssb.no/emner/00/90/rapp_9913/rapp_9913.pdf |archive-date=1 September 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Name===
The municipality (originally the [[prestegjeld|parish]]) is named after the old village of ''[[Aurlandsvangen|Aurland]]'' ({{langx|non|Aurland}}) since the first [[Vangen Church (Aurland)|Vangen Church]] was built there. The first element is {{wikt-lang|non|aurr}} which means "[[gravel]]" or "moist earth". The last element is {{wikt-lang|non|land}} which means "land" or "district".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rygh |first=Oluf |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lN1LAQAAIAAJ |title=Norske gaardnavne: Nordre Bergenhus amt |date=1919 |publisher=W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri |edition=12 |location=Kristiania, Norge |page=107 |language=no |access-date=8 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709095433/https://books.google.com/books?id=lN1LAQAAIAAJ |archive-date=9 July 2023 |url-status=live |authorlink=Oluf Rygh}}</ref>

===Coat of arms===
The [[coat of arms]] was granted on 22 May 1987. The official [[blazon]] is ''"[[Azure (heraldry)|Azure]], a goat buck's head [[Erased (heraldry)|erased]] [[argent]]"'' ({{langx|no|På blå grunn eit avrive sølv geitebukkhovud}}). This means the arms have a blue [[field (heraldry)|field]] (background) and the [[charge (heraldry)|charge]] is the head of a male [[goat]]. The goat head has a [[tincture (heraldry)|tincture]] of [[argent]] which means it is commonly colored white, but if it is made out of metal, then silver is used. A goat was considered an appropriate symbol for the municipality since the area is famed for its [[goat farming]] and its production of [[Goat's milk cheese|goat cheese]]. The arms were designed by Inge Rotevatn. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen |url=https://www.heraldry-wiki.com/heraldrywiki/index.php?title=Aurland |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008123131/https://www.heraldry-wiki.com/heraldrywiki/index.php?title=Aurland |archive-date=8 October 2022 |access-date=13 May 2023 |publisher=Heraldry of the World}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Aurland, Sogn og Fjordane (Norway) |url=https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/no-14-21.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123045107/https://crwflags.com/FOTW/FLAGS/no-14-21.html |archive-date=23 January 2022 |access-date=13 May 2023 |website=Flags of the World}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=22 May 1987 |title=Godkjenning av våpen og flagg |url=https://lovdata.no/dokument/LF/forskrift/1987-05-22-446 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420004133/https://lovdata.no/dokument/LF/forskrift/1987-05-22-446 |archive-date=20 April 2023 |access-date=13 May 2023 |website=Lovdata.no |publisher=Norges kommunal- og arbeidsdepartementet |language=no}}</ref> {{see also|Vinje#Coat of arms}}

===Churches===
The [[Church of Norway]] has four parishes ({{lang|no|sokn}}) within the municipality of Aurland. It is part of the [[Sogn prosti]] ([[deanery]]) in the [[Diocese of Bjørgvin]].

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ style="font-size:medium"|'''''Churches in Aurland'''''
!Parish ({{lang|no|sokn}})!!Church name!!Location of the church!!Year built
|-
|Flåm||[[Flåm Church]]||[[Flåm]]||1667
|-
||Nærøy||[[Bakka Church]]||[[Bakka, Sogn og Fjordane|Bakka]]||1859
|-
||Undredal||[[Undredal Stave Church]]||[[Undredal]]||1147
|-
||Vangen||[[Vangen Church (Aurland)|Vangen Church]]||[[Aurlandsvangen]]||1202
|}

==History==
The earliest inhabitants lived by [[hunting]] and [[fishing]] until they gradually started [[Agriculture|farming]] about 2,000 years ago. Agriculture is still important with the rich valley floors and abundant mountain pastures. As in all of [[western Norway]], the area was overpopulated in the middle 19th century, and [[Cotter (farmer)|cotters]] were forced to clear land far up the mountainsides. This difficulty led to [[emigration]] and in the 20-year period after 1845, 1,050 people moved out of the community—most of them moving to [[Norwegian Americans|America]].

[[Tourism]] came to the community as early as the middle of the 19th century, in the form of [[Recreational fishing|sport fishing]] and [[hunting]]. Tourists from England were dominant during this time and one can still find [[English language|English]] names for mountaintops, hunting cabins, and fishing holes.

Later, a different type of tourist came to the region. These tourists came to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. These tourists created a need for jobs in the form of [[transport]]ation and lodging. Three or four ships would anchor in the [[Nærøyfjord]] at a time which created the need for scores of horse-drawn [[carriage]]s to take the tourists up to Stalheim hotel, located just over the border in [[Voss]] municipality to the southwest.<ref name="aur">{{Cite web |date=31 October 2003 |title=About Aurland |url=http://www.aurland.kommune.no/index.asp?strurl=1001767i |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207163647/http://aurland.kommune.no/index.asp?strurl=1001767i |archive-date=7 February 2009 |access-date=19 June 2008 |publisher=Aurland Kommune}}</ref>

==Government==
Aurland Municipality is responsible for [[primary education]] (through 10th grade), outpatient [[Health care|health services]], [[old age|senior citizen]] services, [[welfare spending|welfare]] and other [[Social work|social services]], [[zoning]], [[economic development]], and municipal [[road]]s and utilities. The municipality is governed by a [[Municipal council (Norway)|municipal council]] of [[Direct election|directly elected]] representatives. The [[mayor]] is [[Indirect election|indirectly elected]] by a vote of the municipal council.<ref name="ks">{{Cite encyclopedia |title=kommunestyre |encyclopedia=[[Store norske leksikon]] |publisher=[[Kunnskapsforlaget]] |url=https://snl.no/kommunestyre |date=20 September 2022 |editor-last=Hansen |editor-first=Tore |language=Norwegian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327085706/https://snl.no/kommunestyre |archive-date=27 March 2019 |editor2-last=Vabo |editor2-first=Signy Irene |accessdate=14 October 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> The municipality is under the jurisdiction of the [[Sogn og Fjordane District Court]] and the [[Gulating Court of Appeal]].

===Municipal council===
The [[Municipal council (Norway)|municipal council]] {{lang|no|(Kommunestyre)}} of Aurland is made up of 17 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political [[Political party|party]].
{{div col}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Aurland
|start                     = 2023
|end                       = 2027
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Kommunestyrevalg 2023 - Vestland |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2023/ko/vestland/aurland#seats |access-date=21 January 2024 |publisher=[[Valgdirektoratet]]}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = 
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 17
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 7
|Grønne                    = 1
|Høyre                     = 5
|Senterpartiet             = 3
|Venstre                   = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Aurland
|start                     = 2019
|end                       = 2023
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Kommunestyrevalg 2019 – Vestland |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2019/ko/vestland/aurland#seats |access-date=29 October 2019 |publisher=[[Valgdirektoratet]]}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 17
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 4
|Grønne                    = 2
|Høyre                     = 3
|Senterpartiet             = 8
|}}
{{Infobox Kommunestyre
|name                      = Aurland
|start                     = 2015
|end                       = 2019
|reference                 = <ref name="ssb valg">{{Cite web |title=Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M) |url=https://www.ssb.no/en/statbank/table/04813/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200419034538/https://www.ssb.no/en/statbank/table/04813/ |archive-date=19 April 2020 |access-date=30 October 2019 |publisher=Statistics Norway |language=no}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 17
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 4
|Høyre                     = 6
|Senterpartiet             = 4
|Venstre                   = 1
|Grønne                    = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Aurland
|start                     = 2011
|end                       = 2015
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Kommunestyrevalg 2011 – Sogn og Fjordane |url=https://valgresultat.no/sogn%20og%20fjordane/aurland#seats |access-date=29 October 2019 |publisher=[[Valgdirektoratet]]}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 17
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 4
|Grønne                    = 1
|Høyre                     = 5
|Senterpartiet             = 5
|Venstre                   = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Aurland
|start                     = 2007
|end                       = 2011
|reference                 = <ref name="ssb valg" />
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 17
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 5
|Høyre                     = 4
|Senterpartiet             = 7
|Venstre                   = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Aurland
|start                     = 2003
|end                       = 2007
|reference                 = <ref name="ssb valg" />
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 5
|Høyre                     = 5
|Senterpartiet             = 7
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|Venstre                   = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Aurland
|start                     = 1999
|end                       = 2003
|reference                 = <ref name="ssb valg" />
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 5
|Høyre                     = 4
|Senterpartiet             = 9
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|Venstre                   = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Aurland
|start                     = 1995
|end                       = 1999
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1996 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1995 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_c342.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920122018/http://ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_c342.pdf |archive-date=20 September 2014 |access-date=18 February 2020 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 8
|Høyre                     = 3
|Senterpartiet             = 8
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|Venstre                   = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Aurland
|start                     = 1991
|end                       = 1995
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1993 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1991 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_c057.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522201730/http://ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_c057.pdf |archive-date=22 May 2015 |access-date=18 February 2020 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 7
|Høyre                     = 6
|Senterpartiet             = 5
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|Venstre                   = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Aurland
|start                     = 1987
|end                       = 1991
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1988 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1987 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b765.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019115549/http://ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b765.pdf |archive-date=19 October 2014 |access-date=18 February 2020 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 9
|Høyre                     = 3
|Senterpartiet             = 4
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|KrF/V                     = 2
|otherparty                = Common list in Aurland
|otherparty_no             = Samlingslista i Aurland
|otherparty_number         = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Aurland
|start                     = 1983
|end                       = 1987
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1984 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1983 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b450.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019091914/http://ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b450.pdf |archive-date=19 October 2014 |access-date=18 February 2020 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 8
|Høyre                     = 4
|Senterpartiet             = 4
|KrF/V                     = 3
|otherparty                = Common list in Aurland
|otherparty_no             = Samlingslista i Aurland
|otherparty_number         = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Aurland
|start                     = 1979
|end                       = 1983
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1979 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1979 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b093.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140929113607/http://ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b093.pdf |archive-date=29 September 2014 |access-date=18 February 2020 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 8
|Høyre                     = 5
|Senterpartiet             = 4
|DLF/KrF/V                 = 4
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Aurland
|start                     = 1975
|end                       = 1979
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1977 |title=Kommunevalgene 1975 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a769.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315223921/http://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a769.pdf |archive-date=15 March 2016 |access-date=1 May 2020 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 9
|Høyre                     = 2
|DLF/KrF/Sp/V              = 10
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Aurland
|start                     = 1971
|end                       = 1975
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1973 |title=Kommunevalgene 1972 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a457.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421043257/http://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a457.pdf |archive-date=21 April 2016 |access-date=1 May 2020 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 10
|Høyre                     = 2
|Senterpartiet             = 5
|Venstre                   = 4
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Aurland
|start                     = 1967
|end                       = 1971
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1967 |title=Kommunevalgene 1967 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a214.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421035823/http://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a214.pdf |archive-date=21 April 2016 |access-date=1 May 2020 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo |volume=I}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 9
|Høyre                     = 3
|Senterpartiet             = 5
|Venstre                   = 4
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Aurland
|start                     = 1963
|end                       = 1967
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1964 |title=Kommunevalgene 1963 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xii_138.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421050701/http://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xii_138.pdf |archive-date=21 April 2016 |access-date=1 May 2020 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 9
|Venstre                   = 6
|Borgerlige_Felleslister   = 6
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Aurland
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1959
|end                       = 1963
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1960 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xii_022.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317152829/http://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xii_022.pdf |archive-date=17 March 2016 |access-date=1 May 2020 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 9
|Høyre                     = 2
|Senterpartiet             = 4
|Borgerlige_Felleslister   = 6
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Aurland
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1955
|end                       = 1959
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1957 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xi_252.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214033802/https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xi_252.pdf |archive-date=14 February 2020 |access-date=1 May 2020 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 7
|Høyre                     = 1
|Borgerlige_Felleslister   = 10
|Local_Lists               = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Aurland
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1951
|end                       = 1955
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1952 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xi_120.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317192202/http://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xi_120.pdf |archive-date=17 March 2016 |access-date=1 May 2020 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 28
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 10
|Borgerlige_Felleslister   = 8
|Local_Lists               = 10
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Aurland
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1947
|end                       = 1951
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1948 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_x_165.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316182828/http://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_x_165.pdf |archive-date=16 March 2016 |access-date=1 May 2020 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 28
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 11
|Borgerlige_Felleslister   = 13
|Local_Lists               = 4
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Aurland
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1945
|end                       = 1947
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1947 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_x_133.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140825102312/http://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_x_133.pdf |archive-date=25 August 2014 |access-date=1 May 2020 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 24
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 9
|Senterpartiet             = 2
|Venstre                   = 4
|Borgerlige_Felleslister   = 4
|Local_Lists               = 5
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Aurland
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1937
|end                       = 1941* 
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1938 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_ix_133.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306080913/http://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_ix_133.pdf |archive-date=6 March 2016 |access-date=1 May 2020 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 24
|Senterpartiet             = 4
|Venstre                   = 5
|Borgerlige_Felleslister   = 4
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 7
|Local_Lists               = 4
|}}
{{div col end}}

===Mayors===
The [[Mayor#Scandinavia|mayors]] ({{langx|nn|ordførar}}) of Aurland:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ordførarar i Aurland kommune |url=https://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/nrk_sogn_og_fjordane/fylkesleksikon/3243058.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514025427/https://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/nrk_sogn_og_fjordane/fylkesleksikon/3243058.html |archive-date=14 May 2023 |access-date=13 May 2023 |website=NRK Fyklesleksikon}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*1838-1839: Jonas Wessel Crøger
*1841-1841: Torstein Fretheim
*1842-1843: K. A. Bugge
*1844-1847: Torstein Fretheim
*1848-1848: Henrik Christian Borchgrevink
*1849-1851: Torstein Fretheim
*1853-1859: Torstein Fretheim
*1862-1865: Sjur Loven
*1867-1868: Anders Brekke
*1868-1871: Torstein Fretheim
*1872-1879: Lars Ohnstad
*1881-1885: Eirik Otternes
*1886-1897: Anders Brekke
*1899-1907: Peder Skjerdal
*1909-1925: Olav Sævartveit 
*1926-1928: Jens Lunde
*1928-1929: Per Wangen
*1939-1941: Jens Lunde
*1942-1945: Torstein Skahjem
*1945-1945: Jens Lunde
*1946-1959: Jon Ø. Underdahl
*1960-1963: [[Ragnvald Winjum]] ([[Liberal Party (Norway)|V]])
*1965-1971: Svein Fossheim ([[Centre Party (Norway)|Sp]])
*1971-1979: Martin Widme ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*1980-1985: Torleiv Gjerløw ([[Centre Party (Norway)|Sp]])
*1986-1991: Osvald Turlid ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*1992-2003: Ivar Bjarne Underdal ([[Centre Party (Norway)|Sp]])
*2003–2011: Olav J. Ellingsen ([[Centre Party (Norway)|Sp]])
*2011–2019: Noralv Distad ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
*2019–2023: Trygve Skjerdal ([[Centre Party (Norway)|Sp]])
*2023-present: Kjell Bøe Bjørgum ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ordførar |url=https://www.aurland.kommune.no/ordfoerar.161626.nn.html |website=Aurland kommune |language=no}}</ref>
{{div col end}}

===Police===
In 2016, the chief of police for [[Vestlandet]] formally suggested a reconfiguration of police districts and stations. He proposed that the police station in Aurland be closed.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fjelltveit |first=Ingvild |last2=Raunholm |first2=Per Vidar |date=20 December 2016 |title=Foreslår å legge ned 17 lensmannskontor i Vest politidistrikt |url=https://www.nrk.no/hordaland/slik-vil-songstad-ha-vest-politidistrikt-1.13284803 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305002043/https://www.nrk.no/hordaland/slik-vil-songstad-ha-vest-politidistrikt-1.13284803 |archive-date=5 March 2017 |access-date=20 October 2017 |work=NRK Hordaland |language=no}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Fjord1.JPG|thumb|left|View on the Aurlandsfjord (northwest direction)]]
Aurland lies {{convert|200|km}} from the west coast of [[Norway]] in the eastern part of [[Vestland]] county, along the [[Aurlandsfjorden]] and the [[Nærøyfjorden]]. These are branches that flow off of the world's longest and deepest fjord, the [[Sognefjorden]].

Aurland is bordered by four municipalities in [[Vestland]] county: [[Lærdal]] to the north-east and [[Vik, Sogn|Vik]] to the west, [[Voss]] to the south-west, and [[Ulvik]] to the south. It is also bordered by one municipality in [[Buskerud]] county: [[Hol, Norway|Hol]] to the south-east.

Most of the area is composed of [[fjord]]s and mountains with small populated areas concentrated in the lower river valleys, the largest of which is the [[Aurlandsdalen]]. The main village areas include [[Aurlandsvangen]], [[Gudvangen]], [[Undredal]], [[Flåm]], and Vassbygdi.

Wild and beautiful nature dominate the community from the [[fjord]]s to mountaintops that are {{convert|1200|to|1800|m}} above [[sea level]]. There are two permanent [[glacier]]s in Aurland: Storskavlen and Blåskavlen.<ref name="aur" />

The [[Aurlandsfjellet]] mountains separate Aurland from the neighboring municipality to the east, [[Lærdal]]. The [[Lærdal Tunnel]], the longest in the world as of 2014, cuts through the mountains connecting the two municipalities. The [[Gudvanga Tunnel]] connects the villages of [[Gudvangen]] and [[Undredal]] in southwestern Aurland.

==Nature==
===Climate===
Aurland has a typical inland [[climate]] with mild winters at the lower levels, early springs, and warm summers. A yearly average of {{convert|470|mm}} of [[precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] make Aurland one of the driest areas in Norway. In comparison, [[Bergen]] has {{convert|2250|mm}} of precipitation per year.<ref name="aur" />

===Vegetation===
[[File:Norway Aurland Laerdal.jpg|thumb|right|View of mountains and fjords in Aurland]]
Aurland has rich and varied [[flora]], which is more typical of [[Eastern Norway|eastern]] rather than [[western Norway]]. The mountain plant life is especially rich since the bedrock contains [[calcium]] rich deposits of [[phyllite]].<ref name="aur" />

===Geology===
The oldest [[bedrock]] in Aurland are [[Precambrian]] [[Basement (geology)|basement]] rocks which crop out in [[tectonic window]]s in the north-eastern part of the municipality. This basement unit is mainly composed of [[granite]]s, [[granodiorite]]s and [[gneiss]]es and is overlain by a [[nappe]] unit of [[Cambrian|cambro]]-[[silurian]] [[phyllite]] and [[mica schist]] of varying thickness. This is in turn overlain by a second nappe unit, called the ''Jotundekket'' (“Jokun Nappe”), which consists of Precambrian, mainly magmatic rocks which are more or less metamorphosed into gneisses and [[amphibolite]].<ref name="rye94">Noralf Rye, Per Einar Faugli (1994): ''Geology and geomorphology of the Aurland district.'' [[Norwegian Journal of Geography]]. 48(1–2):13–22, {{doi|10.1080/00291959408552322}}.</ref>

Part of the scenery took its shape 9,000 years ago, at the end of the [[ice age]]. The ice's advance was either halted or continued, according to the climatic conditions, and [[moraine]] ridges and gravel terraces were deposited along the glacier front. They are still visible today south of the [[Flåm]] church.<ref name="jon">{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=John Erik |title=Aurland Municipality |url=http://www.jonsvoll.com/timetabl/aurland.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050817043503/http://www.jonsvoll.com/timetabl/aurland.htm |archive-date=17 August 2005 |access-date=20 June 2008}}</ref>

On the western side of the Aurlandsfjord, there is rock that was pushed up into mountain ranges several million years ago. The fjord itself was gouged out of an earlier valley. [[Aurlandsvangen]] is typical of the lower areas, lying on an old [[river delta]]—the land is very flat and fertile. The mountainsides are steep causing frequent rock slides and [[avalanche]]s.<ref name="aur" />

The lakes [[Nyhellervatnet]] and [[Fretheimsdalsvatnet]] are located in Aurland.

==Attractions==
===UNESCO World Heritage Site===
The West Norwegian Fjords of Geirangefjord and [[Nærøyfjord]] were added to [[UNESCO]]'s [[World Heritage Site]] list in 2005. The two fjords are situated {{convert|120|km}} from each other and they are separated by the [[Jostedalsbreen]] glacier. The World Heritage Site possesses a unique combination of glacial landforms at the same time as each area is characterised by its own outstanding beauty. The [[Nærøyfjord]] areas in this site stretch through the municipalities of Aurland, [[Lærdal]], [[Vik, Sogn|Vik]], and [[Voss]].<ref name="go">{{Cite web |title=Aurland |url=http://www.gonorway.no/norway/counties/sogn-and-fjordande/aurland/76362e49adafc80/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202040311/http://www.gonorway.no/norway/counties/sogn-and-fjordande/aurland/76362e49adafc80/ |archive-date=2 February 2017 |access-date=20 June 2008 |publisher=GoNorway.no}}</ref>
{{wide image|Panorama view of Naeroyfjord from a tourist ferry.jpg|2000px|View of Naeroyfjord from a tourist ferry}}

===Aurlandsdalen Valley===
[[File:Vangen kirke.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Vangen Church in [[Aurlandsvangen]] ]]
[[File:Flamsbana waterfall.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Kjosfossen waterfall]]
The [[Aurlandsdalen]] valley is a well known hiking trail in Norway with its fabulous nature and contrasting countryside. The valley is rich in history and packed with culture. One can take the hike in several stages: From Geiteryggen where the path starts, it is a four-hour hike to Steinbergdalen. There are beautiful views of mountain peaks, snow glaciers, and lakes. In Steinbergdalen you will find Steinbergdalen mountain lodge which opened in 1895.<ref name="jon" />

===Flåmsbana Railway===
The [[Flåmsbana|Flåm Railway]] is a masterpiece in engineering which is one of the most exciting railway journeys in the world. This journey from [[Myrdal]] to [[Flåm]] is twelve miles long (19&nbsp;km), a descent of {{convert|866|m}}. It has 20 tunnels with a total length of almost {{convert|6|km}}. About 80% of the Flåm railway has a maximum gradient of 5.5%. To cope with the enormous change in height over such a short stretch, the track runs partly through tunnels which spiral in and out of the mountainside. The gradient is quite exceptional for a normal railway and the carriages are fitted with five different brake systems, any one of which is sufficient to stop the train.<ref name="jon" />

===Undredal Stavkyrkje===
The [[Undredal Stave Church]] is a simple, small one-[[nave]] church that was built around 1150. It is located in the village of [[Undredal]]. It is one of the oldest preserved [[stave church]]es in Norway.<ref name="go" />

===Vangen Kyrkje===
The [[Vangen Church (Aurland)|Vangen Church]] was built in 1202. The church is built in the early Gothic style influenced by English architecture. A document written in 1714 tells us that English merchants used to stay in Aurland during long periods to buy different articles and they are supposed to have taken part in the building of the church. Most likely they would have been the master builders.

In 1725, the [[Denmark–Norway|Danish-Norwegian]] government was experiencing financial problems and [[Frederick IV of Denmark|King Frederick IV]] sold the church. The church remained as private property until the late 19th century. Then the municipality bought Vangen church back for 500 [[Norwegian krone|kroner]].

At the last restoration in 1926, the original colors and designs were uncovered. Then the ceiling was taken away and the [[baldachin]] over the [[pulpit]] was brought back again. A new [[altarpiece]] was made. The Norwegian artist [[Emanuel Vigeland]] made the [[stained glass]] windows (two of the windows in the [[chancel]] illustrate the [[Parable of the Prodigal Son]], and the one in the middle is [[Jesus|Jesus Christ]], the Savior).<ref name="jon" />

===Sightseeing===
*[[Kjelfossen]] is a waterfall located near the village of Gudvangen
*[[Kjosfossen]] and [[Rjoandefossen]] are waterfalls that can be seen from the [[Flåmsbana]] railway
*The [[Stegastein]] viewpoint was constructed in 2006 with views of the surrounding fjords and valleys.

[[File:Absalon Pedersson Beyer stone, Vangen kirke, Aurland, July 2009.jpg|125px|thumb|A P Beyer, memorial stone, Vangen kirke, Aurland]]

== Notable people ==
* [[Absalon Pederssøn Beyer]] (ca. 1528 in Aurland – 1575), a Norwegian author, lecturer, and Lutheran clergyman
* [[Ragnvald Gjerløw]] (1853 in Aurland – 1936), a Norwegian priest and writer
* [[Per Sivle]] (1857 in Flåm – 1904), a Norwegian poet, novelist, and newspaper editor
* [[Ragnvald Winjum]] (1917–1965), a Norwegian jurist, politician, farmer, and attorney who lived in Aurland from 1953 and became the Mayor of Aurland municipality
* [[Keldian]] (formed 2005 in Aurland), a Norwegian [[power metal]] band
{{clear}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{commons-inline}}
*[http://ssb.no/kommunefakta/aurland Municipal fact sheet] from [[Statistics Norway]] {{in lang|no}}
*[http://www.alr.no Aurland and Lærdal Tourist Board]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070914003135/http://www.myrdalfjellstove.com/ Myrdal]
*[http://www.aurland.kommune.no Official Website of Aurland]
*[http://www.fjell-touren.de/SKARVHEI.HTM Map hiking Skarvheimen]

{{Vestland}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Aurland| ]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Vestland]]
[[Category:1838 establishments in Norway]]