Editing Bømlo

{{Short description|Municipality in Vestland, Norway}}
{{about|the municipality in Norway|the island|Bømlo (island)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox kommune
|name                   = Bømlo
|native_name            = 
|native_name_lang       = 
|other_name             = 
|former_name            = Bømmel herred
|image_skyline          = Siggjo viewed towards east.JPG
|image_caption          = View of southern Bømlo
|idnumber               = 4613
|county                 = Vestland
|district               = Sunnhordland
|capital                = [[Svortland]]
|established            = 1 January 1916
|preceded               = [[Finnås|Finnås Municipality]]
|demonym                = Bømling
|language               = Nynorsk
|coatofarms             = Bømlo komm.svg
|webpage                = www.bomlo.kommune.no
|mayor                  = Morten Helland
|mayor_party            = [[Christian Democratic Party (Norway)|KrF]]
|mayor_as_of            = 2023
|area_rank              = 289
|area_total_km2         = 246.58
|area_land_km2          = 235.46
|area_water_km2         = 11.12
|area_water_percent     = 4.5
|population_as_of       = 2023
|population_rank        = 97
|population_total       = 12132
|population_density_km2 = 51.5
|population_increase    = 4.2
|coordinates            = {{coord|59|46|46|N|05|13|06|E|region:NO|display=inline,title}}
|utm_zone = 32V |utm_northing = 6632924 |utm_easting = 0287752 |geo_cat = adm2nd
}}

'''Bømlo''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|ʌ|m|ˌ|l|oʊ}}) is a [[list of municipalities of Norway|municipality]] in the southwestern part of [[Vestland]] county, [[Norway]]. It is located in the [[Traditional districts of Norway|traditional district]] of [[Sunnhordland]]. The [[administrative centre]] of the municipality is the village of [[Svortland]]. Other villages in Bømlo include [[Mosterhamn]], [[Rubbestadneset]], [[Lykling]], and [[Langevåg, Hordaland|Langevåg]]. Most of the municipal residents live on the island of [[Bømlo (island)|Bømlo]], which makes up the majority of the land in the municipality.

Bømlo was actively involved in the [[Shetland bus]] operation during the [[Second World War]]. A 23-year-old male from Bømlo, [[Shetland bus#Losses|Nils Nesse]], was the first of the Shetland Bus men to be killed.

The {{convert|247|km2|adj=on}} municipality is the 289th largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Bømlo is the 97th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 12,132. The municipality's population density is {{convert|51.5|PD/km2}} and its population has increased by 4.2% over the previous 10-year period.<ref name="ssb hist 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/ |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/ |language=Norwegian}}</ref>

==General information==
[[File:1720Norge Hordaland Ryfylke.jpg|left|thumb|A 1720 map showing "Fundas or Bomel I."]]
[[File:Mosterhamn - utsikt fra Amfiet.jpg|thumb|left|View of Mosterhamn]]
[[File:Old moster church II.jpg|thumb|left|View of the [[Old Moster Church]]]]
The municipality of Bømlo was established on 1 July 1916 when the old municipality of [[Finnås]] was divided into three smaller municipalities: Bømlo, [[Bremnes]], and [[Moster]]. Initially, the municipality encompassed the southern part of the island of [[Bømlo (island)|Bømlo]] and it had a population of 1,217. During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the [[Schei Committee]]. On 1 January 1963, the municipalities of Bremnes (population: 4,829) and [[Moster]] (population: 1,834) were merged with Bømlo (population: 1,463) which together formed a new, larger municipality called Bømlo. On 1 January 1970, a small area along the Valvatnavågen bay on the island of [[Stord (island)|Stord]] was transferred from Bømlo to the neighboring [[Stord Municipality]]. On 1 January 1995, the islands of Aga, Agasystra, Gisøya, Vikøya, Selsøy, Risøya, and many smaller surrounding islands (population: 225) were transferred from the neighboring [[Fitjar Municipality]] to Bømlo. These islands had recently been connected to Bømlo by road bridges which precipitated the municipal transfer.<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}}</ref>

===Name===
The municipality is named after the main [[Bømlo (island)|island of Bømlo]] ({{langx|non|Bymbil}}). The name is possibly derived from the word {{lang|non|bembel}} which means "navel" or "stomach", referring to the "thick" or "swollen" [[mountain formation]] of Siggjo. Another possibility is that the name is referring to {{wikt-lang|non|Bǫmburr}}, the name of a mythological [[Dwarf (folklore)|Norse dwarf]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rygh |first=Oluf |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ud5LAQAAIAAJ |title=Norske gaardnavne: Søndre Bergenhus amt |date=1910 |publisher=W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri |edition=11 |location=Kristiania, Norge |pages=126–127 |language=no |authorlink=Oluf Rygh}}</ref> Historically, the name of the municipality was spelled ''Bømmel''. On 3 November 1917, a [[royal decree|royal resolution]] changed the spelling of the name of the municipality to ''Bømlo''.<ref>{{Cite journal |year=1917 |title=Norsk Lovtidende. 2den Afdeling. 1917. Samling af Love, Resolutioner m.m |url=https://www.nb.no/items/URN:NBN:no-nb_digitidsskrift_2015102381014_001 |journal=[[Norsk Lovtidend]] |language=no |location=Kristiania, Norge |publisher=Grøndahl og Søns Boktrykkeri |pages=1057–1065}}</ref> {{see also|Bamble#Name}}

===Coat of arms===
The [[coat of arms]] was granted on 29 February 1980. The official [[blazon]] is ''"[[Gules]], a sea-leaf [[argent]]"'' ({{langx|no|Eit kvitt sjøblad på raud botn}}). This means the arms have a red [[field (heraldry)|field]] (background) and the [[charge (heraldry)|charge]] is the leaf of a [[Nymphaeaceae|water lily]] interlaced with a [[trefoil]]. The charge 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. The trefoil symbolizes the three former municipalities [[Bremnes]], [[Moster]], and Bømlo, which were united in 1963. The water lily leaf was chosen because this heart-shaped design is an old Norwegian heraldic charge. The arms were designed by Magnus Hardeland. 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=Bømlo |access-date=2023-05-24 |publisher=Heraldry of the World}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bomlo, Hordaland |url=https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/no-12-19.html |access-date=2023-05-24 |website=Flags of the World}}</ref>

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

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ style="font-size:medium"|'''''Churches in Bømlo'''''
!Parish ({{lang|no|sokn}})!!Church name!!Location of the church!!Year built
|-
|rowspan="1"|Bremnes||[[Bremnes Church]]||[[Svortland]]||1869
|-
|rowspan="2"|Bømlo||[[Bømlo Church]]||[[Langevåg, Hordaland|Langevåg]]||1960
|-
|[[Old Bømlo Church]]||[[Langevåg, Hordaland|Langevåg]]||1621
|-
|rowspan="1"|Lykling||[[Lykling Church]]||[[Lykling]]||1912
|-
|rowspan="2"|Moster||[[Moster Church]]||[[Mosterhamn]]||1874
|-
|[[Old Moster Church]]||[[Moster (island)|Moster]]||12th century
|}

==Geography==
[[File:Espevaer Harbour.jpg|thumb|right|View of Espevær harbour]]
[[File:SLÅTTERØY FYRSTASJON.jpg|thumb|right|View of the [[Slåtterøy Lighthouse]]]]
[[File:Southern Goddo.JPG|thumb|right|View of Goddo island]]
The municipality includes about 900 islands, islets, and skerries, although most are very small and uninhabited. The main island is also called [[Bømlo (island)|Bømlo]], and other notable islands in Bømlo municipality include [[Moster (island)|Moster]], [[Otterøya (Hordaland)|Otterøya]], [[Spyssøya]], [[Goddo (island)|Goddo]], and [[Espevær]]. The municipality lies north of the entrance to the [[Hardangerfjorden]], south of the [[Selbjørnsfjorden]], and west of the [[Stokksundet (Hordaland)|Stokksundet]]. The [[Innværfjorden]] is a small fjord that cuts into the island of Bømlo around the village of [[Rubbestadneset]].

The large island of [[Stord (island)|Stord]] lies to the east. Bømlo is connected to Stord by the [[Triangle Link]], which has made transportation to and from the municipality easier and more effective.

Bømlo is commonly distinguished in respect to [[residential area|residential ares]]. These areas include [[Svortland]] (previously Bremnes), Søra-Bømlo (South-Bømlo), [[Rubbestadneset]], [[Moster]], [[Finnås]], Gilje, Goddo, and Hiskjo. Svortland is the [[administrative centre]] where there are stores, a [[cultural centre]], schools and official buildings, and is located a bit north of the centre of the island. Moster is on the other hand more to the east with a high percentage of Christians devoted to at least three different [[christian denomination]]s.

===Siggjo===
At {{convert|474|m}} in height, the mountain Siggjo is the highest mountain on the island of Bømlo. The rocks on Siggjo contain large amounts of the [[igneous rock]] [[rhyolite]], which was used in the [[Stone Age]] to create [[armament]] and [[tools]]. They have found rhyolite from Siggjo as far north as the [[Trøndelag]] region of Norway.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ryolitt |url=http://steinriketbomlo.no/ryolitt/ |publisher=SteinriketBømlo |language=no}}</ref> Siggjo is a popular attraction among locals and tourists.

===Lykling===
The [[Lykling]] village area has become a popular [[tourist attraction]], mainly due to its history of extensive [[gold mining]] in ''Lyklingeberga''. The discovery of gold in 1862 by a young [[shepherd]], led to several constructions being built in the area. These were built by three major companies, mainly financed and run by English businessmen. In addition to the mining constructions, there was also built two hotels, one [[hotelship]], several [[bakery|bakeries]], and a number of retail stores. Mining activity started in 1882 and ended in 1910, lasting more than 25 years.

==Climate==
Bømlo, facing the [[North Sea]], has a [[temperate oceanic climate]] (Cfb, marine west coast), with few temperature extremes. The wettest season is September – January, and the driest is April–July. The all-time high temperature is {{convert|30.9|°C}} recorded 26 July 2019. The all-time low is {{convert|-12.6|°C}} recorded 11 January 1987. The five months June – October have never recorded overnight freezes. The average date for the last overnight freeze (low below {{convert|0|°C|1|abbr=on}}) in spring is 19 March<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 May 2012 |title=Siste frostnatt om våren |url=https://www.yr.no/artikkel/siste-frostnatt-om-varen-1.8119060 |access-date=9 April 2023 |website=NRK}}</ref> and average date for first freeze in autumn is 5 December, among the latest in Norway (1981-2010 average).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Husebø |first=Trond-Ole |date=25 September 2013 |title=Første frostnatt |url=https://www.yr.no/artikkel/forste-frostnatt-1.11261900 |access-date=9 April 2023 |website=NRK}}</ref> The weather station at Slåtterøy lighthouse has been recording temperature since 1923.
{{Weather box
|metric first= yes
|single line = yes
|location = Slåtterøy 1991-2020 (25 m, extremes 1954-2020)
|Jan record high C = 12.5 | Jan record low C = -12.6
|Feb record high C = 11.2 | Feb record low C = -10
|Mar record high C = 15.1 | Mar record low C = -8.3
|Apr record high C = 22.9 | Apr record low C = -3.6
|May record high C = 26.4 | May record low C = -3.1
|Jun record high C = 28 | Jun record low C = 3.6
|Jul record high C = 30.9 | Jul record low C = 7
|Aug record high C = 29.6 | Aug record low C = 8
|Sep record high C = 25.7 | Sep record low C = 4.4
|Oct record high C = 21.4 | Oct record low C = 0.3
|Nov record high C = 16.7 | Nov record low C = -5.7
|Dec record high C = 12.6 | Dec record low C = -10.2
|Jan high C = 5.2
|Feb high C = 4.6
|Mar high C = 5.6
|Apr high C = 8.5
|May high C = 11.4
|Jun high C = 14.1
|Jul high C = 16.4
|Aug high C = 17.3
|Sep high C = 15
|Oct high C = 11.5
|Nov high C = 8.2
|Dec high C = 6.2
<!-- Mean daily temperature -->
|Jan mean C=3.7
|Feb mean C=3
|Mar mean C=3.9
|Apr mean C=6.4
|May mean C=9.2
|Jun mean C=12.1
|Jul mean C=14.5
|Aug mean C=15.3
|Sep mean C=13.2
|Oct mean C=9.8
|Nov mean C=6.7
|Dec mean C=4.6
|year mean C=
|Jan low C = 2
|Feb low C = 1.4
|Mar low C = 2.3
|Apr low C = 4.5
|May low C = 7.5
|Jun low C = 10.5
|Jul low C = 12.9
|Aug low C = 13.6
|Sep low C = 11.6
|Oct low C = 8.2
|Nov low C = 5
|Dec low C = 3
<!-- Total precipitation, this should include rain and snow. -->
|precipitation colour= green<!-- Enter "green" for green precipitation colours, remove this line for blue colouring. -->
|Jan precipitation mm=135
|Feb precipitation mm=113
|Mar precipitation mm=100
|Apr precipitation mm=87
|May precipitation mm=68
|Jun precipitation mm=74
|Jul precipitation mm=86
|Aug precipitation mm=119
|Sep precipitation mm=139
|Oct precipitation mm=161
|Nov precipitation mm=163
|Dec precipitation mm=149
|year precipitation mm=
<!-- Mandatory fields, source -->
|source 1= eklima/Norwegian Meteorological Institute<ref>{{Cite web |title=met.no |url=http://sharki.oslo.dnmi.no/portal/page?_pageid=73,39035,73_39113:73_39117&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL |access-date=29 November 2021}}</ref>
|source 2= NOAA-WMO averages 91-2020 Norway <ref>{{Cite web |title=NOAA-WMO normals Norway 1991-2020 |url=https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Norway/CSV/?C=D;O=A}}</ref>
}}

==Government==
Bømlo 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=2022-09-20 |editor-last=Hansen |editor-first=Tore |language=Norwegian |editor2-last=Vabo |editor2-first=Signy Irene |accessdate=2022-10-14}}</ref> The municipality is under the jurisdiction of the [[Haugaland og Sunnhordland District Court]] and the [[Gulating Court of Appeal]].

===Municipal council===
The [[Municipal council (Norway)|municipal council]] ({{lang|no|Kommunestyre}}) of Bømlo is made up of 27 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                      = Bømlo
|start                     = 2023
|end                       = 2027
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Kommunestyrevalg 2023 - Vestland |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2023/ko/vestland/bømlo#seats |access-date=2024-01-23 |publisher=[[Valgdirektoratet]]}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = 
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 27
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 4
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 4
|Høyre                     = 6
|INP                       = 4
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 5
|Konservativt              = 1
|Senterpartiet             = 2
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Bømlo
|start                     = 2019
|end                       = 2023
|reference                 =<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kommunestyrevalg 2019 – Vestland |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2019/ko/vestland/b%C3%B8mlo#seats |access-date=2 February 2020 |publisher=[[Valgdirektoratet]]}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 27
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 5
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 3
|Grønne                    = 1
|Høyre                     = 7
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 5
|Kristne                   = 1
|Senterpartiet             = 3
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|Venstre                   = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Bømlo
|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/ |publisher=Statistics Norway |language=no}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 27
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 8
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 2
|Høyre                     = 5
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 5
|Senterpartiet             = 2
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|Venstre                   = 2
|Grønne                    = 1
|Kristne                   = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Bømlo
|start                     = 2011
|end                       = 2015
|reference                 =<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kommunestyrevalg 2011 – Hordaland |url=https://valgresultat.no/hordaland/bømlo#seats |access-date=2 February 2020 |publisher=[[Valgdirektoratet]]}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 27
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 7
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 4
|Høyre                     = 7
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 4
|Kristne                   = 2
|Senterpartiet             = 1
|Venstre                   = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Bømlo
|start                     = 2007
|end                       = 2011
|reference                 =<ref name="ssb valg" />
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 27
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 4
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 6
|Høyre                     = 9
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 5
|Senterpartiet             = 2
|Venstre                   = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Bømlo
|start                     = 2003
|end                       = 2007
|reference                 =<ref name="ssb valg" />
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 27
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 4
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 5
|Høyre                     = 8
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 6
|Senterpartiet             = 2
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|Venstre                   = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Bømlo
|start                     = 1999
|end                       = 2003
|reference                 =<ref name="ssb valg" />
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 35
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 4
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 3
|Høyre                     = 8
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 11
|Senterpartiet             = 1
|Venstre                   = 2
|otherparty                = Election List for South Bømlo
|otherparty_no             = Valliste for Søre Bømlo
|otherparty_number         = 6
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Bømlo
|start                     = 1995
|end                       = 1999
|reference                 =<ref>{{Cite web |date=1996 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1995 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_c342.pdf |access-date=20 February 2020 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 39
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 5
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 3
|Høyre                     = 6
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 10
|Senterpartiet             = 3
|Venstre                   = 5
|otherparty                = Election list for South Bømlo
|otherparty_no             = Valliste for Søre Bømlo 
|otherparty_number         = 7
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Bømlo
|start                     = 1991
|end                       = 1995
|reference                 =<ref>{{Cite web |date=1993 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1991 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_c057.pdf |access-date=20 February 2020 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 39
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 6
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 3
|Høyre                     = 4
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 8
|Senterpartiet             = 3
|Venstre                   = 10
|otherparty                = Election list for South Bømlo
|otherparty_no             = Valliste for Søre Bømlo 
|otherparty_number         = 3
|otherparty1               = Election list for Moster and Håvik
|otherparty_no1            = Valliste for Moster og Håvik
|otherparty_number1        = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Bømlo
|start                     = 1987
|end                       = 1991
|reference                 =<ref>{{Cite web |date=1988 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1987 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b765.pdf |access-date=20 February 2020 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 39
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 8
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 4
|Høyre                     = 6
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 8
|Senterpartiet             = 1
|Venstre                   = 4
|otherparty                = Election list for South Bømlo
|otherparty_no             = Valliste for Søre Bømlo 
|otherparty_number         = 5
|otherparty1               = Election list for Moster and Håvik
|otherparty_no1            = Valliste for Moster og Håvik
|otherparty_number1        = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Bømlo
|start                     = 1983
|end                       = 1987
|reference                 =<ref>{{Cite web |date=1984 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1983 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b450.pdf |access-date=20 February 2020 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 39
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 9
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 2
|Høyre                     = 9
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 11
|Senterpartiet             = 1
|Venstre                   = 3
|otherparty                = Non-party election list for South Bømlo
|otherparty_no             = Upolitisk valliste for Søre Bømlo 
|otherparty_number         = 2
|otherparty1               = Election list for Moster and Håvik
|otherparty_no1            = Valliste for Moster og Håvik
|otherparty_number1        = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Bømlo
|start                     = 1979
|end                       = 1983
|reference                 =<ref>{{Cite web |date=1979 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1979 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b093.pdf |access-date=20 February 2020 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 39
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 5
|Høyre                     = 10
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 13
|Senterpartiet             = 2
|Venstre                   = 4
|otherparty                = Non-party election list for South Bømlo
|otherparty_no             = Upolitisk valliste for Søre Bømlo 
|otherparty_number         = 2
|otherparty1               = Election list for Moster and Håvik
|otherparty_no1            = Valliste for Moster og Håvik
|otherparty_number1        = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Bømlo
|start                     = 1975
|end                       = 1979
|reference                 =<ref>{{Cite web |date=1977 |title=Kommunevalgene 1975 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a769.pdf |access-date=10 May 2020 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 39
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 6
|DLF                       = 1
|Høyre                     = 6
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 13
|Senterpartiet             = 4
|Venstre                   = 1
|otherparty                = Non-party common list for Finnås, Moster, and Bømlo
|otherparty_no             = Upolitisk Samlingsliste for Finnås, Moster og Bømlo
|otherparty_number         = 4
|otherparty1               = Election list for the Moster parish
|otherparty_no1            = Valliste for Moster Sokn
|otherparty_number1        = 3
|otherparty2               = Election list for the Steinsbø area
|otherparty_no2            = Valliste for Steinsbø Krins
|otherparty_number2        = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Bømlo
|start                     = 1971
|end                       = 1975
|reference                 =<ref>{{Cite web |date=1973 |title=Kommunevalgene 1972 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a457.pdf |access-date=10 May 2020 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 39
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 6
|Høyre                     = 3
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 9
|Senterpartiet             = 6
|Venstre                   = 4
|Local_Lists               = 11
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Bømlo
|start                     = 1967
|end                       = 1971
|reference                 =<ref>{{Cite web |date=1967 |title=Kommunevalgene 1967 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a214.pdf |access-date=10 May 2020 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo |volume=I}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 39
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 6
|Høyre                     = 3
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 7
|Venstre                   = 5
|Local_Lists               = 18
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Bømlo
|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 |access-date=10 May 2020 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 39
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 6
|Høyre                     = 3
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 9
|Venstre                   = 6
|Local_Lists               = 15
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Bømlo
|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 |access-date=10 May 2020 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 15
|Local_Lists               = 15
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Bømlo
|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 |access-date=10 May 2020 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 15
|Local_Lists               = 15
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Bømlo
|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 |access-date=10 May 2020 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 12
|Local_Lists               = 12
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Bømlo
|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 |access-date=10 May 2020 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 12
|Local_Lists               = 12
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Bømlo
|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 |access-date=10 May 2020 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 12
|Local_Lists               = 12
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Bømlo
|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 |access-date=10 May 2020 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 12
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 1
|Local_Lists               = 11
|}}
{{div col end}}

===Mayors===
The [[Mayor#Scandinavia|mayors]] ({{langx|nn|ordførar}}) of Bømlo (incomplete list):
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*1983–1985: [[Bjarne Kristiansen]] ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*1995–1997: [[Marit Elisebet Totland]] ([[Christian Democratic Party (Norway)|KrF]])
*1997–1999: Ola Ersland ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
*1999–2011: Inge Reidar Kallevåg ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
*2011-2019: [[Odd Harald Hovland]] ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*2019–2023: Sammy Olsen ([[Centre Party (Norway)|Sp]])
*2023-present: Morten Helland ([[Christian Democratic Party (Norway)|KrF]])<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-09-13 |title=Kristeleg Folkeparti får ordførarvervet på Bømlo |url=https://www.nrk.no/vestland/kristeleg-folkeparti-far-ordforarvervet-pa-bomlo-1.16556717 |access-date=2024-01-23 |work=[[NRK]] |language=no}}</ref>
{{div col end}}

==Culture==
Bømlo is regionally known for several musical theatres and other [[theatre|theatrical productions]] performed in ''Moster Amfi'', a local [[amphitheatre]]. The most famous performance, ''Mostraspelet'', surrounds the topics of how Christianity arrived to Norway via Bømlo, late during the [[first millennium]].

In 1975, the island of [[Espevær]] became known for its [[conspiracy theory|conspirative]] 'UFO-Ring', a physical [[wikt:imprint|imprint]] to the ground supposedly made from a stationed [[UFO]], which is still visible {{As of|2012|lc=y}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bømlo kommune |url=http://www.bomlo.kommune.no/artikkel.aspx?AId=828&MId1=156# |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225070532/http://www.bomlo.kommune.no/artikkel.aspx?AId=828&MId1=156# |archive-date=25 February 2015 |access-date=25 February 2012}}</ref>

===Sports===
Many local youths are active in some form of sport or activity, either as a [[hobby]], as part of education, or sometimes even with the specific goal of becoming a professional.

Association football is one of the most popular [[sport]]s played by the male population on the island. In recent years, there has been an increasing number of female footballers as well. Children often start playing football at an early age, and many play active for several years. As their skills develop, they are systematically graded up (or down) in [[division (sport)|divisions]], a type of [[ranking]] system. Notable soccer players, such as [[Arne Larsen Økland]], [[Geirmund Brendesæter]], and [[Gunnar Meling]], started their careers in [[Bremnes IL]], one of the local [[sports club]]s. Former top player and current coach for [[SK Brann]], [[Mons Ivar Mjelde]], had a brief stay at Moster IL.

Other popular sports and activities include [[team handball]], [[motocross]], [[athletics (sport)|athletics]], [[shooting sports]], [[social dance]], [[floorball]], [[baton twirling]], [[rhythmic gymnastics]], swimming, and [[martial arts]].

==Population==
{{Historical populations
|align       = none
|direction   = horizontal
|percentages = pagr
|footnote    = Note: The municipal borders were changed in 1963 and 1995, causing a significant change in the population.
|source      = [[Statistics Norway]]<ref name="ssb hist 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/ |language=Norwegian}}</ref><ref name="FM">{{Cite web |last=Statistisk sentralbyrå |author-link=Statistics Norway |title=Folke- og bustadteljing 2001 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/fob2001/kommunehefte/1219/fob_1219_tabeller.pdf |language=Norwegian}}</ref> and Norwegian Historical Data Centre<ref name="NHDC">{{Cite web |last=Universitetet i Tromsø – Norges arktiske universitet |author-link=University of Tromsø |title=Censuses in the Norwegian Historical Data Archive (NHDC) |url=https://rhd.uit.no/folketellinger/reg_komm_e.html}}</ref>
|1916|1217
|1951|1407
|1960|1492
|1970|8339
|1980|9213
|1990|9675
|2000|10739
|2010|11275
|2020|11957
|2023|12132
}}

==Industry and economy==
[[File:Cable Ferry.jpg|thumb|left|[[cable ferry|Chain ferry]] at Espevær]]
[[Wärtsilä]], [[Eidesvik Offshore]], Brandasund fiskeforedling, and Bremnes Seashore are notable industries, all of which are active in industries somehow related to the ocean. This, as well as tourism and agriculture, constitutes the main industries of Bømlo.

The economy of Bømlo is largely sustained by Eidesvik Offshore, Wärtsilä, [[fishing industry]], tourism and general offshore related work.

==Education==
There are several schools in the area. They are all named according to their [[location (geography)|geographical locations]], and include Svortland, Gilje, Meling, Folderøy, Våge, Håvik, and Espevær, which comprises students from 1st through 7th grade. Rubbestadneset, Moster, and Hillestveit have students from 1st through 10th grade. Bremnes Ungdomsskule, often abbreviated ''BUS'', is located in Svortland, and gathers most students from 8th through 10th grade. There are two [[High school (upper secondary)|upper secondary schools]], Bømlo Vidaregåande skule and Rubbestadnes Vidaregåande Skule (formerly Rubbestadnes Yrkesskule).

There is also a [[Folk High School]], Olavskulen Folkehøgskule, which is located at Finnås.

==Transport==
An extensive [[fixed link|tunnel and bridge system]], the [[Triangle Link]], connected Bømlo to the mainland and neighboring island [[Stord (island)|Stord]] on 30 April 2001. It was officially opened on the latter date by king [[Harald V of Norway]]. The system includes the [[Bømlafjord Tunnel]], the [[Bømla Bridge]], and the [[Stord Bridge]]. The [[Norwegian County Road 542]] is one of the main roads in Bømlo.

There is also a ferry that goes from Langevåg to Buavåg in Sveio, connecting the southern part of Bømlo to the mainland.

== Notable people ==
[[File:Heine Totland2.JPG|140px|thumb|Heine Totland, 2014]]
[[File:Arne Larsen Økland.JPG|140px|thumb|Arne Larsen Økland, 2014]]
* [[Niels Hertzberg]] (1759 Finnås – 1841), a priest and politician
* [[Gerhard Meidell Gerhardsen (economist)|Gerhard Meidell Gerhardsen]] (1912 in Finnaas – 1986), an economist
* [[Finn Haldorsen]] (1934 in Rubbestadneset – 2005), a businessman who set up the [[Rubb]] group
* [[Kjell Habbestad]] (born 1955 in Bømlo), a contemporary composer
* [[Kenneth Sivertsen (musician)|Kenneth Sivertsen]] (1961 in Bømlo – 2006), a musician, composer, poet, and comedian
* [[Heine Totland]] (born 1970 in Moster), a singer 
* [[Knut Arild Hareide]] (born 1972 in Rubbestadneset), a politician

=== Sport ===
* [[Arne Larsen Økland]] (born 1954 in Bømlo), a former footballer with 280 club caps and 54 for [[Norway national football team|Norway]]
* [[Joakim Våge Nilsen]] (born 1991 in Bømlo), a footballer with 240 club caps
{{clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Bømlo}}
{{wiktionary|Bømlo}}
{{Wikivoyage|Hordaland}}
*[http://ssb.no/kommunefakta/bomlo Municipal fact sheet] from [[Statistics Norway]] {{in lang|no}}
*[http://www.bomlo.kommune.no/ Municipality web site] {{in lang|no}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110724174512/http://www.bomlo-reiselivslag.no/engelsk/side09_fs.html Map]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20071230064747/http://met.no/radar/radar_bomlo.html Weather radar at Bømlo]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110724174544/http://www.bomlo-reiselivslag.no/engelsk/index.html Bømlo tourist information]

{{Vestland}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bomlo}}
[[Category:Bømlo| ]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Vestland]]
[[Category:1916 establishments in Norway]]
[[Category:Archipelagoes of Norway]]