Editing Gaular

{{short description|Former municipality in Sogn og Fjordane county, Norway}}
{{Infobox kommune
|name                   = Gaular
|former                 = yes
|native_name            = 
|native_name_lang       = 
|other_name             = 
|former_name            = Indre Holmedal herred
|image_skyline          = Brekkefossen.JPG
|image_caption          = View of the Brekkefossen waterfall
|idnumber               = 1430
|county                 = Sogn og Fjordane
|district               = Sunnfjord
|capital                = [[Sande, Sogn og Fjordane|Sande]]
|established            = 1 Jan 1838
|preceded               = none
|disestablished         = 1 Jan 2020
|succeeded              = [[Sunnfjord (municipality)|Sunnfjord Municipality]]
|demonym                = Gaulværing
|language               = Nynorsk
|coatofarms             = Gaular komm.svg
|webpage                = www.gaular.kommune.no
|mayor                  = [[Mathias Råheim]]
|mayor_party            = [[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]]
|mayor_as_of            = 2011-2019
|area_rank              = 190
|area_total_km2         = 581.82
|area_land_km2          = 539.57
|area_water_km2         = 42.25
|area_water_percent     = 7.3
|population_as_of       = 2019
|population_rank        = 263
|population_total       = 3,027
|population_density_km2 = 5.5
|population_increase    = 9.8
|coordinates            = {{coord|61|20|02|N|05|47|20|E|region:NO|display=inline,title}}
|utm_zone = 32V |utm_northing = 6804206 |utm_easting = 0328204 | geo_cat = adm2nd
}}

'''Gaular''' is a [[List of former municipalities of Norway|former municipality]] in [[Sogn og Fjordane]] [[Counties of Norway|county]], [[Norway]]. It was located in the [[Districts of Norway|traditional district]] of [[Sunnfjord]]. The [[administrative centre]] was the village of [[Sande, Sogn og Fjordane|Sande]]. Other villages in the municipality included [[Bygstad]], [[Hestad, Sogn og Fjordane|Hestad]], and [[Vik, Gaular|Vik]]. Gaular was sometimes referred to as ''Fosselandet'' (the land of the [[waterfall]]s) because it was home to 28 large and small waterfalls. The municipality was centered on the river [[Gaula (Sogn og Fjordane)|Gaula]]. The [[Viksdalen]] valley was located in Gaular.

At the time of its dissolution in 2020, the {{convert|582|km2|adj=on}} municipality is the 190th largest by area out of the 422 municipalities in Norway. Gaular is the 263rd most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 3,027. The municipality's [[population density]] is {{convert|5.7|PD/km2}} and its population has increased by 9.8% over the last decade.<ref name="ssb pop">{{Cite web |last=Statistisk sentralbyrå |author-link=Statistics Norway |year=2018 |title=Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M) |url=https://www.ssb.no/en/statbank/table/06913/ |access-date=2019-11-11 |language=no}}</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/ |access-date=2019-11-11 |language=no}}</ref>

In 2016, the chief of police for [[Vestlandet]] formally suggested a reconfiguration of police districts and stations. He proposed that the police station in Gaular be closed.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fjelltveit |first=Ingvild |last2=Raunholm |first2=Per Vidar |date=2016-12-20 |title=Foreslår å legge ned 17 lensmannskontor i Vest politidistrikt |language=no |work=NRK Hordaland |url=https://www.nrk.no/hordaland/slik-vil-songstad-ha-vest-politidistrikt-1.13284803 |access-date=2017-10-20}}</ref>

==General information==
[[File:Hestad kapell.JPG|thumb|left|Hestad chapel]]
[[File:Old house at Oppedalsstølen.jpg|thumb|left|An old barn at Oppedal]]
The [[Prestegjeld|parish]] of ''Indre Holmedal'' was established as a [[List of municipalities of Norway|municipality]] on 1 January 1838 (see [[formannskapsdistrikt]] law). The original municipality was identical to the Indre Holmedal [[Church of Norway|parish]] ''([[prestegjeld]])'' which included the sub-parishes ({{lang|no|sokn}}) of [[Bygstad]], [[Sande, Sogn og Fjordane|Sande]], and [[Vik, Gaular|Vik]]. In 1912, the name of the municipality was changed to ''Gaular''.<ref name="Em">{{Cite web |last=Natvik |first=Oddvar |date=9 February 2005 |title=Some historical data on the 26 Kommunes |url=http://www.sf-f.kommune.no/sff/emigration3.nsf/enduser?readform |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724180634/http://www.sf-f.kommune.no/sff/emigration3.nsf/enduser?readform |archive-date=24 July 2011}}</ref>  On 1 January 1990, parts of the Hestad area (west of Sunde-Klepp, west of [[Bygstad]]) were transferred from [[Fjaler]] to Gaular.<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>

On 1 January 2020, the neighboring municipalities of Gaular, [[Førde]], [[Naustdal]], and [[Jølster]] were merged to form the new [[Sunnfjord Municipality]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ny kommune i Indre Sunnfjord |url=http://prosjektsunnfjord.no/ |access-date=2017-10-21 |language=no}}</ref>

===Name===
The municipality (originally the [[prestegjeld|parish]]) was named ''Indre Holmedal'', after the old ''[[Holmedal]]'' farm ({{langx|non|Hǫlmudalr}}) since the first [[Holmedal Church]] was built there. The meaning of the first element of Holmedal is uncertain, but it may have been an old name for a local river, {{lang|non|Holma}}. It is unknown what the river name meant. The last element is derived from the word {{wikt-lang|non|dalr}} which means "[[valley]]" or "dale". The prefix {{wikt-lang|no|indre}} (which means "inner") was added to distinguish the area from its neighbor, [[Fjaler|Ytre Holmedal]].<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=287 |language=no |authorlink=Oluf Rygh}}</ref>

On 16 October 1911, a [[royal decree|royal resolution]] changed the name of the municipality to ''Gaular'', reviving an old name for the area.<ref>{{Cite journal |year=1911 |title=Norsk Lovtidende. 2den Afdeling. 1911. Samling af Love, Resolutioner m.m |url=https://www.nb.no/items/URN:NBN:no-nb_digitidsskrift_2015102381017_001 |journal=[[Norsk Lovtidend]] |language=no |location=Oslo, Norway |publisher=Grøndahl og Søns Boktrykkeri |page=554}}</ref> The new name is the [[plural]] form of the word {{lang|non|Gaul}} which is the old name for the river [[Gaula (Sogn og Fjordane)|Gaula]]. The old name of the river is related to the word {{wikt-lang|non|gaula}} which means "to [[Bellow (sound)|bellow]]" or "to [[Howl (sound)|howl]]", likely referring to the sound of the river.<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=307 |language=no |authorlink=Oluf Rygh}}</ref>  {{See also|Fjaler#Name}}

===Coat of arms===
The [[coat of arms]] was granted on 24 April 1992 and it was in use until 1 January 2020 when the municipality was dissolved. The official [[blazon]] is ''"[[Vert (heraldry)|Vert]], a [[Pale (heraldry)|pale]] [[argent]] [[Engrailed (heraldry)|engrailed]]"'' ({{langx|no|På grøn grunn ein sølv stolpe laga med taggesnitt}}). This means the arms have a green [[field (heraldry)|field]] (background) and the [[charge (heraldry)|charge]] is a vertical bar with scalloped edges. 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 green color in the field symbolizes the forests and farmland in the municipality. The charge was chosen to symbolize the river [[Gaula (Sogn og Fjordane)|Gaula]] and its many waterfalls. The arms were designed by Even Skoglund after an original idea by Margrete Hareide from Bygstad. 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=Gaular |access-date=2023-06-17 |publisher=Heraldry of the World}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Gaular, Sogn og Fjordane (Norway) |url=https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/no-14-30.html |access-date=2023-06-17 |website=Flags of the World}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1992-04-24 |title=Godkjenning av våpen og flagg |url=https://lovdata.no/dokument/LF/forskrift/1992-04-24-274 |access-date=2023-06-17 |website=Lovdata.no |publisher=Norges kommunal- og arbeidsdepartementet |language=no}}</ref> 

===Churches===
The [[Church of Norway]] had one parish ({{lang|no|sokn}}) within the municipality of Gaular. It was part of the [[Sunnfjord prosti]] ([[deanery]]) in the [[Diocese of Bjørgvin]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kyrkjeleg fellesråd |url=https://www.gaular.kommune.no/artikkel.aspx?MId1=83&AId=260 |access-date=2013-12-03 |publisher=Gaular kommune |language=no}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ style="font-size:medium"|'''''Churches in Gaular'''''
!Parish ({{lang|no|sokn}})!!Church name!!Location of the church!!Year built
|-
|rowspan="4"|Gaular||[[Bygstad Church]]||[[Bygstad]]||1845
|-
|[[Sande Church (Gaular)|Sande Church]]||[[Sande, Sogn og Fjordane|Sande]]||1864
|-
|[[Hestad Chapel]]||[[Hestad, Sogn og Fjordane|Hestad]]||1805
|-
|[[Viksdalen Church]]||[[Vik, Gaular|Vik]]||1848
|}

==Government==
While it existed, this municipality was responsible for [[primary education]] (through 10th grade), outpatient [[Health care|health services]], [[old age|senior citizen]] services, [[unemployment]], [[Social work|social services]], [[zoning]], [[economic development]], and municipal [[road]]s. During its existence, this municipality was governed by a [[Municipal council (Norway)|municipal council]] of [[Direct election|directly elected]] representatives. The [[mayor]] was [[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 |access-date=2023-01-01 |date=2022-09-20 |editor-last=Hansen |editor-first=Tore |language=no |editor2-last=Vabo |editor2-first=Signy Irene}}</ref> The municipality was 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 Gaular was made up of 21 representatives that were elected to four year terms. The [[Political party|party]] breakdown of the final municipal council was as follows:
{{div col|colwidth=33em|style=column-count:2}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Gaular
|start                     = 2016
|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>
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 3
|Høyre                     = 7
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 2
|Senterpartiet             = 8
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Gaular
|start                     = 2012
|end                       = 2015
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Sogn og Fjordane |url=https://valgresultat.no/sogn%2Bog%2Bfjordane/gaular?type=ko&year=2011 |access-date=2019-10-29 |publisher=Valg Direktoratet}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 3
|Høyre                     = 7
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 3
|Senterpartiet             = 6
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|Venstre                   = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Gaular
|start                     = 2008
|end                       = 2011
|reference                 = <ref name="ssb valg" />
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 2 
|Høyre                     = 3
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 2
|Senterpartiet             = 10
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|otherparty                = Common list for Gaular
|otherparty_no             = Samlingslista for Gaular
|otherparty_number         = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Gaular
|start                     = 2004
|end                       = 2007
|reference                 = <ref name="ssb valg" />
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 2
|Høyre                     = 2
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 2
|Senterpartiet             = 7
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|otherparty                = Common list for Gaular
|otherparty_no             = Samlingslista for Gaular
|otherparty_number         = 6
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Gaular
|start                     = 2000
|end                       = 2003
|reference                 = <ref name="ssb valg" />
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 3
|Høyre                     = 2
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 2
|Senterpartiet             = 5
|Venstre                   = 1
|otherparty                = Common list for Gaular
|otherparty_no             = Samlingslista for Gaular
|otherparty_number         = 8
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Gaular
|start                     = 1996
|end                       = 1999
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1996 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1995 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_c342.pdf |access-date=2020-02-16 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 2
|Høyre                     = 2
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 2
|Senterpartiet             = 8
|Venstre                   = 1
|otherparty                = Common list for Gaular
|otherparty_no             = Samlingslista for Gaular
|otherparty_number         = 6
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Gaular
|start                     = 1992
|end                       = 1995
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1993 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1991 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_c057.pdf |access-date=2020-02-16 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 3
|Høyre                     = 2
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 3
|Senterpartiet             = 10
|Venstre                   = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Gaular
|start                     = 1988
|end                       = 1991
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1988 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1987 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b765.pdf |access-date=2020-02-16 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 4
|Høyre                     = 4
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 4
|Senterpartiet             = 6
|Venstre                   = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Gaular
|start                     = 1984
|end                       = 1987
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1984 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1983 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b450.pdf |access-date=2020-05-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 5
|Høyre                     = 4
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 4
|Senterpartiet             = 6
|Venstre                   = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Gaular
|start                     = 1980
|end                       = 1983
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1979 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1979 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b093.pdf |access-date=2020-05-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 3
|Høyre                     = 3
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 4
|Senterpartiet             = 7
|otherparty                = Cross-party common list for protection of waterways and rural environment
|otherparty_no             = Tverrpolitisk samlingsliste til vern om vassdrag og bygdemiljø
|otherparty_number         = 3
|otherparty1               = Common list for Bygstad parish
|otherparty_no1            = Samlingsliste for Bygstad sokn
|otherparty_number1        = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Gaular
|start                     = 1976
|end                       = 1979
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1977 |title=Kommunevalgene 1975 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a769.pdf |access-date=2020-05-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 4
|Høyre                     = 2
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 5
|Senterpartiet             = 6
|otherparty                = Parish list for Viksdalen
|otherparty_no             = Sokneliste for Viksdalen
|otherparty_number         = 2
|otherparty1               = Local list for Sande
|otherparty_no1            = Bygdeliste for Sande 
|otherparty_number1        = 1
|otherparty2               = Cross-party local list for Bygstad
|otherparty_no2            = Tverrpolitisk bygdeliste for Bygstad 
|otherparty_number2        = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Gaular
|start                     = 1972
|end                       = 1975
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1973 |title=Kommunevalgene 1972 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a457.pdf |access-date=2020-05-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 4
|Høyre                     = 1
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 5
|Senterpartiet             = 7
|Local_Lists               = 4
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Gaular
|start                     = 1968
|end                       = 1971
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1967 |title=Kommunevalgene 1967 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a214.pdf |access-date=2020-05-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo |volume=I}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 3
|Høyre                     = 1
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 5
|Local_Lists               = 12
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Gaular
|start                     = 1964
|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=2020-05-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 25
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 4
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 5
|Senterpartiet             = 7
|Borgerlige_Felleslister   = 2
|Local_Lists               = 7
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Gaular
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1960
|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=2020-05-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 29
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 4
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 5
|Senterpartiet             = 7
|Borgerlige_Felleslister   = 5
|Local_Lists               = 8
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Gaular
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1956
|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=2020-05-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 29
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 3
|Senterpartiet             = 10
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 3
|Borgerlige_Felleslister   = 3
|Local_Lists               = 10
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Gaular
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1952
|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=2020-05-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 36
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 5
|AFS                       = 7
|Senterpartiet             = 8
|Venstre                   = 5
|Borgerlige_Felleslister   = 6
|Local_Lists               = 5
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Gaular
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1948
|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=2020-05-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 36
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 3
|Senterpartiet             = 4
|Borgerlige_Felleslister   = 5
|Local_Lists               = 24
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Gaular
|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=2020-05-10 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 36
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 5
|Borgerlige_Felleslister   = 3
|Local_Lists               = 28
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Gaular
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1938
|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=2020-05-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 36
|Senterpartiet             = 4
|Borgerlige_Felleslister   = 15
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 3
|AFS                       = 2
|Local_Lists               = 12
|}}
{{div col end}}

===Mayors===
The [[Mayor#Scandinavia|mayors]] ({{langx|nn|ordførar}}) of Gaular:<ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-01-19 |title=Ordførarar i Gaular kommune |url=https://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/nrk_sogn_og_fjordane/fylkesleksikon/3438323.html |access-date=2023-06-17 |website=NRK Fylkesliksikon |language=no}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* 1846–1847: Ole O. Selberg
* 1847–1851: I. Hansen
* 1851–1855: Ole Rognaldsen Døskeland
* 1855–1859: Reinhardt
* 1859–1861: Ole Rognaldsen Døskeland
* 1861–1863: L. Rennord
* 1863–1865: I. Hansen
* 1865–1869: Ole Rognaldsen Døskeland
* 1869–1873: L. Rennord
* 1873–1877: Anders Daae
* 1877–1881: O. Hammer
* 1881–1897: Johannes Risting
* 1897–1898: M. Foss
* 1899–1901: Ole O. Døskeland
* 1901–1909: Anders Ousen
* 1909–1922: Peder Hage
* 1922–1925: A.O. Lunde
* 1925–1945: Mathias M. Råheim
* 1945–1951: Rasmus Espeland ([[Centre Party (Norway)|Bp]])
* 1951–1967: Olav Døskeland ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
* 1967–1973: [[Kristian Lien]] ([[Christian Democratic Party (Norway)|KrF]])
* 1973–1979: Andreas Berg ([[Centre Party (Norway)|Sp]])
* 1979–1987: Per Kjelstad ([[Centre Party (Norway)|Sp]])
* 1987–1995: Henrik Lunde ([[Centre Party (Norway)|Sp]])
* 1995–2003: Per Kjelstad ([[Bygdeliste|LL]])
* 2003–2011: Jenny Følling ([[Centre Party (Norway)|Sp]])
* 2011–2019: [[Mathias Råheim]] ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fossheim |first=Eldgrim |date=17 June 2007 |title=Gaular |url=http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/nrk_sogn_og_fjordane/val_2007_sogn_og_fjordane/1.2727311 |access-date=6 August 2008 |publisher=[[Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation]] |language=no}}</ref>
{{div col end}}

==Population==
{{Historical populations
|align       = none
|direction   = horizontal
|percentages = pagr
|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/1430/fob_1430_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>
|1845|3160
|1855|3202
|1865|3443
|1875|3609
|1891|3795
|1900|3594
|1910|3485
|1920|3357
|1930|3319
|1946|3342
|1951|3039
|1960|2854
|1970|2657
|1980|2809
|1990|2939
|2000|2886
|2010|2778
|2019|3027
}}

==Geography==
[[File:Gaula-Gaular-Norway.jpg|thumb|right|Gaula River]]
[[File:Storehesten.jpg|thumb|right|Storehesten (Kvamshesten) is a mountain in the north west of Gaular]]
Gaular is located in the central part of Vestland county, in the [[Sunnfjord]] region. It is bordered to the north by the municipalities of [[Askvoll]] and [[Førde]], to the east by [[Balestrand]], to the south by [[Høyanger]], and to the west by [[Fjaler]].

The [[Gaula (Sogn og Fjordane)|Gaula River]] flows west through the municipality and empties into the [[Dalsfjorden (Sunnfjord)|Dalsfjorden]] near the village of [[Bygstad]]. There are several large lakes that are part of the river Gaula including the lakes [[Haukedalsvatnet]] and [[Viksdalsvatnet]]. The river begins in the [[Gaularfjellet]] mountains to the east of the municipality.

==Transportation==
The [[European route E39]] highway runs through the centre of Sande south to the city of [[Bergen]], a distance of {{convert|150|km}} (with a [[ferry]] between the villages of [[Lavik (village)|Lavik]] and Oppedal across the [[Sognefjorden]]). The [[Norwegian County Road 13]] runs through the eastern part of the municipality. [[Førde Airport, Bringeland]] (ENBL) is located at Bringelandsåsen in Gaular municipality.

==Attractions==
===The Salmon Stairs===
William T. Potts from Coreen Castle in [[Ireland]] initiated the building of the salmon stairs (a type of [[fish ladder]]), which were completed in 1871, in return for an agreement made with the farmers that had 25 years of free fishing. The salmon stairs at Osen in Bygstad are the oldest in the world. The stairs consist of 17 pools/stages and has height of around {{convert|11|m}}. It is very effective as the salmon are forced to make their way up the stair construction, due to the current below the falls.<ref name="go" />

===National Tourist Road===
[[Norwegian County Road 13|Fylkesvei 13]] (Fv13) is one of 18 national tourist roads in Norway because of the nearby waterfalls. From near the town of [[Førde (town)|Førde]], drivers start on a sightseeing journey with cultural attractions that date from the 19th century to the present day's city environment. The districts of [[Holsen]] and [[Haukedalen]] are typical of Western Norwegian farming communities that have created a picturesque cultivated landscape.

Rørvik Mountain is on the road and it has fascinating [[stone wall]]s and a marvellous view over the Haukedalen valley. Along Råheimsdalen and Eldalen to the [[Gaularfjellet]] mountains, you will see a marvellous waterfall landscape that has been landscaped with paths for visitors. From the top of Gaularfjellet mountains, hairpin bends wind down to the [[Vetlefjorden]], an arm of the [[Sognefjorden]]. The breathtaking contrasts of steep mountainsides, winding roads, and waterfalls are characteristic of [[Western Norway]]'s exceptional scenery.
<ref name="go">{{Cite web |title=Førde Municipality in Norway |url=http://www.gonorway.com/norway/counties/sogn%20and%20fjordane/førde/7637a9c257ef420/index.html |access-date=11 August 2008 |publisher=GoNorway.no}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of former municipalities of Norway]]
{{commons category|Gaular}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

{{Vestland}}
{{Authority control}}
{{use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}

[[Category:Gaular| ]]
[[Category:Sunnfjord]]
[[Category:Former municipalities of Norway]]
[[Category:1838 establishments in Norway]]
[[Category:2020 disestablishments in Norway]]