Editing Harstad Municipality

{{short description|Municipality in Troms, Norway}}
{{about|the municipality in Troms, Norway|the [[Harstad (town)|town of Harstad]] or other uses|Harstad (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox kommune
|name                   = Harstad
|native_name            = {{lang|se|Hársttáid suohkan}}
|native_name_lang       = 
|other_name             = 
|former_name            = 
|image_skyline          = Harstad Wikipedia CreativeCommons v2 SteveNilsen 01.jpg
|image_caption          = Waterfront of Harstad
|idnumber               = 5503
|county                 = Troms
|district               = [[Central Hålogaland]]
|capital                = [[Harstad (town)|Harstad]]
|established            = 1 January 1904
|preceded               = [[Trondenes Municipality]]
|demonym                = Harstadværing
|language               = Neutral
|coatofarms             = Harstad kommunevapen.svg
|flag                   = 
|webpage                = www.harstad.kommune.no
|mayor                  = [[Kari-Anne Opsal]]
|mayor_party            = [[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]]
|mayor_as_of            = 2022
|elevation_max_m        = 1094.8
|highest_point_ref      = <ref name="elev">{{Cite web |date=2024-01-16 |title=Høgaste fjelltopp i kvar kommune |url=https://www.kartverket.no/til-lands/fakta-om-norge/hoyeste-fjelltopp-i-kommunen |publisher=[[Kartverket]] |language=no}}</ref>
|area_rank              = 225
|area_total_km2         = 445.27
|area_land_km2          = 428.48
|area_water_km2         = 16.79
|area_water_percent     = 3.8
|population_as_of       = 2024
|population_rank        = 49
|population_total       = 25056
|population_density_km2 = 56.3
|population_increase    = 2.5
|coordinates            = {{coord|68|48|00|N|16|32|45|E|region:NO|display=inline,title}}
}}

{{native name|no|'''Harstad'''|paren=omit}} ([[Norwegian language|Norwegian]], {{IPA|no|hɐ̞̂ɻ.ʃt̠ɐ̞|pron|Harstad.ogg}}) or {{native name|se|'''Hárstták'''}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Informasjon om stadnamn |url=https://stadnamn.kartverket.no/fakta/329043 |access-date=2024-07-28 |website=Norgeskart |publisher=[[Norwegian Mapping Authority|Kartverket]] |language=no}}</ref><ref name="sami name" /> is the second-most populated municipality in [[Troms]] county, [[Norway]]. It is mostly located on the large island of [[Hinnøya]]. The municipal center is the [[Harstad (town)|town of Harstad]], which is the most populous town in [[Central Hålogaland]] and the third-largest in all of [[Northern Norway]].<ref>[http://www.ssb.no/beftett_en/tab-2008-06-20-02-en.html Municipality second largest in Troms county, by population]</ref><ref>[http://www.ssb.no/beftett_en/tab-2008-06-20-01-en.html City second largest in Troms county; third largest in Northern Norway]</ref> The town was incorporated in 1904. Villages in the municipality include [[Elgsnes]], [[Fauskevåg]], [[Gausvika]], [[Grøtavær]], [[Kasfjord]], [[Lundenes]], [[Nergården]] and [[Sørvika]].

The {{convert|445|km2|adj=on}} municipality is the 225th largest by area out of Norway's 357 municipalities and the 49th most populous, with a population of 25,056. The municipality's [[population density]] is {{convert|56.3|PD/km2}} and the population has increased by 2.5% 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/ |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>

==Geography==
[[File:Toppen, Grytøya.JPG|thumb|left|Toppen (mountain on [[Grytøya]], October 2009).]]
The municipality is located on many islands in southern Troms county. Most of the municipality is located on the large island of [[Hinnøya]], which is Norway's largest coastal island (three islands in the [[Svalbard]] archipelago are larger). The northern part of the municipality is located on the smaller islands of [[Grytøya]], [[Bjarkøya]], [[Sandsøya, Troms|Sandsøya]], Helløya, Flatøya and [[Krøttøya]] and many even smaller islands between the [[Andfjorden]] (to the west) and the [[Vågsfjorden, Troms|Vågsfjorden]] (to the east). The municipality contains several small islands, including Arnøya, [[Gressholman]], Helløya, Kjeøya, Kjøtta, Kjøttakalven, Flatøya, [[Meløyvær]], Måga, Rogla, Lille Rogla and Åkerøya.

Harstad is bordered by [[Kvæfjord Municipality]] to the west. To the south and east, the [[Tjeldsund Bridge]] connects Hinnøya with [[Tjeldsund Municipality]] and the mainland across [[Tjeldsundet]], and to the northeast is the [[Vågsfjorden, Troms|Vågsfjorden]], where Harstad shares a water border with [[Ibestad Municipality]]. The city of Harstad itself is located on the northeastern part of Hinnøya; it is the only city on the island, and is popularly known as ''Vågsfjordens perle'' (The pearl of Vågsfjorden).

The highest point in Harstad Municipality is Sætertinden, which is {{convert|1095|m|abbr=on}} above sea level.<ref name="elev" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sætertinden |url=http://www.westcoastpeaks.com/Peaks/saetertinden.html}}</ref> It is located near the village of [[Sandtorg]] in southern Harstad. The {{convert|412|m|adj=on}} tall mountain, [[Nupen]], is located in the northwestern part of the municipality on the border with Kvæfjord.

===Climate and light===
Despite being located north of the [[Arctic Circle]], Harstad features either a dry-summer [[subarctic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]]: '''Dsc'''), or (barely, by only half a degree C)<ref>{{Cite web |title=MSN |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/ |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=www.msn.com}}</ref> the rare [[cold-summer mediterranean climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]]: '''Csc'''), depending on if the {{convert|0|C}} or the {{convert|-3|C}} isotherm is used. Harstad features relatively mild, wet winters and cool, dry summers. Harstad does not have the brutal winters most locations north of the Arctic Circle experience, and is sheltered from Atlantic gales by mountains in the west, and has the main part of the [[Scandinavian Mountains]] to the east. The city experiences warmer winters than major cities located 25 degrees farther south in latitude such as [[Beijing]], [[Chicago]] and [[Toronto]]. Summers in Harstad are cool, with average high temperatures seldom breaking the {{convert|22|C|F|0}} mark. Since the weather station opened August 2002, July 2014 was the warmest month with mean {{convert|16.9|C|F|0}}, average daily high {{convert|21.8|C|F|0}} and all-time high  {{convert|31.7|C|F|0}} on 10 July. The record low of {{convert|-16.1|C|F|0}} was recorded in February 2010. The coldest month recorded was January 2003 with mean {{convert|-6.5|C|F|0}} and average daily low {{convert|-9.5|C|F|0}}. On 9. September 2024 Harstad recorded high {{convert|25.9|C|F|0}}, the warmest temperature in September recorded in Troms.

The municipality enjoys the [[midnight sun]] during the summer months, from 22 May to 18 July. There is also a period from early May to early August with twilight for a few hours each night as the sun just dips below the horizon, so there is no darkness. The [[polar night]], when the sun is always below the horizon, lasts from 30 November to 12 January. At this time, there are 3–4 hours of dawn and dusk around noon, sometimes with colourful skies towards the south. From late January, the period of daylight rapidly increases, reaching 12 hours by March and 18 hours in April. Harstad is located in the midst of the [[aurora borealis]] ({{aka}} ''the northern lights'') zone, and the aurora can often be seen on clear nights, but not in summer due to the continuous daylight.

{{Weather box
|location     = Harstad (45 m, averages 2004–2018, extremes 2002–2025)
|metric first = Yes
|single line  = Yes
<!--Record high temperatures-->
|Jan record high C= 8.8
|Feb record high C= 9.2
|Mar record high C= 10.9
|Apr record high C= 16.9
|May record high C= 24.7
|Jun record high C= 29.6
|Jul record high C= 31.7
|Aug record high C= 31.5
|Sep record high C= 25.9
|Oct record high C= 17.5
|Nov record high C= 13.8
|Dec record high C= 9.8
|year record high C= 
<!--Average high temperatures-->
|Jan high C = -0.8
|Feb high C = -0.3
|Mar high C = 1.8
|Apr high C = 6
|May high C = 10.5
|Jun high C = 13.2
|Jul high C = 17.2
|Aug high C = 15.9
|Sep high C = 12.3
|Oct high C = 7
|Nov high C = 3.3
|Dec high C = 1.2
|year high C =
|Jan mean C = -2.2
|Feb mean C = -2.3
|Mar mean C = -0.8
|Apr mean C = 3
|May mean C = 7.3
|Jun mean C = 10.2
|Jul mean C = 13.9
|Aug mean C = 12.9
|Sep mean C = 9.5
|Oct mean C = 5
|Nov mean C = 1.7
|Dec mean C = -0.5
|year mean C = 
|Jan low C = -4
|Feb low C = -4.3
|Mar low C = -3.4
|Apr low C = 0.1
|May low C = 4.1
|Jun low C = 7.3
|Jul low C = 10.5
|Aug low C = 9.8
|Sep low C = 6.8
|Oct low C = 3
|Nov low C = 0
|Dec low C = -2.2
|year low C =
<!--Record low temperatures-->
|Jan record low C= -15.4
|Feb record low C= -16.1
|Mar record low C= -13.3
|Apr record low C= -9.4
|May record low C= -3.7
|Jun record low C= -0.6
|Jul record low C= 4.6
|Aug record low C= 1.7
|Sep record low C= -1.6
|Oct record low C= -7.9
|Nov record low C= -10.3
|Dec record low C= -14.5
|year record low C= 
<!--Total Precipitation, this should include rain and snow.-->
<!--IMPORTANT: use mm or cm but NOT both!-->
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 85
|Feb precipitation mm = 80
|Mar precipitation mm = 65
|Apr precipitation mm = 50
|May precipitation mm = 35
|Jun precipitation mm = 37
|Jul precipitation mm = 53
|Aug precipitation mm = 58
|Sep precipitation mm = 80
|Oct precipitation mm = 110
|Nov precipitation mm = 97
|Dec precipitation mm = 100
|year precipitation mm = 850
|source 1 = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Infoclimat Harstad averages |url=https://www.infoclimat.fr/climatologie/normales-records/2001-2030/harstad/valeurs/01180.html}}</ref>
|date=August 2010
|source 2 = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Eklima/met.no |url=http://sharki.oslo.dnmi.no/portal/page?_pageid=73,39035,73_39049&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130111955/http://sharki.oslo.dnmi.no/portal/page?_pageid=73,39035,73_39049&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL |archive-date=30 November 2016 |access-date=3 August 2019 |publisher=Norwegian Meteorological Institute – extremes and precipitation Harstad Stadion}}</ref>
}}

==History==
{{see also|Harstad (town)#History}}
The [[Harstad (town)|town of Harstad]] was established as a municipality on 1 January 1904 when it was separated from the large [[Trondenes Municipality]] because it had just been declared a [[ladested]] (small seaport). The initial population of the town of Harstad was 1,246. During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the [[Schei Committee]]. On 1 January 1964, the town of Harstad (population: 3,808) was merged with neighboring [[Sandtorg Municipality]] (population: 7,512) and [[Trondenes Municipality]] (population: 6,567) to form a new, larger Harstad Municipality with a population of 17,882. Prior to the merger, the town of Harstad had 3,808 residents.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jukvam |first=Dag |year=1999 |title=Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen |url=http://www.ssb.no/emner/00/90/rapp_9913/rapp_9913.pdf |publisher=[[Statistics Norway|Statistisk sentralbyrå]] |language=no}}</ref> On 1 January 2013, the neighboring [[Bjarkøy Municipality]] (to the north) was merged with Harstad, forming a new, larger Harstad Municipality. 

On 1 January 2020, the municipality became part of the new [[Troms og Finnmark]] county which replaced the old Troms county. On 1 January 2024, the [[Troms og Finnmark]] county was divided and the municipality once again became part of [[Troms]] county.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-05 |title=Fylkesinndelingen fra 2024 |url=https://www.regjeringen.no/no/tema/kommuner-og-regioner/kommunestruktur/fylkesinndelingen-fra-2024/id2922222/ |publisher=Regjeringen.no |language=no}}</ref>

In recent years, a 3000-year-old bronze axe<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bronze axe |url=http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article382361.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311034623/http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article382361.ece |archive-date=11 March 2007}}</ref> and a 2600-year-old bronze collar<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bronze collar |url=http://www.archaeology.org/0109/newsbriefs/horseshoe.html}}</ref> have been found at the Trondenes peninsula, just north of the city center. These, together with the burial [[cairn]]s built close to the sea, are indications of a well-developed [[Bronze Age]] culture in the Harstad area.

There is also substantial archeological evidence of a well-developed [[Iron Age]] culture in the area, around 200 AD.

[[Trondenes]] is mentioned in the [[Heimskringla]] as a power centre in the [[Viking Age]] and a place to meet and discuss important issues (''Trondarting''). In 2020 archeologist concluded that [[Sandtorg]], located along the Tjeldsundet strait, south of the town of Harstad, was the location of the only known [[Viking Age]] trading place in Northern Norway.<ref>{{Cite web |last=David Nikel |title=Viking Trading Place Discovered In Norway By Student Archaeologist |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidnikel/2020/07/20/viking-trading-place-discovered-in-norway-by-student-archaeologist/ |access-date=2022-03-27 |website=Forbes.com}}</ref> The Tjeldsundet strait was very likely an important ship lane back then as it still is today.

[[Trondenes Church]], the world's northernmost medieval church, which dates back to the 13th–15th century, is situated just outside the town.

Adjacent to the church is the [[Trondenes Historical Center]] and nearby is the [[Adolf Gun]], an enormous land-based cannon from [[World War II]], and the last of four cannons originally constructed by the [[Nazis]]. Harstad is one of the few towns in this part of Norway which were left largely undamaged by World War II.

<gallery mode="packed">
Beach at Sandtorg, Harstad municipality, Hinnøya island, Norway. The sea is part of Tjeldsundet strait, between Hinnøya and the mainland.jpg|[[Sandtorg]], where a trading place from the Viking age was located
File:Harstad kulturhus.jpg|Harstad Kulturhus (culture house)
File:Richard Kaarbø - Byste.jpg|[[Rikard Kaarbø]] was the founder of Harstad.
File:Harstad Kirche von Trondenes.jpg|[[Trondenes Church]] at Trondenes.
File:Harstad at night seen from Gangsåstoppen.jpg|Northern part of Harstad at night, early August. View towards north-west from [[Gangsåstoppen]]
</gallery>

===Origin of the name===
The municipality (and [[Harstad (town)|town]]) is named after the old ''Harstad'' farm ({{langx|non|Harðarstaðir}}), since the town is built where the farm once was located.<ref name="OR" /> The first element is (probably) the [[genitive case]] of the male name {{lang|non|Hǫrðr}}. The last element is {{wikt-lang|non|staðir}} which means "[[homestead (buildings)|homestead]]" or "[[farm]]".<ref name="OR">{{Cite book |last=Rygh |first=Oluf |author-link=Oluf Rygh |url=http://www.dokpro.uio.no/perl/navnegransking/rygh_ng/rygh_bla.prl?enhid=270481&avid=59936&s=n |title=Norske gaardnavne: Troms amt |publisher=W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri |year=1911 |edition=17 |location=Kristiania, Norge |page=21 |language=no}}</ref> On 6 February 2017, the municipality of Harstad adopted a co-equal [[Sami language]] name for the municipality: Hárstták. The Sami language name spelling changes depending on how it is used. It is called {{lang|se|Hárstták}} when it is spelled alone, but it is {{lang|se|Hársttáid suohkan}} when using the Sami language equivalent to "Harstad municipality".<ref name="sami name">{{Cite web |title=Stadnamn og rettskriving |url=https://www.kartverket.no/til-lands/stadnamn/stadnamn-og-offisielle-sprak-i-noreg |access-date=2023-11-19 |publisher=[[Kartverket]] |language=no}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-02-06 |title=Harstad fikk samisk navn |url=https://www.nrk.no/tromsogfinnmark/harstad-fikk-samisk-navn-1.13362710 |work=NRK Nord-Norge |language=no}}</ref>

===Coat of arms===
The [[coat of arms]] was granted on 24 April 1953. The official [[blazon]] is ''"[[Azure (heraldry)|Azure]], two [[Bar (heraldry)|bars]] wavy [[argent]]"'' ({{langx|no|To bølgende sølv bjelker på blå bunn}}). This means the arms have a blue [[field (heraldry)|field]] (background) and the [[charge (heraldry)|charge]] is two wavy [[Bar (heraldry)|bars]]. The bars have a [[tincture (heraldry)|tincture]] of [[argent]] which means they are commonly colored white, but if it is made out of metal, then silver is used. The blue color in the field symbolizes the importance of sea and the wavy bars were chosen to represent the waves in the sea. Since the town of Harstad is located in the municipality, a [[mural crown]] is typically shown above the [[Escutcheon (heraldry)|shield]]. The arms were designed by Jardar Lunde in cooperation with Hallvard Træteberg.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen |url=https://www.heraldry-wiki.com/heraldrywiki/index.php?title=Harstad |access-date=2023-01-26 |publisher=Heraldry of the World}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Harstad, Troms (Norway) |url=https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/no-19-01.html |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=Flags of the World}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1988-02-09 |title=Forskrift for bruk av byvåpen |url=https://harstad.kommune.no/eknet/docs/pub/DOK00217.pdf |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=Harstad kommune |language=no |format=PDF}}</ref>

==Government==
Harstad 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 [[Midtre Hålogaland District Court]] and the [[Hålogaland Court of Appeal]].

===Municipal council===
The [[Municipal council (Norway)|municipal council]] {{lang|no|(Kommunestyre)}} of Harstad is made up of 35 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                      = Harstad
|start                     = 2023
|end                       = 2027
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Kommunestyrevalg 2023 - Troms Romsa |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2023/ko/troms%20romsa/harstad#seats |access-date=2024-01-06 |publisher=[[Valgdirektoratet]]}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = 
|Total                     = 35
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 11
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 6
|Grønne                    = 1
|Høyre                     = 7
|INP                       = 2
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 1
|Rødt                      = 2
|Senterpartiet             = 2
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|Venstre                   = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Harstad
|start                     = 2019
|end                       = 2023
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2019 – Troms og Finnmark |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2019/ko/troms%20og%20finnmark/harstad#seats |access-date=26 October 2019 |publisher=Valg Direktoratet}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 35
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 11
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 5
|Høyre                     = 6
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 1
|Senterpartiet             = 6
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|Venstre                   = 1
|Rødt                      = 1
|Grønne                    = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Harstad
|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
|Total                     = 35
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 13
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 8
|Høyre                     = 4
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 1
|Senterpartiet             = 2
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|Venstre                   = 4
|Rødt                      = 1
|Grønne                    = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Harstad
|start                     = 2011
|end                       = 2015
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 – Troms Romsa |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2011/ko/troms%20romsa/harstad#seats |access-date=26 October 2019 |publisher=Valg Direktoratet}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 35
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 10
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 12
|Høyre                     = 5
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 1
|Senterpartiet             = 3
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|Venstre                   = 2
|Rødt                      = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Harstad
|start                     = 2007
|end                       = 2011
|reference                 = <ref name="ssb valg" />
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 43
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 13
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 10
|Høyre                     = 10
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 1
|Senterpartiet             = 4
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|Venstre                   = 1
|Rød_Valgallianse          = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Harstad
|start                     = 2003
|end                       = 2007
|reference                 = <ref name="ssb valg" />
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 43
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 14
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 8
|Høyre                     = 7
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 2
|Senterpartiet             = 4
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 6
|Venstre                   = 1
|Rød_Valgallianse          = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Harstad
|start                     = 1999
|end                       = 2003
|reference                 = <ref name="ssb valg" />
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 55
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 22
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 6
|Høyre                     = 14
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 3
|Senterpartiet             = 3
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 3
|Venstre                   = 2
|Rød_Valgallianse          = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Harstad
|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=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 55
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 22
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 5
|Høyre                     = 16
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 3
|Senterpartiet             = 4
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|Venstre                   = 2
|Rød_Valgallianse          = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Harstad
|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=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 55
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 18
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 3
|Høyre                     = 19
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 2
|Rød_Valgallianse          = 1
|Senterpartiet             = 4
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 6
|Venstre                   = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Harstad
|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=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 55
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 20
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 7
|Høyre                     = 18
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 2
|Rød_Valgallianse          = 1
|Senterpartiet             = 1
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 3
|Venstre                   = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Harstad
|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=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 55
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 20
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 4
|Høyre                     = 21
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 3
|Rød_Valgallianse          = 1
|Senterpartiet             = 1
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 3
|Venstre                   = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Harstad
|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=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 55
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 20
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 1
|Høyre                     = 23
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 4
|Rød_Valgallianse          = 1
|Senterpartiet             = 2
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|Venstre                   = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Harstad
|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=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 55
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 19
|Høyre                     = 22
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 5
|Senterpartiet             = 4
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|Venstre                   = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Harstad
|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=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 55
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 24
|Høyre                     = 19
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 2
|Senterpartiet             = 4
|Sosialistisk_Folkeparti   = 3
|Venstre                   = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Harstad
|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=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo |volume=I}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 55
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 25
|Høyre                     = 21
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 1
|Senterpartiet             = 2
|Sosialistisk_Folkeparti   = 2
|Venstre                   = 4
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Harstad
|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=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 55
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 27
|Høyre                     = 18
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 2
|Senterpartiet             = 2
|Sosialistisk_Folkeparti   = 1
|Venstre                   = 5
|note = On 1 January 1964, [[Trondenes Municipality]] and [[Sandtorg Municipality]] became part of Harstad Municipality.
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Harstad
|city                      = 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=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 29
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 9
|Høyre                     = 17
|Venstre                   = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Harstad
|city                      = 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=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 29
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 10
|NKP                       = 1
|Høyre                     = 15
|Venstre                   = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Harstad
|city                      = 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=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 28
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 10
|NKP                       = 3
|Høyre                     = 10
|Venstre                   = 4
|Local_Lists               = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Harstad
|city                      = 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=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 28
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 9
|NKP                       = 6
|Høyre                     = 9
|Venstre                   = 4
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Harstad
|city                      = 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=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 28
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 7
|NKP                       = 9
|Høyre                     = 6
|Venstre                   = 3
|Borgerlige_Felleslister   = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Harstad
|city                      = 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=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 28
|H/FV                      = 12
|Venstre                   = 3
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 8
|AFS                       = 3
|Local_Lists               = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Harstad
|city                      = yes
|start                     = 1934
|end                       = 1937 
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1935 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1934 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_ix_057.pdf |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 28
|H/FV                      = 8
|Venstre                   = 3
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 10
|NKP                       = 4
|Local_Lists               = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Harstad
|city                      = yes
|start                     = 1931
|end                       = 1934 
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1932 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1931 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_viii_186.pdf |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 28
|H/FV                      = 8
|Venstre                   = 5
|Avholdspartiet            = 1
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 8
|NKP                       = 6
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Harstad
|city                      = yes
|start                     = 1928
|end                       = 1931 
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1929 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1928 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_viii_093.pdf |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 28
|H/FV                      = 6
|Venstre                   = 5
|Avholdspartiet            = 1
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 8
|NKP                       = 6
|Local_Lists               = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Harstad
|city                      = yes
|start                     = 1925
|end                       = 1928 
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1926 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1925 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_vii_192.pdf |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 28
|H/FV                      = 7
|Venstre                   = 3
|Avholdspartiet            = 4
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 7
|NKP                       = 5
|Local_Lists               = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Harstad
|city                      = yes
|start                     = 1922
|end                       = 1925
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1923 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1922 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_vii_078.pdf |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 28
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 5
|SDA                       = 1
|H/FV                      = 9
|Venstre                   = 3
|Borgerlige_Felleslister   = 6
|Avholdspartiet            = 4
|}}
{{div col end}}

===Mayors===
The [[Mayor#Scandinavia|mayor]] ({{langx|no|ordfører}}) of Harstad is the political leader of the municipality and the chairperson of the municipal council. Here is a list of people who have held this position:<ref>{{Cite book |last=Simensen |first=S |url=http://urn.nb.no/URN:NBN:no-nb_digibok_2008050700031 |title=Harstad gjennom femti år |publisher=Harstad kommune |year=1953 |location=Harstad |pages=27–33 |language=no}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ordførere i Harstad |url=https://lokalhistoriewiki.no/wiki/Ordf%C3%B8rere_i_Harstad |access-date=2023-02-22 |publisher=LokalHistorieWiki.no |language=no}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*1904–1906: Hans Buck ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
*1914–1916: Karl Eystein Kvam ([[Liberal Party (Norway)|V]])
*1929–1932: Israel Wulff ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*1932–1935: Nils J. Hunstad ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
*1935–1938: Hans Stordahl ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*1938–1940: Nils J. Hunstad ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
*1941–1945: Hans Methi ([[Nasjonal Samling|NS]])
*1945–1945: Odd Gangnæs ([[Nasjonal Samling|NS]])
*1945–1945: Alf Haaland ([[Liberal Party (Norway)|V]])
*1945–1945: Nils J. Hunstad ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
*1946–1947: [[Sigurd Simensen]] ([[Communist Party of Norway|NKP]])
*1948–1952: Sigurd Torgersen ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*1952–1964: Leif Bothner ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
*1964–1968: [[Bjarne Berg-Sæther]] ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*1968–1969: [[Leif Arne Heløe]] ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
*1970–1977: [[Arnljot Norwich]] ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
*1978–1987: Johan Nordvik ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
*1987–1993: Kjell Joachimsen ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
*1993–1995: Britt S. Nordlund ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
*1995–1998: Helge Aune ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*1998–2007: [[Halvar Hansen]] ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*2007–2011: Helge Eriksen ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
*2011–2019: Marianne Bremnes ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*2019–present: [[Kari-Anne Opsal]] ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
{{div col end}}

==Economy==
The oil industry of North Norway is centered in Harstad; including [[Statoil]]'s main office for a new operational area for Northern Norway,<ref>{{Cite web |title=New operational area in Northern Norway |url=http://www.statoil.com/en/NewsAndMedia/News/2012/Pages/21Mar_DriftHarstad.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324191454/http://www.statoil.com/en/NewsAndMedia/News/2012/Pages/21Mar_DriftHarstad.aspx |archive-date=24 March 2012 |access-date=2 April 2012}}</ref> the [[DNV]] office for Northern Norway,<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 2, 2012 |title=DNV increases Arctic focus, acquires Norwegian Petro Services |url=http://www.offshore-mag.com/articles/2012/05/dnv-increases-arctic-focus.html |access-date=2022-03-27 |publisher=Offshore-mag.com}}</ref> as well as other regional offices including [[TotalEnergies]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Total.no - Organisation |url=http://www.total.no/normal/En/about/org/Pages/Home.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111034937/http://www.total.no/normal/En/about/org/Pages/Home.aspx |archive-date=11 November 2013 |access-date=5 May 2012}}</ref> [[Det Norske Oljeselskap ASA]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Det norske oljeselskap ASA |url=http://www.detnor.no/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906164657/http://www.detnor.no/ |archive-date=6 September 2015 |access-date=5 May 2012}}</ref> and [[Aibel]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Multi-billion six year contract on Draugen — Aibel |url=http://aibel.com/en/news-and-media/press-releases/billion-nok-contract-gives-aibel-six-years-on-draugen |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023115850/http://aibel.com/en/news-and-media/press-releases/billion-nok-contract-gives-aibel-six-years-on-draugen |archive-date=23 October 2015 |access-date=5 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Harstad — Aibel |url=http://aibel.com/en/about/locations/harstad |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151022023512/http://aibel.com/en/about/locations/harstad |archive-date=22 October 2015 |access-date=5 May 2012}}</ref> Harstad also has shipyards and other industries that are important for the economy. Harstad and the surrounding area have traditionally been among the most productive agricultural regions in Northern Norway,.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kvaefjord |url=http://www.destinationharstad.no/hno/Kommuner/Kvaefjord |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117115721/http://www.destinationharstad.no/hno/Kommuner/Kvaefjord |archive-date=17 January 2012 |access-date=2022-03-27 |publisher=Destinationharstad.no}}</ref> The old seabed, now dry land due to [[isostatic rebound]] (up to {{convert|60|to|80|m|disp=or}} above sea level), creating fertile soil that is well-suited for farming.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150924111941/http://www.skogoglandskap.no/filearchive/Rapport_02_98.pdf] {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref>

[[File:Skjærstad Harstad Wilse 35840.jpeg|thumb|right|Agricultural area in Harstad; 1930.]]

==Institutions and culture==
[[File:Harstad stadion.jpg|thumb|right|Harstad Stadium; June 2007]]
The city hosts the annual week-long ''[[Festival of North Norway]]'' in June.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Festspillene i Nord-Norge |url=http://www.festspillnn.no/default.asp?cmd=600 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041013073215/http://www.festspillnn.no/default.asp?cmd=600 |archive-date=13 October 2004}}</ref> It is also the home of the Arctic Moving Image and Film Festival, held in October each year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Arctic Moving Image and Film Festival |url=http://www.amiff.no/home?cmd=600}}</ref>

[[Harstad University College]], with approximately 1,100 students,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Harstad University College |url=http://www.hih.no/Internasjonale_programmer/infoenglish/default.asp}}</ref> has a thriving foreign exchange program with students from all over the world. The hospital in Harstad is part of the [[University Hospital of North Norway]].

The most successful local [[Association football|football]] team is [[Harstad Idrettslag]] (a.k.a. HIL),<ref>{{Cite web |title=HIL |url=http://www.harstad-idrettslag.no |language=no}}</ref> and the most successful [[basketball]] team is the [[Harstad Vikings]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Harstad Vikings |url=http://www.mjodberget.net |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315071338/http://www.mjodberget.net/ |archive-date=15 March 2018 |access-date=10 March 2006 |language=no}}</ref>

Harstad is home port for the ''[[Anna Rogde (schooner)|Anna Rogde]]'', the world's oldest sailing [[schooner]], also known as ''the sailing queen of Norway''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Anna Rogde |url=http://www.annarogde.no/default.asp?cmd=210 |language=no}}</ref>

[[Harstad Camping]] is a campsite located in the municipality.

===Churches===
The [[Church of Norway]] has five parishes ({{lang|no|sokn}}) within Harstad Municipality. It is part of the [[Trondenes prosti]] ([[deanery]]) in the [[Diocese of Nord-Hålogaland]].

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ style="font-size:medium"|'''''Churches in Harstad'''''
!Parish ({{lang|no|sokn}})!!Church name!!Location of the church!!Year built
|-
|rowspan="2"|Bjarkøy og Sandsøy||[[Bjarkøy Church]]||[[Nergården]]||1766
|-
|[[Sandsøy Church]]||[[Sandsøya, Troms|Sandsøya]]||1888
|-
|rowspan="2"|Grytøy||[[Grøtavær Church]]||[[Grøtavær]]||1915
|-
|[[Lundenes Church]]||[[Lundenes]]||1974
|-
|Harstad||[[Harstad Church]]||[[Harstad (town)|Harstad]]||1958
|-
|Kanebogen||[[Kanebogen Church]]||[[Kanebogen]]||1999
|-
|rowspan="2"|Sandtorg||[[Gausvik Church]]||[[Gausvika]]||1979
|-
|[[Sandtorg Church]]||[[Sørvika]]||1932
|-
|rowspan="2"|Trondenes||[[Trondenes Church]]||[[Trondenes]]||15th century
|-
|[[Elgsnes Chapel]]||[[Elgsnes]]||1985
|}

==Military connections==
Harstad traditionally has strong ties with the Norwegian Armed Forces. [[Kystjegerkommandoen]] (Coastal Ranger Command) has its home base at [[Trondenes]], just north of the town of Harstad. [[Marinejegerkommandoen]] is based in [[Ramsund, Norway|Ramsund]], a village in neighboring [[Tjeldsund Municipality]] on the mainland south of Harstad. General [[Carl Gustav Fleischer]] led the field operations of the Norwegian Armed Forces in [[World War II]], among them the 7,500 soldiers which from the north pushed the Nazi Germans back to [[Narvik (town)|Narvik]] and participated in retaking Narvik on 28 May 1940. A street in Harstad is named ''Gen. Fleischers Gate'' in his honour.

[[Operation Judgement (1945)|Operation Judgement]] took place on 4 May 1945, when the [[Fleet Air Arm]] of the [[Royal Navy]] attacked a U-boat base at [[Kilbotn]], a village in the Harstad district, sinking two ships and a U-boat.

Harstad is also the hometown of the Norwegian army band "Forsvarets Musikkorps Nord Norge" with professional musicians.

==Transportation==
[[File:MS Kong Harald in Harstad.jpg|thumb|Coastal Express ship [[MS Kong Harald]] in Harstad]]
The local airport is [[Harstad/Narvik Airport, Evenes]], located on the mainland in neighboring [[Evenes Municipality]]. It is {{convert|44|km|mi|0}} by road from the town center. The airport offers daily flights to [[Oslo]], [[Trondheim (city)|Trondheim]], [[Bodø (town)|Bodø]], [[Tromsø (city)|Tromsø]] and [[Andenes]].<ref name="supersaver.no">{{Cite web |title=Harstad/Narvik Lufthavn Evenes |url=http://www.supersaver.no/flyplasser/harstad-narvik-lufthavn-evenes |access-date=2011-06-11 |website=supersaver.no}}</ref>

Every morning a northbound and a southbound [[Hurtigruten]] ship stop in Harstad.<ref name="hurtigruten.com">{{Cite web |title=Coastal Express |url=http://www.hurtigruten.com |access-date=2011-10-14 |website=hurtigruten.com}}</ref>

[[High-speed craft]] regularly go between Harstad and [[Tromsø]], [[Finnsnes]], [[Senja]] and other places.<ref name="tromskortet.no">{{Cite web |title=Troms fylkestrafikk |url=http://www.tromskortet.no |access-date=2011-06-30 |website=tromskortet.no}}</ref>

There are several ferries and buses in the district, and in Harstad there are local buses.<ref name="tromskortet.no" />

The leading [[helicopter]] company in Northern Norway, Heli-Team, is located in Harstad.<ref name="heliteam.no">{{Cite web |title=Heli-Team |url=http://www.heliteam.no |website=heliteam.no}}</ref>

==Local areas==
[[File:Strandgata i Harstad.jpg|thumb|Street: Strandgata, 4 May 2008.]]
[[File:Harstadt im Februar 2005.jpg|thumb|Street: Hvedings gate, February 2005. View towards west from a [[Hurtigruten]] ship.]]

;Villages north/west of the city <!-- Sorted alphabetically -->
[[Alvestad]], Aune, [[Elgsnes]], Ervik, [[Grøtavær]], Hagan, [[Kasfjord]], Kilhus, Kjøtta, [[Lundenes]], Mustaparta, [[Nergården]], Røkenes, [[Steinnes]], Stornes, Storvassbotn, Sørlia, Tennvassåsen, Tømmeråsen, Undlandet, Vika, and Årnes.

;City neighbourhoods <!-- Sorted alphabetically -->
Bergseng, Blåbærhaugen, Breivika, [[Harstad (town)|City Center]], Eineberget, [[Gangsås]], [[Grønnebakkan]], Harstadbotn, Harstadåsen, [[Heggen]], Holtet, [[Kanebogen]], [[Kilbotn]], [[Medkila]], Ruggevika, [[Sama (Harstad)|Sama]], [[Seljestad, Troms|Seljestad]], Skaret, [[Stangnes]], [[Trondenes]], and [[Åsby]].

;Villages south of the city <!-- Sorted alphabetically -->
Brokvik, [[Fauskevåg]], [[Gausvik]], Halsebø, Haukebø, Melvik, Nordvik, [[Sandtorg]], and [[Sørvika]].

<gallery mode="packed">
File:Harstad fra Eineberget.jpg|Northeastern part of Harstad seen from Eineberget; 4 May 2008
File:Andørja sett fra Harstad.jpg|View from Harstad towards the Vågsfjord and Andørja island; May 2008
File:Hogskolen i Harstad pano.jpg|Harstad university college
</gallery>

==Notable people==
=== Public Service ===
[[File:Gerd Kristiansen Folkets hus 2017 (155149).jpg|140px|thumb|Gerd Kristiansen, 2017]]
[[File:Kristin-Clemet.jpg|140px|thumb|Kristin Clemet, 2005]]
* [[Andrew V. Stoltenberg]] (1865 in Aarnes – 1921), a US Navy recipient of the [[Medal of Honor]]
* [[Hans Egede]] (1686–1758), a Dano-Norwegian Lutheran missionary known as the ''Apostle of Greenland''
* [[Anders Holte]] (1849 in Oldra – 1937), a sea captain and navigator
* [[Rikard Kaarbø]] (1850–1901), a businessman and politician who established the town of Harstad
* [[John Bernhard Rekstad]] (1852 in Trondenes – 1934), a geologist and amateur photographer
* [[Erland Frisvold]] (1877–1971), a Norwegian colonel, civil engineer, and Mayor of Harstad
* [[Paal Frisvold (born 1908)|Paal Frisvold]] (1908–1997), a Norwegian general who was head of the Norwegian Army 1961 to 1966
* [[Sverre Holm (sociologist)|Sverre Holm]] (1910–1996), a librarian, novelist, resistance member, and sociologist
* [[Bjarne Berg-Sæther]] (1919–2009), a Norwegian politician who was Mayor of Harstad 1963 to 1967 & county mayor
* [[Hanna Kvanmo]] (1926–2005), a controversial Norwegian politician who was convicted for treason after WWII and later a member of the [[Norwegian Nobel Committee]]
* [[Ola Heide]] (born 1931 in Trondenes), a botanist
* [[Leif Arne Heløe]] (born 1932), a Norwegian politician & former Minister of Social Affairs
* [[Pål Spilling]] (1934–2018), an internet pioneer and academic
* [[Ola M. Steinholt]] (1934–2009), a bishop of the [[Diocese of Nord-Hålogaland]]
* [[Unni Wikan]] (born 1944), a professor of social [[anthropology]]
* [[Gerd Kristiansen]] (born 1955), a licensed practical nurse and leader of the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions from 2013 to 2017
* [[Kristin Clemet]] (born 1957), a Norwegian politician & former Minister of Education
* [[Elisabeth Aspaker]] (born 1962), a Norwegian politician & former Minister of Fisheries
* [[Jon Lech Johansen]] (born 1983), also known as ''DVD Jon'', a computer programmer
* [[Silje Lundberg]] (born 1988), an environmentalist who grew up in Harstad
[[File:Ragnhild Kaarbo.jpg|140px|thumb|Ragnhild Kaarbo, 1910]]
[[File:KineHellebust.jpg|140px|thumb|Kine Hellebust, 2008]]

=== The Arts ===
* [[Ragnhild Kaarbø]] (1889–1949), a painter
* [[Knut Andersen (film director)|Knut Andersen]] (1931–2019), a film director<ref>{{IMDb name|0026195|Knut Andersen}}. Retrieved 2 October 2020.</ref>
* [[Reidar Thomassen]] (born 1936), a writer and javelin thrower
* [[Jan Høiland]] (1939–2017), a pop singer who lived in Harstad for many years
* [[Odd Børre]] (born 1939), a former pop singer who sang at the [[1968 Eurovision Song Contest]]
* [[Leif Erik Forberg]] (born 1950) a television and radio presenter
* [[Kine Hellebust]] (born 1954), a singer, actress, children's writer, and playwright<ref>{{IMDb name|0375244|Kine Hellebust}}. Retrieved 2 October 2020.</ref>
* [[Ketil Stokkan]] (born 1956), a pop singer who sang at the [[1986 Eurovision Song Contest|1986]] and the [[Eurovision Song Contest 1990|1990 Eurovision Song Contest]]
* [[Iren Reppen]] (born 1965), an actress<ref>{{IMDb name|0720112|Iren Reppen}}. Retrieved 2 October 2020.</ref>
* [[Bodil Arnesen]] (born 1967), a operatic soprano
* [[Kari Innerå]] (born 1982), a gourmet chef
* [[Iselin Steiro]] (born 1985), a model
* [[:no:Sophie Elise|Sophie Elise, (Norwegian Wiki)]] (born 1994), a blogger and singer 
* [[Ruben (singer)|Ruben Markussen]] (born 1995), a singer and songwriter who grew up in Bjarkøy
* [[:no:Thea Floer Kulseng|Thea Floer Kulseng, (Norwegian Wiki)]] (born 2003),the winner of Melodi Grand Prix Junior 2015

=== Sport ===
* [[Trygve Bornø]] (born 1942), a retired footballer with 419 club caps and 43 for [[Norway national football team|Norway]]
* [[Knut Frostad]] (born 1967), a yachtsman, competed in the [[1988 Summer Olympics|1988]] & [[1992 Summer Olympics]]
* [[Marianne Paulsen]] (born 1980), a Norwegian football defender
* [[Tom Høgli]] (born 1984), a former football defender with 300 club caps and 49 for [[Norway national football team|Norway]]
* [[Eirik Lamøy]] (born 1984), a Norwegian football striker with 300 club caps

==International relations==
[[File:Eineberget mot øst.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Typical residential area with private houses; Eineberget, Harstad.]]
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Norway}}

===Twin towns – Sister cities===
The [[Town twinning|twin towns]] of Harstad are:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Twin towns |url=https://www.harstad.kommune.no/vennskapsbyer.177639.no.html}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Denmark}} [[Elsinore]] in [[Denmark]]
* {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Barnstaple]] in [[United Kingdom]]
* {{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Umeå]] in [[Sweden]]
* {{flagicon|Finland}} [[Vaasa]] in [[Finland]]

Harstad used to be a sister city to [[Kirovsk, Murmansk Oblast|Kirovsk]], but this agreement was ended in November 2022, due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

==See also==
* [[List of schools in Norway#Harstad|List of schools in Harstad]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100512060028/http://www.harstad.kommune.no/hk/side/info-in-english Information in English]  Harstad municipality
* [http://www.visitharstad.com Visit Harstad]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040712052512/http://www.harstadkulturhus.no/english.htm Culture]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060222060324/http://www.eurotravelling.net/norway/harstad/harstad_history.htm Old history of Harstad]
* [http://www.norphoto.com/r/eng3508.php Harstad pictures]
* [http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap060329.html Green and black aurora over Harstad] NASA astronomy picture of the day
* [http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap040928.html Particularly rare purple auroral corona over Harstad] NASA astronomy picture of the day
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051218214324/http://webcamera.hlk.no/ Web-cam] Showing various parts of the town
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlQbfcD-sHk&NR=1 Photo presentation on YouTube]
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20100223210344/http://artofthestates.org/cgi-bin/piece.pl?pid=382 Art of the States: Frozen Horizon]}} Musical work inspired by the Harstad landscape
* [http://www.ht.no/ ''Harstad Tidende''] ''(Harstad Times)'' Newspaper for the district {{in lang|no}}
* [http://www.iharstad.no iHarstad.no] Information portal {{in lang|no}}
* [http://www.hikt.no/vaerdata/ Live weather station located in Harstad] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060218031849/http://www.hikt.no/vaerdata/ |date=18 February 2006 }} {{in lang|no}}
* [http://www.hinnoy.no/ About Hinnøy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071020142235/http://www.hinnoy.no/ |date=20 October 2007 }} {{in lang|no}}
* [http://magnar.aspaker.no/ Magnars garden at 69 degrees north] {{in lang|no}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{sister bar|auto=y|d=y|commonscat=y|voy=Harstad|wikt=Harstad}}
{{Geographic location
|Centre    = Harstad
|North     =  
|Northeast =  [[Senja Municipality]]
|East      =  [[Ibestad Municipality]]
|Southeast =  [[Tjeldsund Municipality]]
|South     =  
|Southwest =  [[Kvæfjord Municipality]]
|West      =  [[Lødingen Municipality]]
|Northwest =  [[Andøy Municipality]]
}}
{{Troms}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Harstad| ]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Norway]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Troms]]
[[Category:Populated places of Arctic Norway]]
[[Category:1904 establishments in Norway]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1904]]