Editing Mandal (municipality)

{{short description|Former municipality in Vest-Agder, Norway}}
{{about|the former municipality in Norway|the town in Norway|Mandal, Norway|other uses of "Mandal" as a local government area|Tehsil|and|Mandal (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox kommune
|name                   = Mandal
|former                 = yes
|native_name            = 
|native_name_lang       = 
|other_name             = 
|official_name          = 
|image_skyline          = Mandal sentrum sett fra Hobdetoppen.jpg
|image_caption          = View of [[Sjøsanden]], a beach in Mandal
|idnumber               = 1002
|county                 = Vest-Agder
|district               = [[Sørlandet]]
|capital                = [[Mandal, Norway|Mandal]]
|established            = 1 Jan 1964
|preceded               = [[Mandal, Norway|Mandal]], [[Halse og Harkmark]], [[Holum]] municipalities
|disestablished         = 1 Jan 2020
|succeeded              = [[Lindesnes Municipality]]
|demonym                = Mandalitt
|language               = Bokmål
|coatofarms             = Coat of Arms of Mandal.svg
|webpage                = www.mandal.kommune.no
|mayor                  = 
|mayor_party            = 
|mayor_as_of            = 
|area_rank              = 321
|area_total_km2         = 222.83
|area_land_km2          = 210.61
|area_water_km2         = 12.22
|area_water_percent     = 
|population_as_of       = 2020
|population_rank        = 77
|population_total       = 15,600
|population_density_km2 = 74.1
|population_increase    = 9.9
|coordinates            = {{coord|58|02|45|N|07|29|44|E|region:NO|display=inline,title}}
|utm_zone = 32V |utm_northing = 6434823 |utm_easting = 0411208 |geo_cat = adm2nd
}}

'''Mandal''' ({{audio|Mandal.ogg|pronunciation}}) is a [[List of former municipalities of Norway|former municipality]] in the old [[Vest-Agder]] county, [[Norway]]. It was located in the [[Traditional districts of Norway|traditional district]] of [[Sørlandet]]. The municipality existed from 1964 until 1 January 2020 when the municipalities of Mandal, [[Lindesnes]], and [[Marnardal]] were merged to form a new, larger municipality of [[Lindesnes]] in what is now [[Agder]] county. Mandal was the southernmost municipality in all of Norway, with the tiny skerry of [[Pysen]] being the southernmost point of land in Norway.

The [[administrative centre]] of the municipality is the town of [[Mandal, Norway|Mandal]]. The town of Mandal was the second largest town by population in the old Vest-Agder county after the nearby town of [[Kristiansand (town)|Kristiansand]] and it is also the fourth largest city in all of the [[Sørlandet]]/[[Agder]] region. Besides the town of Mandal, the municipality also includes the villages of Bykjernen, Skjebstad, [[Sånum]]-Lundevik, Skogsfjord-Hesland, [[Krossen]], [[Harkmark]], Skinsnes-[[Ime]], and Tregde-[[Skjernøy]].

At the time of its dissolution in 2020, the {{convert|223|km2|adj=on}} municipality is the 321st largest by area out of the 422 municipalities in Norway.  Mandal is the 77th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 15,600.  The municipality's [[population density]] is {{convert|74.1|PD/km2}} and its population has increased by 9.9% over the last decade.<ref name="ssb pop">{{cite web|title=Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)|url=https://www.ssb.no/statistikkbanken/selectvarval/Define.asp?subjectcode=&ProductId=&MainTable=Folkemengd1951&nvl=&PLanguage=1&nyTmpVar=true&CMSSubjectArea=befolkning&KortNavnWeb=folkendrhist&StatVariant=&checked=true|year=2017|language=Norwegian|author=Statistisk sentralbyrå|authorlink=Statistics Norway|accessdate=2017-11-05}}</ref>

The river [[Mandalselva]] is a [[salmon]] river that flows through the municipality with its [[river mouth]] just outside the town. Mandal has many small, white-painted wooden houses, which is typical of towns at the South Coast of Norway ([[Sørlandet]]). The [[European route E39]] highway connecting [[Kristiansand]] and [[Stavanger]] is the main road through Mandal. There are connecting airplane flights and ferries to Europe from Kristiansand.

==General information==
[[File:Mandal Strasse.jpg|thumb|left|Part of Mandal town center]]
[[File:Mandal. gjestehavn og bryggegata.JPG|thumb|left|[[Marina]] in Mandal]]
[[File:Utsikt Tregde.jpg|thumb|left|View of the Tregde area]]
The town of [[Mandal, Norway|Mandal]] was established as a [[Market town#Norway|ladested]] municipality on 1 January 1838 (see [[formannskapsdistrikt]] law). On 1 July 1921, a part of the neighboring municipality of [[Halse og Harkmark]] (population: 221) that was next to the town of Mandal was merged with the town. 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 Mandal (population: 5,446) was merged with the rural municipalities of [[Halse og Harkmark]] (population: 3,676) and [[Holum]] (population: 1,127) to form a new, large municipality of Mandal. On 1 January 1965, an unpopulated area of Mandal called Svalemyren was transferred to the neighboring municipality of [[Søgne]].<ref name="Dag">{{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 |isbn= 9788253746845 }}</ref>

On 1 January 2020, the three neighboring municipalities of Mandal, [[Marnardal]], and [[Lindesnes]] will be merged into one large municipality called ''Lindesnes'' with its [[administrative centre]] being the town of Mandal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lindesnes.kommune.no/lokaldemokratipolitikk-rad-og-utvalg/kommunereformen/1548-nye-lindesnes|title=Nye Lindesnes|language=Norwegian|accessdate=2017-11-05|publisher=Lindesnes kommune}}</ref>

===Name===
The municipality is named after the town of [[Mandal, Norway|Mandal]] ({{langx|non|Marnardalr}}), which in turn is named after the [[Mandalen]] river valley in which it is located. The first element is the [[genitive case]] of the river name ''Mǫrn'' which is now called [[Mandalselva]]. The meaning of this old river name is uncertain, but it may be derived from the word {{wikt-lang|non|marr}} which means "[[sea]]". The last element is {{wikt-lang|non|dalr}} which means "[[valley]]" or "dale".<ref name="snl">{{cite web|url=https://snl.no/Mandal|title=Mandal|author=Store norske leksikon|author-link=Store norske leksikon|language=Norwegian|accessdate=2016-12-29}}</ref>

Prior to 1653, the town of Mandal was named ''Vesterrisør'' (meaning "western Risør"). The name was originally referring to the island ''Risøya'' outside the town, and the first element was added in the 16th century to distinguish it from the town of ''Østerrisør'' (meaning "eastern Risør"), which is now simply called ''[[Risør (town)|Risør]]''. {{See also2|the names of [[Marnardal]] and [[Risør]]}}

===Coat of arms===
The [[coat of arms]] was granted on 2 July 1921, just after Mandal became a town, and it was in use until 1 January 2020 when the municipality was dissolved. The official [[blazon]] is ''"[[Azure (heraldry)|Azure]], three salmon [[naiant]] [[argent]]"'' ({{langx|no|I blått tre hvite lakser, 1-1-1}}). This means the arms have a blue [[field (heraldry)|field]] (background) and the [[charge (heraldry)|charge]] is three [[salmon]] shown swimming horizontally and stacked vertically. The salmon have a [[tincture (heraldry)|tincture]] of [[argent]] which means they are commonly colored white, but if the arms are made out of metal, then silver is used. The blue color in the field and the salmon were chosen to symbolize the importance of salmon fishing on the river [[Mandalselva]]. Mandal is the southernmost municipality in Norway that has a large salmon population, so therefore, salmon fishing also played a major role in the economic development of the village and its trade with the rest of southern Norway. The municipality usually added a [[Crown (heraldry)|mural crown]] to the top of the arms to show that the municipality included the [[Mandal, Norway|town of Mandal]]. The arms were designed by [[Hallvard Trætteberg]]. 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=Mandal |access-date=2023-01-21 |publisher=Heraldry of the World}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Mandal, Vest-Agder |url=https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/no-10-02.html |website=Flags of the World |access-date=2023-01-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1995-04-30 |title=Godkjenning av flagg |url=https://lovdata.no/dokument/LFO/forskrift/1995-02-24-208 |access-date=2023-01-21 |website=Lovdata.no |publisher=Norges kommunal- og arbeidsdepartementet |language=no}}</ref> {{See also2|Coats of arms for the municipalities of [[Coat of arms of Grane|Grane]], [[Coat of arms of Kvalsund|Kvalsund]], and [[Coat of arms of Nordreisa|Nordreisa]]}}

===Churches===
The [[Church of Norway]] has two parishes ({{lang|no|sokn}}) within the municipality of Mandal. It is part of the [[Mandal prosti]] ([[deanery]]) in the [[Diocese of Agder og Telemark]].

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ style="font-size:medium"|'''''Churches in Mandal'''''
!Parish ({{lang|no|sokn}})!!Church name!!Location of the church!!Year built
|-
|rowspan="1"|Holum||[[Holum Church]]||[[Krossen]]||1825
|-
|rowspan="2"|Mandal||[[Harkmark Church]]||[[Harkmark]]||1613
|-
|[[Mandal Church]]||[[Mandal, Norway|Mandal]]||1821
|}

==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 |date=2022-09-20 |editor-last=Hansen |editor-first=Tore |editor2-last=Vabo |editor2-first=Signy Irene |language=no |access-date=2023-08-03}}</ref> The municipality was under the jurisdiction of the [[Kristiansand District Court]] and the [[Agder Court of Appeal]].

===Municipal council===
The [[Municipal council (Norway)|municipal council]] {{lang|no|(Kommunestyre)}} of Mandal was made up of 35 representatives that were elected to four year terms. The tables below show the historical composition of the council by political [[Political party|party]]. 
{{div col}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Mandal
|start                     = 2016
|end                       = 2019
|reference                 = <ref>{{cite web|publisher=Valg Direktoratet|url=https://valgresultat.no/vest-agder/mandal?type=ko&year=2015|title=Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2015 - Vest-Agder|accessdate=2020-11-17}}</ref><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=Norwegian}}</ref>
|Total                     = 35
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 11
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 8
|Grønne                    = 1
|Høyre                     = 7
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 4
|Senterpartiet             = 1
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|Venstre                   = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Mandal
|start                     = 2012
|end                       = 2015
|reference                 = <ref>{{cite web|publisher=Valg Direktoratet|url=https://valgresultat.no/vest-agder/mandal?type=ko&year=2011|title=Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Vest-Agder|accessdate=2020-11-17}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 35
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 9
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 10
|Grønne                    = 1
|Høyre                     = 6
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 5
|Senterpartiet             = 1
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|Venstre                   = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Mandal
|start                     = 2008
|end                       = 2011
|reference                 = <ref name="ssb valg" />
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 35
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 8
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|Senterpartiet             = 1
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 7
|Venstre                   = 1
|Høyre                     = 5
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 11
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Mandal
|start                     = 2004
|end                       = 2007
|reference                 = <ref name="ssb valg" />
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 35
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 8
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 10
|Høyre                     = 6
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 6
|Senterpartiet             = 1
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 3
|Venstre                   = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Mandal
|start                     = 2000
|end                       = 2003
|reference                 = <ref name="ssb valg" />
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 45
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 9
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 8
|Høyre                     = 11
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 9
|Senterpartiet             = 2
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|Venstre                   = 3
|Pensjonistpartiet         = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Mandal
|start                     = 1996
|end                       = 1999
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_c342.pdf |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1995 |date=1996 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger |language=Norwegian |access-date=2020-11-17}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 45
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 10
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 5
|Høyre                     = 11
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 8
|Senterpartiet             = 4
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|Venstre                   = 3
|Pensjonistpartiet         = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Mandal
|start                     = 1992
|end                       = 1995
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_c057.pdf |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1991 |date=1993 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger |language=Norwegian |access-date=2020-11-17}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 45
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 8
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 6
|Høyre                     = 10
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 7
|Pensjonistpartiet         = 3
|Senterpartiet             = 4
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 4
|Venstre                   = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Mandal
|start                     = 1988
|end                       = 1991
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b765.pdf |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1987 |date=1988 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger |language=Norwegian |access-date=2020-11-17}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 45
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 10
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 7
|Høyre                     = 9
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 9
|Senterpartiet             = 3
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|Venstre                   = 5
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Mandal
|start                     = 1984
|end                       = 1987
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b450.pdf |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1983 |date=1984 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger |language=Norwegian |access-date=2020-11-17}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 45
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 13
|Høyre                     = 14
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 9
|Senterpartiet             = 4
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|Venstre                   = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Mandal
|start                     = 1980
|end                       = 1983
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b093.pdf |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1979 |date=1979 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |location=Oslo |language=Norwegian |access-date=2020-11-17}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 45
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 10
|DLF                       = 1
|Høyre                     = 15
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 7
|Senterpartiet             = 4
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|Venstre                   = 4
|otherparty                = Cross-party list
|otherparty_no             = Tverrpolitisk liste
|otherparty_number         = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Mandal
|start                     = 1976
|end                       = 1979
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a769.pdf |title=Kommunevalgene 1975 |date=1977 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |location=Oslo |language=Norwegian |access-date=2020-11-17}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 45
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 11
|DLF                       = 4
|Høyre                     = 10
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 8
|Senterpartiet             = 5
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|Venstre                   = 2
|otherparty                = Cross-party list
|otherparty_no             = Tverrpolitisk Liste
|otherparty_number         = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Mandal
|start                     = 1972
|end                       = 1975
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a457.pdf |title=Kommunevalgene 1972 |date=1973 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |location=Oslo |language=Norwegian |access-date=2020-11-17}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 45
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 13
|Høyre                     = 7
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 5
|Senterpartiet             = 4
|Sosialistisk_Folkeparti   = 2
|Venstre                   = 9
|Local_Lists               = 5
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Mandal
|start                     = 1968
|end                       = 1971
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a214.pdf |title=Kommunevalgene 1967 |date=1967 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |location=Oslo |language=Norwegian |access-date=2020-11-17 |volume=I}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 45
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 14
|Høyre                     = 8
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 4
|Senterpartiet             = 5
|Sosialistisk_Folkeparti   = 2
|Venstre                   = 12
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Mandal
|start                     = 1964
|end                       = 1967
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xii_138.pdf |title=Kommunevalgene 1963 |date=1964 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |location=Oslo |language=Norwegian |access-date=2020-11-17}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 45
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 14
|Høyre                     = 8
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 3
|Senterpartiet             = 5
|Sosialistisk_Folkeparti   = 1
|Venstre                   = 14
|}}
{{div col end}}

===Mayors===
The [[Mayor#Scandinavia|mayors]] ({{langx|no|ordfører}}) of Mandal:<ref>{{cite book|last=Slettan|first=Bjørn |year=2006|title=Mandal bys historie|volume=3|location=Mandal, Norge|publisher=Mandal kommune|isbn=8299025621|language=no}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* 1964–1969: Olav Håland
* 1970–1971: Kjell Gase Nygaard ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
* 1972–1975: [[Ludvig Hope Faye]] ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
* 1976–1979: Guttorm Ihme ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
* 1980–1991: Knut Lindseth ([[Christian Democratic Party (Norway)|KrF]])
* 1992–2003: [[Kirsten Huser Leschbrandt]] ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
* 2003–2007: [[Åse Lill Kimestad]] ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
* 2007–2011: Alf Godtfred Møll ([[Progress Party (Norway)|FrP]])
* 2011–2015: Tore Askildsen ([[Christian Democratic Party (Norway)|KrF]])
* 2015–2019: Alf Erik Andersen ([[Progress Party (Norway)|FrP]])
{{div col end}}

==Geography==
Mandal bordered the [[North Sea]] to the south, the municipality of [[Lindesnes]] to the west and northwest, the municipality of [[Marnardal]] to the north, and the municipality of [[Søgne]] to the east. The municipality included many islands and skerries along the coast including [[Hille, Vest-Agder|Hille]], [[Pysen]], [[Skjernøy]], and [[Skogsøy]]. The [[Hatholmen Lighthouse]] and [[Ryvingen Lighthouse]] marked the sides of the Mannefjorden which leads north into the town of Mandal. The majority of the municipality was located in the southern [[Mandalen]] valley which follows the river [[Mandalselva]].

===Climate===
Mandal had an [[oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Cfb]]) with short, cool summers and long, moderately cold and wet winters.{{Weather box 
|metric first = yes
|single line  = yes
|location     = [[Mandal, Norway|Mandal]]
<!-- Average high temperatures -->
| Jan high C = 1.3
| Feb high C = 1.4
| Mar high C = 3.5
| Apr high C = 7.8
| May high C = 12.9
| Jun high C = 16.9
| Jul high C = 18.1
| Aug high C = 17.5
| Sep high C = 13.9
| Oct high C = 10.1
| Nov high C = 5.7
| Dec high C = 3.9
|year high C = 9.3
<!-- Mean daily temperature -->
| Jan mean C = -0.5
| Feb mean C = -0.8
| Mar mean C = 1.2
| Apr mean C = 4.6
| May mean C = 9.6
| Jun mean C = 13.4
| Jul mean C = 14.8
| Aug mean C = 14.4
| Sep mean C = 11.2
| Oct mean C = 8.0
| Nov mean C = 3.8
| Dec mean C = 1.1
|year mean C = 6.7
<!-- Average low temperatures -->
| Jan low C = -2.6
| Feb low C = -2.9
| Mar low C = -1.0
| Apr low C = 1.8
| May low C = 6.4
| Jun low C = 9.9
| Jul low C = 11.4
| Aug low C = 11.3
| Sep low C = 8.7
| Oct low C = 5.9
| Nov low C = 1.7
| Dec low C = -1.0
|year low C = 4.1
<!-- Total precipitation, this should include rain and snow. -->
|precipitation colour= <!-- Enter "green" for green precipitation colours, remove this line for blue colouring. -->
| Jan precipitation mm = 152
| Feb precipitation mm = 99
| Mar precipitation mm = 111
| Apr precipitation mm = 72
| May precipitation mm = 92
| Jun precipitation mm = 86
| Jul precipitation mm = 98
| Aug precipitation mm = 135
| Sep precipitation mm = 166
| Oct precipitation mm = 190
| Nov precipitation mm = 187
| Dec precipitation mm = 146
|year precipitation mm = 1534
<!-- Average number of precipitation days -->
|unit precipitation days = 1 mm<!-- If entering the average number of days, then the unit requirement should be used, because this varies between countries. E.g. 0.2 cm, 0.2 mm. -->
| Jan precipitation days = 15.8
| Feb precipitation days = 11.1
| Mar precipitation days = 12.6
| Apr precipitation days = 9.7
| May precipitation days = 10.3
| Jun precipitation days = 9.7
| Jul precipitation days = 9.6
| Aug precipitation days = 11.9
| Sep precipitation days = 14.4
| Oct precipitation days = 15.7
| Nov precipitation days = 17.5
| Dec precipitation days = 15.2
|year precipitation days = 153.5
<!-- Mandatory fields, source -->
|source 1 = Norwegian Meteorological Institute<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eklima.met.no |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040614073527/http://eklima.met.no/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2004-06-14 |title=eKlima Web Portal |publisher=Norwegian Meteorological Institute }}</ref>
}}

==Attractions==
[[File:Sjøsanden beach i Mandal.jpg|thumb|Sjøsanden a warm summer day.]]
[[File:Buen, Mandal.JPG|thumb|right|Buen]]
Mandal is a very popular holiday resort, with its mild and refreshing summer climate. It is famous for its long-stretching [[beach]]es surrounding the town. [[Sjøsanden]] (The Sea Sand) is the most famous beach, as it stretches for almost a kilometre just outside the town centre. It is frequently ranked as one of Norway's most popular beaches.

The city center is known for its charming concentration of old, white, wooden houses and the [[Mandalselva]] river running through it. Another attraction is the city's church: [[Mandal Church]]. It is the largest wooden church in Norway, with 1,800 seats and a pulpit on the wall behind the altar. Also, the library, art gallery, cinema, concert hall, and theater is located in the [[Buen kulturhus]] (culture house) which was built in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.buenkulturhus.no/|title=Buen kulturhus|language=Norwegian|accessdate=2016-12-30}}</ref>

The artists [[Gustav Vigeland]], [[Adolph Tidemand]], [[Amaldus Nielsen]], and [[Olaf Isaachsen]] are all from Mandal, so the town is sometimes called "The Little Town with the Great Artists".

Hogganvik, in the Sånum-Lundevik area of Mandal, is the site of discovery of the [[Hogganvik runestone]] in 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nrk.no/sorlandet/fant-runestein-i-hagen-1.6796205|title=Fant runestein i hagen|language=Norwegian|accessdate=2016-12-30|date=2009-09-29|first=Terje|last=Sellevold|newspaper=[[NRK]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/kan-ha-funnet-til-naa-ukjent-runestein/a/573971/|title=Kan ha funnet til nå ukjent runestein|language=Norwegian|accessdate=2016-12-30|newspaper=[[Verdens Gang]]|date=2009-09-28|first=Geir Arne|last=Kippernes}}</ref>

==Economy==
[[File:Skjold class 17 jan 08.jpg|thumb|[[Umoe Mandal]] is the municipality's new cornerstone, with the production of mostly military vessels, like these [[Skjold class]] patrol boats.]]
Mandal is famous for its [[shipbuilding]] and engineering industries. There was much trade in sailing ships, where the natural harbor of Kleven at Gismerøya was used. Large yard providing ships and marine equipment in Norway and abroad are [[Westermoen Hydrofoil]] and Båtservice yard at Skogfjorden, the later [[Umoe Mandal]]. 
 
Moreover, the textile industry has been substantial, with several manufacturing companies that had at most 200-300 employees.

Mandal is also famous for its annual Shellfish festival (''Skalldyrfestivalen'') the second weekend of August when many people gather in downtown to eat Norwegian seafood.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.visitnorway.com/event/shellfishfestival-in-mandal/46/|title=Shellfishfestival in Mandal|publisher=VisitNorway.com|accessdate=2016-12-30}}</ref>
 
==Twin towns – sister cities==
Mandal has [[Twin towns and sister cities|sister city]] agreements with the following places:
*{{flagicon|FIN}} [[Korsholm]], [[Ostrobothnia (administrative region)|Ostrobothnia]], [[Finland]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.korsholm.fi/politiikka-ja-johtaminen/tietoa-kunnasta/ystavyyskuntatoiminta/|title=Ystävyyskuntatoiminta|language=Finnish|publisher=Korsholm kommun|accessdate=2016-12-30}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|DEN}} [[Middelfart Municipality|Middelfart]], [[Region of Southern Denmark|Syddanmark]], [[Denmark]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.middelfart.dk/Kultur%20og%20fritid/Venskabsbyer|title=Venskabsbyer|language=Danish|accessdate=2016-12-30|publisher=Middelfart kommune|last=Runge|first=Benjamin}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|SWE}} [[Oskarshamn Municipality|Oskarshamn]], [[Kalmar County|Kalmar]], [[Sweden]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oskarshamn.se/mer-om-kommunen/politik-och-forvaltning/mer-inom-politik-och-forvaltning/internationella-fragor-och-vanorterpartnerskap2/|title=Internationella frågor och vänorter/partnerskap|accessdate=2013-07-25|last =Lindquist|first=Ted|publisher=Oskarshamn Municipality|language=Swedish}}</ref>

==Notable people==
*The sculptor [[Gustav Vigeland]] (1869–1943) was born in Mandal, and has a museum dedicated to him here. Vigeland's main achievement is the Vigeland Sculpture Park ([[Vigelandsparken]]) in [[Oslo]].
*The painter [[Adolph Tidemand]] (1814–1876) was also born in Mandal. His most famous painting is the national romantic image of a traditional wedding on the [[Hardangerfjorden]], which he made together with [[Hans Gude]].

==See also==
*[[Marquis of Mandal]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{commons category-inline}}
*{{wti|Mandal}}
*{{Wikivoyage-inline|Vest-Agder}}
*{{Wikivoyage-inline|Mandal}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110604184335/http://www.khm.uio.no/forskning/publikasjoner/runenews/hogganvik/red-rune.jpg Photograph of Hogganvik runestone with colored runes]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100118001703/http://www.smeggys.co.uk/images_norway_1986.php Some Photographs of Mandal in August 1986, including the Lodsen Restaurant]

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[[Category:Mandal, Norway]]
[[Category:Lindesnes]]
[[Category:Former municipalities of Norway]]
[[Category:1964 establishments in Norway]]
[[Category:2020 disestablishments in Norway]]