Editing Sortland Municipality

{{short description|Municipality in Nordland, Norway}}
{{Infobox kommune
|name                   = Sortland
|native_name            = Suorttá suohkan
|native_name_lang       = sme
|other_name             = 
|former_name            = 
|image_skyline          = Sortland_viewed_from_Strandheia.jpg
|image_caption          = View of Sortland from Strandheia mountain
|idnumber               = 1870
|county                 = Nordland
|district               = Vesterålen
|capital                = [[Sortland (town)|Sortland]]
|established            = 1841
|preceded               = [[Hadsel Municipality]]
|demonym                = Sortlending
|language               = Neutral
|coatofarms             = Sortland komm.svg
|flag                   = 
|webpage                = www.sortland.kommune.no
|mayor                  = [[Grete Ellingsen]]
|mayor_party            = [[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]]
|mayor_as_of            = 2023
|elevation_max_m        = 1261.76
|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              = 159
|area_total_km2         = 721.94
|area_land_km2          = 697.34
|area_water_km2         = 24.60
|area_water_percent     = 3.4
|population_as_of       = 2024
|population_rank        = 109
|population_total       = 10618
|population_density_km2 = 14.7
|population_increase    = 4.8
|coordinates            = {{coord|68|42|31|N|15|16|51|E|region:NO|display=inline,title}}
}}

{{native name|no|{{Audio-nohelp|Sortland.ogg|'''Sortland'''}}|italics=off}} or {{native name|se|'''Suortá'''|italics=off}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stadnamn og rettskriving |url=https://www.kartverket.no/kart/stedsnavn/stadnamn-og-rettskriving/ |access-date=2018-07-13 |publisher=[[Kartverket]] |language=no}}</ref> is a [[List of municipalities of Norway|municipality]] in [[Nordland]] [[Counties of Norway|county]], [[Norway]]. It is part of the [[Districts of Norway|traditional region]] of [[Vesterålen]]. The [[administrative centre]] of the municipality is the [[Sortland (town)|town of Sortland]]. Other population centres in Sortland include the villages of [[Bø, Sortland|Bø]], [[Holand, Sortland|Holand]], [[Holmstad]], [[Liland, Sortland|Liland]], [[Sigerfjord]], [[Strand, Nordland|Strand]], and [[Vik, Sortland|Vik]]. The [[Norwegian Coast Guard]] has its northern base in Sortland, called ''Kystvaktskvadron Nord''.

In 1997, the municipal council declared "[[List of towns and cities in Norway|town status]]" for the urban area of [[Sortland (town)|Sortland]]. Sortland is the largest town and commercial centre in [[Vesterålen]]. The town of Sortland is located close to the [[Sortland Bridge]] which crosses the [[Sortlandsundet]] strait and connects the two large islands of [[Langøya]] and [[Hinnøya]] by road. Since a lot of houses in the town are painted blue, Sortland is sometimes referred to as "the blue city".

The {{convert|722|km2|adj=on}} municipality is the 159th largest by area out of the 357 municipalities in Norway. Sortland is the 109th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 10,618. The municipality's [[population density]] is {{convert|14.7|PD/km2}} and its population has increased by 4.8% 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> In January 2012, the number of citizens in Sortland reached 10,000 for the first time.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 December 2011 |title=Nyttårs-sortlending blir nr. 10.000 |url=http://www.blv.no/lokalsider/sortland/article5857642.ece |publisher=Bladet Vesterålen |language=no}}</ref>

==General information==
[[File:Sortlandbluecollage.jpg|left|thumb|The "blue city" of Sortland.]]
The municipality of Sortland was established in 1841 when it was separated from the large [[Hadsel Municipality]].<ref name="dag" />

During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the [[Schei Committee]]. On 1 January 1963, the Holm area (population: 65) along the [[Gavlfjorden]] was transferred from [[Langenes Municipality]] to Sortland Municipality. Also on that date, the area around the inner and western part of the [[Eidsfjorden (Nordland)|Eidsfjorden]] (population: 1,360) was transferred from [[Hadsel Municipality]] to Sortland Municipality.<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}}</ref>

On 1 January 2000, the area surrounding the [[Godfjorden]] was transferred from [[Kvæfjord Municipality]] (and [[Troms]] county) to Sortland Municipality (and [[Nordland]] county).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-02-23 |title=Endringer i de regionale inndelingene |url=https://www.ssb.no/offentlig-sektor/kommunekatalog/endringer-i-de-regionale-inndelingene#Beskrivelse_av_alle_regionale_endringer_19992018 |access-date=2019-01-01 |publisher=Statistics Norway}}</ref>

===Name===
The municipality (originally the [[prestegjeld|parish]]) is named after the old ''Sortland'' farm ({{langx|non|Svortuland}}) since the first [[Sortland Church]] was built there. The first element is {{lang|non|Svort}} which is the [[genitive case]] of the local river name ''Svorta''. The river name is derived from {{wikt-lang|non|svartr}} which means "black" or "dark". The last element is {{wikt-lang|non|land}} which means "land" or "[[farm]]".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rygh |first=Oluf |author-link=Oluf Rygh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K21BAAAAIAAJ |title=Norske gaardnavne: Nordlands amt |publisher=W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri |year=1905 |edition=16 |location=Kristiania, Norge |pages=393 |language=no}}</ref>

On 2 May 2017, the national government approved a resolution to add a co-equal, official [[Sami language]] name for the municipality: {{lang|se|Suortá}}.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-05-02 |title=Fastsetting av samisk navn på Sortland kommune, Nordland |url=https://lovdata.no/dokument/LTII/forskrift/2017-04-28-514 |access-date=2023-11-19 |publisher=LovData.no |language=no}}</ref> The spelling of the Sami language name changes depending on how it is used. It is called {{lang|se|Suortá}} when it is spelled alone, but it is {{lang|se|Suorttá suohkan}} when using the Sami language equivalent to "Sortland 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>

===Coat of arms===
The [[coat of arms]] was granted on 15 March 1985. The official [[blazon]] is ''"[[Azure (heraldry)|Azure]], a [[castle]] with three towers without [[crenelation]] [[Or (heraldry)|Or]]"'' ({{langx|no|I blått en gull borg med tre tårn uten krenelering}}). This means the arms have a blue [[field (heraldry)|field]] (background) and the [[charge (heraldry)|charge]] is a castle with a gate and three towers without [[crenelation]]. The castle has a [[tincture (heraldry)|tincture]] of [[Or (heraldry)|Or]] which means it is commonly colored yellow, but if it is made out of metal, then gold is used. The blue color in the field symbolizes the importance of sea and the castle is an updated version of an old coat of arms for Sortland. The castle gate symbolizes Sortland as the gateway to the [[Vesterålen]] region and that it is the commercial centre of the region as well. The arms were designed by Kurt Myrland.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen |url=https://www.heraldry-wiki.com/heraldrywiki/index.php?title=Sortland |access-date=2023-02-04 |publisher=Heraldry of the World}}</ref><ref name="FW">{{Cite web |title=Sortland, Nordland |url=https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/no-18-70.html |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=Flags of the World}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1985-03-15 |title=Godkjenning av våpen og flagg |url=https://lovdata.no/dokument/LF/forskrift/1985-03-15-712 |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=Lovdata.no |publisher=Norges kommunal- og arbeidsdepartementet |language=no}}</ref>

The old [[coat of arms]] was in use from the 1950s until 1985 when the new arms were granted. The arms showed a castle (very similar to the one in the current arms) in a stylized landscape, including waves and sun rays. The arms included a golden border with three black-white-black [[Pile (heraldry)|piles]] issuing from both flanks of the white castle. Also, there were four red sun rays issuing from behind the castle (four piles issuant from chief and flanks conjoined in heart), and in the base there were waves of red, black, and white. In the white [[Chief (heraldry)|chief]] inscribed the word "Sortland". A [[mural crown]] with four [[Embattled (heraldry)|embattlements]] was on the top.<ref name="FW" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Nordnorsk musikkstevne på Sortland, juni 1952. Abel Ellingsen taler. |url=https://digitaltmuseum.no/021015524660/nordnorsk-musikkstevne-pa-sortland-juni-1952-abel-ellingsen-taler |access-date=2014-11-19 |publisher=DigitaltMuseum Nord}}</ref> 
<gallery>
Sortland Coat of Arms 1950-1985.png|Former coat of arms of Sortland (1950s-1985)
Sortland komm.svg|Current arms (since 1985)
</gallery>

===Churches===
The [[Church of Norway]] has one parish ({{lang|no|sokn}}) within Sortland Municipality. It is part of the [[Vesterålen prosti]] ([[deanery]]) in the [[Diocese of Sør-Hålogaland]].

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ style="font-size:medium"|'''''Churches in Sortland'''''
!Parish ({{lang|no|sokn}})!!Church name!!Location of the church!!Year built
|-
|rowspan="3"|Sortland||[[Indre Eidsfjord Church]]||[[Holmstad]]||1970
|-
|[[Sigerfjord Church]]||[[Sigerfjord]]||1933
|-
|[[Sortland Church]]||[[Sortland (town)|Sortland]]||1901
|}

==Geography==
The municipality of Sortland is located on the islands of [[Langøya]] and [[Hinnøya]] in the [[Vesterålen]] [[archipelago]]. The municipality surrounds the inner part of the [[Eidsfjorden (Nordland)|Eidsfjorden]] and the [[Sortlandssundet]] strait. There are several bridges in the municipality including [[Djupfjordstraumen Bridge]], [[Kvalsaukan Bridge]], and [[Sortland Bridge]]. The [[Sortland Bridge]] is located just north of the [[Sortland (town)|town of Sortland]]. One of the main roads through the municipality is [[Norwegian County Road 82]]. The highest point in the municipality is the {{convert|1261.76|m|adj=on}} tall mountain [[Møysalen]].<ref name="elev" /> Møysalen is located on the southern border with [[Lødingen Municipality]] and it is within [[Møysalen National Park]].
{{wide image|NorwayBridgePanorama.jpg|770px|Sortlandsbrua bridge with Strand at Hinnøya island, from Hurtigruten in Sortland}}

===Midnight Sun and Aurora Borealis===
The [[midnight sun]] occurs from 23 May to 23 July. Great places to observe the midnight sun }includes the Sortland Bridge, Ramnflauget, Godfjorden, Holm, and Skytterhaugen in the Vestmarka residential area. Because of Sortland's high latitude, }} is no real darkness between late April and mid-August.

[[Polar night]] occurs in Sortland from 30 November to 12 January when the sun remains below the horizon and is not visible at all. The return of the sun is an occasion for celebration in [[Northern Norway]], known as "Soldagen" ({{lit|Day of the sun}}) which is commonly celebrated with children getting the day off from school. The polar night does not mean that it becomes totally dark, typically daylight is visible for a few hours around noon.

Sortland and the Vesterålen region are perfect for observing the spectacular [[Aurora Borealis]] (Northern Lights) phenomenon. The aurora borealis trails its multi coloured banner across the sky and the moon lights the scene making it a breathtaking experience. Pictures taken here have been presented in National Geographic Magazine.

===Climate===
Sortland has a [[subpolar oceanic climate]]. The weather station (Sortland-Kleiva) has been recording since January 1956. The record high of {{convert|31|C}} was set on 29 July 2018. The record low  {{convert|-13.5|C}} was set in January 2016 (extremes available since 2004). The average date for the last overnight freeze (low below {{convert|0|°C|1|abbr=on}}) in spring is 7 May<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 May 2012 |title=Siste frostnatt om våren |url=https://www.yr.no/artikkel/siste-frostnatt-om-varen-1.8119060}}</ref> and average date for first freeze in autumn is 14 October<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 September 2013 |title=Første frostnatt |url=https://www.yr.no/artikkel/forste-frostnatt-1.11261900}}</ref> giving a frost-free season of 159 days (1981-2010 average). 
{{Weather box 
|metric first= yes
|single line = yes
|location = Sortland - Kleiva 1991–2020 (14 m, extremes 2004–2022)
|Jan record high C =9.7 | Jan record low C = -13.5
|Feb record high C = 8.2 | Feb record low C = -11.1
|Mar record high C = 9.5 | Mar record low C = -12.1
|Apr record high C = 17.6 | Apr record low C = -7.3
|May record high C = 22.5 | May record low C = -4.4
|Jun record high C = 29.3 | Jun record low C = 1.1
|Jul record high C = 31 | Jul record low C = 5.1
|Aug record high C = 30.3 | Aug record low C = 3
|Sep record high C = 22.6 | Sep record low C = -1.2
|Oct record high C = 18.2 | Oct record low C = -3.3
|Nov record high C = 12 | Nov record low C = -9.2
|Dec record high C = 10.1 | Dec record low C = -10.1
<!-- Mean daily temperature -->
|Jan mean C=-0.8
|Feb mean C=-1.3
|Mar mean C=-0.3
|Apr mean C=2.3
|May mean C=6.4
|Jun mean C=10
|Jul mean C=13.1
|Aug mean C=12.4
|Sep mean C=9.1
|Oct mean C=4.6
|Nov mean C=1.9
|Dec mean C=0.1
|year mean C=
<!-- Total precipitation, this should include rain and snow. -->
|precipitation colour=green <!-- Enter "green" for green precipitation colours, remove this line for blue colouring. -->
|Jan precipitation mm=160
|Feb precipitation mm=174
|Mar precipitation mm=150
|Apr precipitation mm=110
|May precipitation mm=82
|Jun precipitation mm=78
|Jul precipitation mm=60
|Aug precipitation mm=90
|Sep precipitation mm=116
|Oct precipitation mm=168
|Nov precipitation mm=139
|Dec precipitation mm=171
|year precipitation mm=
<!-- Mandatory fields, source -->
|source 1= eklima/Norwegian Meteorological Institute<ref>{{Cite web |title=Norwegian Meteorological Institute |url=http://sharki.oslo.dnmi.no/portal/page?_pageid=73,39035,73_39080&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL}}</ref>
}}

Earlier weather station
<br>
{{Weather box 
|metric first= yes
|single line = yes
|location = Sortland 1991–2020 (3 m)
| Jan high C = 1.8
 | Feb high C = 1.4
 | Mar high C = 2.5
 | Apr high C = 5.5
 | May high C = 9.8
 | Jun high C = 12.6
 | Jul high C = 15.7
 | Aug high C = 15.4
 | Sep high C = 12.1
 | Oct high C = 7.3
 | Nov high C = 4.4
 | Dec high C = 2.7
 | year high C = 7.7

 | Jan mean C = -0.8
 | Feb mean C = -1.1
 | Mar mean C = -0.2
 | Apr mean C = 2.7
 | May mean C = 6.6
 | Jun mean C = 9.7
 | Jul mean C = 12.5
 | Aug mean C = 12.3
 | Sep mean C = 9.3
 | Oct mean C = 5.0
 | Nov mean C = 2.1
 | Dec mean C = 0.2
 | year mean C = 4.8

 | Jan low C = -3.4
 | Feb low C = -3.7
 | Mar low C = -2.8
 | Apr low C = -0.1
 | May low C = 3.8
 | Jun low C = 7.4
 | Jul low C = 10.2
 | Aug low C = 9.8
 | Sep low C = 6.8
 | Oct low C = 2.6
 | Nov low C = -0.4
 | Dec low C = -2.3
 | year low C = 2.4
<!-- Total precipitation, this should include rain and snow. -->
|precipitation colour=green <!-- Enter "green" for green precipitation colours, remove this line for blue colouring. -->
 | Jan precipitation mm = 152.2
 | Feb precipitation mm = 138.6
 | Mar precipitation mm = 141.2
 | Apr precipitation mm = 88.9
 | May precipitation mm = 65.6
 | Jun precipitation mm = 59.1
 | Jul precipitation mm = 62.2
 | Aug precipitation mm = 76.4
 | Sep precipitation mm = 129.2
 | Oct precipitation mm = 168.7
 | Nov precipitation mm = 139.9
 | Dec precipitation mm = 174.2
 | year precipitation mm = 1396.2
<!-- Mandatory fields, source -->
|source 1= eklima/Norwegian Meteorological Institute<ref>{{Cite web |title=Norwegian Meteorological Institute |url=http://sharki.oslo.dnmi.no/portal/page?_pageid=73,39035,73_39080&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL}}</ref>
 | source 2 = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]<ref name="WMONormals">{{Cite web |title=World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020 — Sortland |url=https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Norway/CSV/SORTLAND_86500.csv |access-date=January 11, 2024 |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration}}</ref>
}}

==Government==
Sortland 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 Sortland is made up of 27 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political [[Political party|party]].
{{div col}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Sortland
|start                     = 2023
|end                       = 2027
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Kommunestyrevalg 2023 - Nordland |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2023/ko/nordland/sortland#seats |access-date=2023-12-27 |publisher=Valg Direktoratet}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = 
|Total                     = 27
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 4
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 2
|Grønne                    = 1
|Høyre                     = 12
|INP                       = 1
|Rødt                      = 2
|Senterpartiet             = 2
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|Venstre                   = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Sortland
|start                     = 2019
|end                       = 2023
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2019 - Nordland |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2019/ko/nordland/sortland#seats |access-date=2019-10-28 |publisher=Valg Direktoratet}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 27
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 5
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 2
|Grønne                    = 1
|Høyre                     = 7
|Rødt                      = 3
|Senterpartiet             = 7
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Sortland
|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                     = 27
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 8
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 2
|Høyre                     = 11
|Senterpartiet             = 2
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|Rødt                      = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Sortland
|start                     = 2011
|end                       = 2015
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Nordland |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2011/ko/nordland/sortland#seats |access-date=2019-10-28 |publisher=Valg Direktoratet}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 27
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 9
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 4
|Høyre                     = 10
|Rødt                      = 2
|Senterpartiet             = 1
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Sortland
|start                     = 2007
|end                       = 2011
|reference                 = <ref name="ssb valg" />
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 35
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 12
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 7
|Høyre                     = 7
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 1
|Senterpartiet             = 3
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 3
|Rød_Valgallianse          = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Sortland
|start                     = 2003
|end                       = 2007
|reference                 = <ref name="ssb valg" />
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 35
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 9
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 5
|Høyre                     = 8
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 1
|Senterpartiet             = 4
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 6
|Venstre                   = 1
|Rød_Valgallianse          = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Sortland
|start                     = 1999
|end                       = 2003
|reference                 = <ref name="ssb valg" />
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 35
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 9
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 3
|Høyre                     = 10
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 2
|Senterpartiet             = 4
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 4
|Venstre                   = 1
|Rød_Valgallianse          = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Sortland
|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                     = 35
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 8
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 2
|Høyre                     = 8
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 2
|Senterpartiet             = 7
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 3
|Rød_Valgallianse          = 2
|smallparty                = Joint list of the [[Liberal Party (Norway)|Liberals]] and Independent voters<br />
|smallparty_no             = Venstre og Uavhengige Velgere
|smallparty_number         = 3
|smallparty_color          = linear-gradient(135deg, {{Party color|Liberal Party (Norway)}} 50%, white 50%);
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Sortland
|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                     = 35
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 13
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 2
|Høyre                     = 8
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 2
|Senterpartiet             = 4
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 5
|Venstre                   = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Sortland
|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                     = 35
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 13
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 3
|Høyre                     = 10
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 2
|Senterpartiet             = 2
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 3
|Venstre                   = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Sortland
|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                     = 35
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 13
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 1
|Høyre                     = 8
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 2
|Senterpartiet             = 2
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 4
|Venstre                   = 2
|otherparty                = Sigerfjord Area Non-party List<br />
|otherparty_no             = Sigerfjord og Omlands upolitiske liste 
|otherparty_number         = 2
|otherparty1               = Indre Eidsfjord List
|otherparty_no1            = Indre Eidsfjord Liste 
|otherparty_number1        = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Sortland
|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                     = 35
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 11
|Høyre                     = 9
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 3
|Senterpartiet             = 3
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 3
|Venstre                   = 2
|otherparty                = Sigerfjord Area Non-party List<br />
|otherparty_no             = Sigerfjord og Omlands upolitiske liste 
|otherparty_number         = 2
|otherparty1               = Indre Eidsfjord List
|otherparty_no1            = Indre Eidsfjord Liste 
|otherparty_number1        = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Sortland
|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                     = 35
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 12
|Høyre                     = 5
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 3
|Senterpartiet             = 6
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 3
|Venstre                   = 2
|otherparty                = Sigerfjord Area List
|otherparty_no             = Sigerfjord og Omlands Liste
|otherparty_number         = 4
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Sortland
|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                     = 35
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 15
|Høyre                     = 3
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 3
|Senterpartiet             = 5
|Sosialistisk_Folkeparti   = 3
|Venstre                   = 2
|Local_Lists               = 4
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Sortland
|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                     = 35
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 16
|Høyre                     = 4
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 3
|Senterpartiet             = 3
|Sosialistisk_Folkeparti   = 3
|Venstre                   = 3
|Local_Lists               = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Sortland
|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                     = 35
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 17
|Høyre                     = 4
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 3
|Senterpartiet             = 2
|Sosialistisk_Folkeparti   = 2
|Venstre                   = 4
|Local_Lists               = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Sortland
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1959
|end                       = 1963
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1960 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xii_022.pdf |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 23
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 10
|Høyre                     = 3
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 2
|Senterpartiet             = 2
|Venstre                   = 3
|Local_Lists               = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Sortland
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1955
|end                       = 1959
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1957 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xi_252.pdf |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 23
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 11
|Høyre                     = 1
|Senterpartiet             = 1
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 2
|Venstre                   = 4
|Local_Lists               = 4
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Sortland
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1951
|end                       = 1955
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1952 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xi_120.pdf |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 20
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 11
|Høyre                     = 1
|Senterpartiet             = 1
|Venstre                   = 6
|Local_Lists               = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Sortland
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1947
|end                       = 1951
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1948 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_x_165.pdf |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 20
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 11
|NKP                       = 1
|Høyre                     = 3
|Venstre                   = 5
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Sortland
|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=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 20
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 14
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 1
|Venstre                   = 3
|Borgerlige_Felleslister   = 1
|Local_Lists               = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Sortland
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1937
|end                       = 1941* 
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1938 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_ix_133.pdf |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 20
|Venstre                   = 4
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 11
|AFS                       = 3
|Local_Lists               = 2
|}}
{{div col end}}

===Mayors===
The [[Mayor#Scandinavia|mayor]] ({{langx|no|ordfører}}) of Sortland 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:
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*1841-1841: Abel Ellingsen 
*1842-1843: Jørgen Ottesen 	
*1844-1852: Abel Ellingsen 	
*1853-1856: C.H. Schanche 	
*1857-1868: Abel Ellingsen 	
*1869-1870: Laurits Ottesen 
*1871-1874: Anton Holst 
*1875-1876: Kristoffer Johnsen 
*1877-1880: Laurits Ottesen 
*1881-1882: E. Dietrichen 
*1883-1884: Laurits Ottesen	
*1885-1892: H. Knudsen 
*1893-1894: H.M. Stoltz	
*1895-1896: Jens N.A. Ellingsen 
*1897-1901: H. Knudsen 
*1902-1904: H.M. Stoltz 
*1905-1907: H. Knudsen 
*1908-1910: H.M. Stoltz 
*1911-1913: Georg Ellingsen 
*1914-1916: Olaf Holm 
*1917-1919: J.D. Hammer 
*1920-1922: Bernhard J. Steiro 
*1923-1925: Dag Ellingsen 
*1926-1926: Per Lunde 
*1927-1928: Andreas Thomassen 
*1929-1931: Anton J. Myhre 
*1932-1934: Ottar Lunde 
*1935-1936: Halvdan Bygdnes 
*1937-1940: P.C. Reinsnes ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*1946-1959: P.C. Reinsnes ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*1960-1962: Ottar Wik 
*1963-1975: P.C. Reinsnes ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*1976-1979: Thormod Olsen ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
*1980-1981: Terje Johanssen 
*1982-1987: Anton Pettersen 
*1988-1994: [[Hill-Marta Solberg]] ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*1994-1995: Ronald Steen 
*1995-2003: Ingolf Markussen ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
*2003-2011: Svein Roar Jacobsen ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*2011-2015: [[Grete Ellingsen]] ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
*2015-2019: Tove Mette Bjørkmo ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*2019–2023: Karl-Erling Nordlund ([[Centre Party (Norway)|Sp]])
*2023–present: [[Grete Ellingsen]] ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
{{div col end}}

==Music and culture==
[[File:Sortland torg in summer.jpg|thumb|The market square in downtown Sortland a day in June 2013.]]
Sortland has been regarded as one of the best music communities in Norway, and the local band [[Madrugada (band)|Madrugada]] has been one of the best ones in the nation. Sortland Jazz Festival is an event organized by Sortland Jazz and Music Club, which takes place every autumn. Some of the world's leading jazz musicians have been participating.

==Shopping==
Sortland is the largest commercial centre in [[Vesterålen]] with several indoors shopping centers and many small businesses. The retail turnover per inhabitant in Sortland is greater than in any other town in North Norway. Sortland is one of the few North Norwegian towns that have grown annually since the 1970s.

==Notable people==
[[File:IngridS.jpg|120px|thumb|Ingrid Skjoldvær, 2016]]
* [[Knut Hamsun]] (1859–1952), the Nobel Prize–winning author wrote his novel ''Den Sidste Glæde'' (The Last Joy) in Sortland Hotel in 1911/12
* [[Petter Carl Reinsnes]] (1904 in Reinsnes – 1976), a politician and long-time Mayor of Sortland
* [[Hill-Marta Solberg]] (born 1951 in Sortland), a politician and [[County Governor of Nordland]]  
* [[Lars Saabye Christensen]] (born 1953,) a Norwegian/Danish author who lived in Sortland
* [[Olav Christopher Jenssen]] (born 1954 in Sortland), an artist and academic
* [[Oddmund Finnseth]] (born 1957 in Sortland), a jazz musician, composer and music teacher
* [[Sivert Høyem]]  (born 1976 in Kleiva), a singer with the rock band [[Madrugada (band)|Madrugada]]
* [[Krister Wemberg]] (born 1992 in Sortland), a footballer with over 200 club caps
* [[Ingrid Skjoldvær]] (born 1993), an environmentalist with [[Nature and Youth]]

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="140px">
IMG 1897a - Djupfjorden.jpg|Djupfjorden in Sortland
Straße Nordnorwegen.jpg|View from Sortland looking south
Sortland Bridge and hurtigruta.jpg|[[Sortland Bridge]] and [[Hurtigruta]], February 2007.
Stortinn i Vesterålen august 2006 022.jpg|View of the Sigerfjorden. The village closest is Sigerfjord, and across the sound in the background is Sortland town.
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://ssb.no/kommunefakta/sortland Municipal fact sheet] from [[Statistics Norway]] {{in lang|no}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20040907152458/http://visitvesteralen.com/index.asp?L=2 Vesterålen Tourist information]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120207092548/http://nordland.miljostatus.no/msf_themepage.aspx?m=1569#8400 Forfjorddalen nature reserve] (the oldest pine trees in Norway) {{in lang|no}}

{{use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{sister bar|display=Sortland|auto=y|d=y|commonscat=y|voy=Vesterålen|wikt=Sortland}}
{{Nordland}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Sortland| ]]
[[Category:Vesterålen]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Nordland]]
[[Category:Populated places of Arctic Norway]]
[[Category:1841 establishments in Norway]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1841]]