Editing Vardø Municipality

{{short description|Municipality in Finnmark, Norway}}
{{confused|Vadsø Municipality}}
{{about|the municipality in Finnmark, Norway|the town of Vardø|Vardø (town)}}
{{Infobox kommune
|name                   = Vardø
|native_name            = 
|native_name_lang       = 
|other_name             = <hr />{{native name|se|Várggát}}<br />{{native name|fkv|Vuorea}}<br />{{native name|fi|Vuoreija}}
|former_name            = 
|image_skyline          = Vardø.jpg
|image_caption          = View of Vardø
|idnumber               = 5634
|county                 = Finnmark
|district               = Øst-Finnmark
|capital                = [[Vardø (town)|Vardø]] 
|established            = 1 Jan 1838
|demonym                = Vardøværing
|language               = Bokmål
|coatofarms             = Vardø komm.svg
|flag                   = 
|webpage                = www.vardo.kommune.no
|mayor                  = Tor Erik Labahå
|mayor_party            = [[Centre Party (Norway)|Sp]]
|mayor_as_of            = 2023
|elevation_max_m        = 492.4
|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              = 188
|area_total_km2         = 600.85
|area_land_km2          = 585.02
|area_water_km2         = 15.83
|area_water_percent     = 2.6
|population_as_of       = 2024
|population_rank        = 284
|population_total       = 1972
|population_density_km2 = 3.3
|population_increase    = −6.9
|coordinates            = {{coord|70|22|14|N|31|01|27|E|region:NO|display=inline,title}}
|utm_zone = 36W |utm_northing = 7805602 |utm_easting = 0419483 | geo_cat = adm2nd
}}

'''Vardø''' ({{IPA|no|vaɖːø|no|Vardoe.ogg}}; {{langx|fi|Vuoreija}}; {{langx|fkv|Vuorea}}; {{langx|se|Várggát}}) is a [[List of municipalities of Norway|municipality]] in [[Finnmark]] [[Counties of Norway|county]] in the extreme northeastern part of [[Norway]]. Vardø is the easternmost town in Norway, more to the east than [[Saint Petersburg]] or [[Istanbul]]. The [[administrative centre]] of the municipality is the [[Vardø (town)|town of Vardø]]. Two of the larger villages in the municipality are [[Kiberg]] and [[Svartnes]].

The {{convert|601|km2|adj=on}} municipality is the 188th largest by area out of the 357 municipalities in Norway. Vardø is the 284th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 1,972. The municipality's [[population density]] is {{convert|3.3|PD/km2}} and its population has decreased by 6.9% 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>

==General information==
[[File:Vardo Ort und Kirche.jpg|thumb|left|Vardø April 2001]]
The town of Vardø and the rural district around it was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 (see [[formannskapsdistrikt]] law). The law required that all towns be separated from their rural districts, but because of a low population and very few voters, this was impossible to carry out for Vardø in 1838. (This also happened to the nearby towns of [[Hammerfest (town)|Hammerfest]] and [[Vadsø (town)|Vadsø]].) The rural district of Vardø (''Vardø landdistrikt'', which was renamed [[Båtsfjord Municipality]] in 1957) was officially separated from the town of Vardø in 1868. During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the [[Schei Committee]]. On 1 January 1964, the eastern part of Båtsfjord merged with the town of Vardø to create Vardø Municipality.<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 2020, the municipality became part of the newly formed [[Troms og Finnmark]] county. Previously, it had been part of the old [[Finnmark]] county.<ref name="snl5">{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Troms og Finnmark |encyclopedia=[[Store norske leksikon]] |publisher=[[Kunnskapsforlaget]] |url=https://snl.no/Troms_og_Finnmark |access-date=2019-12-26 |date=2019-12-24 |editor-last=Mæhlum |editor-first=Lars |language=no}}</ref> On 1 January 2024, the [[Troms og Finnmark]] county was divided and the municipality once again became part of [[Finnmark]] 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>

===Name===
The [[Old Norse]] form of the name was ''Vargøy''. The first element is ''vargr'' which means "[[wolf]]" and the last element is ''øy'' which means "[[island]]". The first element was later replaced (around 1500) with ''varða'' which means "[[cairn]]". Historically, the name was spelled ''Vardöe''.<ref name="snl">{{Cite web |last=Store norske leksikon |author-link=Store norske leksikon |title=Vardø |url=http://snl.no/Vard%C3%B8 |access-date=2013-03-02 |language=no}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Rygh |first=Oluf |author-link=Oluf Rygh |title=Norske gaardnavne: Finmarkens amt |publisher=W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri |year=1924 |edition=18 |location=Kristiania, Norge |pages=301 |language=no}}</ref>

===Coat of arms===
{{main|Coat of arms of Vardø}}
The [[coat of arms]] dates to 1898. Its borders are drawn using the [[national colours]]: red, white, and blue. The border frames the shield, and the centre field shows a complex scene incorporating a [[sunrise]] with rays, two [[fishing vessel|fishing boats]] with crews, the [[sea]] with waves, and a large [[cod]]. In the [[chief (heraldry)|chief]] is the year of the town's foundation, 1789, together with the words ''"Vardöensis Insignia Urbis"'', meaning "the seal of the town of Vardø". In the lower part of the arms is the town motto: ''"Cedant Tenebræ Soli"'', meaning "Darkness shall give way to the sun."<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 June 2002 |title=Kommunevåpen |url=http://fotw.us/flags/no-20-02.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080419130048/http://www.fotw.us/flags/no-20-02.html |archive-date=19 April 2008 |access-date=2008-12-13 |publisher=Flags of the World |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen |url=http://www.ngw.nl/heraldrywiki/index.php?title=Vardø |access-date=2018-06-05 |publisher=Heraldry of the World}}</ref> This is a [http://www.vardo.kommune.no/upload/vardo/bilder/diverse/2008/vardohigh.jpg high resolution version] of the coat of arms.

===Churches===
[[File:Kirkegata Street in Vardø.jpg|left|thumb|The Kirkegata Street in Vardø with the church]]
The [[Church of Norway]] has one parish ({{lang|no|sokn}}) within the municipality of Vardø. It is part of the [[Varanger prosti]] ([[deanery]]) in the [[Diocese of Nord-Hålogaland]].

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ style="font-size:medium"|'''''Churches in Vardø'''''
!Parish ({{lang|no|sokn}})!!Church name!!Location of the church!!Year built
|-
|rowspan="2"|Vardø||[[Vardø Church]]||[[Vardø (town)|Vardø]]||1958
|-
|[[Vardø Chapel]]||[[Vardø (town)|Vardø]]||1908
|}

==History==
[[File:Everythingisastory.jpg|thumb|left|Street art in the old town]]
[[File:Ostervaagen.jpg|thumb|left|Old houses in Østervågen]]
Vardø has a long settlement history before it was granted status as a town in 1789. Several stone-age sites as well as sites dating from the Sami Iron Age are known on the island. In the Medieval period, Vardø's importance grew as a result of it being the easternmost stronghold of the then-expanding Norwegian royal power. A church was built in Vardø in 1307, and the first fortress was established at about the same time. Thick cultural layers in the southeastern part of the town, Østervågen, document continuous habitation in this area reaching back at least some 800 years.

Even if the presence of the fortress and king's bailiff gave Vardø a certain degree of permanence and stability not experienced by other fishing communities in Finnmark, the town's size and importance waxed and waned with the changing fortunes of the fisheries. In the mid-16th century Vardø had a population of 400 to 500 people. By 1789, however, it had reduced to about 100.

In the 17th century, Vardø was the center of a great number of [[Witch-hunt|witchcraft trials]]. More than 90 persons, Norwegian and Sami, were given death sentences. They are commemorated in the [[Steilneset Memorial]].

In 1769, the Hungarian astronomer [[Maximilian Hell]] and his assistant [[János Sajnovics]], delegated by [[Christian VII of Denmark]], traveled to Vardø to observe the [[Transit of Venus]].

After 1850, the town saw a marked expansion. The fisheries grew in importance, and so did the [[Pomor trade]] with Russia's White Sea region. In 1850 the population reached 400, and in 1910 it passed 3 000.

During World War II, with Norway occupied by the German ''Wehrmacht'', Vardø was heavily bombed by Allied, mostly Russian forces. Most of the town center was destroyed, and the population was evacuated. After the war, the city center was completely reconstructed, but older, traditional houses survived in the periphery, such as in the old town in Østervågen.

As of 2017, the fishing industry had collapsed. From 1995 to 2017, the population shrank by 50 percent to 2,100 people. In May 2017 work to lay a new electric cable from the Norwegian mainland to the island began. The additional electricity is needed to power the American-funded [[GLOBUS]] space surveillance system, located about 40 miles from Russia's Kola Peninsula, a territory studded with high-security naval bases and restricted military zones. The secrecy surrounding the radar systems has spawned fears that officials are covering up health hazards and other possible dangers. The electromagnetic pulses the current radar system emits interfere with television and radio reception, and some residents have blamed them for a rash of miscarriages and cancer cases in a civilian district next to the fenced-in security zone.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Higgins |first=Andrew |date=2017-06-14 |title=On a Tiny Norwegian Island, America Keeps an Eye on Russia |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/13/world/europe/arctic-norway-russia-radar.html |access-date=2018-05-27 |work=New York Times}}</ref>

The town was selected as the [[millennium site]] for Finnmark county.

==Government==
All municipalities in Norway are 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 [[Indre og Østre Finnmark District Court]] and the [[Hålogaland Court of Appeal]].

===Municipal council===
The [[Municipal council (Norway)|municipal council]] {{lang|no|(Kommunestyre)}} of Vardø is made up of 19 representatives 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                      = Vardø
|start                     = 2023
|end                       = 2027
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Kommunestyrevalg 2023 - Finnmark Finnmárku |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2023/ko/finnmark%20finnm%C3%A1rku/vardø#seats |access-date=2023-12-30 |publisher=Valg Direktoratet}}</ref>
|Total                     = 19
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 9
|Grønne                    = 5
|Høyre                     = 2
|Senterpartiet             = 2
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vardø
|start                     = 2019
|end                       = 2023
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2019 - Troms og Finnmark |url=https://valgresultat.no/troms%2Bog%2Bfinnmark(menu:navigate/troms%2Bog%2Bfinnmark)?type=ko&year=2019 |access-date=2019-10-23 |publisher=Valg Direktoratet}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 19
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 8
|Høyre                     = 1
|Senterpartiet             = 4
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|Grønne                    = 5
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vardø
|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                     = 19
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 10
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 1
|Høyre                     = 2
|Venstre                   = 2
|Grønne                    = 3
|Kyst                      = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vardø
|start                     = 2011
|end                       = 2015
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Finnmark |url=https://valgresultat.no/finnmark%2Bfinnm%C3%A1rku?type=ko&year=2011 |access-date=2019-10-23 |publisher=Valg Direktoratet}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 19
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 8
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 4
|Høyre                     = 2
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|Venstre                   = 2
|Kyst                      = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vardø
|start                     = 2007
|end                       = 2011
|reference                 = <ref name="ssb valg" />
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 19
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 9
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 2
|Høyre                     = 1
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|Venstre                   = 1
|Kyst                      = 2
|otherparty                = Vardø List
|otherparty_no             = Vardølista
|otherparty_number         = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vardø
|start                     = 2003
|end                       = 2007
|reference                 = <ref name="ssb valg" />
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 19
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 13
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 1
|Høyre                     = 2
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|Venstre                   = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vardø
|start                     = 1999
|end                       = 2003
|reference                 = <ref name="ssb valg" />
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 25
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 11
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 1
|Høyre                     = 8
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 1
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 3
|Venstre                   = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vardø
|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=2020-02-20 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 25
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 10
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 2
|Høyre                     = 6
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 1
|Senterpartiet             = 3
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|Venstre                   = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vardø
|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=2020-02-20 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 25
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 11
|Høyre                     = 6
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 5
|Venstre                   = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vardø
|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=2020-02-20 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 29
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 16
|Høyre                     = 6
|NKP                       = 1
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 4
|Venstre                   = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vardø
|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=2020-02-20 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 29
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 19
|Høyre                     = 4
|NKP                       = 1
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 3
|Venstre                   = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vardø
|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=2020-02-20 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 29
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 16
|Høyre                     = 6
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 1
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 3
|Venstre                   = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vardø
|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=2020-03-16 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 29
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 16
|Høyre                     = 4
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 2
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 4
|Venstre                   = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vardø
|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=2020-03-16 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 29
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 15
|Høyre                     = 4
|Venstre                   = 3
|otherparty                = Socialist common list<br />
|otherparty_no             = Venstresosialistiske felleslister
|otherparty_number         = 6
|Local_Lists               = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vardø
|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=2020-03-16 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |volume=I |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 29
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 14
|Høyre                     = 4
|NKP                       = 3
|Sosialistisk_Folkeparti   = 4
|Venstre                   = 4
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vardø
|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=2020-03-16 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 29
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 15
|Høyre                     = 5
|NKP                       = 4
|Venstre                   = 5
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vardø
|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=2020-03-16 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 29
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 14
|Høyre                     = 5
|NKP                       = 5
|Venstre                   = 5
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vardø
|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=2020-03-16 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 29
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 17
|NKP                       = 5
|Høyre                     = 3
|Venstre                   = 4
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vardø
|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=2020-03-16 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 28
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 15
|NKP                       = 6
|Høyre                     = 3
|Venstre                   = 4
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vardø
|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=2020-03-16 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 28
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 13
|NKP                       = 5
|Høyre                     = 2
|Venstre                   = 5
|Local_Lists               = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vardø
|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=2020-03-16 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 28
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 16
|NKP                       = 6
|Høyre                     = 3
|Venstre                   = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vardø
|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=2020-03-16 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 28
|H/FV                      = 6
|NKP                       = 3
|Venstre                   = 5
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 14
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vardø
|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
|Høyre                     = 6
|NKP                       = 2
|Venstre                   = 5
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 15
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vardø
|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
|NKP                       = 1
|Venstre                   = 6
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 11
|Local_Lists               = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vardø
|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                      = 8
|NKP                       = 1
|Venstre                   = 5
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 14
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vardø
|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
|Local_Lists               = 3
|Venstre                   = 4
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 11
|Borgerlige_Felleslister   = 8
|otherparty1               = Workers' common list
|otherparty_no1            = Arbeidernes fellesliste
|otherparty_number1        = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vardø
|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
|H/FV                      = 9
|Venstre                   = 2
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 11
|Local_Lists               = 6
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vardø
|city                      = yes
|start                     = 1919
|end                       = 1922
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1920 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1919 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_vi_189.pdf |access-date=2020-03-18 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 28
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 12
|Borgerlige_Felleslister   = 16
|}}
{{div col end}}

===Mayors===
The [[Mayor#Scandinavia|mayors]] ({{langx|no|ordfører}}) of Vardø:<ref>{{Cite book |last=Olsen |first=Margido |url=http://urn.nb.no/URN:NBN:no-nb_digibok_2008082701028 |title=Det gamle Vardø herred og Vardø by |publisher=M. Olsen |year=1999 |location=Vardø |language=no}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Lorentzen |first=Kristian T. |url=http://urn.nb.no/URN:NBN:no-nb_digibok_2012031206000 |title=Ordførere i Vardø 1839-1987 |year=1987 |location=Vardø |language=no}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*1838–1840: Andreas Esbensen Brodtkorb
*1841–1848: Paul Holst Conradi 
*1849–1850: Søren Engelhardt Schultze 
*1851–1854: Johan Daniel Stub Landmark 
*1855–1858: Christian Fredrik Wilhelm Scharffenberg 
*1859–1860: Thorvald Eid 
*1861–1866: Anton Johan Holmboe  
*1867–1871: Johan Carl Richard Wisløff
*1871–1872: Arnt Nikolai Brodtkorb 
*1873-1873: Severin Carl Magnus Thornæs
*1874–1875: Thorvald Andreas Kyhn
*1876–1879: Lauritz Evje
*1880-1880: Karsten Andreas Zachariassen 
*1881–1887: Lauritz Leganger Uchermann 
*1888-1888: [[Nikolai Christian Grove Prebensen]] ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
*1889–1891: Søren I. Meyer
*1892–1896: Ivar Andreas Nordang 
*1897-1897: Martin Olsen 
*1898-1898: Kristian Dahl 
*1899–1901: Martin Olsen
*1902–1904: Henning Laurits Brodtkorb 
*1905–1907: Olav Martin Olsen 
*1908–1913: Sivert Magnus Gundersen 
*1914–1916: Karl Marenius Ivarsson  
*1917-1917: Sivert Magnus Gundersen
*1917–1918: Hans Hansen Sætrum 
*1918–1919: Ingebrikt Nygaard 
*1920–1922: Iver Albert Olsen Grøttum 
*1923–1925: Henning Laurits Brodtkorb 
*1926–1930: [[Jon Andrå]] 
*1931–1941: [[Peder Ragnar Holt]] 
*1941–1944: Erling Pedersen 
*1944–1945: Richard Bodin 
*1946–1959: Rudolf Olsen 
*1959–1968: Karl Holt 
*1968-1979: Hjalmar Halvorsen 		
*1979–1981: Alf Sverre Olsen
*1982–1991: Tor Andreas Kofoed ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*1995–2003: Hermod Larsen ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
*2003–2007: Rolf Einar Mortensen ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*2007-2015: Lasse Haughom ([[Fremskrittspartiet|FrP]])
*2015-2019: Robert Jensen ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*2019–2023: Ørjan Jensen ([[Green Party (Norway)|MDG]])
*2023-present: Tor Erik Labahå ([[Centre Party (Norway)|Sp]])<ref>{{Cite web |last=Westlie |first=Hermann |date=2023-10-16 |title=Ordfører |url=https://www.vardo.kommune.no/ordfoerer.511627.no.html |access-date=2023-12-29 |language=no}}</ref>
{{div col end}}

==Geography==
[[File:Hornøya2.jpg|thumb|280px|left|View of [[Hornøya (Finnmark)|Hornøya]]]]
Vardø is the easternmost town in Norway and the [[Nordic countries]], located at 31°E, which is east of [[Saint Petersburg]], [[Kyiv]] and [[Istanbul]]. The eastern part of Finnmark is in the same [[time zone]] as the rest of the country, despite daylight shifted by more than an hour. The town is on the island of [[Vardøya]], but the municipality includes significant area on the mainland of the [[Varanger Peninsula]], including part of the [[Varangerhalvøya National Park]] in the southwest. The highest point in the municipality is the {{convert|492|m|adj=on}} tall mountain Grythaugen.<ref name="elev" />

The mountain [[Domen, Norway|Domen]] lies on the shore of the Varanger Peninsula. South of it lies the small [[Kibergsneset]] peninsula, where the village of [[Kiberg]] is. The town lies on the island of [[Vardøya]], which is surrounded by a few smaller islands. [[Hornøya (Finnmark)|Hornøya]] is one of them. It is northeast of Vardøya and is the site of [[Vardø Lighthouse]]. The mouth of the [[Varangerfjorden]] lies along the municipality's eastern coast.

===Climate===
[[File:Mean air temperature (year) (Vardø Radio, SN98550).svg|thumb|right|Since Vardø in 1830, average annual temperature data recorded by weather stations illustrate the phenomenon of [[global warming]].]]
The port of Vardø, on the [[Barents Sea]], remains ice-free all year round thanks to the warm [[North Atlantic drift]]. Vardø earlier had a [[polar climate|tundra climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''ET''),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Klima en Vardo |url=http://www.klimadiagramme.de/Europa/vardo.html |access-date=2008-12-13 |language=de}}</ref> but as a result of warming, Vardø now has a [[subarctic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Dfc'') using the official 1991-2020 period, because the monthly mean temperatures in July and August has passed the {{convert|10|C|F}} threshold. Excluding high mountain areas, it was earlier the only town in Norway proper (excluding [[Svalbard]] and [[Jan Mayen]]) with a polar climate. The town is on an unsheltered island in the Barents Sea and treeless. The "[[midnight sun]]" is above the horizon from 16 May to 29 July, and the period with continuous daylight lasts a bit longer, [[polar night]] from 24 November to 19 January. The average date for first overnight freeze (below {{convert|0|°C}}) in autumn is October 12.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 September 2013 |title=Første frostnatt |url=https://www.yr.no/artikkel/forste-frostnatt-1.11261900}}</ref> The weather station Vardø Radio (10 m) started recording in June 1829.
{{Weather box 
|metric first= yes
|single line = yes
|location = Vardø (10 m, Vardø Radio), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1829–present
|Jan record high C = 7.3
|Feb record high C = 6.9
|Mar record high C = 8.4
|Apr record high C = 13.3
|May record high C = 21.1
|Jun record high C = 25.8
|Jul record high C = 27.3
|Aug record high C = 25.1
|Sep record high C = 20.1
|Oct record high C = 13.8
|Nov record high C = 10.4
|Dec record high C = 7.3
|year record high C = 27.0
|Jan avg record high C = 3.6
|Feb avg record high C = 3.3
|Mar avg record high C = 3.6
|Apr avg record high C = 6.8
|May avg record high C = 12.7
|Jun avg record high C = 16.8
|Jul avg record high C = 20.0
|Aug avg record high C = 19.1
|Sep avg record high C = 15.2
|Oct avg record high C = 9.9
|Nov avg record high C = 5.6
|Dec avg record high C = 4.8
|year avg record high C = 21.4
|Jan high C = -1.2
|Feb high C = -1.8
|Mar high C = -0.4
|Apr high C = 2.2
|May high C = 5.8
|Jun high C = 9.1
|Jul high C = 12.3
|Aug high C = 12.3
|Sep high C = 9.8
|Oct high C = 5.0
|Nov high C = 1.7
|Dec high C = 0.2
|year high C = 4.6
|Jan mean C = -3.5
|Feb mean C = -3.9
|Mar mean C = -2.3
|Apr mean C = 0.3
|May mean C = 3.8
|Jun mean C = 7.0
|Jul mean C = 10.0
|Aug mean C = 10.1
|Sep mean C = 7.8
|Oct mean C = 3.3
|Nov mean C = -0.2
|Dec mean C = -2.0
|year mean C = 2.5
|Jan low C = -6.0
|Feb low C = -6.5
|Mar low C = -4.5
|Apr low C = -1.6
|May low C = 1.8
|Jun low C = 5.0
|Jul low C = 8.0
|Aug low C = 8.2
|Sep low C = 5.9
|Oct low C = 1.5
|Nov low C = -2.2
|Dec low C = -4.3
|year low C = 0.5
|Jan avg record low C = -12.8
|Feb avg record low C = -12.8
|Mar avg record low C = -9.8
|Apr avg record low C = -7.2
|May avg record low C = -2.3
|Jun avg record low C = 1.7
|Jul avg record low C = 5.3
|Aug avg record low C = 4.5
|Sep avg record low C = 1.8
|Oct avg record low C = -4.2
|Nov avg record low C = -7.9
|Dec avg record low C = -10.3
|year avg record low C = -14.5
|Jan record low C = -22.5
|Feb record low C = -22.7
|Mar record low C = -20.5
|Apr record low C = -14.4
|May record low C = -10.3
|Jun record low C = -3.9
|Jul record low C = -1.6
|Aug record low C = -0.4
|Sep record low C = -4.8
|Oct record low C = -13.2
|Nov record low C = -15.0
|Dec record low C = -20.1
|year record low C = -22.7
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 59.1
|Feb precipitation mm = 50.6
|Mar precipitation mm = 51.8
|Apr precipitation mm = 40.3
|May precipitation mm = 35.6
|Jun precipitation mm = 46.0
|Jul precipitation mm = 55.0
|Aug precipitation mm = 55.2
|Sep precipitation mm = 46.6
|Oct precipitation mm = 70.9
|Nov precipitation mm = 52.8
|Dec precipitation mm = 60.0
|year precipitation mm = 623.9
|Jan precipitation days = 16
|Feb precipitation days = 13
|Mar precipitation days = 13
|Apr precipitation days = 11
|May precipitation days = 9
|Jun precipitation days = 8
|Jul precipitation days = 9
|Aug precipitation days = 9
|Sep precipitation days = 10
|Oct precipitation days = 16
|Nov precipitation days = 13
|Dec precipitation days = 14
|year precipitation days = 141
|Jan snow depth cm = 62
|Feb snow depth cm = 83
|Mar snow depth cm = 98
|Apr snow depth cm = 97
|May snow depth cm = 59
|Jun snow depth cm = 10
|Jul snow depth cm = 0
|Aug snow depth cm = 0
|Sep snow depth cm = 1
|Oct snow depth cm = 8
|Nov snow depth cm = 21
|Dec snow depth cm = 42
|year snow depth cm = 110
|humidity colour = green
|Jan humidity = 85
|Feb humidity = 85
|Mar humidity = 82
|Apr humidity = 81
|May humidity = 82
|Jun humidity = 84
|Jul humidity = 87
|Aug humidity = 86
|Sep humidity = 84
|Oct humidity = 83
|Nov humidity = 84
|Dec humidity = 84
|year humidity = 84
|Jan dew point C = -6.3
|Feb dew point C = -6.6
|Mar dew point C = -5.4
|Apr dew point C = -2.6
|May dew point C = 0.5
|Jun dew point C = 3.9
|Jul dew point C = 7.7
|Aug dew point C = 7.4
|Sep dew point C = 5.7
|Oct dew point C = 0.9
|Nov dew point C = -2.2
|Dec dew point C = -3.9
|year dew point C = -0.1
|source 1 = Norwegian Meteorological Institute (dew point and humidity 1991-2020, extreme snow depth 1897-1950 and extremes)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Observations and weather statistics (Vardø Radio/SN98550) |url=https://seklima.met.no/ |access-date=September 21, 2023 |publisher=[[Norwegian Meteorological Institute]]}}</ref><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 = NOAA WMO averages 91-2020 Norway<ref>{{Cite web |title=NOAA WMO normals Norway 1991-2020 |url=https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Norway/CSV/VARDO_RADIO_01098.csv |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921134143/https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Norway/CSV/VARDO_RADIO_01098.csv |archive-date=2023-09-21}}</ref>
}}

===Fauna and flora===
The municipality of Vardø with its seabird colonies of [[Hornøya (Finnmark)|Hornøya]] and [[Reinøya (Vardø)|Reinøya]] are among the most interesting on this part of the coast. There is a small breeding population of [[Brunnich's guillemot]] as well as larger numbers of [[razorbill]] and [[common guillemot]].

The climate is too cold in summer and too windy in winter for trees, but a few planted trees exist in wind-sheltered locations, generally [[Sorbus aucuparia|rowans]].

==Transportation==
The island is connected to the mainland via the [[undersea tunnel|undersea]] [[Vardø Tunnel]] which was Norway's first such structure. [[Vardø Airport, Svartnes|Vardø Airport]] and the settlement of [[Svartnes]] are on the mainland opposite the tunnel entrance. Vardø is a port of call on Norway's [[Hurtigruten]] ferry service. The town is the northern termination of [[European route E75]], which starts in [[Sitia]], [[Crete]].

==Media==
The newspaper ''[[Østhavet (newspaper)|Østhavet]]'' has been published in Vardø since 1997.<ref>[https://snl.no/%C3%98sthavet ''Store norske leksikon'': Østhavet.]</ref>

==Economy and tourism==
[[File:Vardohus festning.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Officers' quarters at Vardøhus Festning. The [[sorbus]] trees can be seen to the left and right of the stairway.]]

[[Fishing]] and [[seafood processing]] remain Vardø's major sources of income, although [[tourism]] is starting to become an important economic factor.

Vardø's tourist attractions include the [[Vardøhus Fortress|Vardøhus Festning]], a fortress dating back to the 14th century (although the present structure dates from 1734); the witchcraft trials memorial; several [https://web.archive.org/web/20070911045249/http://birdwatch.brinkster.net/index-filer/Page27207.htm sea bird colonies]; two museums: the [[Pomor Museum]] and the [[Partisan Museum]]; and remnants of German fortifications from [[World War II]]. The [[Yukigassen]] competition in Vardø is unique in Norway.

Vardøhus Festning is home to two [[rowan]] trees that are diligently nurtured and warmed in winter since they cannot normally survive in Vardø's climate, north of the Arctic [[tree line]]. Seven trees were planted in 1960; the one that survived managed to blossom twice, in 1974 and 1981. It finally succumbed to the cold in 2002, but two new saplings have been planted in its place.
[[File:Vardøhus Fortress, North Norway.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Vardøhus Fortress with the city's sole tree, which is wrapped before each winter.]]
[[File:Street of Strandgaten, Vardø.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The street of Strandgaten in Vardø]]
In the summer of 2012, Vardø hosted the urban art event [[Komafest]], where 12 international artists painted tens of the town's abandoned houses in a three-week period.

===River fishing===
[[Fishing permit]]s (for salmon fishing) are sold for use on specific rivers, including Komag-elva.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2014-07-19 |title=Laksefiske for alle |publisher=Aftenposten |page=11}}</ref>

== GLOBUS Radar ==
Since 1998, the town has housed [[radar]] installations called [[GLOBUS]] I, II and III. Its official purpose is the tracking of [[space debris|space junk]], but due to the site's proximity to [[Russia]] and an alleged connection between the GLOBUS system and [[United States|US]] anti-missile systems, the site has been the basis for heated controversy in diplomatic and intelligence circles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Antimissile Front In The Northern Norway |url=http://www.armscontrol.ru/start/publications/adtp0225.htm}}</ref> In March 2017 and again in February 2018 Russia executed mock air strikes aimed at Vardø, presumably because of the radar site. Both times military aircraft took off from the [[Kola Peninsula]] in attack formations, but stopped short of Norwegian airspace.<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Connor |first=Tim |date=23 May 2019 |title=Russia Will 'Take Measures' Against U.S. Radar Near Its Border, Thought to Be Part of Missile Defense |url=https://www.newsweek.com/russia-us-radar-norway-defense-1434756 |access-date=16 December 2020 |publisher=Newsweek}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nilsen |first=Thomas |date=16 November 2018 |title=US and Norway upgrade eye on border to northern Russia |url=https://thebarentsobserver.com/en/security/2018/11/us-and-norway-upgrades-eye-northern-russia |access-date=16 December 2020 |publisher=The Barents Observer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nilsen |first=Thomas |date=23 May 2019 |title=Moscow threatens response against Norwegian radar near Russian border |url=https://thebarentsobserver.com/en/security/2019/05/russia-warns-it-will-take-measures-response-new-spy-near-border-radar-arctic-norway |access-date=21 December 2020 |publisher=The Barents Observer}}</ref>

==Sister City==
*{{flagicon|Finland}} '''[[Kemijärvi]]''', [[Finland]]

== Notable people ==
[[File:62038 Ada Kramm.jpg|160px|thumb|Ada Kramm, 1966]]
* [[Viktor Esbensen]] (1881 in Vardø – 1942), a mariner who explored the Antarctic region
* [[Jon Andrå]] (1888–1966), a politician who was mayor of Vardø from 1925 to 1930
* [[Peder Ragnar Holt]] (1899 in Vardø – 1963), a politician who was the first person from Finnmark county to be the [[Governor of Finnmark]]
* [[Ada Kramm]] (1899 in Vardø – 1981), a stage and film actress<ref>{{IMDb name|0469708|Ada Kramm}}. Retrieved 02 October 2020.</ref>
* [[Haakon Bugge Mahrt]] (1901 in Vardø – 1990), a writer and press attaché at the Norwegian embassy in Paris from 1946 to 1971
* [[Alfred Næss (playwright)|Alfred Næss]] (1927 in Vardø – 1997), a playwright and songwriter
* [[Trond Øyen]] (1929 in Vardø – 1999), a violinist who was the first violinist with the [[Oslo Philharmonic]]
* [[Hans Kristian Eriksen]] (1933 in Kiberg – 2014), a non-fiction writer, magazine editor, novelist, and short story writer
* [[John Norum]] (born 1964 in Vardø), a Norwegian/Swedish rock guitarist and co-founder of the Swedish rock band [[Europe (band)|Europe]]
* [[Stefan Johansen]] (born 1991 in Vardø), a professional footballer with over 300 club caps and 55 for [[Norway national football team|Norway]]
* [[Yngve Hågensen]] (1938 in Vardø - 2023), a labour union leader

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://ssb.no/kommunefakta/vardo Municipal fact sheet] from [[Statistics Norway]] {{in lang|no}}
*[http://www.varangermuseum.no Varanger Museum]
*[http://www.birdingnorway.no/sites/vardo.htm Birding in the Vardø area]
*[http://www.varanger.com/index.php?lang=eng Varanger.com]: tourist information about Varanger area
*[http://rlb.no/tourist/kommune/2002/info/ Vardø – Finnmark's millennium town] includes pictures

{{use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{sister bar|auto=y|d=y|commonscat=y|voy=Vardø|wikt=Vardø}}
{{Finnmark}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vardo}}
[[Category:Vardø| ]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Finnmark]]
[[Category:Populated places of Arctic Norway]]
[[Category:1838 establishments in Norway]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1838]]
[[Category:Barents Sea]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Norway]]