Randaberg

Infobox Kommune
name = Randaberg
idnumber = 1127


county = Rogaland
landscape = Jæren
capital = Randaberg
demonym = Randabergsbu
language = Neutral


munwebpage = www.randaberg.kommune.no
governor = Tom Tvedt (Ap)
governor_as_of = 2006
arearank = 425
area = 25
arealand = 24
areapercent = 0.01
population_as_of = 2006
populationrank = 114
population = 9,304
populationpercent = 0.20
populationdensity = 377
populationincrease = 12.7
lat_deg = 59 | lat_min = 0 | lat_sec = 6 | lon_deg = 5 | lon_min = 36 | lon_sec = 55
utm_zone = 32V | utm_northing = 6545177 | utm_easting = 0305612 | geo_cat = adm2nd

Randaberg is a municipality in Rogaland county, Norway, located just to the north of Stavanger. Randaberg was separated from Hetland on 1 July 1922. The northernmost conurbation of Stavanger/Sandnes can be found here.

General information

Name

The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the old "Randaberg" farm (Old Norse: "Randaberg"), since the first church was built there. The first element is the plural genitive case of "rönd" which means "edge", "brink", or "verge" and the last element is "berg" which means "mountain".

Coat-of-arms

The coat-of-arms is from modern times. They were granted on 26 June 1981. The arms show fourteen silver coins on a blue field. The arms are partly canting since the name is derived from "rond" which means "edge" and the coins are placed around the shield. The coins symbolize the ball-shaped stones found in large amounts on the beach in Randaberg. [cite web|url=http://www.ngw.nl/int/nor/r/randaber.htm|author=Norske Kommunevåpen|date=1990|title=Nye kommunevåbener i Norden|accessdaymonth=9 October|accessyear=2008]

History

Some of the first inhabitants of Norway settled here, and it is believed that the first people came here around 12,000 years ago. It is thought that Svarthola (a.k.a. Vistehålå) was the main shelter for a group of 25 persons, from around 6000 BC. These people were mainly gatherers and hunters, but from around 4000 BC they also started farming. From around 2000 BC, their main activity was farming.

Economy

Randaberg is still an active agricultural community, and produces over 80% of Norway's parsley. The first potatoes every year are grown here, and are given to the Royal Family of Norway. However, there are three suburbs where most people live: Sentrum (310 houses), Viste Hageby (315 houses), and Grødem (135 houses).

Attractions

During the summer the beaches here are very popular, and among the finest in the area around Stavanger. This includes "Sandestraen" and "Vistestraen". "Hålandsvannet", a small lake, is also a popular place for swimming.

References