Orust Municipality

Orust Municipality (Orusts kommun) is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the town of Henån, with an approximate population of 1,800.

The municipality includes Sweden's third largest island Orust and some other small adjacent islets. The year-round population of around 15,000 increases significantly in the summer due to an influx of summer vacationers.

The former municipal entities on the island Orust and adjacent minor islands were grouped into larger units in 1952 and united into a single municipality in connection with the nationwide municipal reform of 1971.

The villages in the municipality are Ellös, Henån, Hälleviksstrand, Mollösund, Svanvik and Varekil.

History

Historically, the area has been inhabited for thousands of years, as evident by ancient remains such as tombs, grave fields and rock carvings. Dating from the Viking Age, runestones are plentiful throughout Orust.

In the Nordisk familjebok the island of Orust is mentioned as a Geatish territory. Ramshult (the modern Swedish form), a hill fort, is mentioned in Beowulf as Hrefnesholt, the Geatish hill fort which became the prison of Onela, Ohthere and their mother until their rescue by Ongenþeow.

Points of interest

The geography offers several sights, with a couple of picturesque small villages. A nature reserve called Morlanda features a lookout point that offers a good overview of the area.

Industry

Industry wise, the area has always been dominated by fishing and boat production. Shipyard Hallberg-Rassy is the largerst employer nowadays. Its shipyard is located in Ellös, on the north-west part of the island, and it has a significant export of sailing boats. The second largest employer is Najad-varvet, also a shipyard.

The island

The island Orust has a land area of 346 km², Sweden's third largest island.

References

↑ "Statistiska centralbyrån, Kommunarealer den 1 januari 2014" (Microsoft Excel) (in Swedish). Statistics Sweden. Retrieved 2014-04-18.
↑ "Folkmängd i riket, län och kommuner 31 december 2015" (in Swedish). Statistics Sweden. February 22, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2016.

External links

Orust Municipality - Official site
Orust map - From the official site

Sources

Please see corresponding article on Swedish and German Wikipedia.

Municipalities and seats of Västra Götaland County

Municipalities	Ale Alingsås Åmål Bengtsfors Bollebygd Borås Dals-Ed Essunga Falköping Färgelanda Götene Gothenburg Grästorp Gullspång Härryda Herrljunga Hjo Karlsborg Kungälv Lerum Lidköping Lilla Edet Lysekil Mariestad Mark Mellerud Mölndal Munkedal Öckerö Orust Partille Skara Skövde Sotenäs Stenungsund Strömstad Svenljunga Tanum Tibro Tidaholm Tjörn Töreboda Tranemo Trollhättan Uddevalla Ulricehamn Vänersborg Vara Vårgårda

Municipal seats	Alingsås Åmål Bengtsfors Bollebygd Borås Ed Falköping Färgelanda Götene Gothenburg Grästorp Gullspång and Hova Henån Herrljunga Hjo Karlsborg Kinna Kungälv Kungshamn Lerum Lidköping Lilla Edet Lysekil Mariestad Mellerud Mölndal Mölnlycke Munkedal Nödinge-Nol Nossebro Öckerö Partille Skara Skärhamn Skövde Stenungsund Strömstad Svenljunga Tanumshede Tibro Tidaholm Töreboda Tranemo Trollhättan Uddevalla Ulricehamn Vänersborg Vara Vårgårda

Counties of Sweden Sweden

Localities in Orust Municipality, Västra Götaland County, Sweden

Localities	Ellös Hälleviksstrand Henån (seat) Mollösund Svanesund Svanvik Varekil

Coordinates: 58°14′N 11°41′E / 58.233°N 11.683°E / 58.233; 11.683

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