# Haugaland > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Haugaland > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Haugaland.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haugaland > Source revision: 1352210528 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Not to be confused with [Haugesund Region](/source/Haugesund_Region). Traditional district in South-Western Norway Place in Rogaland, Norway Haugaland Haugesund Peninsula District, peninsula Eivindsvannet, Djupadalen Haugaland (within Rogaland county) Country Norway County Rogaland Region South-Western Norway Municipalities Karmøy, Haugesund, Tysvær, Vindafjord, Bokn, Utsira[a] Regional Centre Haugesund Population (2025) • Total 104,058–113,903[a] Demonym Haugalending The **Haugaland** (*Haugalandet*), or the **Haugesund Peninsula** (*Haugesundshalvøyen*), is a [peninsula](/source/Peninsula) and [traditional district](/source/Districts_of_Norway) in the northwestern part of [Rogaland](/source/Rogaland) county, Norway. The area lies between the [Boknafjord](/source/Boknafjord) to the south and the [Bømlafjord](/source/B%C3%B8mlafjorden), part of the outer [Hardangerfjord](/source/Hardangerfjord), to the north.[1] In a traditional geographical and cultural sense, the Haugaland comprises the municipalities of [Haugesund](/source/Haugesund_Municipality), [Karmøy](/source/Karm%C3%B8y_Municipality), [Tysvær](/source/Tysv%C3%A6r_Municipality), [Vindafjord](/source/Vindafjord_Municipality), [Bokn](/source/Bokn_Municipality), and [Utsira](/source/Utsira_Municipality). Together, these cover an area of 1,402 square kilometres (541 sq mi)[2] and had a population of 104,058 in 2025. This definition represents the most widely accepted understanding of the Haugaland, with [Haugesund](/source/Haugesund_(town)) serving as the regional centre, while other towns include [Kopervik](/source/Kopervik), [Åkrehamn](/source/%C3%85krehamn), and [Skudeneshavn](/source/Skudeneshavn) on [Karmøy](/source/Karm%C3%B8y_(island)). The municipalities of [Stord](/source/Stord_Municipality), [Fitjar](/source/Fitjar_Municipality), [Bømlo](/source/B%C3%B8mlo_Municipality), [Tysnes](/source/Tysnes_Municipality), and [Kvinnherad](/source/Kvinnherad_Municipality) in [Sunnhordland](/source/Sunnhordland) are not normally considered part of the Haugaland, but instead belong to a separate historical and geographical district further north.[3] In certain administrative and legal contexts, however, Sunnhordland and the Haugaland are treated as a single region. Examples include the [Haugaland and Sunnhordland District Court](/source/Haugaland_and_Sunnhordland_District_Court), which since 2021 has covered 14 municipalities in Rogaland and [Vestland](/source/Vestland) counties, and the former Haugaland and Sunnhordland Police District (2002–2015).[1] This usage is functional in nature and differs from the traditional geographical delimitation. In a broader regional context, the municipalities of [Sveio](/source/Sveio_Municipality) and [Etne](/source/Etne_Municipality), located south of the Bømlafjord, Bjoafjord, and [Skånevikfjord](/source/Sk%C3%A5nevikfjorden), are sometimes also included in the Haugaland. This expanded definition gives a total area of 2,383 square kilometres (920 sq mi) and a population of 113,903 (2025).[1] [Ølen](/source/%C3%98lensj%C3%B8en) serves as a minor regional centre in the inner part of the district. ## Name and etymology The Haugaland was traditionally regarded as part of [Ryfylke](/source/Ryfylke), but that term is now used only for the areas further east. The name derives from the Old Norse farm name *Haugar* and originally referred to the area surrounding the historic farm and, later, the town of Haugesund. The form *Haugarlandet* occurs in older usage, and the peninsula has also been referred to as the *Haugesundshalvøyen* (Haugesund Peninsula).[1][4] The name *Haugalandet* came into use in the 19th century, likely introduced by [Ivar Aasen](/source/Ivar_Aasen), who used it in the poem "Haraldshaugen", written after his visit to [Haraldshaugen](/source/Haraldshaugen) and published in *Folkevennen* in 1853.[4] Around 1900, the name became more widespread, particularly within the [Nynorsk](/source/Nynorsk) movement, the [temperance movement](/source/Temperance_movement), and the [labour movement](/source/Labour_movement), which often used the form *Haugarlandet*, while the [bourgeoisie](/source/Bourgeoisie) in Haugesund preferred the term *Haugesund halvø* (Haugesund Peninsula).[4] From the 1970s onward, Haugalandet has been used in public administration and regional planning.[4] ## Municipalities The Haugaland is traditionally divided into six municipalities in Rogaland: Number Map Name Adm. centre Population (2025) Area km² Lang. form Mayor Political party 1149 Karmøy Municipality Karmøy Municipality Kopervik 43,723 229.90 Neutral Leiv Arne Marhaug Conservative 1106 Haugesund Municipality Haugesund Municipality Haugesund 38,441 72.67 Bokmål Nils Konrad Bua Conservative 1146 Tysvær Municipality Tysvær Municipality Aksdal 11,715 425.41 Neutral Monika Lindanger Conservative 1160 Vindafjord Municipality Vindafjord Municipality Ølensjøen 9,069 620.59 Nynorsk Ole Johan Vierdal Centre 1145 Bokn Municipality Bokn Municipality Føresvik 893 47.17 Nynorsk Egil Våge Centre 1151 Utsira Municipality Utsira Municipality Utsira 217 6.32 Neutral Marte Eide Klovning Community ### Municipal history In 1838, the area was divided into the municipalities of [Skjold](/source/Skjold_Municipality), [Nedstrand](/source/Nedstrand_Municipality), [Avaldsnes](/source/Avaldsnes_Municipality), [Torvastad](/source/Torvastad_Municipality), [Skudenes](/source/Skudenes_Municipality), and [Vikedal](/source/Vikedal_Municipality). [Tysvær](/source/Tysv%C3%A6r_Municipality) was separated from Skjold in 1849, followed by [Vats](/source/Vats_Municipality) in 1891. [Sjernarøy](/source/Sjernar%C3%B8y_Municipality) was separated from Nedstrand Municipality in 1868. From Torvastad, [Haugesund](/source/Haugesund_Municipality) was separated in 1854, [Skåre](/source/Sk%C3%A5re_Municipality) in 1881, and [Utsira](/source/Utsira_Municipality) in 1924. From Skudenes, [Bokn](/source/Bokn_Municipality) was separated in 1849, [Skudeneshavn](/source/Skudeneshavn) in 1857, and [Åkra](/source/%C3%85kra_Municipality) in 1892. [Kopervik](/source/Kopervik) was separated from Avaldsnes in 1866 and [Stangaland](/source/Stangaland_Municipality) in 1908, while [Imsland](/source/Imsland_Municipality) and [Sandeid](/source/Sandeid_Municipality) were separated from Vikedal in 1922. Skåre was incorporated into Haugesund in 1958.[5] In 1965, the municipalities of Avaldsnes, Kopervik, Skudenes, Skudeneshavn, Stangaland, Torvastad, and Åkra were merged to form [Karmøy Municipality](/source/Karm%C3%B8y_Municipality).[6] At the same time, parts of Avaldsnes were transferred to Tysvær Municipality, together with parts of Skjold and the entirety of Nedstrand. The remainder of Skjold was merged with Imsland, Sandeid, Vats, and Vikedal to form [Vindafjord Municipality](/source/Vindafjord_Municipality). [Ølen Municipality](/source/%C3%98len_Municipality) was transferred from [Hordaland](/source/Hordaland) to [Rogaland](/source/Rogaland) in 2002 and merged into Vindafjord in 2006. [Sjernarøy Municipality](/source/Sjernar%C3%B8y_Municipality) was incorporated into [Finnøy Municipality](/source/Finn%C3%B8y_Municipality) in 1965.[7] ## Administration ### Haugaland Council Haugaland Council (*Haugalandrådet*) is the consultative body for the municipalities that make up Haugaland. Council members are the mayors and councilors. Haugaland Council contributes to the cooperation between the member municipalities, and safeguard the region's interests in relation to neighboring regions, county and national bodies.[8] ### Haugaland museums Haugaland museums (*Haugalandmuseene*) is the regional museum for the area of Rogaland County north of [Boknafjorden](/source/Boknafjorden). Haugalandmuseene was founded in 2005. Haugalandmuseene has a decentralized structure, with administration located at the [Karmsund](/source/Karmsund) folk museum. Haugalandmuseene has locations in [Haugesund](/source/Haugesund_Municipality), [Tysvær](/source/Tysv%C3%A6r_Municipality), [Vindafjord](/source/Vindafjord_Municipality), [Bokn](/source/Bokn_Municipality), and [Utsira](/source/Utsira_Municipality). The regional museum has the responsibility of organizing joint actions with the museums and the municipalities.[9] ### Haugaland and Sunnhordland District Court The [Haugaland and Sunnhordland District Court](/source/Haugaland_and_Sunnhordland_District_Court) is the local Court of Justice that has jurisdiction over the traditional district of Haugaland (plus the neighboring [Sunnhordland](/source/Sunnhordland) district). One of its courthouses is located in Haugesund at the City Hall Square. The Court’s decisions may be appealed to [Gulating Court of Appeal](/source/Gulating_Court_of_Appeal) based in [Bergen](/source/Bergen_(city)), which covers the counties of [Vestland](/source/Vestland) and [Rogaland](/source/Rogaland).[10][11] ## Population development The table shows the population development in Haugalandet in the years 1769–2001 based on the municipal boundaries from 2002.[12] Kommuner 1769 1801 1855 1900 1950 2001 Bokn 242 306 1,017 789 791 766 Haugesund 843 917 2,668 10,664 23,865 30,705 Karmøy 3,717 4,545 10,773 12,662 19,311 37,083 Tysvær 1,902 2,306 5,463 4,733 5,265 9,026 Utsira 86 94 264 325 428 235 Vindafjord 1,980 2,412 4,821 4,345 4,655 4,822 Haugalandet 8,770 10,580 25,006 33,518 54,315 82,637 ## Urban areas Skudeneshavn, known for its white-painted wooden houses in the [Empire style](/source/Empire_style) from the 19th century. Urban areas in the Haugaland as of 1 January 2025 include:[13] - [Haugesund](/source/Haugesund_(town)) (47,346)[b] - [Kopervik](/source/Kopervik) (12,006) - [Åkrehamn](/source/%C3%85krehamn) (8,202) - [Førre](/source/F%C3%B8rre) (5,710) - [Skudeneshavn](/source/Skudeneshavn) (3,360) - [Avaldsnes](/source/Avaldsnes) (2,876) - [Ølensjøen](/source/%C3%98lensj%C3%B8en) (1,410) - [Skjold](/source/Skjold%2C_Rogaland) (997) - [Grinde](/source/Grinde%2C_Rogaland) (946) - [Aksdal](/source/Aksdal) (837) - [Sandeid](/source/Sandeid) (762) - [Ferkingstad](/source/Ferkingstad) (723) - [Vikedal](/source/Vikedal) (518) - [Ølensvåg](/source/%C3%98lensv%C3%A5g) (487) - [Sandve](/source/Sandve) (329) - Østenstad (304) - Slåttevik (304) - [Føresvik](/source/F%C3%B8resvik) (304) - [Nedstrand](/source/Nedstrand) (271) ### City status Haugesund was granted city status as a [ladested](/source/Ladested) (seaport town) in 1854 and was upgraded to a [kjøpstad](/source/Kj%C3%B8pstad) (market town) in 1866.[14] Skudeneshavn was granted ladested status in 1857,[15] and Kopervik in 1866;[16] both lost their city status in 1965, but it was reinstated in 1996 by municipal resolution.[17] Åkrehamn was granted city status in 2002, also by municipal resolution.[17] ## Image gallery - [Haraldshaugen](/source/Haraldshaugen), a national monument erected in 1872; traditionally associated with the burial site of [Harald Fairhair](/source/Harald_Fairhair). - The copper for the [Statue of Liberty](/source/Statue_of_Liberty) came from Vigsnes Copper Works; a local miniature replica is located in [Visnes](/source/Visnes%2C_Rogaland). - [Haugesund](/source/Haugesund_(town)), the largest town and regional centre of the Haugaland. - [Utsira](/source/Utsira_Municipality), Norway's smallest municipality by population. - [Avaldsnes Church](/source/Avaldsnes_Church), a medieval church located at the historic [Avaldsnes Kongsgård estate](/source/Avaldsnes_Kongsg%C3%A5rd_estate). ## Notes 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Sveio_and_Etne_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Sveio_and_Etne_1-1) In some definitions, the municipalities of [Sveio](/source/Sveio_Municipality) and [Etne](/source/Etne_Municipality) are included. The total area and population therefore depend on whether these municipalities are counted as part of the Haugaland. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** The urban area of Haugesund includes parts of both Haugesund and Karmøy municipalities, with 37,613 residents in Haugesund and 9,733 in the northern parts of Karmøy. ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:0_2-3) Thorsnæs, Geir (2024-11-26), ["Haugalandet"](https://snl.no/Haugalandet), *[Great Norwegian Encyclopedia](/source/Store_norske_leksikon)* (in Norwegian Bokmål), retrieved 2025-12-07 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Statens kartverk: Arealstatistikk for Norge 2014"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140409003659/http://www.statkart.no/Documents/Fakta%20om%20Norge/Arealstatistikk_fylker_2014.pdf) (PDF) (in Norwegian Bokmål). Archived from [the original](http://www.statkart.no/Documents/Fakta%20om%20Norge/Arealstatistikk_fylker_2014.pdf) (PDF) on 2014-04-09. Retrieved 2014-04-08. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Thorsnæs, Geir (2025-10-01), ["Sunnhordland"](https://snl.no/Sunnhordland), *Great Norwegian Encyclopedia* (in Norwegian Bokmål), retrieved 2026-03-22 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:1_5-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:1_5-3) [Rem, Håvard](/source/H%C3%A5vard_Rem) (2021-06-04). "Båtferd på Haugalandet". *Dag og Tid* (in Norwegian Bokmål). pp. 18–20. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Brøgger, Waldemar](/source/Waldemar_Christofer_Br%C3%B8gger_(writer)) (1963), "Norge", *Geografisk leksikon* (in Norwegian), Cappelen 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Thorsnæs, Geir; Lauritzen, Per Roger (2025-11-20), ["Karmøy"](https://snl.no/Karm%C3%B8y), *Great Norwegian Encyclopedia* (in Norwegian Nynorsk), retrieved 2025-12-07 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Thorsnæs, Geir (2024-11-22), ["Sjernarøy"](https://snl.no/Sjernar%C3%B8y), *Great Norwegian Encyclopedia* (in Norwegian Bokmål), retrieved 2026-03-22, Sjernarøy kommune ble i 1965 slått sammen med Finnøy kommune, nordøstre del av øya Ombo av daværende Jelsa kommune, og øyene Halsne, Bokn og Byre av daværende Fister kommune til den nye Finnøy kommune. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [*Haugalandrådet* (Haugalandrådet, Karmsundsgt)](http://www.haugalandradet.no/motedetaljer.aspx?id=78)[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*] 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["*Haugalandmuseene* (Haugesund & Haugalandet)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20211017062206/https://www.visithaugesund.no/no/ATTRAKSJONER/Kulturattraksjoner/?TLp=249894&Haugalandmuseene=). Archived from [the original](http://www.visithaugesund.no/no/ATTRAKSJONER/Kulturattraksjoner/?TLp=249894&Haugalandmuseene=) on 2021-10-17. Retrieved 2011-04-08. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [*Haugaland tingrett* (Domstol.No)](http://www.domstol.no/no/Enkelt-domstol/Haugaland-tingrett/SPRAK/English/?otherlanguage=true) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [*Om domstolene* (Domstol.No)](http://www.domstol.no/) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Folke- og boligtellingen 2001: Kommune-, bydels- og fylkeshefter"](https://www.ssb.no/a/fob2001/kommunehefte/). *[Statistics Norway](/source/Statistics_Norway)* (in Norwegian Bokmål). 2002. Retrieved 2025-12-07. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Tettsteders befolkning og areal"](https://www.ssb.no/befolkning/folketall/statistikk/tettsteders-befolkning-og-areal). *Statistics Norway* (in Norwegian Bokmål). 2025-10-27. Retrieved 2025-11-23. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Thorsnæs, Geir; Lauritzen, Per Roger (2025-09-09), ["Haugesund"](https://snl.no/Haugesund), *Great Norwegian Encyclopedia* (in Norwegian Bokmål), retrieved 2025-12-07, Folketallet i tettstedet har således vist en nesten kontinuerlig vekst siden ladestedet ble opprettet i 1854. […] I 1866 ble Haugesund kjøpstad. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Thorsnæs, Geir; Lauritzen, Per Roger (2025-08-01), ["Skudeneshavn"](https://snl.no/Skudeneshavn), *Great Norwegian Encyclopedia* (in Norwegian Nynorsk), retrieved 2025-12-07, I 1857 vart Skudeneshavn ladestad, og i 1865 tollstad. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Thorsnæs, Geir; Lauritzen, Per Roger (2025-08-01), ["Kopervik – tettsted"](https://snl.no/Kopervik_-_tettsted), *Great Norwegian Encyclopedia* (in Norwegian Nynorsk), retrieved 2025-12-07, Men først då Haugesund vart gjort til kjøpstad 1866, vart Kopervik ladestad og bykommune ved utskilling frå den dåverande Avaldsnes kommune. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_19-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_19-1) Thorsnæs, Geir; Lauritzen, Per Roger (2025-11-20), ["Karmøy"](https://snl.no/Karm%C3%B8y), *Great Norwegian Encyclopedia* (in Norwegian Nynorsk), retrieved 2025-12-07, Kopervik og Skudeneshavn, som tidlegare var ladestader, mista bystatusen ved innlemminga i Karmøy i 1965, men fekk statusen tilbake ved kommunalt eigenvedtak i 1996. I 2002 blei det også vedteke bystatus for tettstaden Åkrehamn. ## Other sources - [Falkeid, Kolbein](/source/Kolbein_Falkeid) (1999). *Haugalandet: Ferd i folk og natur*. Wigestrand Forlag. - [Helle, Knut](/source/Knut_Helle) (2006). *Vestlandets historie*. Bergen: Vigmostad & Bjørke. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9788241904004](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9788241904004). ## External links - [Haugesund & Haugalandet](https://web.archive.org/web/20090426133155/http://www.visithaugalandet.no/) - [Haugalandrådet](https://web.archive.org/web/20100125182353/http://www.haugalandradet.no/motedetaljer.aspx?id=55) - [Haugalandmuseene](http://www.haugalandmuseene.no/) - [Haugaland og Sunnhordland politidistrikt](http://www.politi.no/portal/page?_pageid=34,49015&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&orgUnitId=2055&fpimg=12491.JPG) - [Haugaland Zoo](https://web.archive.org/web/20110908024147/http://haugalandzoo.no/) Authority control databases: National United States Israel [59°04′16″N 5°55′45″E / 59.0710°N 5.9291°E / 59.0710; 5.9291](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Haugaland¶ms=59.071_N_5.9291_E_region:NO-11) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Haugaland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haugaland) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haugaland?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.