Balsfjord
Balsfjord (Northern Sami: Báhccavuotna [ˈpaːhːt͡saˌvuo̯tna]; Kven: Paatsivuono) is a municipality in Troms county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Storsteinnes. Other villages include Mestervik, Mortenhals, and Nordkjosbotn.
Balsfjord Municipality
Balsfjord kommune | |
|---|---|
Municipality | |
| Balsfjorden herred (historic name) | |
View of Nordkjosbotn | |
|
Flag | |
Troms within Norway | |
Balsfjord within Troms | |
| Coordinates: 69°18′17″N 19°12′13″E | |
| Country | Norway |
| County | Troms |
| District | Hålogaland |
| Established | 1860 |
| • Preceded by | Tromsøe landdistrikt |
| Administrative centre | Storsteinnes |
| Government | |
| • Mayor (2023) | Laila Monica Johannessen (Sp) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1,496.98 km2 (577.99 sq mi) |
| • Land | 1,440.03 km2 (556.00 sq mi) |
| • Water | 56.96 km2 (21.99 sq mi) 3.8% |
| • Rank | #58 in Norway |
| Population (2023) | |
| • Total | 5,517 |
| • Rank | #173 in Norway |
| • Density | 3.8/km2 (10/sq mi) |
| • Change (10 years) | −0.8% |
| Demonym | Balsfjording |
| Official language | |
| • Norwegian form | Bokmål |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| ISO 3166 code | NO-5532 |
| Website | Official website |
The 1,497-square-kilometre (578 sq mi) municipality is the 58th largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Balsfjord is the 173rd most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 5,517. The municipality's population density is 3.8 inhabitants per square kilometre (9.8/sq mi) and its population has decreased by 0.8% over the previous 10-year period.
The municipality surrounds two fjords: Malangen and Balsfjorden, surrounded by comparatively rich farmlands under majestic peaks including the southern end of the Lyngen Alps.