Tromsø

Coat of Arms	Map

Basic information
County:	Troms
Area:	2558 km²
Population:	60,524 (2002)
Website:	www.tromso.kommune.no
Politics
Mayor:	Herman Kristoffersen
Governing parties:	Ap, SV

Tromsø is a city in the county of Troms, Norway. It had 60,524 inhabitants as of January 1, 2002. The municipality of Tromsø covers 2558 km², including large districts outside the town.

Tromsø is the seventh largest city in Norway. It is located on Tromsøy island and is located above the Arctic Circle at 69° 40' 33" N, 18° 55' 10" E. The world's northernmost university, University of Tromsø is located here.

The town was established around 1250 and received its town charter in 1794. By the end of the 19th century, it had become a major Arctic trade centre from which many Arctic expeditions originated. During World War II it served briefly as the seat of Norwegian government.

Tromsø is also the home of two football clubs: Tromsø I.L, which plays in the Norwegian Premier League; and Tromsdalen U.I.L, playing in the first division (2004).

Famous people who come from this city include:

Geir Jenssen, musician
Peter Wessel Zapffe, author and philosopher
Erik Skjoldbjaerg, director
Jorgen Dreyer, sculptor
Einar Hoidale, lawyer and democrat, US Congressman
Lene Marlin, pop-music artist
Svein Berge og Torbjørn Brundtland musicians in the electronic music genre

The local newspapers are named Bladet Tromsø and Nordlys.

Tromsø was the starting point of many expeditions to the Arctic, and explorers like Roald Amundsen, Umberto Nobile and Fridtjof Nansen made use of the know-how in Tromsø on the conditions in the Arctic, and also recruited their crew in the city.

Owing to its position above the Arctic Circle, the sun does not set between May 21 and July 23. The city hosts Tromsø Midnight Sun Marathon every year in June. Recently, it has also started hosting a Polar Night Half marathon in January.