The island of Bømlo is surrounded by 1.000 small and large islands. When on Bømlo, you are never far from the sea - the North Sea is our close neighbour. The island is 247 km2 and the population is 11.374. Svortland is the centre village where you find shopping centres, buses and taxies and tourist information in the village hall. People have settled all over the island, but five smaller centres are more densly populated than others.
The industry is very much related to marine and offshore activities. The sea is important to tourism, the archipelago is attractive with small and large islands, sheltered inlets and canals. The countryside has great variations with rocks polished by the sea on the west coast and lush areas on the east side of the island.
Siggjo (474 m) is the highest mountain, and from the top you can see the glacier Folgefonna to the east and the city of Haugesund to the south. Siggjo is a very popular tourist spot and has been a well-known landmark for seafaring people for thousands of years.
Facts:
- 1.000 islands - 247 km2
- More than 11.000 inhabitants. Svortland 2000, Rubbestadneset 1200, Mosterhamn 1100, Langevåg 700, 5900 elsewhere
- 10 schools with appr. 1700 pupils
- 2 high schools, Bømlo vidaregåande skule and Rubbestadnes vidaregåande skule/Rubbestadnes maritime fagskule
- 1 county college, Bømlo Folkehøgskule
- 10 nursery schools
- 100 accomodations in nursing homes. 86 in nursing homes, 14 temporary / rehabilitation, 135 council homes
- 830 companies, high tech companies, mechanical industry, shipping companies, fish farming, tourism, commerce og service companies
- 5000 employees. Appr. 3000 work places in industry, 800 council workers, 1150 sailors og commuters incl. North Sea, 420 in primary industry
Links:
Transport and maps