Karmøy (island)
Interactive map of the island | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Rogaland, Norway |
| Coordinates | 59°23′38″N 5°15′12″E / 59.39385°N 5.25323°E |
| Area | 176.8 km2 (68.3 sq mi) |
| Length | 30 km (19 mi) |
| Width | 9 km (5.6 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 132 m (433 ft) |
| Highest point | Søre Sålefjell |
| Administration | |
| County | Rogaland |
| Municipality | Karmøy Municipality |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 34,100 (2025) |
| Pop. density | 192.9/km2 (499.6/sq mi) |
Karmøy[1] is an island in Karmøy Municipality in the northwestern part of Rogaland county, Norway. The island covers an area of 176.8 square kilometres (68.3 sq mi) and measures approximately 30 kilometres (19 mi) long, and up to 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) wide. It constitutes the main part of Karmøy Municipality, together with several smaller surrounding islands and a portion of the mainland south of Haugesund Municipality. Karmøy is the largest island in Rogaland county, the most populous island in South Norway, and the second most populous island in Norway.[2]
The island is separated from the mainland by the Karmsundet strait,[3] with the Boknafjorden located to the south and southeast,[4] while the Sirafjorden to the west separates the island of Karmøy from the islands of Utsira and Feøy.[5][6]
Settlements and towns
Karmøy had about 34,100 inhabitants in 2025.[2] The island is the most populous in South Norway and, after Tromsøya, the most populous island in Norway.[2] The population has grown significantly since the 1960s. Karmøy is the only island in Norway with three towns: Kopervik (the municipal center), Skudeneshavn, and Åkrehamn. Avaldsnes, Norway’s oldest royal seat, with roots dating back to the Viking Age, is also located on the island.[2]
Transport and infrastructure
Karmøy is connected to the mainland by the Karmsund Bridge in the north[7] and by the Karmøy Tunnel further south. The latter runs beneath the Karmsundet strait and the Førresfjorden,[8] and was opened in 2013 as part of the T-Link project. The tunnel provides the island with an eastern link to European route E39 in Tysvær and also includes a branch northward to the mainland part of Karmøy Municipality outside Haugesund.[2]
The main north–south route on the island is County Road 547. The road runs along the western side of the island, from Skudeneshavn in the south to Åkrehamn, before crossing to the east coast at Kopervik and then continuing north to connect with European route E134 at Våge. Haugesund Airport is located at Helganes on the island’s west coast, at the western terminus of E134.[2]
Name
The name Karmøy derives from the Old Norse word Kǫrmt which is the genitive form of Karmtar, which is likely derived from karmr, meaning "that which forms a frame", in the sense of a barrier or protection against the sea.[2]
See also
References
- ^ "Informasjon om stadnamn". Norgeskart (in Norwegian). Kartverket. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f g Thorsnæs, Geir; Lauritzen, Per Roger, eds. (29 December 2025). "Karmøy (øy)". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Foreningen Store norske leksikon. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ Thorsnæs, Geir, ed. (27 November 2024). "Karmsundet". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Foreningen Store norske leksikon. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ Thorsnæs, Geir, ed. (26 November 2024). "Boknafjorden". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Foreningen Store norske leksikon. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ Ramberg, Linn Lillian Eikje (15 March 2022). "Utsira – natur og kultur langt vest havet" (in Norwegian Bokmål). University of Stavanger. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ Thorsnæs, Geir; Lauritzen, Per Roger, eds. (7 February 2026). "Feøy". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Foreningen Store norske leksikon. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ Haavik, Kjartan. "Karmsund bru" (in Norwegian Bokmål). Karmøy Municipality. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
Karmsund bru knytter mer enn 30.000 mennesker på Karmøy til resten av kommunen vår, og er den eneste muligheten som myke trafikanter har for å komme seg til fastlandet.
- ^ Jarslett, Yngve, ed. (28 October 2023). "Karmøytunnelen". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Foreningen Store norske leksikon. Retrieved 2 March 2026.