View source for Troms

{{Short description|County in Northern Norway}}
{{Infobox kommune
|name                   = Troms
|fylke                  = yes
|native_name            = Romssa fylka<br />Tromssan fylkki
|native_name_lang       = 
|other_name             = 
|former_name            = Tromsø amt
|image_skyline          = Arnøyhøgda,_Laukslettinden,_Tjuvtinden_%26_Rødhetta,_2012_March.jpg
|image_caption          = [[Arnøyhøgda]], [[Laukslettinden]], [[Tjuvtinden]] and [[Rødhetta]] as seen over [[Skattørsundet]] in March 2012
|idnumber               = 55
|map                    = none
|county                 = Troms
|district               = [[Northern Norway]]
|capital                = [[Tromsø (city)|Tromsø]]
|established            = 1866
|preceded               = [[Finnmark|Finnmarkens amt]]
|disestablished         = 1 January 2020
|succeeded              = [[Troms og Finnmark]]
|established2           = 1 January 2024
|preceded2              = [[Troms og Finnmark]]
|language               = Neutral
|coatofarms             = 
|flag                   = 
|webpage                = www.tromsfylke.no
|county_mayor           = [[Knut Werner Hansen]]
|county_mayor_party     = [[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]] 
|county_mayor_as_of     = 2011–2019
|governor               = [[Elisabeth Aspaker]]
|governor_party         = [[Conservative Party of Norway|H]]
|governor_as_of         = 2017–2019
|area_rank              = 4
|area_total_km2         = 25877
|area_land_km2          = 24884
|area_water_km2         = 993
|area_water_percent     = 3.8
|population_as_of       = 30 September 2019
|population_rank        = 15
|population_total       = 166,375
|population_density_km2 = 6
|population_increase    = 2
|income_per_capita      = 133,300
|income_year            = 2001
|GDP                    = 211,955
|GDP_year               = 2001
|GDP_rank               = 15
|GDP_rank_percent       = 2.11
|coordinates            = {{coord|69.8178|18.7819|type:adm1st_region:NO|display=inline,title}}
}}

'''Troms''' ({{IPA|no|trʊms|lang|Troms.ogg}}; {{langx|se|Romsa}};<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kartverket.no/kart/stedsnavn/stadnamn-og-rettskriving/|title=Stadnamn og rettskriving|language=no|access-date=2018-07-13|publisher=[[Kartverket]]}}</ref> {{langx|fkv|Tromssa}}; {{langx|fi|Tromssa}}) is a  [[Counties of Norway|county]] in northern [[Norway]]. It borders [[Finnmark]] county to the northeast and [[Nordland]] county in the southwest. [[Norrbotten Län]] in [[Sweden]] is located to the south and further southeast is a shorter border with [[Lapland (Finland)|Lapland Province]] in [[Finland]]. To the west is the [[Norwegian Sea]] ([[Atlantic Ocean]]). The county had a population of 169,610 in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=11342: Population and area (M) 2007 - 2024. Statbank Norway |url=https://www.ssb.no/en/system/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=SSB |language=en}}</ref> 

The entire county, which was established in 1866, is located north of the [[Arctic Circle]]. The [[Troms County Municipality]] is the governing body for the county, elected by the people of Troms, while the Troms [[County governor (Norway)|county governor]] is a representative of the [[King of Norway|King]] and [[Government of Norway]]. 

From 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2023 Troms was merged with the neighboring [[Finnmark]] county to create the new [[Troms og Finnmark]] county. This merger was reversed by the government resulting from the [[2021 Norwegian parliamentary election]].<ref>{{cite web |date=13 October 2021 |title=Jubel i nord etter skilsmissen: – Nå skal vi feire! |url=https://www.nrk.no/tromsogfinnmark/troms-og-finnmark-sin-tvangssammenslaing-er-historie-og-det-jubles-i-nord-1.15688341 |access-date=2021-10-14 |publisher=[[NRK]] |language=no}}</ref>

==General information==
===Name===
Until 1919, the county was formerly known as ''[[Tromsø amt]]''. On 1 July 2006, the [[Northern Sami language|Northern Sami]] name for the county, ''Romsa'', was granted official status along with Troms.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stedsnavn.org|title=Offisielt samisk namn for Troms|publisher=Statens navnekonsulenter|access-date=9 January 2006|language=no|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626225723/http://www.stedsnavn.org/|archive-date=26 June 2007}}</ref>

The county (and the city of [[Tromsø]]) is named after the island [[Tromsøya]] on which it is located ([[Old Norse]] ''Trums''). Several theories exist as to the [[etymology]] of Troms. One theory holds "Troms-" to derive from the old (uncompounded) name of the island ([[Old Norse]]: ''Trums''). Several islands and rivers in Norway have the name ''Tromsa'', and the names of these are probably derived from the word ''straumr'' which means "(strong) stream". (The original form must then have been ''Strums'', for the missing ''s'' see [[Indo-European s-mobile]].) Another theory holds that Tromsøya was originally called ''Lille Tromsøya'' (Little Tromsøya), because of its proximity to the much bigger island today called [[Kvaløya (Tromsø)|Kvaløya]], that according to this theory was earlier called "Store Tromsøya" due to a characteristic mountain known as ''Tromma'' (the Drum). The mountain's name in [[Sami languages|Sámi]], ''Rumbbučohkka'', is identical in meaning, and it is said to have been a sacred mountain for the Sámi in pre-Christian times.

The Sámi name of the island, ''Romsa'', is assumed to be a loan from Norse – but according to the phonetical rules of the Sami language the frontal ''t'' has disappeared from the name. {{Citation needed|date=May 2008}} However, an alternative form – ''Tromsa'' – is in informal use. There is a theory that holds the Norwegian name of Tromsø derives from the Sámi name, though this theory lacks an explanation for the meaning of ''Romsa''. A common misunderstanding is that Tromsø's Sámi name is ''Romssa'' with a double "s". This, however, is the accusative and [[genitive form]] of the noun used when, for example, writing "Tromsø Municipality" (Roms''s''a Suohkan).

===Coat of arms===
The [[coat of arms]] of Troms was made by [[Hallvard Trætteberg]] (1898–1987) and adopted by royal resolution on 15 January 1960. The official [[blazon]] in Norwegian ("På rød bunn en gull griff") translates to "On a field [[Gules]] a [[griffin]] <nowiki>[</nowiki>[[Attitude (heraldry)#Rampant|segreant]]<nowiki>]</nowiki> [[Or (heraldry)|Or]]."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arkivverket.no/webfelles/kommunevaapen/vaapen/troms.html|title=Troms|publisher=Arkivverket.no|language=no|access-date=2010-06-24|archive-date=2012-03-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322022251/http://www.arkivverket.no/webfelles/kommunevaapen/vaapen/troms.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Trætteberg chose to have the griffin as [[Charge (heraldry)|charge]] because that animal was the symbol of the mighty [[Norse clans|clan]] of [[Bjarne Erlingsson]] on [[Bjarkøy]] in the 13th century.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arkivverket.no/webfelles/kommunevaapen/h_linjer.html|title=Hallvard Trætteberg: fylkesvåpen|publisher=Arkivverket.no|language=no|access-date=2010-06-24|archive-date=2016-04-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411033807/http://arkivverket.no/webfelles/kommunevaapen/h_linjer.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Fjord bei Tromsö n.JPG|thumb|left|Balsfjord in central Troms]]
[[File:Fylkesvei 292, Piggtinden.JPG|thumb|right|The 1505 m / 5000 ft ''Piggtind'' in the Lyngen Alps, at the intersection of Tromsø, Balsfjord and Storfjord municipalities. February 2009.]]
Troms is located in the northern part of the [[Scandinavian Peninsula]]. Due to the long distance to the more densely populated areas of the continent, this is one of the least [[pollution|polluted]] areas of Europe. Troms has a very rugged and indented coastline facing the [[Norwegian Sea]]. However, the large and mountainous [[island]]s along the coast provide an excellent sheltered [[waterway]] on the inside. Starting in the south, the largest islands are: northeastern part of [[Hinnøya]] (the southern part is in Nordland), [[Grytøya]], [[Senja]], [[Kvaløya (Tromsø)|Kvaløya]], [[Ringvassøya]], [[Reinøya (Troms)|Reinøy]], [[Vanna (Troms)|Vanna]], and [[Arnøy]]. Some of these islands, most noteworthy Senja, have a rugged outer coast with steep mountains, and a more calm eastern shore. There are several large [[fjord]]s that stretch quite far inland. Starting in the south, the largest fjords are [[Vågsfjorden, Troms|Vågsfjorden]], [[Andfjorden]] (partially in [[Nordland]] county), [[Malangen (fjord)|Malangen]], [[Balsfjorden]], [[Ullsfjorden]], [[Lyngen (fjord)|Lyngen]], and [[Kvænangen (fjord)|Kvænangen]]. The largest lake is [[Altevatnet]] in the interior of the county.

[[File:Balsfjorden & Jiehkkevárri.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Jiekkevarre]] reaching more than 1,800 m / {{convert|6000|ft|2|abbr=on}} high from [[Balsfjord Municipality]]; February 2009.]]
There are mountains in all parts of Troms; the most alpine and striking are probably the [[Lyngen Alps]] (''Lyngsalpene''), with several small [[glacier]]s and the highest mountain in the county, [[Jiekkevarre]] with a height of {{convert|1833|m|abbr=on}}. Several glaciers are located in [[Kvænangen Municipality]], including parts of the [[Øksfjordjøkelen]], the last glacier in mainland Norway to drop icebergs directly into the sea (in the [[Jøkelfjord]]). The largest river in Troms (waterflow) is [[Målselva]] (in [[Målselv Municipality]]), and the largest (not the highest) waterfall is [[Målselvfossen]] at {{convert|600|m|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|20|m|abbr=on}} high. Marble is present in parts of Troms, and thus numerous [[cave]]s, as in [[Salangen Municipality]] and [[Tjeldsund Municipality]].

===Climate===
[[File:Musvaer troms norway.jpg|thumb|left|Musvær; islands north of Kvaløya. The coast has fairly mild winters but cool summer days.]]
Located at a latitude of nearly 70°N, Troms has short, cool summers, but fairly mild winters along the coast due to the temperate sea; [[Torsvåg Lighthouse]] in [[Karlsøy Municipality]] has January 24-hr average of {{convert|-1|C}}. Tromsø averages {{convert|-4|C}} in January with a daily high of {{convert|-2|C}}, while July averages {{convert|12|C}} with high of {{convert|15|C}}. Temperatures are typically below freezing for about 5&nbsp;months (8&nbsp;months in the mountains), from early November to the beginning of April, but coastal areas are moderated by the sea: with more than 130&nbsp;years of official weather recordings, the coldest winter temperature ever recorded in Tromsø is {{convert|-20.1|C}} in February 1985.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.yr.no/nyheter/1.6479678 |title=Yr coldest recordings in February |access-date=2010-02-16 |archive-date=2014-04-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407070453/http://www.yr.no/nyheter/1.6479678 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The all-time high for Troms is {{convert|33.5|C}} recorded in [[Bardufoss]] 18 July 2018. Thaws can occur even in mid-winter. There is often snow in abundance, and [[avalanche]]s were not uncommon in winter. With the prevailing westerlies, lowland areas east of mountain ranges have less precipitation than areas west of the mountains.

[[Skibotn]] (elevation: {{convert|46|m|abbr=on|disp=or}}) in [[Storfjord Municipality]] is the location in Norway which has recorded the most days per year with clear skies (no clouds). Winter temperatures in [[Målselv Municipality]] and [[Bardu Municipality]] can get down to {{convert|-35|C}}, while summer days can reach {{convert|30|C}} in inland valleys and the innermost fjord areas, but {{convert|15|to|22|C|F}} is much more common. Along the outer seaboard, a summer day at {{convert|15|C}} is considered fairly warm.

{{Weather box 
|metric first= yes
|single line = yes
|location = [[Tromsø]], Troms county, Norway 1961-1990
<!-- Average high temperatures -->
|Jan high C=-2.2
|Feb high C=-2.1
|Mar high C=-0.4
|Apr high C=2.7
|May high C=7.5
|Jun high C=12.5
|Jul high C=15.3
|Aug high C=13.9
|Sep high C=9.3
|Oct high C=4.7
|Nov high C=0.7
|Dec high C=-1.3
|year high C=5.1
<!-- Mean daily temperature -->
|Jan mean C=-4.4
|Feb mean C=-4.2
|Mar mean C=-2.7
|Apr mean C=0.3
|May mean C=4.8
|Jun mean C=9.1
|Jul mean C=11.8
|Aug mean C=10.8
|Sep mean C=6.7
|Oct mean C=2.7
|Nov mean C=-1.1
|Dec mean C=-3.3
|year mean C=2.5
<!-- Average low temperatures -->
|Jan low C=-6.5
|Feb low C=-6.5
|Mar low C=-5.1
|Apr low C=-2.3
|May low C=2.0
|Jun low C=6.1
|Jul low C=8.7
|Aug low C=7.8
|Sep low C=4.5
|Oct low C=0.7
|Nov low C=-3.0
|Dec low C=-5.4
|year low C=0.1
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm=95
|Feb precipitation mm=87
|Mar precipitation mm=72
|Apr precipitation mm=64
|May precipitation mm=48
|Jun precipitation mm=59
|Jul precipitation mm=77
|Aug precipitation mm=82
|Sep precipitation mm=102
|Oct precipitation mm=131
|Nov precipitation mm=108
|Dec precipitation mm=106
|year precipitation mm=1031
<!-- Average number of precipitation days -->
|unit precipitation days= 1 mm
|Jan precipitation days=13.7
|Feb precipitation days=12.8
|Mar precipitation days=11.9
|Apr precipitation days=11.2
|May precipitation days=9.9
|Jun precipitation days=11.4
|Jul precipitation days=13.4
|Aug precipitation days=13.1
|Sep precipitation days=15.5
|Oct precipitation days=17.1
|Nov precipitation days=14.8
|Dec precipitation days=15.1
|year precipitation days=159.9
<!-- Average monthly sunshine hours, monthly totals are preferred, and will produce colours, but percentages are accepted. Use either the monthly or daily sunshne (depending on the source) but not both. -->
|Jan sun=3
|Feb sun=32
|Mar sun=112
|Apr sun=160
|May sun=218
|Jun sun=221
|Jul sun=205
|Aug sun=167
|Sep sun=92
|Oct sun=49
|Nov sun=6
|Dec sun=0
|year sun=
<!-- Mandatory fields, source -->
|source 1= Norwegian Meteorological Institute<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eklima.met.no|title=eKlima Web Portal|publisher=Norwegian Meteorological Institute|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040614073527/http://eklima.met.no/|archive-date=2004-06-14}}</ref>
}}

===Sunlight===
The [[aurora borealis]] is a common sight in the whole of Troms, but not in summer as there is no darkness. As with all areas in the polar latitudes, there are extreme variations in daylight between the seasons. As a consequence of this, the length of daylight increases (late winter and spring) or decreases (autumn) by 10 minutes from one day to the next.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gaisma.com/en/location/tromso.html|publisher=Gaisma|title=Sunrise and daylight in Tromsø}}</ref>
{{-}}
{| class="wikitable" 
|+Sunrise and sunset times on the 15th of each month in Tromsø
!Jan!!Feb!!Mar!!Apr!!May!!Jun!!Jul!!Aug!!Sep!!Oct!!Nov!!Dec
|-
|11:31 – 12:17||08:16 – 15:43||06:07 – 17:41||04:43 – 20:48||01:43 – 23:48||[[Midnight sun]]||[[Midnight sun]]||03:44 – 21:50||05:56 – 19:20||07:54 – 17:04||09:25 – 13:32||[[Polar night]]
|-
| colspan="12" style="text-align:center;font-size:80%;"|''Source: Almanakk for Norge; University of Oslo, 2010. Note: The sun is below the horizon until 15 January in Tromsø, but the low sun is blocked by mountains and not visible until 21 January.''
|}

==Nature==
[[File:Spruce-Troms-Norway.JPG|thumb|right|Landscape with small farms and planted [[Norway spruce|spruce]]. [[Dyrøy Municipality]], May 2010]]
[[File:SalangenWinter.JPG|thumb|left|Winter in the mountains of [[Salangen Municipality]]; snow cover lasts usually into late April or early May in the lowlands.]]
[[File:Reinsdyra.jpg|thumb|left|Reindeer near [[Tromsdalstind]]]]
[[Moose]], [[red fox]], [[hare]], [[stoat]], and small [[rodent]]s are common in all of Troms county. [[Brown bear]]s are sighted in the interior parts of the county in the summer. Other animals that can be seen are [[reindeer]] (interior mountain areas, with [[Sami people|Sami]] owners), [[wolverine]] (interior mountain areas), [[Eurasian otter]]s (along the coast and rivers), [[Eurasian lynx]] (in the forests), and [[harbour porpoise]]s in the fjords. [[Sperm whales]], [[killer whales]] and [[humpback whales]] are often seen in [[Andfjorden]]. Some of the common birds are [[rock ptarmigan|ptarmigan]], [[White tailed sea eagle|sea eagles]], [[European herring gull]]s, and [[great cormorant]]s.

The sheltered valleys in the interior of Troms have the highest [[tree line]] (summer warmth and length is the limiting factor), with [[downy birch]] reaching an elevation of {{convert|700|m|abbr=on}} on the southern slope of [[Njunis]]; all over Troms county birch trees forms the tree lines, often {{convert|200|m}} above other trees. [[Rowan]], [[aspen]], [[willow]], [[grey alder]], and [[Prunus padus|bird cherry]] are common in the lower elevations.

[[File:In the forest (Tromsø, Norway).jpg|thumb|right|Hiking in early summer]]
[[Scots pine]] reaches an elevation of almost {{convert|400|m|abbr=on}} in [[Dividalen]], where some of the largest trees are 500&nbsp;years old. The upper part of the valley is protected by [[Øvre Dividal National Park]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=I jervens rike |url=http://www.dirnat.no/dividal/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927195843/http://www.dirnat.no/dividal/ |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |access-date=May 2, 2023 |website=dirnat.no |language=no}}</ref> which was enlarged in 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Øvre Dividal nasjonalpark utvidet |url=http://www.dirnat.no/content.ap?thisId=500026850&language=0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930043420/http://www.dirnat.no/content.ap?thisId=500026850&language=0 |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |access-date=May 2, 2023 |website=dirnat.no |language=no}}</ref> In 2011, the [[Rohkunborri National Park]] ({{convert|571|km2|disp=or}}) was established in [[Bardu Municipality]], bordering Sweden and only a few kilometers south of Øvre Dividal National Park.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rohkunborri nasjonalpark er opprettet |url=https://www.regjeringen.no/pages/15781358/faktaark_rohkunborri_250211.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012023625/http://www.regjeringen.no/pages/15781358/faktaark_rohkunborri_250211.pdf |archive-date=October 12, 2012 |access-date=May 2, 2023 |website=Direktoratet for Naturforvalting |language=no}}</ref>

The inland valleys, like Østerdalen (with Altevatnet), Kirkesdalen, Dividalen, Rostadalen, Signaldalen, and Skibotndalen, are perfect for summer [[hiking]], with their varied nature, mostly dry climate and not too difficult terrain, although there are many accessible mountains for energetic hikers.

Reisadalen is one of the most idyllic river valleys in Norway; from [[Storslett]] in [[Nordreisa Municipality]] the valley stretches south-southeast, covered with birch, pine, [[grey alder]], and willow. The northern part of the valley is {{convert|5|km|abbr=on}} wide, with {{convert|1200|m|adj=on}} high mountains on both sides; the southern part of the valley narrows to a few hundred metres (canyon), with increasingly dry climate. The valley floor is fairly flat with little height difference for {{convert|70|km|abbr=on}} (to Bilto); the [[Reisa river]] can be navigated by canoe or river boat for much of this distance. The salmon swim {{convert|90|km|abbr=on}} up the river, and some 137 different species of birds have been observed. Several rivers cascade down into the valley; the ''Mollisfossen'' waterfall is {{convert|269|m|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mollisfossen |url=http://www.mollis.no/Reisadalen/Mollis_mue_vann.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718092638/http://www.mollis.no/Reisadalen/Mollis_mue_vann.htm |archive-date=July 18, 2011 |access-date=May 2, 2023 |website=mollis.no |language=no}}</ref> The valley ends {{convert|120|km|abbr=on}} southeast of Storslett, as the vast and more barren Finnmarksvidda plateau takes over. [[Reisa National Park]] protects the upper part of the valley.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mektig vassdragsnatur |url=http://www.dirnat.no/reisa/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718092638/http://www.mollis.no/Reisadalen/Mollis_mue_vann.htm |archive-date=July 18, 2011 |access-date=May 2, 2023 |website=dirnat.no |language=no}}</ref>

==Economy==
[[File:Fagerfjeliet.jpg|thumb|left|Small farms and mountains in [[Lenvik Municipality]]; June 2007.]]
[[File:Nordkjosbotn.jpg|thumb|right|Many villages are located at the head of fjords; this is [[Nordkjosbotn]] at the head of Balsfjord, 1-hr drive south of Tromsø.]][[File:Skjærstad Harstad Wilse 35840.jpeg|thumb|left|Agricultural area near Harstad in 1930]]
The [[Tromsø (city)|city of Tromsø]], in the north central part, is the county seat and an [[Arctic]] seaport, and seat of the world's northernmost university, renowned for research about the [[aurora borealis]]. The [[University of Tromsø]] has an astrophysical observatory located in [[Skibotn]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Skibotn Astrophysical Observatory |url=http://www.phys.uit.no/fysikk/astro/skibotn_main.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717145042/http://www.phys.uit.no/fysikk/astro/skibotn_main.htm |archive-date=July 17, 2011 |access-date=May 2, 2023 |website=Astrophysics Group of University of Tromso}}</ref> Tromsø is the only municipality in the county with a strong population growth; most of the smaller municipalities experience decreasing populations as the young and educated moved to the cities, often in the southern part of Norway. [[Harstad (town)|Harstad]] is a commercial centre for the southern part of the county, and has been chosen by [[Statoil]] as its main office in Northern Norway.

Along the coast and on the islands, fishing is dominant. Important ports for the fishing fleet are [[Skjervøy (village)|Skjervøy]], [[Tromsø (city)|Tromsø]], and [[Harstad (town)|Harstad]]. There is also some agriculture, especially in the southern part of the county, which has a longer [[growing season]] (150&nbsp;days in Harstad). [[Balsfjord Municipality]] is often regarded to be the most northern municipality with substantial agricultural activity in Norway, although there is also agriculture further north.

The Norwegian armed forces are vital employers in the Troms, having the seat of the [[6. Divisjon|6th army division]], [[Bardufoss Air Station]], helicopter wings and radar stations in the county. There are hospitals in Tromsø (university hospital and main hospital for North Norway) and Harstad.

While the busiest airport in Troms is [[Tromsø Airport]], the southern part included [[Harstad/Narvik Airport, Evenes]] and [[Bardufoss Airport]], with [[Sørkjosen Airport]] in the northeast. The [[European route E6|E6]] cuts through the county from Nordland into [[Gratangen Municipality]] in the south to [[Kvænangen Municipality]] in the north and then into Finnmark. The [[European route E8|E8]] highway runs from Tromsø to Finland via [[Nordkjosbotn]] and the Skibotn valley. There are several large bridges; some of the largest are [[Tjeldsund Bridge]], [[Mjøsund Bridge]], [[Gisund Bridge]], [[Tromsø Bridge]] and [[Sandnessund Bridge]]. There are several undersea road tunnels; Rolla to Andørja (in [[Ibestad Municipality]]), Tromsøya to the mainland ([[Tromsø Municipality]]), Kvaløya to Ringvassøya (also in Tromsø), and [[Skjervøya]] to the mainland (in [[Skjervøy Municipality]]. The roads are well maintained, but have to go long detours around fjords. For this reason passenger boats are fairly popular, for example between Tromsø and Harstad, and there are also commercial flights inside the county of Troms.

There is no railway in Troms, but in 2013, the government of Finland expressed interest in building a railway from the Finnish rail network to port facilities at [[Skibotn]], though they also stated that they could not finance much of the cost.<ref>{{cite web |last=Nilsen |first=Thomas |date=2013-12-03 |title=Katainen: Railway to Arctic Ocean is a great opportunity |url=http://barentsobserver.com/en/arctic/2013/12/katainen-railway-arctic-ocean-great-opportunity-03-12 |publisher=Barents Observer}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Tromsø 1900.jpg|thumb|left|Tromsø in 1900; Tromsø was for many decades an important base for hunting and whaling in the [[Arctic]].]]
{{Historical populations
|footnote = '''''Source''': [http://www.ssb.no/english/subjects/02/02/folkendrhist_en/tables/tab/19.html Statistics Norway].''<ref>[http://statbank.ssb.no/statistikkbanken/Default_FR.asp?PXSid=0&nvl=true&PLanguage=0&tilside=selecttable/hovedtabellHjem.asp&KortnavnWeb=folkfram Projected population – Statistics Norway] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023110552/http://statbank.ssb.no/statistikkbanken/Default_FR.asp?PXSid=0&nvl=true&PLanguage=0&tilside=selecttable/hovedtabellHjem.asp&KortnavnWeb=folkfram |date=2013-10-23 }}</ref>
|shading = off
|1951|117564
|1961|127771
|1971|136805
|1981|146818
|1991|146816
|2001|151777
|2011|157554
|2021?|168953
|2031?|176342
}}
Troms has been settled since the early [[Stone Age]], and there are prehistoric [[rock carvings]] at several locations (for instance [[Ibestad Municipality|Ibestad]] and [[Balsfjord Municipality|Balsfjord]]). These people made their living from hunting, fishing and gathering.

The first of the current ethnic groups to settle in the county were the [[Sami people]], who inhabited [[Sápmi]], an area much larger than today's [[Nordland]], Troms and [[Finnmark]] counties. [[Archeological]] evidence has shown that a [[Norsemen|Norse]] [[iron]]-based culture in the late Roman [[Iron Age]] (200–400 AD), reaches as far north as [[Karlsøy Municipality]] (north of today's city of Tromsø), but not further northeast.

The Norse with their iron and agriculture settled along the coast and in some of the larger fjords, while the [[Sami people|Sami]] lived in the same fjord areas, usually just into the fjord and in the interior.<ref>{{cite book|first=Przemyslaw|last=Urbańczyk|title=Medieval Arctic Norway|publisher=Institute of the History of Material Culture, Polish Academy of Sciences|location=Warsaw, Poland|year=1992|pages=56–67|isbn=978-83-900213-0-0}}</ref> From the 10th century, Norse settlements start to appear along the coast further north, reaching into what is today the county of Finnmark.

Southern and Mid-Troms was a [[petty kingdom]] in the [[Viking Age]], and considered part of [[Hålogaland]]. [[Ottar from Hålogaland]] met King [[Alfred the Great]] around 890. The Viking leader [[Tore Hund]] had his seat at [[Bjarkøya]]. According to the [[Norse saga|sagas]], Tore Hund [[Spear|speared]] King [[Olaf II of Norway|Olav Haraldsson]] at the [[Battle of Stiklestad]]. He also traded and fought in [[Bjarmaland]], today the area of [[Arkhangelsk]] in northern [[Russia]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bandlien |first=Bjørn |title=Bjarmeland |url=https://snl.no/Bjarmeland |access-date=May 2, 2023 |website=[[Store norske leksikon]] |language=no}}</ref> [[Trondenes]] (near today's [[Harstad (town)|Harstad]]) was also a central Viking power centre, and seems to have been a gathering place.

==Demographics==
{{bar box
|title=Religion in Troms<ref>[http://statbank.ssb.no/statistikkbanken/Default_FR.asp?PXSid=0&nvl=true&PLanguage=0&tilside=selecttable/hovedtabellHjem.asp&KortnavnWeb=kirke_kostra Statistics Norway – Church of Norway.] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120716151336/http://statbank.ssb.no/statistikkbanken/Default_FR.asp?PXSid=0&nvl=true&PLanguage=0&tilside=selecttable/hovedtabellHjem.asp&KortnavnWeb=kirke_kostra |date=2012-07-16 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ssb.no/english/subjects/07/02/10/trosamf_en/tab-2010-12-13-02-en.html |title=Statistics Norway – Members of religious and life stance communities outside the Church of Norway, by religion/life stance. County. 2006–2010 |access-date=2011-08-09 |archive-date=2011-11-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111102060754/http://www.ssb.no/english/subjects/07/02/10/trosamf_en/tab-2010-12-13-02-en.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|titlebar=#ddd
|left1=religion
|right1=percent
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Christianity]]|Purple|88.80}}
{{bar percent|[[Islam]]|Green|0.45}}
{{bar percent|[[Buddhism]]|Red|0.14}}
{{bar percent|Other|Blue|10.61}}
}}
The ''[[Kven people|Kven]]'' residents of ''Troms'' are largely descendants of [[Finland|Finnish]] immigrants who arrived in the area before the 19th century from [[Finland]] because of war and [[famine]]. They settled mainly in the northeastern part of Troms, in the municipalities of [[Kvænangen Municipality|Kvænangen]], [[Nordreisa Municipality|Nordreisa]], [[Skjervøy Municipality|Skjervøy]], [[Kåfjord Municipality|Gáivuotna-Kåfjord]] and [[Storfjord Municipality|Storfjord]], and some also reached [[Balsfjord Municipality|Balsfjord]] and [[Lyngen Municipality|Lyngen]].

== Municipalities==
Troms county has a total of 21 municipalities. 
[[File:Kommuner i Troms.svg|thumb|left|450px|Map of municipalities in Troms county.]]
{{columns-list|
# [[Balsfjord Municipality]]
# [[Bardu Municipality]]
# [[Dyrøy Municipality]]
# [[Gratangen Municipality]]
# [[Harstad Municipality]]
# [[Ibestad Municipality]]
# [[Kåfjord Municipality|Gáivuotna-Kåfjord Municipality]]
# [[Karlsøy Municipality]]
# [[Kvæfjord Municipality]]
# [[Kvænangen Municipality]]
# [[Lavangen Municipality]]
# [[Lyngen Municipality]]
# [[Målselv Municipality]]
# [[Nordreisa Municipality]]
# [[Salangen Municipality]]
# [[Senja Municipality]]
# [[Skjervøy Municipality]]
# [[Sørreisa Municipality]]
# [[Storfjord Municipality]]
# [[Tjeldsund Municipality]]
# [[Tromsø Municipality]]
}}

==Photo gallery==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="120px">
File:Kirche Trondenes Altar.jpg|Inside [[Trondenes Church]], the only medieval church in Troms
File:Ersfjorden on Senja.jpg|Ersfjorden, [[Senja]] island
File:Skjervoey Norwegen Kirche.jpg|[[Skjervøy Church]] in northern Troms at night, February 2004
File:Sorvik2.jpg|[[Sørvik]] in Harstad is at the southern tip of Troms
File:Reindeer in Norway -Rekvika -Troms - Norway.jpg|Reindeer in Norway (Rekvika, Troms, Norway)
File:Jøkelfjord - summer-evening.JPG|Summer evening in Jøkelfjord, Kvænangen.
</gallery>

==Notable people==
*[[Samuel Georg Simeon Wennberg]], member of parliament

==See also==
*[[Hålogalandsallmenningen]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

===Other sources===
*{{cite book|editor-last=Haugan|editor-first=Trygve B|title=Det Nordlige Norge Fra Trondheim Til Midnattssolens Land|location=Trondheim|publisher=Reisetrafikkforeningen for Trondheim og Trøndelag|year=1940}}
* {{cite book|first=Asbjørn|last=Moen|title=Nasjonalatlas for Norge: Vegetasjon|year=1998|isbn=9788290408263|publisher=Statens Kartverk|location=Hønefoss}}
*{{cite web|publisher=[[Norwegian Meteorological Institute]]|url=http://met.no/met/vanlig_var/index.html|title=24-hr averages, 1961–90 base period|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060208055234/http://met.no/met/vanlig_var/index.html|archive-date=2006-02-08}}
* {{cite book|author=Tollefsrud, Jan Inge|author2=Tjørve, Even|author3=Hermansen, Pål|title=Perler i Norsk Natur – En Veiviser|publisher=Aschehoug|year=1991|isbn=9788203166631}}
* {{cite book|title=Almanakk for Norge|publisher=University of Oslo|year=2010|isbn=9788205394735}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{wikivoyage}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070928030611/http://www.visitnorway.com/templates/NTRDestinationArticle.aspx?id=192914 Visitnorway.com Troms]
*[http://www.visittroms.no/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcmecategory&id=198&Itemid=162&lang=en Troms touring association]

{{Troms}}
{{Counties of Norway|current}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Troms| ]]
[[Category:Counties of Norway]]
[[Category:1866 establishments in Norway]]
[[Category:2020 disestablishments in Norway]]
[[Category:2024 establishments in Norway]]