Country Norway County Hordaland Municipality Kvinnherad Area 2.76 km² | Region Western Norway District Sunnhordland Elevation 28 m (92 ft) | |
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Husnes is the largest village in Kvinnherad municipality in Hordaland county, Norway. The village is located on the southern shore of the Hardangerfjorden on the Folgefonna peninsula, about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) south of the village of Herøysund and immediately north of the villages of Sunde and Valen. The lake Onarheimsvatnet lies along the southwestern part of the village between Husnes and Sunde.
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Map of 5460 Husnes, Norway
The 2.76-square-kilometre (680-acre) village has a population (2013) of 2,212. This gives the village a population density of 801 inhabitants per square kilometre (2,070/sq mi). When the neighboring villages of Sunde and Valen are included, the entire urban area includes just under 4,500 people.
Husnes is centered on the huge factory owned by Sør-Norge Aluminium, and the village has become the center of commerce and education in Kvinnherad municipality, as well as the site of Husnes Church. The government of Kvinnherad has at times proposed that Husnes become the new administrative centre of Kvinnherad which usually sparks debate in the municipality.
Industry and commerce
Husnes is the commercial capital of Kvinnherad municipality, with Husnes Storsenter, the biggest shopping center in Sunnhordland, as the centerpiece. In addition, two of the largest companies in Kvinnherad, HMR Group and SØRAL both have their headquarters in Husnes, along with local newspaper Kvinnheringen and several other firms.
Prior to 2008, the downtown area of Husnes had three shopping malls, housing more than fifty different businesses and stores. In 2008, a new shopping center, "Husnes Storsenter" was constructed, partially merging two of the existing centers in addition to the new constructions. At the same time, the Nordic home electronics company Elkjøp constructed a new warehouse next to the shopping centres, making its Husnes department one of the biggest in Western Norway.
Husnes Storsenter is currently the biggest shopping center between Bergen and Haugesund, as well as one of the biggest shopping districts in Sunnhordland, with more than 70 stores, 50 of which are in the main shopping center.
Education
Husnes has one elementary school, one junior high school, and one high school, as well as two additional elementary schools in the immediate suburbs. The high school, Kvinnherad Vidaregåande Skule, is the only high school in Kvinnheard municipality, and houses around 400 students each year.