Namdalseid

General information

Namdalseid was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt), but it was merged into the neighboring municipality of Beitstad on 1 January 1846. On 1 January 1904, the Namdalseid district (population: 1,368) was separated from Beitstad to form a municipality of its own (once again). On 1 January 1964, the parts of the neighboring municipality of Otterøy that were located south of the Namsenfjorden (population: 571) were transferred to Namdalseid.

Name

The Old Norse form of the name was just Eið (or Eldueið). The name is identical with the word eið which means the "path/road between two waters" (here the Beitstadfjorden and Namsenfjorden). The Vikings used to drag boats across Namdalseid using the rivers and waterways in the area, to get from one fjord to another without having to risk crossing the treacherous Folda fjord by travelling up the sheltered Trondheim Fjord and continuing north along the coast. The passage was much easier in olden times as the sea level was higher and the waterways more numerous, but as recently as 2004 a boatdrag was done to commemorate the old traditions. Nowadays, however, one has to transport the boats by road for a fairly long stretch. The first element Namdals- was added around 1550. It is the genitive case of the old region name Namdalen.

Coat-of-arms

The coat-of-arms is from modern times; they were granted on 8 December 1989. The arms show green and white clover leaf shapes which represent the history of agriculture in the municipality.

Churches

The Church of Norway has two parishes (sokn) within the municipality of Namdalseid. One is part of the Nord-Innherad deanery and the other is part of the Namdal deanery. Both are located in the Diocese of Nidaros.

Geography

The municipality borders the municipalities of Flatanger, Roan, and Osen to the west; Namsos to the north; Åfjord and Verran to the southwest; and Steinkjer to the south. Lakes in the region include Gilten and Finnvollvatnet. The river Sverka runs through the western part of the municipality. The Namsenfjorden forms most of the northern border.

Government

All municipalities in Norway, including Namdalseid, are responsible for primary education (through 10th grade), outpatient health services, senior citizen services, unemployment and other social services, zoning, economic development, and municipal roads. The municipality is governed by a municipal council of elected representatives, which in turn elect a mayor.

Municipal council

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Namdalseid is made up of 19 representatives that are elected to every four years. Currently, the party breakdown is as follows:

Economy

Being mainly an agricultural municipality, Namdalseid is struggling with a decline in population, as fewer and fewer people find they can make a living growing crops and raising cattle. Other areas of interest for business are fishing, hunting, and nature. Having one of the best small-salmon (grisle) rivers in Nord-Trøndelag, Namdalseid is a haven for fly fishing and attracts many fishermen every year. In addition to fishing many visit Namdalseid to experience the beautiful mountain scenery and to do some hunting.

Namdalseid also has some industry. Hundseth Mølle is one of the largest mills in Norway, Namdal Plast AS is a factory manufacturing fiberglass products, and Pelsberederiet AS is a manufacturer of furs from moose, deer, and other wild animals.