Width 0.8 km (0.5 mi) Population 318 (2013) Area 90 ha | Length 2 km (1.2 mi) County Troms Pop. density 883 /km (2,287 /sq mi) Municipality Tromsø | |
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Sommarøy is a populated island in the western part of the municipality of Tromsø in Troms county, Norway. It is located about 36 kilometres (22 mi) west of the city of Tromsø and is a popular tourist destination due to its white sand beaches and scenery. The island is connected to the neighboring island of Kvaløya by the Sommarøy Bridge.
Contents
Map of Sommar%C3%B8y, 9110 Sommar%C3%B8y, Norway
Village
The fishing village of Sommarøy covers the island as well as part of the neighboring island of Hillesøya and many smaller surrounding islands. The 0.36-square-kilometre (89-acre) village has a population (2013) of 318, which gives the village a population density of 883 inhabitants per square kilometre (2,290/sq mi). The village is a typical fishing village with great local fishing fleets and substantial fish processing and other industries. Tourism is also important in Sommarøy. There is a hotel and rental cabins available.
History
The original settlement site was on the neighboring island of Hillesøya where the old Hillesøy Church site where successive churches have stood from the Middle Ages until the late 1800s when the church was moved to Brensholmen on Kvaløya. The main centre moved to Sommarøy island around 1900.