The 1,969-square-kilometre (760 sq mi) municipality is the 38th largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Lom is the 266th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 2,212. The municipality's population density is 1.2 inhabitants per square kilometre (3.1/sq mi) and its population has decreased by 6.4% over the previous 10-year period.[4][5]
Lom is famous for its extensive history, for Lom Stave Church, one of the few remaining stave churches in Norway. Also for being located in the midst of the highest mountains in Northern Europe.
General information
The prestegjeld (parish) of Lom was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt law). On 1 January 1866, the western district of Lom (population: 2,691) was separated and established as the new municipality of Skiaker. Afterwards, the remaining part of Lom had 3,299 residents. The boundaries of Lom have not changed since that time.[6]
The coat of arms was granted on 6 February 1987. The official blazon is "Azure, three shovels argentpalewisein fess" (Norwegian: På blå grunn tre sølv skjeltrekor). This means the arms have a blue field (background) and the charge is three vertical spades lined up horizontally. The charge has a tincture of argent which means it is commonly colored white, but if it is made out of metal, then silver is used. These spades (Norwegian: skjeltrekor) were historically used to scoop water from the irrigation channels typical for the area. The area is one of the driest in Norway, but the soil is good for agriculture. It thus needs irrigation. In the 17th century, a system was developed in which melting water from the mountains was transported to the area using wooden channels or aqueducts. The water was further divided using irrigation channels. The arms were designed by Einar H. Skjervold. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms.[8][9][10]
The Saga of Olaf Haraldson relates that St. Olaf commented as he first looked down on Lom, "What a pity to have to lay waste to such a beautiful valley." In the face of such a clear motivation, the residents of the valley converted (it has since been a recurring discussion whether he looked to Lom or the neighbouring municipality Skjåk, at the time a part of Lom.) St. Olafs-stuggu, a building where St. Olaf is reported to have spent a night in 1021, can still be found here. The building is part of the Presthaugen District Museum.
Lom Stave Church, which is located in Fossbergom, is believed to have been built in 1158, making 2008 the 850th anniversary. It was enlarged in 1634, with further addition of two naves in 1667. It is believed that the church was originally surrounded by a circumambulatory passage, like many other Norwegian stave churches, but that this passage was removed when the two side wings were added. A few Runic inscriptions can be still be seen in the church. The church also contains numerous paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries with religious motifs. Many of the paintings were made by local artist Eggert Munch, a distant relation of the famous Edvard Munch. The church also contains numerous examples of local woodcarving, as seen in the elaborate acanthus scrolls adorning the pulpit. Carved dragon figures on the roof are old symbols of protection against evil.
It is still in use as the local church.
The municipal council(Kommunestyre) of Lom is made up of 17 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political party.
Lom is bordered on the northwest by the municipality of Skjåk, in the north by Lesja, in the east and southeast by Vågå, in the south by Vang all in Innlandet county. In the southwest, it is bordered by Luster municipality in Vestland county. The main village of Fossbergom is situated in the Ottadalen valley at an elevation of 382 metres (1,253 ft) above sea level.
Climate
The climate is very continental by Norwegian standards. Average annual precipitation (in Fossbergom) is 321 millimetres (12.6 in), and monthly 24-hr averages range from −10 °C (14 °F) in January to 14 °C (57 °F) in July.[35] Summers are often sunny with daytime temperatures typically ranging from 14 °C (57 °F) to 25 °C (77 °F). The large mountain areas in Lom are much colder and have more precipitation; snowy weather is possible even in summer at altitudes above 2,000 metres (6,600 ft). Agriculture has for centuries used irrigation.
Economy
Agriculture has long been important in Lom. The natural environment and history of this mountainous region also make Lom a tourist destination.[citation needed]
Notable people
Knut Hamsun, 1939
Jakob Klukstad (1705 in Lom – 1773), a Norwegian wood carver and painter
Knut Hamsun (1859 in Lom – 1952), a novelist, winner of the 1920 Nobel Prize in Literature. His childhood home can be seen 12 kilometers to the east of Lom center
Erland Frisvold (1877 in Lom – 1971), a politician and Army colonel
Olav Aukrust (1883 in Lom – 1929), a poet and teacher, used Nynorsk. There is a memorial to him near the church