Haugesund

Haugesund is Rogaland's northernmost municipality. You can stand with one foot in Haugesund and the other in the county of Hordaland, a fact that is evident in the character of the town; the majority of the population stem from Sunnhordaland and Hardanger, rather than the Ryfylke. The economy is tied to Hordaland county as much as it is to Rogaland.
Haugesund, with its circa 29.070 inhabitants, is not only a regional centre for northern Rogaland but also the focal point for the approximately 150.000 people who live between the Hardangerfjord and the Boknafjord.
The economy has been based on the sea for generations; on herring, and shipping. However, within this past generation this has changed and it is now based on commerce, administration and education. Haugesund has proved to be an unusually successful merchant town; turnover per head is 50% above that of Stavanger, proving that the town serves a large area beyond it.
Haugesund has become a cultural centre, its highlight the Norwegian Film Festival, which is held in August each year. In addition, the hotel and restaurant industry has expanded to such a degree that the town has become one of the major congress centres in Norway. This provides employment in a new field.
The resources of the sea have changed. Fishing is no longer important, although here is still some herring business. However, a number of supply boats for the oil industry are operated from the town and Haugesund tankers are engaged on the Norwegian shelf. Although the town has not become home to any oil company or operations base, many enterprises - small and large - base their business on the oil industry. Quite a few of the town's inhabitants have found employment offshore.
The foundation for this solid economic development in Haugesund for the past 25 years has been a good communications network.
Not less than 6.000 housing units, all of good quality has been built in the last twenty years, without any increase in population. About 4.000 people commute to Haugesund each day.
Haugesund's future appears bright. In the past the town has had to rise or fall with the fate of an economy based on the sea, swinging between prosperity and times of serious need. The new Haugesund will be much more stable and can expect an even development. Our growth potential surpasses most other towns in western Norway.
Young people should take note of this and aim to be a part of Haugesund's future.