Geography
[edit]
Dueknipen, Kristiansand
Kristiansand is strategically located on the Skagerrak, and until the opening of the Kiel Canal between the North Sea and the Baltic was very important militarily and geopolitically. This meant that for centuries it served as a military stronghold, first as Harald Fairhair's royal residence, then as a Danish-Norwegian fortress, and later as a garrison town. Kristiansand is a gateway to and from the continent, with ferry service to Denmark and a terminus of the railway line along the southern edge of South Norway. Geologically, this part of Agder is part of the Swedo-Norwegian Base Mountain Shield, the southwestern section of the Baltic Shield, and consists of two main geological formations of Proterozoic rocks that were formed in the Gothic and later Swedo-Norwegian orogenies, with significant metamorphism during the latter. There is a substrate of 1,600–1,450 million-year-old slate, quartzite, marble and amphibolite with some hornblende gneiss, and overlaid on this acidic surface structures of both granite and granodiorite (in general 1,250–1,000 million years old, in some places 1,550–1,480 million years old). The Bamblefelt geological area starts to the east of the municipality and extends to Grenland.
The last Swedo-Norwegian formations are evident in large formations of granite. There are also incidences of gabbro and diorite, less commonly eclogite. The Caledonian orogeny did not affect this area. Faults run southwest–northeast. In ancient times there was a volcano off Flekkeroy, which left deposits of volcanic rock just north of central Kristiansand, on the site of the estate of Eg, now occupied by the Hospital of Southern Norway.
Near the city, there are deep woods. In Baneheia and at the former coastal artillery fortress on Odderøya, there are lighted ski trails and walking paths specially prepared for wheelchair users. People go swimming in Baneheia in the summer as well
Two major rivers, the Otra and the Tovdalselva, flow into the Skagerrak at Kristiansand.
Climate[edit]
Fiskebrygga
Kristiansand has a temperate oceanic climate (Köppen: Cfb) with cool to cold winters and mild summers. The coastal parts of the Skagerrak coast, which includes Kristiansand, is the sunniest part of Norway. Snow generally occurs in late December and in January and February; it may be heavy (the snow record at Kjevik airport is 170 centimetres (67 in)) but rarely stays long on the coast; see Climate of Norway. Due to warming in the more recent decades, snow often melts after a few days.
In the summer most locals go to the Fiskebrygga, the archipelago opposite the city, and Hamresanden Beach, which is located about 10 minutes from the city centre near Kjevik airport. People from Denmark, Sweden, Germany, the UK and other European countries also visit this beach in the summer during their travels.
The all-time high 32.6 °C (90.7 °F) at Kristiansand airport was recorded August 1975. The all-time low at the airport −28.2 °C (−18.8 °F) was recorded January 1982. The temperature seldom reaches 30 °C (86 °F), but most days in July reaches 21 °C (70 °F) or more. The warmest month ever was July 1901 with mean 21.6 °C (71 °F) at an earlier weather station (Kristiansand S - Eg). The warmest month at the airport was July 2018 with 24-hr average 19.9 °C (68 °F) and average daily high 25.8 °C (78 °F). July 2018 was also the sunniest month on record with 422 sunhours, and the year 2018 recorded 2126 sunhours - despite December recording just 1 sunhr as cloudiest month on record in Kristiansand. The cloudiest July recorded 156 sunhours (2007). Kristiansand has the national record for the sunniest February (153 sunhrs in 1986), sunniest April (323 hrs in 2021), sunniest August (343 hrs in 1995) and sunniest September (241 hrs in 1959).
The wettest month on record was October 1976 with 560 mm precipitation, and the driest was April 1974 with no precipitation at all.
Climate data for Kristiansand Airport Kjevik 1991–2020 (12 m, extremes 1946–2021, sunhrs 1961–1990)
Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Year
Record high °C (°F)
13.9(57.0)
16.3(61.3)
21.9(71.4)
23.7(74.7)
26.1(79.0)
30.7(87.3)
31.2(88.2)
32.6(90.7)
27.5(81.5)
20.4(68.7)
17.1(62.8)
13.6(56.5)
32.6(90.7)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)
3.2(37.8)
3.7(38.7)
6.2(43.2)
10.5(50.9)
15.4(59.7)
18.9(66.0)
21.1(70.0)
20.4(68.7)
16.5(61.7)
11.5(52.7)
6.9(44.4)
3.9(39.0)
11.5(52.7)
Daily mean °C (°F)
0.2(32.4)
0.2(32.4)
2.3(36.1)
6(43)
10.7(51.3)
14.4(57.9)
16.6(61.9)
15.9(60.6)
12.4(54.3)
7.9(46.2)
4(39)
0.9(33.6)
7.6(45.7)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)
−2.8(27.0)
−2.9(26.8)
−1.3(29.7)
1.9(35.4)
5.8(42.4)
9.7(49.5)
12(54)
11.6(52.9)
8.8(47.8)
4.5(40.1)
1(34)
−2.2(28.0)
3.8(39.0)
Record low °C (°F)
−28.2(−18.8)
−27.9(−18.2)
−21.7(−7.1)
−11.7(10.9)
−4.0(24.8)
0(32)
3.7(38.7)
1.9(35.4)
−2.3(27.9)
−8.4(16.9)
−18.8(−1.8)
−22.9(−9.2)
−28.2(−18.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches)
147.2(5.80)
98.2(3.87)
87.5(3.44)
64.8(2.55)
80.3(3.16)
85.5(3.37)
80.6(3.17)
120.7(4.75)
134.3(5.29)
169.7(6.68)
161.3(6.35)
151.4(5.96)
1,381.5(54.39)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)
15
12
10
9
9
9
10
12
12
14
15
15
142
Mean monthly sunshine hours
45
84
121
187
228
274
269
231
150
93
57
39
1,778
Source 1: Seklima
Source 2: NOAA-WMO averages 91-2020 Norway
Climate data for Oksøy Lighthouse 1991-2020 (9 m)
Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)
4(39)
3.5(38.3)
5.2(41.4)
8.6(47.5)
13.1(55.6)
16.7(62.1)
18.9(66.0)
19.1(66.4)
15.8(60.4)
11.4(52.5)
7.6(45.7)
5(41)
10.7(51.3)
Daily mean °C (°F)
2.2(36.0)
1.5(34.7)
3(37)
5.9(42.6)
10.1(50.2)
13.6(56.5)
16(61)
16.2(61.2)
13.4(56.1)
9.4(48.9)
5.9(42.6)
3.3(37.9)
8.4(47.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)
0.2(32.4)
−0.3(31.5)
0.9(33.6)
3.8(38.8)
7.8(46.0)
11.5(52.7)
13.9(57.0)
14.1(57.4)
11.5(52.7)
7.5(45.5)
4(39)
1.3(34.3)
6.4(43.4)
Average precipitation mm (inches)
123(4.8)
88(3.5)
82(3.2)
61(2.4)
72(2.8)
72(2.8)
77(3.0)
107(4.2)
121(4.8)
160(6.3)
140(5.5)
135(5.3)
1,238(48.6)
Source 1: yr.no (precipitation)
Source 2: NOAA-WMO averages 91-2020 Norway
Climate data for Kristiansand (1960–1990)
Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Year
Record high °C (°F)
13.9(57.0)
16.3(61.3)
21.9(71.4)
23.7(74.7)
27.7(81.9)
30.4(86.7)
32.0(89.6)
34.2(93.6)
28.0(82.4)
22.4(72.3)
17.1(62.8)
13.6(56.5)
34.2(93.6)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)
1.3(34.3)
1.9(35.4)
4.4(39.9)
8.9(48.0)
14.3(57.7)
18.6(65.5)
20.1(68.2)
19.3(66.7)
15.6(60.1)
11.4(52.5)
6.2(43.2)
3.0(37.4)
10.4(50.7)
Daily mean °C (°F)
−1.8(28.8)
−1.6(29.1)
1.1(34.0)
4.8(40.6)
10.0(50.0)
14.0(57.2)
15.6(60.1)
14.9(58.8)
11.7(53.1)
8.0(46.4)
3.2(37.8)
−0.2(31.6)
6.6(44.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)
−4.8(23.4)
−5.1(22.8)
−2.2(28.0)
0.7(33.3)
5.6(42.1)
9.4(48.9)
11.1(52.0)
10.4(50.7)
7.8(46.0)
4.7(40.5)
0.2(32.4)
−3.4(25.9)
2.9(37.2)
Record low °C (°F)
−25.0(−13.0)
−27.3(−17.1)
−18.5(−1.3)
−14.3(6.3)
−5.0(23.0)
2.0(35.6)
3.0(37.4)
2.5(36.5)
−2.5(27.5)
−5.0(23.0)
−12.0(10.4)
−19.0(−2.2)
−27.3(−17.1)
Average precipitation mm (inches)
121(4.8)
80(3.1)
87(3.4)
59(2.3)
86(3.4)
75(3.0)
88(3.5)
118(4.6)
141(5.6)
164(6.5)
164(6.5)
116(4.6)
1,380(54.3)
Average snowfall cm (inches)
15(5.9)
20(7.9)
5(2.0)
0(0)
0(0)
0(0)
0(0)
0(0)
0(0)
0(0)
0.5(0.2)
15(5.9)
50.5(19.9)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)
13
10
8
8
9
9
9
11
10
15
14
13
129
Average snowy days
8
8
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
6
25
Mean monthly sunshine hours
55.8
89.0
134.9
186.9
245.8
279.9
256.7
212.9
153.0
95.6
50.0
32.6
1,793.1
Source: , The Weather Network, Sunshine & Daylight Hours in Kristiansand
Popular beaches[edit]
Bystranda
Hamresanden
Bystranda is a beach located at the city centre. It is east on Kvadraturen and at Tangen. Nearby the beach is the swimming complex Aquarama with both outdoor and indoor pools. Aquarama is next door to the "Scandic Hotel Bystranda", which is Southern Norway's largest hotel. Some of Kristiansand's most expensive apartments are located east of the beach and near to Tangen. Some of Bystranda's facilities are beach volleyball, playgrounds, skateparks, stairs to the water at deeper ground and its easy design for handicapped people and children. In the middle of the bay, there is a sculpture in the water. Palmesus is a yearly beach festival held on Bystranda, it is Scandinavia's largest beach festival.
Hamresanden is located between Hånes and the airport Kristiansand Airport, Kjevik. It is 3 km (2 mi) long which makes it the longest beach in Kristiansand. There are three camping places and an apartment hotel at the beach. The name comes from the nearby subpart Hamre.
Sømstranda is a nudist beach in Kristiansand located at Søm.
Boroughs[edit]
This section needs additional citations for verification. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: "Kristiansand" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (March 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this message)Vågsbygd
Kristiansand boroughs area (city-parts)
Nr
Boroughs
Parts
Population
1
Vågsbygd
Flekkerøy, Vågsbygd, Slettheia, Voiebyen
36,281
2
Grim
Grim, Hellemyr, Mosby, Strai, Tinnheia
16,020
3
Kvadraturen
Eg, Kvadraturen
5,200
4
Lund
Gimlekollen, Justvik, Lund, Ålefjær
30,830
5
Oddernes
Hånes, Randesund, Søm, Tveit
19,080
-
West
Vågsbygd, Grim, Kvadraturen
57,501
-
East
Lund, Randesund
49,910
Parts[edit]
Kristiansand parts area
Nr
Parts
Population
1
Flekkerøy
3,270
2
Voiebyen
6,520
3
Vågsbygd
22,000
4
Slettheia
4,460
5
Hellemyr
2,990
6
Tinnheia
3,880
7
Grim
5,200
8
Kvadraturen
5,200
9
Lund
10,950
10
Gimlekollen
5,750
11
Strai
1,860
12
Mosby
2,090
13
Justvik
2,770
14
Ålefjær
410
15
Tveit
2,980
16
Hånes
4,210
17
Søm
9,410
18
Randesund
2,480
Kristiansand is partitioned into 18 parts and 217 subparts. Kristiansand is also divided into 5 boroughs.
Kvadraturen is the city center of Kristiansand. The area belonged to the farms Eg and Grim, and was a sandy plain covered with forest, and was called Sanden or Grimsmoen. Settlements were before the city was founded focused on loading and dumps at Lund, along Otra or Torridalselven and along Topdalsfjorden by Odderøya and Flekkeroy port.
Christian IV's town plan outlined the city center with 56 rectangular squares with five long blocks and eight cross streets. It was the squares along the Otra and east and west harbor, which was built first.
Today Kvadraturen is a part of Kvadraturen/Eg, which has (as of 1 January 2005) 5510 inhabitants. The area Posebyen in Kvadraturen is Northern Europe's longest continuous wooden buildings.
In the parts are among others Kristiansand Cathedral, Kristiansand City Hall, Wergeland Park, and the terminal for ferries to Hirtshals and Kristiansand Station is located in the parts western corner.
Vågsbygd has considerable industry, who has survived major changes. The largest employer is all the same Elkem Solar producing super clean Silicon for solar cells, which are located in premises that Elkem previous Ferrosilicon factory Fiskå Verk. On Andøya it established a significant and advanced mechanical industry which produces offshore and marine cranes and other marine equipment in Andøya Industrial Park. Amfi Vågsbygd is a major shopping center in Vågsbygd. Outside of Andøya in Vågsbygd is Bredalsholmen Shipyard and Preservation Centre, a Centre for protection of vessels at the former Bredalsholmen yard. Bredalsholmen Shipyard and Preservation Centre is a national hub for maintenance of museum ships and cherish worthy coastal culture, and a drydock with considerable capacity.
Streets of Lund during the night.
Lund is the second largest borough in Kristiansand with a population of 9,000 inhabitants in 2012. 14 June 1921 was the first 2.75 km2 of Lund transferred to Kristiansand and 1 January 1965 was also the rest of Lund part of Kristiansand in the municipal amalgamation. In Lund, there are traces of humans dating back to the early Iron Age, the Viking Age until the early Middle Ages various locations. There has been a settlement here since the Stone Age. During the Viking Age there was a great man's farm here. A Runestone at Oddernes church provides a connection to this farm. A large field with burial mounds formerly existed south and west of the church, and may also be associated with this farm. In 1492 robbers from the sea came and attacked Lund. This is mentioned in two letters located in the National Archives. The letters describe the attack that took place with a lot of violence against both women and men and that on both sides suffered casualties. No one knows who the robbers were, but their centurion was named Per Syvertsen. The name suggests that he and his crew came from Norway or Denmark.
Indre and Ytre Randesund is located between Kvåsefjorden in Høvåg and the Topdalsfjord in Oddernes. Several small islands are situated alongside the cost of Randesund, among them Randøya and Herøya, both popular with summer tourists. The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the island, Randøen (now known as Randøya). The first part of the name is rand (Old Norse: rǫnd) which means "boundary" or "edge" and the last part of the name is sund which means "strait". The name was previously spelled Randøsund.
Tveit is a village and a former municipality in Vest-Agder county. It is located in the present-day municipality of Kristiansand. Tveit is home to Kristiansand Airport, Kjevik. Tveit is located along the lower part of the Tovdalselva river, known as Topdalselva from the border with Aust-Agder. The population of Tveit is approximately 2,900 (2014).Tinnheia is a part in the Grim borough Nedre Lund
Subparts[edit]
Kuholmen
Hamreheia
Some of the most populous basic unions in the following boroughs:
Flekkerøy
Berge
Lindebø
Mebø
Skålevik
Åshavn
Voiebyen
Andøya
Bråvann
Kroodden
Løvika
Møvik
Møviklia
Rådyr
Skutevika
Spinneren
Steindalen
Ternevig
Voie
Voietun
Voielia
Voieåsen
Vågsbygd
Augland
Auglandsbukta
Auglandskollen
Auglandslia
Bjørklia
Furulia
Granlia
Kjerrheia
Kjos Haveby
Kjosneset
Lumber
Nordtjønnåsen
Skyllingsheia
Smiebrygga
Storenes
Vågsbygd sentrum
Åsane
Slettheia
Blørstad
Fiskåtangen
Gislemyr
Gislemyrkollen
Kartheia
Karuss
Rugde
Slettheitoppen
Trane
Trekanten
Øvre Slettheia
Hellemyr
Breimyr
Fidjemoen
Fjellro
Hellemyrtoppen
Rige
Solkollen
Vestheiene
Tinnheia
Eigevannskollen
Hannevika
Hannevikåsen
Kobolt
Kolsberg
Kolsåsen
Tinnheia sørvest
Tinnheia torv
Tinnheia nord
Grim
Artillerivollen
Bellevue
Dalane
Enrum
Fagervoll
Grim torv
Grimsmyra
Elisenhøy
Idda
Klappane
Krossen
Møllevann
Paradis
Suldalen
Kvadraturen
Baneheia
Byskogen
Eg
Eik
Gravane
Gyldengården
Markens
Nybyen
Odderøya
Posebyen
Strandrponomaden
Tangen
Lund
Agder Allé
Bertesbukta
Freyasdalen
Gimle
Gimlemoen
Gimlevang
Hamreheia
Høivold
Kjøita
Kuholmen
Kongsgård Allé
Louvisenlund
Lund torv
Marvika
Narviga
Oddemarka
Prestevik
Skaugo
Steinkleiva
Sødal
Tobienborg
Vallhalla
Vige
Gimlekollen
Fagerholt
Gimlekollen midtre
Gimlekollen vest
Gimlekollen øst
Hestnestangen
Prestheia
Tretjønn
Vollevannet
Volleåsen
Vige
Øvre Kongsgård
Strai
Aukland
Gangdalslia
Haslevollen
Kulia
Sagebekk
Straismoen
Torridal
Ytre Strai
Øvre Strai
Mosby
Hauslia
Høie
Høielia
Høietun
Kiledalen
Lillefjell
Ravnåsen
Rismoen
Saga
Ytre Mosby
Øvre Mosby
Justvik
Gjustvik
Havlimyra
Justlia
Justnes
Jærnesheia
Kvernhusheia
Skinnerheia
Ålefjær
Bjåvannet
Einerhaven
Kostøl
Ålefjær
Søm
Bliksheia
Fuglevik
Gudbrandslia
Haumyrheia
Kjellevik
Knarrevik
Korsvik
Liane
Nordlia
Rona
Saltbustad
Strømme
Sømslia
Torsvik
Torsvikkleiva
Vardåsen
Tveit
Brattvollshei
Boen
Drangsholt
Dønnestad
Foss
Hamre
Hamresanden
Kråkebumoen
Moneheia
Ryen
Solsletta
Ve
Hånes
Bjørndalen
Brattbakken
Grovikheia
Heståsen
Hånestangen
Hånni
Lauvåsen
Nedre Hånes
Nedre Timenes
Ronsbukta
Strømsdalen
Timenes
Randesund
Bjørkestøl
Butangen
Drange
Drangeskauen
Dvergsnes
Eftevåg
Fidje
Frikstad
Hestehagen
Holte
Kirkevik
Kongshavn
Kvarnes
Lykkedrag
Odderhei
Rabbersvik
Skaupemyr
Sommerro
Stangenes
Tømmerstø
Tømmeråsen
Vadvik
Vrånes
Søgne[edit]
Main article: Søgne
Søgne is a former municipality, located west of Kristiansand. The municipality was merged into a large municipality with the former municipality of Songdalen and the city of Kristiansand on 1 January 2020.
Songdalen[edit]
Main article: Songdalen
Songdalen is a former municipality, located northwest of Kristiansand. The municipality was merged into a large municipality with the former municipality of Søgne and the city of Kristiansand on 1 January 2020.
Notable streets[edit]
Markens Pedestrian Street
Kongens gate
Dronningens gate (Queens street) is a street that has its run from Havnegata Vestre harbor to Lund Bridge and is 980 meters long. 86 properties are matrikulert[clarification needed] to the street. The street had in the 1700s the name Sand Alley.
Elvegata (River street) has its run from Østre Strandgate to Tordenskjolds gate. It has a mix of newer business and residential buildings schools and nursing homes as well as a large percentage of older residential buildings in wood and masonry. On the south side of Østre Strandgate called extension of Elvegata for Tangen. 70 meters of the street, in the quarter between Dronningens gate and Tollbodgata is designated county road 26.
Festningsgata is a street in Kvadraturen. The name is connected with Christiansholm Fortress from 1672 located in the street race extension towards the east harbor. The street stretches from Østre Strandgate to Tordenskjoldsgate and originally had the name Northern gate. The extension of the street during north of Tordenskjolds street is named Stener Heyerdahl street. The park south of Tordenskjolds street called Stener Heyerdahl park. This street stump and Festningsgata from Tordenskjolds street to Dronningens gate is part of the county road 28. From Vestre Strandgata to Tollbodgata buildings are listed by the walled green was introduced immediately after the fire in 1892 and forward.
Henrik Wergelands gate is a street in Kvadraturen in Kristiansand. The street has its run from Vestre Strandgate to Elvegata. 118 properties are matrikulert to the street. It had previously named Consumer Julia Street. The street is named in honor of Norwegian poet Henrik Wergeland. In 1808 he had his early childhood in the town until he at nine moved with her family to Eidsvold.
Tollbodgata (Tollbooth street) has its run from Senior wharf at Vestre port to Elvegata by Otra and is identical with Route 27 in Vest-Agder. 77 properties are matrikulert to the street. The street has previously had the name Sten Alley. Tolbooth.
Vestre Strandgate (Western Beach Street) is a street that has its run from Gravane to roundabout at Gartnerløkka where it meets E18 and continue to run in Rv9 (Setesdalsveien). It is part of the county road 471 from the roundabout at Gartnerløkka the junction with Dronnings gata. From Rådhusgata to Gravane has two parallel paths, an extension of Fv471 and a container that separates the harbor from including Tolbooth. The street has a number of key meeting places and city functions in terms of Radisson Hotel, Agder Theater, cinema, Clarion Hotel, Kristiansand Bus Terminal and Kristiansand Station. The street is characterized by restaurants, pubs and eating places, a number of shops and offices and a few apartments.