Vega is a municipality of islands, covering approx. 2000 islands, islets and skerries.
Vega is an area of great contrasts. From high mountains to lowland fields, forests, lime-rich grasslands and wetlands with a multitude of animal, bird and plant species. The landscape is so unique that the Vega islands have been proposed for World Heritage Site status, like the Bryggen in Bergen or the Mining Town of Røros.
Vega's main sources of income come from the primary industries - agriculture and fishing; there is very little industry. In agriculture, dairy and meat production is most common, primarily from cattle farming, but there is some sheep farming as well. Some farmers also grow vegetable crops. The majority of fishing vessels are small, and they mostly engage in coastal fishing for cod, haddock and saithe, but some vessels also participate in the Lofoten seasonal fishery. Kirkøy, to the north on the island of Vega, has two fish processing plants, Ylvingen has one. Nes at Kirkøy has a mechanical workshop.
Outside of the island of Vega, there is a separate island community, which has been populated up to modern times. There are former egg-and-down-collecting communities, the restored fishing village of Skjærvær, and Skogsholmen, where there is a café and accommodation for tourists. This area also includes Northern Europe's largest area of shallow water, which is home to a wide variety of bird species. Humans have no choice but to subject to nature's own rhythm out here. Most of this area is protected, and interruptions and landing here is not permitted during breeding season.
If you want to explore this island realm, there are ample opportunities to do so. The flat landscape and high-quality road system means Vega is perfect for exploration by bike. If biking is not your style, you can also go kayaking, trekking or hiking. Vega has many shallow beaches at Eidem to the south, fishing communities at Nes, Holand and Kirkøy to the north, pebble beaches and panoramic views to the west, and lush, leafy forests, bays and inlets to the east. Marked hiking trails take visitors to various peaks in the area. Vega also has two protected wetland areas, Kjellerhaugvatnet and Holandsoses, which both have a thriving bird population. There are many good fishing lakes in this area, so if you feel like fishing, this is the perfect opportunity to bring your rod and go for a walk. Fishing opportunities also abound along the quay and out on Grimsøysundet.
Vega's history goes back 10,000 years, and one of the earliest settlements in the country was established here.
Vega's contribution to the "Footprints in the North" project has been dubbed "Egg and down collecting in Vega". The tradition of collecting eggs and down is kept alive in the realm of the eider duck. To the islanders, the eider duck is considered a "pet". The information centre at Nes shows the relationship between humans and birds.
Fakta om Vega kommune
Navnet: Vega kan muligens stamme fra norrønt “Veig” - væske, fuktighet - opprinnelig et navn på elv.
Beliggenhet: Øykommune på Sør-Helgeland - nærmeste nabokommuner på fastlandet er Alstahaug, Vevelstad og Brønnøy.
Folketall 2021: 1182.
Utstrekning: 165 km2. 7,2 innbyggere pr. km2.
Administrasjonssted: Gladstad.
Viktige næringer: Jordbruk, fiske
Kommunehistorikk: Vega har vært egen kommune siden opprettelsen i 1838. I 1965 ble Skogsholmen krets overført til Vega fra Tjøtta kommune. En del av denne kretsen, øygruppa Skålvær, ble i 1971 overført fra Vega til Alstahaung-
Se kommunens nettside
Wikipedia