Historical and old photos of Alta, Northern Norway
A small historical reference
Geography: Alta (Norwegian) or Áltá (Northern Sami) or Alattio (Kven) is a town in Alta Municipality in Finnmark county, Norway. The town is the administrative centre of the municipality and the major commercial centre in the western part of the county. The town is located on the southern end of Altafjorden at the mouth of the river Altaelva. There are several suburbs around the town. Kåfjord, Kvenvik, and Jiepmaluokta lie to the west; Øvre Alta and Tverrelvdalen lie to the south; and Rafsbotn lies to the east. The famous rock carvings at Alta lie just to the west of the town.
The town of Alta has three churches: the historic Alta Church in Bossekop, the relatively new Elvebakken Church in Elvebakken, and the Northern Lights Cathedral (the new "main" church for the municipality that was completed in 2013). Alta is also an educational centre in Finnmark county. Finnmark University College is based in Alta as well as the local primary and secondary schools, including Alta Upper Secondary School. Alta District Court is based in the town, serving the municipalities of Loppa and Alta. Alta IF is the main sports team for the town.
Date of foundation: 1838
Population: 15 094
Sights:
|
 Altagård - Alta Guard, 1959 |
 Alten bro - Most Northern Iron Bridge in World's, 1905 |
 Alten bro - Most Northern Iron Bridge in World's, 1909 |
 Bossekop - borough of the town Alta, Market, 1910 |
 Bossekop - borough of the town Alta, Market, 1910 |
 Bossekop - borough of the town Alta, Market Square, 1931 |
 Bossekop handelssted, 1931 |
 City building, 1950 |
History
The area where the commune is currently located in ancient times was inhabited by representatives of the Komsa culture, who left cave paintings dated from about 4200 BC. e., until about 500 BC. e.
The municipality of Alta-Talvik was formed in 1838, and in 1868 it was divided into Altu and Talvik.
During World War II, the Ko-Fjord, a southwestern branch of the Alta-Fjord, was the naval base of the German Kriegsmarine. In it, in 1942-1944, the battleship Tirpitz was based, which was attacked by carrier-based aircraft of the Royal Navy of Great Britain (see Operation Tangsten). Now here is the "Museum of the battleship Tirpitz."
By the end of the war, the city was badly damaged by fire and was rebuilt in subsequent years.
In 1964, the communes Alta and Talvik were again united under the name Alta.
In the 70s, the city was shocked by mass protests, the participants were mainly Sami and environmentalists, against the construction of a hydroelectric power station on the Alta River. Despite this, a hydroelectric power station was built.
On January 1, 2000, several neighboring settlements of the commune were united and the city of Alta was formed. Since then, the population of the city has gradually grown.
Origin: en.wikipedia.org
|