Måløy () is a town The town has a population (2024) of and a population density of . Prior to 2020, the town was also the administrative centre of the old Vågsøy Municipality.

History

280px|left|thumb|View of Måløy town from the harbour

Måløy was founded as a trading center on the small island of Moldøen, or Måløya, on the Ulvesundet strait between Vågsøy island and the mainland. As trade flourished, the town gradually moved to the larger island of Vågsøy, while keeping the name of the smaller island. This is the cause of some confusion, although the smaller island is today often known as "Lisje-Måløyna" (literally smaller Måløy) or "Øyna" (literally the island). During World War II, it was used as a German coastal fortress, which led to the eradication of all settlement on the island to make room for the fortress, and as a result of Operation Archery in December 1941.

Måløy was the administrative centre of the old Sør-Vågsøy Municipality which existed from 1910 until 1964, and it was then made the administrative centre of the new Vågsøy Municipality which was created in 1964. In 2020, Vågsøy was merged with Flora Municipality to form the new Kinn Municipality. At that time, Måløy lost its administrative centre status.

Townscape

The town square in Måløy has a monument remembering the citizens of Sør-Vågsøy Municipality and Davik Municipality who died in World War II. Another monument, located elsewhere in the town, is a memorial to Martin Linge, the only Norwegian who died during Operation Archery. Few streets in Måløy are named; most, especially the ones on the hillside, are only numbered.

Climate

Måløy has an oceanic climate (Köppen classification: Cfb). Måløy has mild, rainy winters, small diurnal temperature differences and is windy. Although the village is slightly sheltered by the terrain compared to the nearby Kråkenes lighthouse, which holds the record for the strongest winds in Norway. There is no meteorological station with a long recording history in the village itself, but the stations at Kråkenes and Refvika have recordings since the 90's. Måløy has slightly colder winters and warmer summers than Kråkenes as a result of its more inland location. Måløy experiences a significant seasonal lag because of it's location close to the Norwegian sea.

Culture

The festival Måløydagene is arranged in the town every year. In 2004, Måløy was awarded the role as a 2008 Tall Ships' Races main port. The town was the host of the participating tall ships from July 28 until August 4. The event had a budget of , of which the county government would sponsor . The town offered great hospitality and welcomed crews warmly. The town, with STI had organized much in the way of crew activities.

Education

The only upper secondary school in the municipality, Måløy vidaregåande skule, as well as several lower secondary schools and elementary schools, are located in the vicinity of the town. The closest institutions of higher education are Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (located in Sogndalsfjøra, Førde, and Sandane), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (in Ålesund), and the University of Bergen (in Bergen).

Sports

The association football club Tornado Måløy FK is the result of a merger between the independent clubs Tornado and Måløy in 2002. The club has two stadiums, one of which is located in Måløy, the other is in Refvika. The club's two men's senior teams play in the Norwegian third division and fifth division as of 2008.

Transport

The nearest airport to the town is Ålesund Airport, located north east of Måløy.

International relations

Måløy has a friendship agreement with the following "twin" towns:

  • Lerwick, Shetland, Scotland

See also

  • List of towns and cities in Norway
  • Nordfjord Folkeblad (1933–1952) newspaper

References

  • Tall Ship's Race in Måløy