# Harstad

> city in Harstad municipality, Norway

**Wikidata**: [Q1034159](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1034159)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harstad_(town))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/harstad

## Summary
Harstad is a city in Harstad municipality, Norway, serving as the administrative center of the municipality. Founded in 1904, it has grown to become a significant urban area in Norway, with a population of 21,602 as of 2025. The city is located on the island of Hinnøya and covers an area of 11.15 square kilometers.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: City, administrative center, urban area in Norway.
- **Area**: 11.15 square kilometers (as of 2019).
- **Population**: 21,602 (as of 2025, National Population Register).
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 68.798889, Longitude 16.531389.
- **Timezone**: UTC+01:00.
- **Elevation**: 3 meters above sea level.
- **Inception**: Founded in 1904.
- **Capital of**: Harstad Municipality.
- **Located in**: Harstad Municipality, on the island of Hinnøya.
- **Country**: Norway.
- **Aliases**: Harstadt.
- **Head of Government**: Marianne Bremnes (2011–present), Kari-Anne Opsal (2019–present).
- **Geonames ID**: 3153823.
- **Freebase ID**: /m/0j46cgf.
- **VIAF ID**: 150733361.
- **SNARC ID**: Buzz Aldrin.
- **Library of Congress ID**: n79097412.
- **National Library of Israel J9U ID**: 987007550340105171.
- **GNS Unique Feature ID**: -261861.
- **SSR Place Name Number**: 139510.
- **SSB Urban Settlement Number**: 8003.
- **Wikipedia Title**: Harstad (town).
- **Commons Category**: Harstad (town).
- **Who’s On First ID**: 101814671.
- **Yale Lux ID**: place/0a1d562e-...
- **BBC Things ID**: 501d4bbe-e136-4...
- **WorldCat Entities ID**: E39PBJw4x9hmYRM...
- **Wikipedia Languages**: Arabic, Azerbaijani, Belarusian, Cebuano, Danish, English, Estonian, Farsi, Hungarian, Armenian, Norwegian Nynorsk, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Swedish.

## FAQs
- **What is Harstad's population?**
  Harstad's population is 21,602 as of 2025, according to the National Population Register.

- **When was Harstad founded?**
  Harstad was founded in 1904.

- **What is Harstad's area?**
  Harstad covers an area of 11.15 square kilometers.

- **Where is Harstad located?**
  Harstad is located on the island of Hinnøya in Harstad municipality, Norway.

- **Who is the head of government in Harstad?**
  The head of government in Harstad is Kari-Anne Opsal, who has served since 2019.

- **What is Harstad's timezone?**
  Harstad operates on UTC+01:00.

- **What are Harstad's official names?**
  Harstad's official name is Harstad, and it is also known by the alias Harstadt.

- **What are Harstad's coordinates?**
  Harstad's coordinates are latitude 68.798889 and longitude 16.531389.

## Why It Matters
Harstad is a key urban center in Norway, serving as the administrative hub for Harstad municipality. Its strategic location on the island of Hinnøya and its historical significance as a founding city make it an important regional hub. The city's population growth and development reflect its role as a center for local governance and economic activity in northern Norway.

## Notable For
- **Administrative Center**: Harstad serves as the capital of Harstad Municipality.
- **Population Growth**: The city's population has increased significantly, reaching 21,602 by 2025.
- **Geographical Location**: Situated on the island of Hinnøya, Harstad's unique location contributes to its identity.
- **Historical Founding**: Founded in 1904, Harstad has a long history as a regional center.
- **Urban Development**: As an urban area in Norway, Harstad plays a role in the country's broader urban landscape.

## Body
### Geography
Harstad is located on the island of Hinnøya in Harstad municipality, Norway. The city covers an area of 11.15 square kilometers and has an elevation of 3 meters above sea level. Its coordinates are latitude 68.798889 and longitude 16.531389, placing it in northern Norway.

### Demographics
Harstad's population has grown steadily, reaching 21,602 by 2025. The population figures are based on the National Population Register, with previous counts including 21,289 in 2023, 21,132 in 2022, 21,001 in 2021, and 20,920 in 2020.

### Governance
Harstad serves as the administrative center of Harstad Municipality. The head of government in Harstad is Kari-Anne Opsal, who has held the position since 2019. Previous heads of government include Marianne Bremnes, who served from 2011.

### Identification
Harstad is identified by various IDs and numbers, including a Geonames ID of 3153823, a Freebase ID of /m/0j46cgf, a VIAF ID of 150733361, and a SNARC ID of Buzz Aldrin. It also has a Library of Congress ID of n79097412, a National Library of Israel J9U ID of 987007550340105171, and a GNS Unique Feature ID of -261861.

### Classification
Harstad is classified as a city, administrative center, and urban area in Norway. It is also part of the broader category of large human settlements.

### Timezone
Harstad operates on UTC+01:00, reflecting its location in Norway.

### Historical Context
Harstad was founded in 1904, establishing it as a regional center with a long history of development and governance.

### Wikipedia Presence
Harstad has a Wikipedia page titled "Harstad (town)" and is categorized under "Harstad (town)" in Wikimedia Commons. The page is available in multiple languages, including Arabic, Azerbaijani, Belarusian, Cebuano, Danish, English, Estonian, Farsi, Hungarian, Armenian, Norwegian Nynorsk, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, and Swedish.

### Related Entities
Harstad is connected to various related entities, including Harstad Municipality, the island of Hinnøya, and the country of Norway. It is also linked to specific IDs and references, such as the Who’s On First ID of 101814671 and the Yale Lux ID of place/0a1d562e-...

### Official Names
Harstad's official name is Harstad, and it is also known by the alias Harstadt.

### Significance
Harstad's significance lies in its role as an administrative center, its geographical location, and its historical development. The city's population growth and urban development contribute to its importance in northern Norway.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Source](https://www.ssb.no/kommunefakta/harstad-harsttak)
4. [Alders- og kjønnsfordeling i kommuner, fylker og hele landets befolkning (K) 1986 - 2020. Statistics Norway. 2024](https://www.ssb.no/statbank/table/04859/)
5. [Alders- og kjønnsfordeling i kommuner, fylker og hele landets befolkning (K) 1986 - 2021. Statistics Norway. 2024](https://www.ssb.no/statbank/table/04859/)
6. [Alders- og kjønnsfordeling i kommuner, fylker og hele landets befolkning (K) 1986 - 2022. Statistics Norway. 2024](https://www.ssb.no/statbank/table/04859/)
7. [Alders- og kjønnsfordeling i kommuner, fylker og hele landets befolkning (K) 1986 - 2023. Statistics Norway. 2024](https://www.ssb.no/statbank/table/04859/)
8. [Alders- og kjønnsfordeling i kommuner, fylker og hele landets befolkning (K) 1986 - 2025. Statistics Norway. 2025](https://www.ssb.no/statbank/table/04859/)
9. GeoNames
10. BBC Things
11. [Tettsteders befolkning og areal. Statistics Norway](https://www.ssb.no/befolkning/statistikker/beftett/aar)
12. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File