Bodø is a city and municipality in the county of Nordland, Norway.

History

Bodø was granted township status in 1816 and is now county capital of Nordland. Most of Bodø was destroyed during a German attack 27th of May 1940. In 1940 6000 people lived in Bodø, after the German attack 3500 people had lost their houses. But only 15 people lost their life during the air-attack (2 British soldiers and 13 Norwegians). The town was subsequently rebuilt after the war, the rebuilding was completed in 1952.

Bodø received international attention during the U-2 Crisis in May 1960, when it became known that the American U-2 pilot Gary Powers had been shot down over the Soviet Union on his way from Pakistan to Bodø.

Geography

The city lies just north of the Arctic Circle and the midnight sun is visible from June 2 to July 10. The strong tidal current Saltstraumen is situated some 30 km east of Bodø.

As the northern terminus of Nordlandsbanen, Bodø is the northern end of the railroad network of Norway, except for the line from Narvik to Kiruna in Sweden, and further into the Swedish rail network. The railway station opened in 1961. Bodø Airport lies two km outside the city centre and was opened in 1952. Ferries run between Bodø and the Lofoten Islands.

Nature and hiking

Bodø is well-known for beautiful surroundings. Besides Saltstraumen, the municipality of Bodø has lots of wilderness to offer hikers.

Media, culture and entertainment

The local newspaper is named Avisa Nordland.

The local football club, F.K. Bodø/Glimt, plays in the Norwegian Premier League during the 2004 season.

The National Aviation Museum and Salten Museum are located in Bodø. Salten Museum has four exhibitions: The Lofoten Fisheries, a Sami exhibit, a Viking treasure and a exhibition about Bodø's history from 1816 to 2000. Bodø is host to the cultural festival "Nordland Musikkfestuke" every summer. The Bodø Cathedral was built in 1956, representing post-war architecture, whereas the Bodin Church just outside the city centre dates from the 13th century, representing a typical medieval stone church.

Well-known people

• Halvdan Sivertsen
• Vebjørn Tandberg
• Oscar Bodøgaard
• Adelsteen Normann
• Harald Berg
• Terje Nilsen
• Ottar "Big Hand" Johansen
• Geir Lundestad

External links

• Web-cam of Bodø harbour
• Information about events in Bodø
• The National Aviation Museum
• Salten Museum
• Tourist Information
• Bodø seilforening