Sola is a municipality and a Seaside resort in Rogaland county, Norway. It is located in the traditional district of Jæren. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Solakrossen. Other villages include Tananger, Hålandsmarka, Sørnes, and Stenebyen. Stavanger Airport is located in Sola, just a short distance from the large Stavanger/Sandnes metropolitan area.

Sola Municipality
Sola kommune
View of a beach in Sola
View of a beach in Sola
Flag of Sola Municipality
Coat of arms of Sola Municipality
Rogaland within Norway
Rogaland within Norway
Sola within Rogaland
Sola within Rogaland
Coordinates: 58°52′48″N 05°37′43″E / 58.88000°N 5.62861°E / 58.88000; 5.62861
CountryNorway
CountyRogaland
DistrictJæren
Established1930
 • Preceded byHåland Municipality
Administrative centreSolakrossen
Government
 • Mayor (2023)Janne Stangeland Rege (H)
Area
 • Total
69.04 km2 (26.66 sq mi)
 • Land68.82 km2 (26.57 sq mi)
 • Water0.22 km2 (0.08 sq mi)  0.3%
 • Rank#342 in Norway
Population
 (2023)
 • Total
28,315
 • Rank#40 in Norway
 • Density411.4/km2 (1,066/sq mi)
 • Change (10 years)
Increase  15.2%
DemonymSolabu[1]
Official language
 • Norwegian formNeutral
Time zoneUTC 01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC 02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-1124[3]
WebsiteOfficial website

The 69-square-kilometre (27 sq mi) municipality is the 342nd largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Sola is the 41st most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 28,315. The municipality's population density is 411.4 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,066/sq mi) and its population has increased by 15.2f% over the previous 10-year period.[4][5]

Map of the Sola area

In the western part of Sola, there are 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) of long, sandy beaches facing the North Sea. The usually suitable wind and waves make the sandy beaches a popular place for windsurfing.

General information

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View of Ølberg at sunset
 
Sola Church

The municipality of Sola was established in 1930 when the old municipality of Håland was split into Sola (south of the Hafrsfjorden) and Madla (north of the Hafrsfjorden). Initially, Sola had 3,372 residents.[6] On 1 January 2017, a small 350-decare (86-acre) area on the southwestern edge of the village of Solakrossen was transferred from Sandnes municipality to Sola.[7]

Name

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The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the old Sola farm (Old Norse: Sóli) since the first Sola Church was built there. The meaning of the name is uncertain. One possibility is that it comes from the word sól which means "sun". Historically, the name was also spelled Sole.[8]

Coat of arms

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The coat of arms was granted on 12 February 1982. The official blazon is "Azure, two bars double embowed argent" (Norwegian: I blått to sølv bjelker dannet ved et omvendt dobbelt buesnitt). This means the arms have a blue field (background) and the charge is a set of two curved bars that look like waves. The charge has a tincture of argent which means it is commonly colored white, but if it is made out of metal, then silver is used. The blue color symbolizes the sea and the white/silver color symbolizes the whitecaps of the waves washing up to the long, shallow, sandy beaches along the ocean in the municipality. The arms were designed by the painter Roald Kyllingstad. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms.[9][10][11]

Churches

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The Church of Norway has four parishes (sokn) within the municipality of Sola. It is part of the Tungenes prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Stavanger.

Churches in Sola
Parish (sokn) Church name Location of the church Year built
Ræge Ræge Church Ræge (north of Stenebyen) 2009
Sola Sola Church Solakrossen 2020
Sola Chapel west of Solakrossen 1955
Sørnes Sørnes Church Sørnes 1977
Tananger Tananger Church Tananger 2002
Tananger Chapel Tananger 1879

Geography

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The municipality of Sola lies on the west side of the Stavanger Peninsula, south of the Hafrsfjorden. The municipality sits just about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from the centres of the cities of Stavanger and Sandnes. The island of Rott lies just off the western coast of Sola. The Fladholmen Lighthouse lies just off shore of the village of Tananger in northern Sola.[12]

History

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Sola Church Ruins
 
Beaches of Sola

According to Snorre Sturlason the Battle of Hafrsfjord took place in the year AD 872, probably outside Ytraberget. Harald Fairhair, the first king of Norway, is celebrated for having united Norway at this notable battle.

The stone crosses at Tjora date from about the year 1150. In early Christian times, these stone crosses were used as gathering points for religious ceremonies before churches were built. Sola Church Ruins (Sola ruinkirke) is the ruins of a Romanesque stone church dating from about the year 1120. The stone church probably replaced an older wooden church in the area. This wooden church was possibly the one that Erling Skjalgsson had built when he converted to Christianity at the end of the 10th century. Sola Church overlooked the Hafrsfjord and was in use until 1842.The artist Johan Bennetter (1822–1904) used the church as a studio and lived there with his family. During World War II, most of the church was demolished. It was later reconstructed, and the restoration was finished in 1995.[13][14]

Stavanger Airport, Sola was founded in 1937. At Sola airport, the first opposed landing by paratroopers took place as German Fallschirmjägers from 1st battalion of the 1st Regiment, 7th Flieger Division were dropped on the airfield. Sola Air Station became an important airfield for the Germans during World War II.

Population

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Historical population
Year19301946195119601970198019902000201020202023
Pop.3,3724,0715,0256,8809,59712,32415,71918,91522,83127,15328,315
±% p.a.—     1.18% 4.30% 3.55% 3.38% 2.53% 2.46% 1.87% 1.90% 1.75% 1.41%
Source: Statistics Norway[15][16] and Norwegian Historical Data Centre[17]

Government

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Sola Municipality is responsible for primary education (through 10th grade), outpatient health services, senior citizen services, welfare and other social services, zoning, economic development, and municipal roads and utilities. The municipality is governed by a municipal council of directly elected representatives. The mayor is indirectly elected by a vote of the municipal council.[18] The municipality is under the jurisdiction of the Sør-Rogaland District Court and the Gulating Court of Appeal.

Municipal council

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The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Sola is made up of 41 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political party.

Sola kommunestyre 2023–2027 [19]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 5
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 9
  Green Party (Miljøpartiet De Grønne) 1
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 15
  Industry and Business Party (Industri‑ og Næringspartiet) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Red Party (Rødt) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:41
Sola kommunestyre 2019–2023 [20]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  People's Action No to More Road Tolls (Folkeaksjonen nei til mer bompenger) 4
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 7
  Green Party (Miljøpartiet De Grønne) 1
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 12
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:41
Sola kommunestyre 2015–2019 [21]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 7
  Green Party (Miljøpartiet De Grønne) 1
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 16
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
 Tananger List (Tanangerlisten)2
Total number of members:41
Sola kommunestyre 2011–2015 [22]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 8
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 15
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
  Pensioners' Party (Pensjonistpartiet) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 1
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
 Tananger List (Tanangerlisten)2
Total number of members:41
Sola kommunestyre 2007–2011 [21]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 6
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 10
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 11
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
  Pensioners' Party (Pensjonistpartiet) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
 Tananger List (Tanangerlisten)3
Total number of members:41
Sola kommunestyre 2003–2007 [21]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 6
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 11
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 11
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
 Tananger List (Tanangerlisten)2
Total number of members:41
Sola kommunestyre 1999–2003 [21]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 6
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 9
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 12
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 6
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
 Sola local list (Sola bygdelista)3
Total number of members:41
Sola kommunestyre 1995–1999 [23]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 7
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 9
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 5
  Pensioners' Party (Pensjonistpartiet) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
 Sola local list (Sola bygdelista)4
Total number of members:41
Sola kommunestyre 1991–1995 [24]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 6
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 8
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 8
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 5
  Pensioners' Party (Pensjonistpartiet) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
 Sola local list (Sola bygdeliste)3
Total number of members:41
Sola kommunestyre 1987–1991 [25]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 10
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 8
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Joint list of the Liberal Party (Venstre) and
Liberal People's Party (Liberale Folkepartiet)
2
 Sola local list (Sola Bygdeliste)4
Total number of members:41
Sola kommunestyre 1983–1987 [26]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 6
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 15
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Joint list of the Liberal Party (Venstre) and
Liberal People's Party (Liberale Folkepartiet)
2
Total number of members:41
Sola kommunestyre 1979–1983 [27]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 18
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 6
  New People's Party (Nye Folkepartiet) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:41
Sola kommunestyre 1975–1979 [28]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 14
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 7
  New People's Party (Nye Folkepartiet) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 8
Total number of members:41
Sola kommunestyre 1971–1975 [29]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 8
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 7
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 6
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 7
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
Total number of members:31
Sola kommunestyre 1967–1971 [30]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 7
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 4
Total number of members:31
Sola kommunestyre 1963–1967 [31]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 6
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 4
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 1
Total number of members:31
Sola herredsstyre 1959–1963 [32]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 4
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 7
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 5
Total number of members:25
Sola herredsstyre 1955–1959 [33]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 4
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 6
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 10
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 3
Total number of members:25
Sola herredsstyre 1951–1955 [34]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 8
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 4
Total number of members:20
Sola herredsstyre 1947–1951 [35]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 6
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 13
Total number of members:20
Sola herredsstyre 1945–1947 [36]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 7
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 10
Total number of members:20
Sola herredsstyre 1937–1941* [37]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 3
  List of workers, fishermen, and small farmholders (Arbeidere, fiskere, småbrukere liste) 7
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 10
Total number of members:20
Note: Due to the German occupation of Norway during World War II, no elections were held for new municipal councils until after the war ended in 1945.

Mayors

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The mayors (Norwegian: ordfører) of Sola:[38][39]

  • 1930–1931: Jakob Svendsen Gimre (H)
  • 1931–1931: Gabriel Bore (Bp)
  • 1932–1934: Gabriel Joa (Bp)
  • 1935–1937: Gabriel Bore (Bp)
  • 1938–1941: Gabriel Joa (Bp)
  • 1942–1943: Sverre Johansson (NS)
  • 1943–1945: Jakob Stokdal (NS)
  • 1945–1945: Gabriel Joa (Bp)
  • 1946–1947: Gabriel Bore (Bp)
  • 1948–1951: Torger Sanne (LL)
  • 1952–1959: Gabriel Joa (Bp)
  • 1960–1961: Knut Rommetveit (Sp)
  • 1962–1963: Leif Sømme (H)
  • 1964–1971: Rasmus Reime (Sp)
  • 1972–1975: Ole Gabriel Ueland (Sp)
  • 1976–1977: Ludvig Klingsheim (H)
  • 1978–1979: Andreas Sanne (KrF)
  • 1980–1987: Kåre Kvalvik (H)
  • 1988–1989: Håkon Rege (FrP)
  • 1990–1991: Trygve Ersland (H)
  • 1992–1995: Trygg Mæland (Sp)
  • 1995–1999: Eli Hellestø (Sp)
  • 1999–2011: Håkon Rege (H)
  • 2011–2019: Ole Ueland (H)
  • 2019–2023: Tom Henning Slethei (FrP)
  • 2023-present: Janne Stangeland Rege (H)[40]

Museums

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Museums in Sola include:

Notable people

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Camilla Herrem, 2009

References

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  1. ^ "Navn på steder og personer: Innbyggjarnamn" (in Norwegian). Språkrådet.
  2. ^ "Forskrift om målvedtak i kommunar og fylkeskommunar" (in Norwegian). Lovdata.no.
  3. ^ Bolstad, Erik; Thorsnæs, Geir, eds. (26 January 2023). "Kommunenummer". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget.
  4. ^ Statistisk sentralbyrå. "Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)" (in Norwegian).
  5. ^ Statistisk sentralbyrå. "09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M)" (in Norwegian).
  6. ^ Jukvam, Dag (1999). Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen (PDF) (in Norwegian). Statistisk sentralbyrå. ISBN 9788253746845.
  7. ^ "Vedtak om endring av kommunegrensen mellom Sandnes og Sola kommuner, Rogaland" (in Norwegian). Lovdata.no. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  8. ^ Rygh, Oluf (1915). Norske gaardnavne: Stavanger amt (in Norwegian) (10 ed.). Kristiania, Norge: W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri. pp. 185–186.
  9. ^ "Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  10. ^ "Sola, Rogaland (Norway)". Flags of the World. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  11. ^ "Godkjenning av våpen og flagg". Lovdata.no (in Norwegian). Norges kommunal- og arbeidsdepartementet. 13 April 1982. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  12. ^ Store norske leksikon. "Sola – kommune" (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 25 June 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
  13. ^ "Sola Ruinkirke". Kirkebøker. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
  14. ^ "Johan Jakob Bennetter, norsk marinemaler, (1822–1904)". Salmonsens konversationsleksikon. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
  15. ^ Statistisk sentralbyrå. "Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)" (in Norwegian).
  16. ^ Statistisk sentralbyrå. "Folketelling 1960" (PDF) (in Norwegian).
  17. ^ Universitetet i Tromsø – Norges arktiske universitet. "Censuses in the Norwegian Historical Data Archive (NHDC)".
  18. ^ Hansen, Tore; Vabo, Signy Irene, eds. (20 September 2022). "kommunestyre". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  19. ^ "Kommunestyrevalg 2023 - Rogaland". Valgdirektoratet. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  20. ^ "Kommunestyrevalg 2019 - Rogaland". Valgdirektoratet. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  21. ^ a b c d "Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M)" (in Norwegian). Statistics Norway.
  22. ^ "Kommunestyrevalg 2011 – Rogaland". Valgdirektoratet. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  23. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1995" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  24. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1991" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  25. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1987" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  26. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1983" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  27. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1979" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  28. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1975" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1977. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  29. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1972" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1973. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  30. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1967" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1967. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  31. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1963" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1964. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  32. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1960. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  33. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1957. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  34. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1952. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  35. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1948. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  36. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1947. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  37. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1938. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  38. ^ "Ordførere på rekke og rad". Solabladet (in Norwegian). 2 September 1999. p. 11.
  39. ^ Langhelle, Svein Ivar (1983). "Politikarane 1870–1930". Soga om Sola og Madla (in Norwegian). Vol. 3. Sola kommune. pp. 286–295.
  40. ^ "Janne Stangeland Rege (H) blir ny ordfører i Sola". NRK (in Norwegian). 12 September 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
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