Vigra (island)

Vigra
View of the island
Vigra is located in Møre og Romsdal
Vigra
Vigra
Location of the island
Vigra is located in Norway
Vigra
Vigra
Vigra (Norway)
Geography
LocationMøre og Romsdal, Norway
Coordinates62°33′28″N 6°04′43″E / 62.5579°N 6.0786°E / 62.5579; 6.0786
Area20 km2 (7.7 sq mi)
Length6 km (3.7 mi)
Width7 km (4.3 mi)
Highest elevation122 m (400 ft)
Highest pointMolnesfjellet
Administration
Norway
CountyMøre og Romsdal
MunicipalityGiske Municipality
Demographics
Population2037 (2015)

Vigra is an island in Giske Municipality in Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. The 20-square-kilometre (7.7 sq mi) island is located north of the islands of Valderøya and Giske, west of the mainland of Haram Municipality, and southwest of the island of Lepsøya (in Haram). Vigra has a road connection to the mainland via the Vigra Fixed Link, a series of tunnels and bridges that connect all the islands of Giske Municipality to the city of Ålesund to the south.[1] The island was formerly part of Vigra Municipality.

The island is fairly flat and barren, although most land has been converted to agricultural uses. The highest point is the 122-metre (400 ft) tall Molnesfjellet on the north end of the island. The largest population centre on the island is the village of Roald on the northern part of the island, on the southeastern edge of Molnesfjellet. Vigra Church is the only church on the island.[1]

In 1988, five nature reserves were established on the island, including the Blindheimsvik Wildlife Sanctuary.[2] Vigra has excellent walking trails along the seashore and over the hills. There are a number of beaches on Vigra including Blimsanden, Rørvikvågen, Blindheimsvika, Roald, and Molnes. Fishing is a popular activity on the island. Ålesund Airport is located on the island of Vigra. On 8 September 2011, the 77-year-old landmark Vigra transmitter, a medium wave broadcasting transmitter, was taken down.

  1. ^ a b Thorsnæs, Geir, ed. (22 February 2017). "Vigra - øy". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  2. ^ "Forskrift om vern av Blindheimsvik fuglefredingsområde, Giske kommune, Møre og Romsdal". 27 May 1988. Retrieved 13 August 2017.