Skien | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Skien_-_town_centre_(east-west).jpg) View of the town | |
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Norway_Telemark_adm_location_map.svg)  Skien Location of the town &sq=&lang=&file=File:Norway_location_map.svg) Skien Skien (Norway) | |
| Coordinates: 59°12′35″N 9°36′32″E / 59.20961°N 9.60901°E | |
| Country | Norway |
| Region | Eastern Norway |
| County | Telemark |
| District | Grenland |
| Municipality | Skien Municipality |
| Established as | |
| Kjøpstad | 1358 |
| Area | |
• Total | 26.24 km2 (10.13 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 14 m (46 ft) |
| Population (2022)[2] | |
• Total | 50,142 |
| • Density | 1,882/km2 (4,870/sq mi) |
| Part of Porsgrunn/Skien | |
| Demonyms | Skiensmann (male) Skienskvinne (female) Skiensfolk |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| Post Code | 3715 Skien |
is a town/city[1] in Skien Municipality in Telemark county, Norway. It is the administrative centre of the municipality. The town is located along the Skienselva river, about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) to the northwest of the town of Porsgrunn. The villages of Skotfoss, Åfoss, and Klovholt are located about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) to the west of the town, the village of Sneltvedt lies about 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) to the east of the town, and the village of Hoppestad lies about 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) to the northwest.
Skien and Porsgrunn are considered to be a conurbation and grouped together as part of the Porsgrunn/Skien metropolitan area. Because of this, the population and area data for this town has not been separately tracked by Statistics Norway. What is tracked, is the portion of the metropolitan area located in Skien Municipality. In 2022, the urban area of Skien measured 26.24 square kilometres (6,480 acres) it had a population of 50,142 with a population density of 1,882 inhabitants per square kilometre (4,870/sq mi).[2]
Skien city center is located where the river Farelva (from the lake Norsjø) forms the lake Hjellevatnet, and it divides into a waterfall on each side of the island of Klosterøya. The harbor basin is located at the northern part of the river Skienselva. The hilly terrain makes the center of Skien crowded with a main north-south axis. The city got its current road alignment and layout after the last big city fire in 1886.
Skien is the seat of the county governor and the Telemark County Municipality. The town also has the Telemark Hospital Trust and a number of secondary schools. There is a prison at Rødmyr, a jogging track at Klosterskogen, and a sports and swimming hall (Skienshallen). The newspapers Telemarksavisa and Varden are published in the city.
- ^ a b In the Norwegian language, the word by can be translated as "town" or "city".
- ^ a b c Statistisk sentralbyrå (1 January 2022). "Urban settlements. Population and area, by municipality".
- ^ "Skien, Skien". yr.no. Retrieved 19 September 2023.