Røst

Overview

RoST

On the tip of Lofoten, jutting out into sea, about 100 km to the west of Bodø and 115 to the north of the Arctic Circle, we come to Røst and its 365 islands, holms and skerries. The largest of them, with it´s highest point just barely 12 m above sea level, is Røstlandet. Further south, the islands of Storfjellet, Vedøya, Trenyken and Hærnyken loom like gigantic monuments in the water.

Mount Storfjellet is the highest of these mountains, reaching a height of 259 metres above sea level. The entire population of this municipality is to be found on Røstlandet and a couple of lesser islands with which it is connected by roads. Here, too, we find the municipal administration offices, a primary school, a nursery, shops, restaurant, post office, bank, air strip, and fish landing facilities.

The great ocean itself, and what is left of the Gulf Stream, leaves its mark on Røst, with mild winters and cool summers. Coupled with relentless winds, the climate is ideal for the production of the island´s most important export commodity, stockfish. From January to April large amounts of cod are brought ashore and hanged on racks, to be processed by the weather and turned into first class products.

Preparatory to the export of this excellent commodity, a number of people are employed in the process, both in spring and summer. Røst is more dependent on fish than most other municipalities in the country. In fact, not many municipalities in Norway produce export articles for larger...more

History