Barbu, Norway
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Barbu Municipality
Barbu kommune | |
|---|---|
 View of Barbu | |
 Aust-Agder within Norway | |
 Barbu within Aust-Agder | |
| Coordinates: 58°27′59″N 08°46′41″E / 58.46639°N 8.77806°E | |
| Country | Norway |
| County | Aust-Agder |
| District | Østre Agder |
| Established | 1 Jan 1878 |
| • Preceded by | Østre Moland Municipality |
| Disestablished | 1 Jan 1902 |
| • Succeeded by | Arendal Municipality |
| Administrative centre | Barbu |
| Area (upon dissolution)[1] | |
• Total | 15.3 km2 (5.9 sq mi) |
| Population (1902) | |
• Total | 6,787 |
| • Density | 444/km2 (1,150/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| ISO 3166 code | NO-0990[2] |
Barbu is a former municipality in the old Aust-Agder county in Norway. Today, it is part of the town of Arendal in Agder county. The 15.3-square-kilometre (5.9 sq mi) municipality existed from 1878 until 1902 when it was merged into the town of Arendal. The municipality was located just to the north of what was then the 0.34-square-kilometre (84-acre) town of Arendal. The administrative centre of the small, urban municipality was called Barbu as well. Barbu Church was the church for the municipality.[3]
Today, the name Barbu refers to the village-like place located in head of the Galtesundet strait within the town of Arendal. Barbu is also a parish (sogn) in the Arendal prosti (deanery) within the Diocese of Agder og Telemark.[1]
Name
Originally, Barbu was a part of the municipality of Østre Moland that was created on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt law). On 1 May 1878, Østre Moland was divided to form three municipalities: Barbu (population: 4,874), Østre Moland (population: 2,524), and Tromøy (population: 2,320). On 1 January 1902, Barbu was merged with the neighboring town of Arendal, vastly increasing the size of the town. Before the merger, Barbu had a population of 6,787.[4]
The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the old Barbu farm (Old Norse: Berubú). The first element is likely derived from the female name Bera. Another theory is that the first element is the old name for a local river. The last element is bú which means "dwelling" or "farm".[5]
Government
During its existence, this municipality was governed by a municipal council of directly elected representatives. The mayor was indirectly elected by a vote of the municipal council.[6]
