Porsgrunn

Porsgrunn is a town in the county of Telemark, Norway. It had 33,122 inhabitants as of January 1, 2002. It covers 161 km².

Important industries in Porsgrunn are:

Norsk Hydro (aluminium, nitrogen fertilizers)
Elkem (silicium)
Porsgrund Porcelænsfabrik (porcelain)

Transport links from Porsgrunn:

Bus (Oslo, Kristiansand, Notodden)
Train (Oslo, Skien)

Porsgrunn is a part of a cluster of municipalities south in Telemark that makes the Grenland area. It's neighbours are Skien, Bamble, Siljan.

Porsgrunn was named after a small shrub called "Pors" (Myrica gale), which grew on marshy grounds along the banks of the Telemarksvassdraget (Telemark river), where the porcelain factory is today. Porsgrunn has been an important harbour town in the Grenland area since the late 16th century. In 1653, the customs was moved further down the Telemarksvassdraget from Skien to Porsgrunn mainly because industrial waste such as sawdust and mud made the river to shallow to allow boats to go any further up the river. Moving the customs house from Skien to Porsgrunn in 1653 added to the flourishing harbour activity, and Porsgrunn became a thriving market town. It was granted city status in 1807, and in 1842, Porsgrunn became an independent municipality.

External links

Town administration
Porsgrunds Porselænsfabrik AS porcelain factory

References

Eidanger Bygdehistorie
Porsgrunn municipality internet pages

Telemark

Municipalities of Norway | Norway