VARDO, NORWAY

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP83-00423R000301590012-0
Release Decision: 
RIFPUB
Original Classification: 
C
Document Page Count: 
6
Document Creation Date: 
November 9, 2016
Document Release Date: 
December 21, 1998
Sequence Number: 
12
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
April 4, 1951
Content Type: 
REPORT
File: 
AttachmentSize
PDF icon CIA-RDP83-00423R000301590012-0.pdf213.49 KB
Body: 
r :v Approved For Release 1999/09/10 C 00301590012-0 - f6i W COUNTRY s NORWAY Populations 3.533 in 1950 Latitude 700 23 mins. north 310 10 wins. east Province- FINNMARK Date of Observation: April 1, 1951 General Descriptions A leading fishing port on an island off the eastern end of north Varanger peninsula. Separated from mainland by about a mile of open water. Depends on mainland for supplies except those imported by sea. Is shipping hdq. for important Barents Sea banks and visited by international fishing fleets. Note - Vardb is in longitude of central Turkey and Cairo. Geographic Description- Outer coast of Finnmark Plateau, modified mild temperatures of ocean. Occupations-, Agricultural Fishin Industrial Negligible on island Outstanding Fish processing of all Milk shipped from mainland. types. Natural Vegetation.- No trees. Rough grass, scrub birch, low bushed and other tundra. Land Forms and. GeoloV- Glaciated low islands (200,ft.) much bare rock, boulder and pebble shores, sand dunes on mainland. Many raised beaches. Mining-, Population (racial, cultural, linguistic)- Norwegian with fishing port influences. Business and professional. Approved For Release 1999/09/10: CIA-RDP83-00423R004 SEC iin TO CtA U V, RET LW CRY intermixture. Typical ITY INFORMATION PL JE o VARDO Approved For Release 1999/09/10 : CIA-Rt -Q0423R0003015.90012-0 It PLACE (cont$d): VARDO Climate and 'Weather No observations for standard data seeniNorwegian Pilot Bookt pages 31, .34, 35, 36, 41- Temperatures,. Precipitation: Clouds: Other: Note Winter night extends from Nov. 22 to Jan. 21, i.e. 60 days. Electric Power: Source: Submarine cable from mainland power source at Kongsfjord hydro, plus local diesel Voltage: 230 Cycle: 50 Extent of Grid: Tozm Telephone Yes Telegraph Radios TV Water piped from Very Important mainland. TRANSPORTATION: (From: Railway: None Stations Ballasts Power : Gauge Bridges s Highways: Route No's Vads6 _a=nd_ ouch Norway #950 at Svartnes on mainland. Surface Type: Gravel Seasonal Use: Closed by snow in Winter, snowmobile used. Underpass Note - Water communication is open throughout the year. There is no automobile ferry to mainland. Approved For Release 1999/09/10: CIA-(Fj Approved For Release 1999/09/10 : CIA-RDPB,0423 30159001 0 94 PLACE. (can-cs d ): VARDO It SECU INF?RIWATtC Ferries: Location: 17ardb to Svartnes Tonnage : Small motorboat, Capacity: g passengers, no cars Schedules: Irregular during daytime. Steamers: Routing; Daily express to Kirkenes and South Norway. Local around coast. Tonnages: Capacity: Schedules: See Rutebok Bus ktoutes: Note - Many supply vessels including foreign. Numerous trawlers. Sumner: Svartnes to Vads8 and South Norway Winter' Snowmobile Svartnes to Vads8 Other Transportation: Flying boat April to Sept. connects with South Norway. Plans exist to use former Nazi Airfield at Svartnes for land plane service. MAPS Title Scale Date Publisher Town sketch in Veibok 1949 See 1949 report for discussion of replanning of town with possible shift to mainland. Detailed plans prepared by Nor. Government Planning; Office, 1948 Approved For Release 1999/09/10: CIA-RDP83-....A~~10012-0 Approved For Release 1999/09/10 : CIA-F*W-QP423R00 001.5900 PLACE (cont' d).- VAR Title Author Date Publisher Cost Date of' travel to this place: Aril 4, 1951 Arrived" -2330 Vardb Starting Points Vadsd Departed; 5 A,r_ . L am Distance traveled (in kms)s (previous visit _41 in 1949) Vehicles Used: "press team Frj]annrs h arLha Where stayed: CONTACTS: Name Address Position T.ph. Comment CONFIDENTIAL Approved For Release 1999/09/10: CIA-RDP83SWER12-0 . e KONFIgpNTIAL PLACE (cont'd)s VAfipO Photographs: Purchased locally: Taken'. Sketches Mades Location SECURITIMFORMATION Description Type No. of Workers Products Power 15 fish processing Various for export Electrical plants including quick freezing, filetting, oil meal, fish drying, etc. Ship repairing & misc. small industries CONFIDE L SECU INI6VAT(( Approved For Release 1999/09/10 : CIA-R 83-00423R000301590012-0 Approved For Release 1999/09/10 : CIA-F 3- SEAPORTS: General Comments: Vardi is ?hmost important fishing port for the traffic; It does not serve as to rebuilt it at Svartnes on mainland, Cargo Handling: opposition. Wharves: Main Steamship Lighters: Warehouses: 700 sq. meters on steamship quay, five others up to 1,000 sq. Cranes: meters area. Location At ship repair yards Seven Fish piers Repair Facilities All except major damage. Machine Shops: Yes Dry docks: 423R000301590012-0 in northeast Norway, but it is inadequate importing point for Hinterland. Plans made where it could have grown, were blocked by local Location Depth North Harbor (wood) 152 meters by 14 Ft. at low tide. Fishing compare Various lengths from 80 to etc. 16 meters. 14 ft. to 5 ft. depth. Tonnage Comments various, electric Used mainly by trawlers, etc. Slip for 100 ft. vessels. Salvage gears yes. Supplies Available Important supply base Water Yes Provisions Yes Engineering r- Deck Yes Harbor Information North harbor is formed by two break waters leaving narrow entrance, Space available inside is restricted. Maximum depth outside entrance 14 meters. Pilot essential. Harbor opened to northerly gales. Reconstruction still continues. Approved For Release 1999/09/10 : CIA-RD SECURI Repair wharf 300 ft. for international fishing fleet. 41590012-0 INFORMAT[QN