Stjørdal (Southern Sami: Skïerde / Sjïeredaelie) is an urban
municipality in Trøndelag county. Stjørdal is one of the wide
valleys by the Trondheim Fjord. Stjørdal is among the county's
fastest growing municipalities; since 2008 also the second most
populous, after Trondheim, with around 24,000 inhabitants. The
administration center is Stjørdalshalsen, a town with almost 15,000
inhabitants. Stjørdal received city status in 1997. Until 1 January
2018, the municipality was part of Nord-Trøndelag county.
Stjørdal borders in the west to Malvik, which lies between Stjørdal
and Trondheim, in the south to Selbu, in the east to Meråker, and in
the north to Levanger and in the sea in the northwest to Frosta.
Stjørdal is a traffic junction where Europavei 14 takes off from
Europavei 6, the railway sections Nordlandsbanen and Meråkerbanen
meet at Hell, Fylkesvei 705 runs from Stjørdal to Selbu, Tydal and
Brekken. Trondheim Airport, Værnes is the regional main airport.
Stjørdal harbor is located by the Stjørdalsfjord. It is 30 km
between Stjørdal and Trondheim, which takes about half an hour by
car, bus or train. Storlien is an hour away.
Stjørdal is a
center for trade and transport. Oil and gas technology, energy and
environmental technology, mechanical product development and
information technology are some other important industries in
Stjørdal's business. Equinor's operations administration for the
central region of the Norwegian Sea is located at Tangen in
Stjørdal. Nord University has a place of study for traffic subjects
and economic-administrative subjects at Tangen. It is both civilian
and military activity linked to Trondheim Airport, Værnes and Værnes
garrison. Stjørdal is also an important agricultural district with
extensive grain and potato cultivation, milk and meat production and
forestry.
The municipality has many ancient monuments, and
was especially in pre-Christian times considered a center of power
in Trøndelag. Steinvikholm Castle, the Catholic Church's last
stronghold in Norway, is one of the foremost symbols of Stjørdal.
Hegra fortress and the rock carvings in Hegra and Lånke are also
well visited. The more than 900-year-old Værnes Church is Norway's
oldest building that is still in use. Many foreign tourists also
visit Hell station with "Gods-Expedition". From Forbordsfjellet
there are miles of views in all directions beyond Trøndelag. Salmon
fishing in Stjørdalselva has long traditions.