Rakkestad
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| County | Østfold | |
| District | Smaalenene | |
| Municipality | NO-0128 | |
| Administrative centre | Rakkestad | |
| Mayor (2003) | John Thune (KrF) | |
| Official language form | Bokmål | |
| Area - Total - Land - Percentage |
Ranked 227 435 km² 421 km² 0.13 % |
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| Population - Total (2004) - Percentage - Change (10 years) - Density |
Ranked 138 7,232 0.16 % 2.2 % 17/km² |
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| Coordinates | ||
| www.rakkestad.kommune.no |
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Rakkestad is a municipality in the county of Østfold, Norway. It is divided into the parishes Rakkestad, Degernes and Os. It is the county's second largest municipality by area and one of Norway's largest agricultural areas. Farming and forestry have always been important for settling and employment in Rakkestad. As a consequence the principal industries are grain growing, cattle - and dairy farming. Rakkestad has also developed a diversified economy based on agriculture and forestry such as poultry slaughterhouse and egg packing station, grain silo and mill, woodworking factories and agricultural machinery retailers. Traditional mechanical industry has developed into advanced technical industry directed towards the process -, maritime - and offshore industry. Rakkestad’s large areas of rolling, wooded hills offer excellent year round recreational and leisure opportunities. There are marked forest paths for hiking and cross-country skiing. There are a number of quiet lakes for fishing and canoeing. Rakkestad municipality offers small game hunting as well as roe deer hunting in the municipal forests, which cover about 18 square kilometres. There are possibilities for farm lodging as well as cabin lodging.
A visit to the fire tower on Linnekleppen is recommended. Located at the one of the highest peaks in the county (325 m) it overlooks the whole county, parts of neighbouring counties and parts of Sweden. Linnekleppen is the only fire tower still in use in Norway.
[edit] The name
The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the old farm Rakkestad (Norse Rakkastađir). The first element is the genitive case of the Norse male name (nickname) Rakki, the last element is stađir 'homestead, farm'.
[edit] Coat-of-arms
The coat-of-arms is from modern times (1975). It shows blades of clover, to represent the agriculture in the municipality. The three standing clovers is meant to represent the three parishes of the municipality: Rakkestad, Degernes and Os.
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| Municipalities of Østfold | |
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Aremark | Askim | Eidsberg | Fredrikstad | Halden | Hobøl | Hvaler | Marker | Moss | Rakkestad | Rygge | Rømskog | Råde | Sarpsborg | Skiptvet | Spydeberg | Trøgstad | Våler |
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