Hå municipality in Norway is part of the Jæren district. It was established by joining Nærbø, Varhaug and Ogna. Hå is an important agricultural community. A population of approximately 17.400 people has settled mostly around the railway stations at Nærbø, Varhaug and Vigrestad. The municipality has an area of approximately 258,7 km2. Most of the almost 40 kilometer long stretch of coastline is straight, without islands or bays. In the Northeast the Hå river runs through a flat landscape. Both this one and the Ogna river is good for salmon fishing.

Hå municipality has three well-developed service centres: Nærbø, Varhaug and Vigrestad, of which Nærbø is the largest. The township’s administration is at the Town Hall in Varhaug. Hå has seven primary schools: at Høyland, Bø, Motland, Vigre, Varhaug, Vigrestad and Ogna. Junior high schools are at Ogna, Vigrestad, Varhaug and Nærbø, and a tertiary school, Tryggheim, is located in Nærbø. The township has well-developed health centres at Nærbø, Varhaug and Vigrestad. Jæren is one of Norway´s richest archaeological fields. Of the total 5000 finds made on Jæren, about one fifth has been in Hå.

The archaeological dig at Hå is located on a beach of round boulders, close to the old Hå Vicarage.

HÅ OLD VICARAGE

Hå Gamle Prestegård, which has now been converted into a cultural centre. The Vicarage dates from 1787 and includes several annexes and out buildings. The complex has been extended with a restored “Jærhus” which is to house the books and manuscripts of the Rogaland writer Alfred Hauge, willed by him to the township of Hå upon his death. The complex, built traditionally around a yard, is interesting in itself. In addition high quality exhibitions of art and regional themes are held here regularly, making the old Vicarage a popular place for family outings and one of Rogaland’s most successful cultural ventures in recent times. The township has a varied economy. Much of the industry is related to agriculture. Service industries cover most sectors.

JÆREN

Jæren is the largest flat lowland area in Norway, stretching from the municipality of Randaberg in the north to Hå in the south. The coast is flat compared to the rest of the Norwegian coast, and has sandy beaches along most of the coastline. The largest city of Jæren are Stavanger and Sandnes.

The petroleum industry around Stavanger is an important part of economy of Jæren, with the headquarters of the country´s largest oil company Statoil being located on Jæren, as well regional offices of international companies like ExxonMobil, Eni, Shell, ConocoPhilips, BP, Schlumberger, Halliburton, Baker Hughes and several others.

Jæren is also one of the most important agricultural areas of Norway, with a long crop period and a varied and well-developed livestock production. Industry here is also strongly connected to the farming industry, with one of the largest producers of agricultural machines in the world, Kverneland Group, located in Time and Klepp.

Author and poet Arne Garborg grew up in the traditional lowland landscape of Jæren, and in several of his works he describes the landscape and its inhabitants around the turn of the 19th century.

FISHING

Enjoy the rugged coastline, the invigorating sea air and the secluded coves. Sea-fishing is unrivaled here. Try your luck casting the line from the rocky foreshore. A day at sea is an unforgettable experience, fishing either from a smack or a cutter.