Rauland

Rauland is a mountain village in Telemark County, Norway. It is situated in the traditional region of Vest-Telemark.
Overview.
The former municipality of Rauland was created in 1860 from the districts of Rauland in Vinje and Øyfjell in Lårdal as a border adjustment. The new municipality had a population of 988. On 1 January 1964, Rauland was incorporated into Vinje. Prior to the merger Rauland had a population of 1,656.
Rauland is known for hiking, recreation and skiing. It is the largest winter destination in Telemark with three ski resorts, 49 slopes, 18 lifts and 150 km of cross-country trails. Well-known snowboarding celebrity, Terje Håkonsen, started his career in Rauland.
Telemark University College has a campus in Rauland. Rauland Church ("Rauland kyrkje") was built in 1803. It was constructed based upon designs by architect Jarand Rønjom (1738-1822).
Rauland Art Museum ("Rauland kunstmuseum") include sculptures, paintings, graphics and drawings by the sculptor Dyre Vaa.
The name.
The municipality (originally a parish) is named after the old farm, Rauland (Norse "Rauðaland"), since the first church was built there. The first element is the genitive case of "rauði" m 'bog-iron', the last element is "land" n 'land, farm'. (The many marshlands in the parish are filled with bog-iron, and for centuries its production was an important local resource.)