Svolvaer. Lofoten's capital is an important junction for the whole area with approx. 4000 inhabitants. The centre of administration for Vagan county council. Svolvaer belonged to the crown until 1760. Trading centre since before 1647, loading station from 1918. Centre of administration for the Lofot fishing, coastal steamer port of call and supply port for local boats. The fishing forms the basis for several industries. Canning, fish filletting factories, refrigerator stores, boat yards."Artists house" with studios erected by norweglan and swedish artistic organizations. Lofotposten, the areas most important newspaper is distributed from Svolvaer. The painter Gunnar Berg from Svolvaer painted many paintings from Lofoten and his most famous picture, Slagel i Trollfjorden (The battle of Trollfjord) can be seen in the townhall which is open during office hours. Svolvaer and the Lofot wall have been favourite themes for many painters. The Svolvaer goat, a geological notability in the Floy mountain 569 m directly up from the town. Post office, bank, doctor, chemist and garage. Hotels, boarding houses and fishermens shanties.