Harstad is a city and municipality in Norway . It is the second largest in the county of Troms, and the third largest in North Norway, by population. This makes Harstad the natural centre for its district. The city celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2004.
The municipality is located on the sheltered northeastern part of Hinnøya, which is Norway's largest island (except from Svalbard), and the southern part, 53 km², of Grytøya, located just north of Hinnøya. It's bordered by Bjarkøy to the north, Kvæfjord to the west and Tjeldsund (in the county of Nordland) to the south. To the southeast the Tjeldsund Bridge connects Hinnøya with Skånland and the mainland across Tjeldsundet, and to the northeast is the fjord Vågsfjorden, where Harstad shares a water border with Ibestad. The city itself is located northeast on Hinnøya; it is the only city on the island, and it's popularly known as Vågsfjordens perle – pearl of Vågsfjorden.
