Harstad (Norwegian, pronounced [hɐ̞̂ɻ.ʃt̠ɐ̞] ⓘ) or Hárstták (Northern Sami)[5][6] is the second-most populated municipality in Troms county, Norway.

Villages in the municipality include Elgsnes, Fauskevåg, Gausvika, Grøtavær, Kasfjord, Lundenes, Nergården and Sørvika.

The 412-metre (1,352 ft) tall mountain, Nupen, is located in the northwestern part of the municipality on the border with Kvæfjord.

the northern lights) zone, and the aurora can often be seen on clear nights, but not in summer due to the continuous daylight.

These, together with the burial cairns built close to the sea, are indications of a well-developed Bronze Age culture in the Harstad area.

Trondenes is mentioned in the Heimskringla as a power centre in the Viking Age and a place to meet and discuss important issues (Trondarting).

Harstad is one of the few towns in this part of Norway which were left largely undamaged by World War II.

It is called Hárstták when it is spelled alone, but it is Hársttáid suohkan when using the Sami language equivalent to "Harstad municipality".

The official blazon is "Azure, two bars wavy argent" (Norwegian: To bølgende sølv bjelker på blå bunn).

The bars have a tincture of argent which means they are commonly colored white, but if it is made out of metal, then silver is used.

Since the town of Harstad is located in the municipality, a mural crown is typically shown above the shield.

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Harstad is made up of 35 representatives that are elected to four-year terms.

Harstad and the surrounding area have traditionally been among the most productive agricultural regions in Northern Norway,.

[58] The old seabed, now dry land due to isostatic rebound (up to 60 to 80 metres or 200 to 260 feet above sea level), creating fertile soil that is well-suited for farming.

Kystjegerkommandoen (Coastal Ranger Command) has its home base at Trondenes, just north of the town of Harstad.

Marinejegerkommandoen is based in Ramsund, a village in neighboring Tjeldsund Municipality on the mainland south of Harstad.

General Carl Gustav Fleischer led the field operations of the Norwegian Armed Forces in World War II, among them the 7,500 soldiers which from the north pushed the Nazi Germans back to Narvik and participated in retaking Narvik on 28 May 1940.

Harstad is also the hometown of the Norwegian army band "Forsvarets Musikkorps Nord Norge" with professional musicians.

[69] Alvestad, Aune, Elgsnes, Ervik, Grøtavær, Hagan, Kasfjord, Kilhus, Kjøtta, Lundenes, Mustaparta, Nergården, Røkenes, Steinnes, Stornes, Storvassbotn, Sørlia, Tennvassåsen, Tømmeråsen, Undlandet, Vika, and Årnes.

Bergseng, Blåbærhaugen, Breivika, City Center, Eineberget, Gangsås, Grønnebakkan, Harstadbotn, Harstadåsen, Heggen, Holtet, Kanebogen, Kilbotn, Medkila, Ruggevika, Sama, Seljestad, Skaret, Stangnes, Trondenes, and Åsby.