Askim

Askim has always been a strategic point in wars due to its relative easy crossing of the river. The last battle between Norway and Sweden was fought at the crossing over Glomma on 9 August 1814. There is a yearly historical reenactment, as well as a stone monument at Langnes to commemorate this event. During the Norwegian campaign of World War II, a battle occurred at Fossum Bridge when the Norwegian Army defended the crossing against invading Germans in April 1940. Name The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the old Askim farm (Old Norse: Askheimr), since the first church was built here. The first element is askr which means "ash tree" and the last element is heimr which means "home", "homestead", or "farm". Coat-of-arms The coat-of-arms is from modern times. They were granted on 1 November 1963. The arms symbolize the three large waterfalls in the municipality, the Solbergfoss, Kykkelsrudfoss, and Vammafoss. The rivers and waterfalls are also partially harnessed for hydroelectric power. ==Transportation==

European route E18 used to go through the city centre, however, since the upgrade to four-lane highway in 2005, its route now runs outside the centre. Vy's Eastern Østfold Line serves the municipality with stops at Langnes Station and Næringsparken and Askim Station in between. ==Government==

The municipal council runs the government of Askim. The 2007 election results are as follows: ==Attractions==

• Østfoldbadet • Askim videregående skole • Askimtorget • Askim Golf Course == Twin towns — sister cities ==

The following cities are twinned with Askim: • - Huddinge, Stockholm County, Sweden • - Lyngby-Taarbæk Kommune, Region Hovedstaden, Denmark • - Nuuk, Nuuk Municipality, Greenland • - Rapla, Rapla County, Estonia • - Seyðisfjörður, Seyðisfjarðarkaupstaður, Iceland • - Vantaa, Uusimaa, Finland == Notable people ==