Avesta Municipality
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- This page deals with both Avesta Municipality and the urban area (tätort) Avesta
 Avesta Municipality in Dalarna Map outlining the municipalities of Sweden |
Coat of arms |
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| Municipal facts | ||
| Seat | Avesta | |
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| County | Dalarna County | |
| Province | Dalarna | |
Area
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616 km² 153rd of 290 |
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Population
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22,102 x of 290 |
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| Population density | 36/km² | |
Avesta Municipality is a Municipality in Dalarna, in central Sweden. Its seat is in Avesta with a population of 15,000.
The name is first found in 1303 as "Aghastadhum". Aghe (pronounced "ave") is of similar origin as the word å, meaning stream, in this case the Avestadfors, a tributary of the Dalecarlia River. Stadhum is of similar origin as stead, or farm.
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[edit] History
In the Scandinavian Middle Ages there was a blast furnace at the location. In 1636 the construction of a giant copper mine was initiated near the Avestadfors.
The town Avesta received partial privileges in 1641 as a town under the city of Falun, and in 1644 a copper mint was built. However, the privileges were withdrawn in 1688 due to complains of competition from its neighbour, mainly Falun. Copper coins were continued to be minted until 1831, and the copper works was in function until 1869.
Full city rights were regranted in 1919. The designated coat of arms depict the signs for copper and iron.
[edit] Geography
The town is located by the Dalecarlia River (Dalälven).
Avesta borders to the municipalities of:
- Hedemora in Dalarna,
- Hofors and Sandviken in Gävleborg County,
- Norberg and Sala in Västmanland County
[edit] Sports
Speedway: The most successful sport team in Avesta is their speedway team Masarna, translating to "the men of Dalecarlia", competing in the highest division in Sweden. Tony Rickardsson was born in Avesta. He is considered one of the most successful speedway riders of our time.
Football: Avesta AIK, Krylbo IF
Table Tennis: IK Juno
Ladies Handball: Avesta Brovallen HF
Ice Hockey: Avesta BK
[edit] Municipal towns
- Avesta
- Krylbo - an important railway junction that has successfully been incorporated with the town Avesta.
- Horndal
- Fors
[edit] Notability
Near the town Avesta is a park of European bison.
The city is today mostly notable for its steel mill owned by the Finnish company, Outokumpu.
The largest Dalacarcian Horse (Dalahästa) is located in Avesta. It is 13 meters tall and weighs 67 tons.
[edit] Sometimes confused with
- Alvesta Municipality, Sweden.
[edit] External links
- Avesta - Official site
| Dalarna County |
| Avesta | Borlänge | Falun | Gagnef | Hedemora | Leksand | Ludvika | Malung | Mora | Orsa | Rättvik | Smedjebacken | Säter | Vansbro | Älvdalen |
| Counties of Sweden | Sweden |
Avesta Municipality is one of 134 towns with the historical City status in Sweden.
