| Åhus | |
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| Åhus, marketplace | |
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Åhus
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Sweden |
| Province | Skåne |
| County | Skåne County |
| Municipality | Kristianstad Municipality |
| Area[1] | |
| • Total | 9.63 km2 (3.7 sq mi) |
| Population (2010-12-31)[1] | |
| • Total | 9,423 |
| • Density | 978/km2 (2,533/sq mi) |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
Åhus is the second largest locality in Kristianstad Municipality, Skåne County, Sweden with 9,423 inhabitants in 2010[1], but it triples during the summer due to the predominantly German tourists who come seeking the beaches and nature of the Helgeå and Hanöbukten area. Åhus is also famous for hosting one of the largest beach handball tournaments in the world with approximately 20,000 participants. In 2011, nearby Åhus in the village of Rinkaby the World Scout Meeting also known as the Jamboree will be held.
An old town, Åhus gained its city privileges in 1149, but lost them in 1617 when Kristianstad was built, following the burning of Vä by Swedish king Gustav II Adolf during the Kalmar War, 1611-13. Built during the 12th century, one of Åhus oldest buildings is Sankta Maria kyrka (church of St. Mary).
Nina Persson, the famous glamour model and international curator of the year 2010, lived in Åhus in her childhood.
The town is also center for the famous Swedish Eel-parties ("ålagille"), where people come together during August and September to eat eel and drink considerable amounts of schnapps, mostly the world famous locally produced Absolut Vodka.
In 1950 an ice-cream factory was built in Åhus, Åhus Glass. The factory was bought by another company and is now made and sold under the name Ingeman Glass. Today, the original owners of Åhus Glass have reopened under a new brand, Otto Glass, producing ice cream with the original Åhus Glass recipes -- the company is famous for its chocolate-dipped waffle cones. Another ice cream factory in Skåne is Engelholms Glass.
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