Avesta (locality)

Not to be confused with Alvesta in Kronoberg County, Sweden.
Avesta

Avesta in October 2010
Avesta
Coordinates: 60°08′44″N 16°10′06″E / 60.14556°N 16.16833°ECoordinates: 60°08′44″N 16°10′06″E / 60.14556°N 16.16833°E
Country Sweden
Province Dalarna
County Dalarna County
Municipality Avesta Municipality
Area[1]
 • Total 13.91 km2 (5.37 sq mi)
Elevation 89 m (292 ft)
Population (31 December 2010)[1]
 • Total 14,506
 • Density 1,043/km2 (2,700/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 774 xx
Area code(s) (+46) 226
Website Official website

Avesta is a locality and the seat of Avesta Municipality in Dalarna County, Sweden, with 14,506 inhabitants in 2010.[1]

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.

The Avestadfors settlement, circa 1700, in Suecia antiqua et hodierna.

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 Avesta fors.

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 However, the privileges were withdrawn in 1688 due to complaints of competition from its neighbour, mainly Falun.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.

Geography

The town is located by the Dalecarlia River (Dalälven).

The railhead Krylbo is situated in Avesta.

Sports

The following sports clubs are located in Avesta:

Notable people

Bands

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Avesta (locality).
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Tätorternas landareal, folkmängd och invånare per km2 2005 och 2010" (in Swedish). Statistics Sweden. 14 December 2011. Archived from the original on 10 January 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2012.