Avesta (locality)

Avesta (Swedish pronunciation: [ˈɑ̂ːvɛsta])[2] is a locality and the seat of Avesta Municipality in Dalarna County, Sweden, with 11,949 inhabitants in 2015.[1]

Avesta
Avesta in October 2010
Avesta Avesta
Coordinates: 60°08′44″N 16°10′06″E
Country	Sweden
Province	Dalarna
County	Dalarna County
Municipality	Avesta Municipality
Area [1]
• Total	13.91 km^2 (5.37 sq mi)
Elevation	89 m (292 ft)
Population  (31 December 2015)[1]
• Total	11,949
• Density	1,109/km^2 (2,870/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	774 xx
Area code(s)	(+46) 226
Climate	Dfb
Website	Official website

The name is first found in 1303 as "Aghastadhum". Aghe is of similar origin as the word å, meaning stream, in this case the Avestafors, a tributary of the river Dalälven. Stadhum was dative plural of a word 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 However, the privileges were withdrawn in 1688 due to complaints of competition from its neighbour, mainly Falun.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 railway junction Krylbo is situated in Avesta.

Sightseeing

• The city of Avesta has the world's largest Dalecarlian horse.[3] The horse statue is made of concrete and located next to the city's first Burger King. Avesta's Burger King opened on February 16, 2016.[4]

• Koppardalen Verket is a popular attraction in Avesta. It is a former ironworks that began operations in 1874. It is now a museum and hosts art exhibits.

• Metropoolen is an indoor swimming pool and adventure area in Avesta. It includes a 78-meter-long water slide.

• Avesta Visentpark (Avesta Bison Park) has about 25 European bison. The park has a cafe, a historic home from the 1930s, and a children's playhouse.

Sports

The following sports clubs are located in Avesta:

• Avesta AIK
• Masarna
• Skogsbo-Avesta IF

Notable people

• Retired NHL defenceman Nicklas Lidström
• Tony Rickardsson
• Counter-Strike: Global Offensive player Jesper 'JW' Wecksell

Bands

• Scar Symmetry

References

1. "Tätorternas landareal, folkmängd och invånare per km² 2015" (in Swedish). Statistics Sweden. 16 February 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
2. Jöran Sahlgren; Gösta Bergman (1979). Svenska ortnamn med uttalsuppgifter (in Swedish). p. 5.
3. https://www.visitdalarna.se/en/worlds-largest-dalahorse
4. http://www.mynewsdesk.com/se/burgerking_se/pressreleases/burger-king-r-expanderar-i-dalarna-och-oeppnar-i-avesta-1317927