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]

Not to be confused with Alvesta in Kronoberg County, Sweden.
Avesta
Avesta in October 2010
Avesta
Avesta
Coordinates: 60°08′44″N 16°10′06″E
CountrySweden
ProvinceDalarna
CountyDalarna County
MunicipalityAvesta Municipality
Area
 • Total13.91 km2 (5.37 sq mi)
Elevation
89 m (292 ft)
Population
 (31 December 2015)[1]
 • Total11,949
 • Density1,109/km2 (2,870/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
774 xx
Area code(s)(+46) 226
ClimateDfb
WebsiteOfficial 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 However, the privileges were withdrawn in 1688 due to complaints of competition from its neighbour, mainly Falun.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.

Sports

The following sports clubs are located in Avesta:

Notable people

Bands

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

References
  1. "Tätorternas landareal, folkmängd och invånare per km2 2015" (in Swedish). Statistics Sweden. 16 February 2016. Archived from the original on 10 January 2012. 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
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