Avesta Municipality

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.

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 However, the privileges were withdrawn in 1688 due to complains of competition from its neighbour, mainly Falun.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

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

Municipal towns

Avesta
Krylbo - an important railway junction that has successfully been incorporated with the town Avesta.
Horndal
Fors

Notability

Near the town Avesta is a park of European bison.

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.

The city is today mostly notable for its steel mill owned by the Finnish company, Outokumpu.

Sometimes confused with

Alvesta Municipality, Sweden.

External links

Avesta - Official site