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Övertorneå facts for kids

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For the Finnish side of Övertorneå, see Ylitornio.
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Övertorneå

Matarengi  (Meänkieli)
July 2010 photography taken from a car moving from Finland into Sweden through eastern Övertorneå.
July 2010 photography taken from a car moving from Finland into Sweden through eastern Övertorneå.
Övertorneå is located in Norrbotten
Övertorneå
Övertorneå
Location in Norrbotten
Övertorneå is located in Sweden
Övertorneå
Övertorneå
Location in Sweden
Country Sweden
Province Norrbotten
County Norrbotten County
Municipality Övertorneå Municipality
Area
 • Total 2.69 km2 (1.04 sq mi)
Elevation
71 m (233 ft)
Population
 (31 December 2010)
 • Total 1,917
 • Density 713/km2 (1,850/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)
Post code
957 85
Area code(s) (+46) 92

Övertorneå (which means "Upper Torneå") is a small town in Sweden. It is located in Norrbotten County. This town is the main center of the Övertorneå Municipality. In 2010, about 1,917 people lived there.

Övertorneå sits right on the edge of the Torne River. Across the river, you'll find its twin town, Ylitornio, in Finland.

History of Övertorneå

The name "Övertorneå" comes from a time when the Torneå parish was split into two parts in the 1500s. Before 1809, the two villages on both sides of the Torne River were actually one big community.

In 1809, a new border was drawn along the Torne River. This border separated Sweden and Finland. From 1809 until 1917, this river marked Sweden's border with Russia.

Sports in Övertorneå

Övertorneå is known for its ice hockey players. Two famous players from this town have played at a high level.

  • Linus Omark is an NHL forward.
  • Daniel Henriksson is another well-known ice hockey player.

The main sports club in Övertorneå is:

  • Övertorneå SK

Famous People from Övertorneå

Many interesting people have lived in Övertorneå.

  • Mathilda Fogman (1835-1921) was a midwife from Sweden and Finland. She was also an important spiritual leader. She helped guide people in the Laestadianism movement in Övertorneå.
  • Brita Klemetintytär (1621-1700) lived in Övertorneå. She followed in her father's footsteps. She worked as a postmaster, helping to manage the mail.

Gallery

  • Matarengi Church exterior

    Matarengi Church

  • Övertorneå järnvägsstation

    Övertorneå railway station

  • Röda kvarn Övertorneå

    Röda Kvarn

  • PanoTorne

    A view from Aavasaksa, across the border river.

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Övertorneå Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.