Avesta (locality) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Avesta
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Avesta in October 2010
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 Avesta
Location in Dalarna
Avesta
Location in Sweden
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| Country |  Sweden |
| Province | Dalarna |
| County | Dalarna County |
| Municipality | Avesta Municipality |
| Area | |
| • Total | 13.91 km2 (5.37 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 89 m (292 ft) |
| Population
(31 December 2015)
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| • Total | 11,949 |
| • Density | 1,109/km2 (2,870/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code |
774 xx
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| Area code(s) | (+46) 226 |
| Climate | Dfb |
Avesta is a town in Dalarna County, Sweden. It is the main town of Avesta Municipality. In 2015, about 11,949 people lived there.
The name Avesta was first written down in 1303 as "Aghastadhum". The word Aghe is like the Swedish word for "stream" or "river". This refers to the Avestafors, which is a small river flowing into the Dalälven river. The word Stadhum is similar to the English word "stead," meaning a farm or place.
Contents
History of Avesta
During the Middle Ages in Scandinavia, there was a special oven called a blast furnace in this area. It was used to melt metal. In 1636, people started building a huge copper mine near the Avesta fors river.
Avesta got some special rights as a town in 1641. It was linked to the city of Falun. In 1644, a place to make copper coins was built in Avesta. However, these special rights were taken away in 1688. This happened because nearby towns, especially Falun, complained about the competition.
Even so, copper coins continued to be made in Avesta until 1831. The copper works, which processed copper, kept running until 1869. Avesta finally received full city rights again in 1919. The town's official symbol, its coat of arms, shows signs for both copper and iron.
Geography of Avesta
The town of Avesta is located right by the Dalecarlia River (Dalälven). This is an important river in Sweden.
The Krylbo railway junction is also found in Avesta. A railway junction is a place where different train lines meet or cross.
Climate in Avesta
Avesta has a climate with clear differences between seasons. Summers are usually warm, and winters can have a lot of snow. This is because Avesta is located at a fairly low height above sea level. It also gets a good amount of rain, which helps with the snowfall in winter.
Fun Things to See and Do
- The town of Avesta is home to the world's largest Dalecarlian horse. This huge horse statue is made of concrete. It is a very famous symbol of Sweden.
- The Koppardalen Verket is a popular place to visit in Avesta. It used to be an ironworks, which started making iron in 1874. Today, it is a museum and often has art shows.
- Metropoolen is an indoor swimming pool and adventure area. It has a long water slide that is 78 meters (about 256 feet) long!
- Avesta Visentpark is a park where you can see about 25 European bison. The park also has a cafe, an old house from the 1930s, and a playhouse for kids.
Famous People from Avesta
- Nicklas Lidström – A retired ice hockey player who played in the NHL.
- Lina Hurtig – A Swedish football player.
- Tony Rickardsson – A famous speedway rider.
Bands from Avesta
- Scar Symmetry
See also
In Spanish: Avesta (Suecia) para niños
