Jokkmokk Municipality facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jokkmokk Municipality
Jokkmokks kommun
|
||
|---|---|---|
|
||
 |
||
| Country | Sweden | |
| County | Norrbotten County | |
| Seat | Jokkmokk | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 19,477.24 km2 (7,520.20 sq mi) | |
| • Land | 17,735.36 km2 (6,847.66 sq mi) | |
| • Water | 1,741.88 km2 (672.54 sq mi) | |
| Area as of January 1, 2010. | ||
| Population
(June 30, 2012)
|
||
| • Total | 5,194 | |
| • Density | 0.266670/km2 (0.69067/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | |
| ISO 3166 code | SE | |
| Province | Lapland | |
| Municipal code | 2510 | |
| Website | www.jokkmokk.se | |
Jokkmokk Municipality is a municipality in Norrbotten County in northern Sweden. Its seat is located in Jokkmokk.
The name Jokkmokk is Sami for the words "river" and "bend", since the town is situated close to a bend in the nearby river. It's Sweden's poorest municipality.
The municipality is the second largest in area of all Swedish municipalities and is, with an area of 19,477 km2 (approximately 7,520 square miles) slightly smaller than Slovenia or the US state of New Jersey. It has never been joined with another city, having been that large ever since municipalities were established in Sweden in 1863.
History
When the municipality was given its current borders in 1971, its municipal coat of arms were made to depict the hydro plant, the symbol of Luleå (to which Jokkmokk belonged until 1673), and the traditional Sami hammers.
The municipality is situated in the Scandinavian Mountains in Swedish Lapland and is sparsely populated. A large part of the area has been the habitat of reindeer herding Sami people for thousands of years and has for that reason been protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name Laponian area.
There are several well-structured and well-maintained starting locations for those interested in experiencing the majestic wilderness. For instance, the Kvikkjokk basecamp provides excursions and has a high quality hostel.
Due to the northern location, the aurora borealis can be experienced all through winter (November to March), and the midnight sun can be experienced during June and July.
The Lule River and the Lesser Lule River flows through the district. The rivers are heavily regulated for Hydroelectricity, most of all in Sweden. 6 of the 10 largest hydroplants are located in the area.
National parks
.jpg)
The four national parks in Jokkmokk Municipality all have their own distinct identity. The national parks are Sarek, Muddus, Padjelanta and Stora Sjöfallet.
These national parks are popular with tourists all year around but the darkest and coldest months (November to January) are not recommended for beginners. The best period for sunshine and winter activities is from February all through April, when the snow lies deep and the days are long.
The summer in Jokkmokk Municipality is short but intense. The ground is free of snow from May until late October, early November. As with most areas in the Nordic countries, the actual warm period is quite short. During the summer months hikers and other friends of nature converge in the national parks and this is also the time when most of the parks are most easily accessed.
Fall is also short and the shifting colors of the wide forests make the surroundings burn with color. This is a good time for hiking but due to the shifting temperatures the mountainous parts of the national parks can be treacherous for those unprepared.
Other attractions
Jokkmokk is known for its Sami market held the first weekend every February. This market has been held for more than 400 consecutive years. Initially a gathering of traders from the entire region the market has long since grown to be more than a simple gathering of traders and is now a week-long cultural event with lectures, art exhibitions, concerts and much more.
There are several hotels and hostels in Jokkmokk, Vuollerim and Porjus. Jokkmokk is easily accessed by car and bus from Luleå and Gällivare, where the nearest airports are to be found. Jokkmokk can also be reached by train.
