Kalix facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kalix
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Kalix Church
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 Kalix
Location in Norrbotten
Kalix
Location in Sweden
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| Country | Sweden |
| Province | Norrbotten |
| County | Norrbotten County |
| Municipality | Kalix Municipality |
| Area | |
| • Total | 7.57 km2 (2.92 sq mi) |
| Population
(31 December 2010)
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| • Total | 7,299 |
| • Density | 964/km2 (2,500/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
Kalix is a town in Norrbotten County, Sweden. It is the main town of the Kalix Municipality. The name Kalix might come from the Sami word Gáláseatnu, which means "The cold river." This was the old name for the Kalix River. In 2005, about 7,300 people lived in Kalix.
Contents
Kalix Löjrom: A Special Treat
Kalix is famous for a special food called Kalix Löjrom. Some people call it "caviar of Kalix." It is made from the eggs of a small fish called the vendace.
Why Kalix Löjrom is Unique
The taste of these fish eggs is very special. This is because of the large amount of fresh water flowing into the sea around Kalix from big rivers. This fresh water changes the taste of the fish eggs. The eggs get their unique flavor from a special mix of elements like bromine, iodine, and strontium found in the water.
Because it is so special, the European Union has given Kalix Löjrom a special status. This means only fish eggs from this area can be called Kalix Löjrom. This special caviar has even been served at many Nobel dinners!
Interesting Places to Visit
Kalix has many interesting places, especially its beautiful coastline.
The Kalix Archipelago
The sea outside Kalix has an archipelago with 792 islands! Some of the bigger islands are Bergön, Halsön, and Malören.
- Bergön is known for having a great sauna.
- Halsön has a large white sand beach where you can have barbecues.
- Malören is a very special island far out in the archipelago. It used to have people who guided ships. Today, it has a church, small summer houses, and old ruins like graves and a labyrinth.
The islands are very important to the people of Kalix. Many families have summer cabins there or enjoy boating between the islands. Sailing races are a popular summer event.
Kalix Church
The Kalix Church is a very old and interesting building. Its construction began in the early 1400s. It was first mentioned in a letter from 1472.
The church has a unique history. For example, a well-preserved girl dressed like a bride was found buried under the entrance. Also, the church was used as a stable for the horses of the Russian army in 1808!
A Look at Kalix History
People started living in the Kalix area about 4,500 years ago. This was after the last ice age when the climate became warmer.
Early Trade and Names
Around the year 1000, Kalix was already a place for trading goods from the forests and rivers. People from the south would sail all the way here to trade. This trading continued for centuries.
Kalix was first mentioned as a "socken" (a local area with its own government) in 1482. Before that, it had many different names like Caliss and Kalixe. For a while, a nearby area called Överkalix (Upper Kalix) was part of Kalix. When it became its own area in 1644, people started calling Kalix "Nederkalix" (Lower Kalix).
Old Industries
In the 1700s, each village in the Kalix area had its own part of the river for fishing salmon and whitefish. Villages along the coast caught herring. They would send some of their fish, along with seal blubber and tar, to places further south.
Later, mines opened in the area. A copper mine opened around 1660. By the late 1700s and early 1800s, other villages also opened mines, including an iron mine.
The Finnish War
In 1809, Kalix was where the Swedish Army surrendered during the Finnish war. This event meant that Finland was given to Russia. Peace talks then began, leading to a peace treaty.
Kalix Economy Today
The biggest employer in Kalix is the local government, called the municipality. It employs about 1,600 people. The hospital in Kalix is the second largest employer.
Main Businesses
In the private sector, some of the biggest employers are:
- Billerud Karlsborg AB (420 employees)
- Part AB (164 employees)
- Borö Pannan AB (110 employees)
- Samhall AB (110 employees)
- Silja Line/Tallink AB (83 employees)
Many jobs in Kalix are still connected to the forest industry. Billerud Karlsborg AB makes paper for packaging. They are one of Europe's biggest makers of strong paper for building materials. Part AB makes ready-made bathrooms that are sold across Europe. Borö Pannan AB makes tanks for heating water. Silja Line/Tallink AB has a phone service office in Kalix.
Financial Challenges
The Kalix municipality has faced some money problems. The number of people living in Kalix has been slowly going down since 1955. This means fewer people pay taxes, which makes it harder for the municipality to pay for services.
Sports in Kalix
Kalix has several sports clubs. One well-known club is Kalix Bandy, which plays in the highest division for men's bandy (a sport similar to ice hockey). Another club is IFK Kalix.
Villages in Kalix Municipality
- Långfors
