Porjus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Porjus
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 Porjus
Location in Norrbotten
Porjus
Location in Sweden
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| Country | Sweden |
| Province | Lapland |
| County | Norrbotten County |
| Municipality | Jokkmokk Municipality |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.74 km2 (0.29 sq mi) |
| Population
(31 December 2015)
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| • Total | 343 |
| • Density | 324/km2 (840/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
Porjus is a small village located in Jokkmokk Municipality, in the northern part of Sweden. It's found in Norrbotten County and is part of the beautiful Lapland region. About 328 people lived there in 2010. Porjus sits right by the Lule River, about 499 meters (1,637 feet) above sea level.
Contents
The Famous Porjus Power Plant
Porjus is most famous for its very old hydropower plant. This plant, called the Porjus kraftverk, was built a long time ago, between 1910 and 1915. It was one of the first big hydropower plants in Sweden.
Why the Power Plant Was Built
The power plant was built to create electricity. This electricity was needed to help build a railroad. This railroad connected Luleå in Sweden to Narvik in Norway. The railroad was important for moving iron ore from mines.
What to Do in Porjus Today
Even though it's an old village, Porjus is still a lively place. The historic power plant is a popular spot for visitors.
Local Jobs and Businesses
The biggest employer in Porjus is Vattenfall, a Swedish power company. But there are also smaller businesses. For example, Fiskflyg is a small aviation company. It actually offered some of the first regular passenger flights in Sweden, flying between Porjus and Suorva.
Fun Activities and Sights
Porjus offers many unique things to do:
- Golf Course: There's a special golf course where you hit the ball across the Lule River, right next to a big dam!
- Skiing: You can enjoy a small downhill skiing course.
- Snowmobiling: There are many routes for snowmobiles in the winter.
- Shops: You'll find small shops to explore.
- Walking Trail: A 50-kilometer (31-mile) walking trail starts from Gällivare. This trail was used by workers almost 100 years ago to carry building materials.
- Photo Gallery: There's a unique photo gallery that specializes in pictures of the aurora borealis, also known as the Northern Lights.
Famous People from Porjus
Some well-known people have connections to Porjus:
- Lagoona: This online artist lived in Porjus from 1996 to 2004.
- Birgitta Svendén: A famous singer was born in Porjus.
- Carl-Henric Svanberg: He was born in Porjus and became a very important person in business. He used to be the head of Ericsson, a big technology company. Later, he became the chairman of BP and is now the chairman of Volvo.
Gateway to Laponia
Porjus is also the last stop before you enter the amazing Laponia area. This area is so special that it's recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. It includes four national parks, full of incredible nature.
A Piece of History: The "Easy Elsie" Plane
In October 1944, during World War II, a British bomber plane called an Avro Lancaster had to crash-land near Porjus. It landed in some nearby marshes after a mission. The crew couldn't completely destroy the plane, so parts of "Easy Elsie" (that was its nickname) can still be found in the marshes today.
