Skellefteå facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Skellefteå
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Skellefteå in images
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| Nickname(s):
Guldstaden (Goldtown), Skellhell
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 Skellefteå
Location in Västerbotten
Skellefteå
Location in Sweden
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| Country | Sweden | |
| Province | Västerbotten | |
| County | Västerbotten County | |
| Municipality | Skellefteå Municipality | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 21.74 km2 (8.39 sq mi) | |
| Population
(2023)
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| • Total | 76,542 | |
| • Density | 3,520.8/km2 (9,118.8/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | |
| Area code(s) | +46 0910 | |
Skellefteå is a city in Västerbotten County, Sweden. It is the main town of Skellefteå Municipality. In 2024, about 77,322 people lived there.
This city has a long history of industry, especially mining. People often call it Guldstaden (which means "Goldtown") because of the gold found there. Skellefteå is also very famous for ice hockey. Its main team, Skellefteå AIK, plays in Sweden's top league, the SHL. They have won the championship many times, most recently in 2024.
Skellefteå became a city in 1845. Its population grew a lot in the 1950s and 1960s. It is the second largest city in Västerbotten, after Umeå. The Skellefte River flows right through the city. The city is about 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the Bothnian Bay sea. You can fly to Skellefteå using Skellefteå Airport. People often call the airport Falmark because it is near a village of that name.
Contents
History of Skellefteå
The name Skellefteå was first written as Skelepht in 1327. On an old map called Carta marina, it was spelled Skellitta. No one knows for sure where the name comes from. Many think it might be from the Sami language.
Starting in the 1300s, people tried to bring Christianity to Skellefteå. A church was built, and a parish was formed. However, much of northern Sweden, called Norrland, became Christian much later than the rest of the country. Many northern areas, like Skellefteå, were not fully explored until after the Middle Ages.
By the late 1600s, the native Sami people of Northern Sweden began to accept Christianity. This was largely thanks to the efforts of Mathias Steuchius. He worked hard to make this happen.
Later, people became very interested in the Skellefte River and its nearby areas. This was because of the excellent salmon fishing grounds there.
The city of Skellefteå itself is one of the newest cities in Norrland. A vicar named Nils Nordlander founded it in 1845.
What Does Skellefteå Produce?
Skellefteå is a city with important industries. These industries provide many jobs for the people living there.
Major Industries and Companies
Some of the biggest industries in Skellefteå include:
- Boliden AB: This is a large company that focuses on mining and processing metals.
- Skellefteå Kraft: This is the biggest power company in Skellefteå. It provides electricity to homes and businesses.
- Northvolt: This company makes special batteries called lithium-ion battery cells.
A huge battery factory built by Northvolt was planned to open around 2023. This factory is a big deal for the city's future.
The largest private employer in Skellefteå is the mining company Boliden AB. It employs about 1,200 people. The copper ore from their mine contains tiny bits of gold, silver, and platinum. This is why Skellefteå is still known as the "Goldtown."
In the 1990s, the computer industry also became very important. Companies like Ericsson and Tieto Enator had offices there. They provided many jobs in technology.
Skellefteå's Climate
Skellefteå has a subarctic climate. This means it has mild summers and long, cold, and snowy winters. The nearby Bothnian Bay helps to make the climate a little less extreme. However, its effects are limited. This allows for warm summer temperatures, even though the city is far north.
Over the last 100 years, the climate has been changing. Summers have become warmer. Spring now arrives earlier, and winter starts later. This is part of a bigger global warming trend. The city gets a moderate amount of rain and snow. Most of the rain falls in the second half of summer.
The amount of sunshine changes a lot throughout the year. In December, there is very little sunshine. This is because the days are very short, and there are often many clouds. In June, however, there is a lot of sunshine. The days are long, and the weather is usually clear.
| Climate data for Skellefteå airport (1991-2020) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −3.8 (25.2) |
−3.5 (25.7) |
1.2 (34.2) |
6.7 (44.1) |
13.2 (55.8) |
18.4 (65.1) |
21.1 (70.0) |
19.3 (66.7) |
13.8 (56.8) |
6.4 (43.5) |
0.9 (33.6) |
−1.8 (28.8) |
7.7 (45.9) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −7.2 (19.0) |
−7.4 (18.7) |
−3.3 (26.1) |
2.0 (35.6) |
8.0 (46.4) |
13.3 (55.9) |
16.4 (61.5) |
14.8 (58.6) |
9.6 (49.3) |
3.4 (38.1) |
−1.6 (29.1) |
−4.9 (23.2) |
3.6 (38.5) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −11.5 (11.3) |
−11.8 (10.8) |
−7.9 (17.8) |
−2.7 (27.1) |
2.7 (36.9) |
8.4 (47.1) |
11.7 (53.1) |
10.2 (50.4) |
5.6 (42.1) |
0.3 (32.5) |
−4.6 (23.7) |
−8.5 (16.7) |
−0.7 (30.7) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 44.0 (1.73) |
33.4 (1.31) |
33.7 (1.33) |
30.3 (1.19) |
39.3 (1.55) |
55.9 (2.20) |
72.5 (2.85) |
68.9 (2.71) |
58.7 (2.31) |
63.6 (2.50) |
58.5 (2.30) |
53.4 (2.10) |
612.2 (24.10) |
| Source: SMHI Timeseries with normals for 1991-2020 | |||||||||||||
| Climate data for Skellefteå Airport (2006–2020 averages, extremes 1970–1992 & 2006–2020 & snow depth from Kusmark) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 8.5 (47.3) |
10.2 (50.4) |
15.1 (59.2) |
21.5 (70.7) |
29.2 (84.6) |
34.0 (93.2) |
32.4 (90.3) |
30.7 (87.3) |
23.3 (73.9) |
20.3 (68.5) |
12.5 (54.5) |
10.2 (50.4) |
34.0 (93.2) |
| Mean maximum °C (°F) | 4.3 (39.7) |
4.8 (40.6) |
8.8 (47.8) |
14.6 (58.3) |
23.8 (74.8) |
27.1 (80.8) |
28.0 (82.4) |
26.4 (79.5) |
20.0 (68.0) |
13.7 (56.7) |
7.9 (46.2) |
5.3 (41.5) |
29.3 (84.7) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −4.0 (24.8) |
−3.5 (25.7) |
1.6 (34.9) |
7.1 (44.8) |
13.7 (56.7) |
18.6 (65.5) |
21.2 (70.2) |
19.6 (67.3) |
14.2 (57.6) |
6.8 (44.2) |
1.6 (34.9) |
−0.9 (30.4) |
8.0 (46.4) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −7.8 (18.0) |
−7.8 (18.0) |
−3.1 (26.4) |
2.4 (36.3) |
8.5 (47.3) |
13.5 (56.3) |
16.4 (61.5) |
14.9 (58.8) |
10.1 (50.2) |
3.7 (38.7) |
−1.2 (29.8) |
−4.3 (24.3) |
3.8 (38.8) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −11.6 (11.1) |
−12.0 (10.4) |
−7.8 (18.0) |
−2.3 (27.9) |
3.2 (37.8) |
8.4 (47.1) |
11.6 (52.9) |
10.2 (50.4) |
6.0 (42.8) |
0.6 (33.1) |
−4.0 (24.8) |
−7.6 (18.3) |
−0.4 (31.2) |
| Mean minimum °C (°F) | −25.3 (−13.5) |
−25.3 (−13.5) |
−21.0 (−5.8) |
−9.7 (14.5) |
−4.0 (24.8) |
0.8 (33.4) |
6.0 (42.8) |
3.5 (38.3) |
−1.3 (29.7) |
−8.2 (17.2) |
−14.4 (6.1) |
−19.3 (−2.7) |
−28.7 (−19.7) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −35.3 (−31.5) |
−36.9 (−34.4) |
−32.5 (−26.5) |
−18.4 (−1.1) |
−6.6 (20.1) |
−1.7 (28.9) |
3.2 (37.8) |
−1.9 (28.6) |
−6.1 (21.0) |
−18.1 (−0.6) |
−27.7 (−17.9) |
−37.1 (−34.8) |
−37.1 (−34.8) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 44.3 (1.74) |
34.3 (1.35) |
31.8 (1.25) |
29.4 (1.16) |
44.9 (1.77) |
58.7 (2.31) |
71.2 (2.80) |
62.1 (2.44) |
64.2 (2.53) |
61.6 (2.43) |
52.2 (2.06) |
58.0 (2.28) |
612.7 (24.12) |
| Average extreme snow depth cm (inches) | 47 (19) |
58 (23) |
61 (24) |
45 (18) |
3 (1.2) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
6 (2.4) |
15 (5.9) |
35 (14) |
67 (26) |
| Source 1: SMHI Open Data for Skellefteå Airport, precipitation | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: SMHI Open Data for Skellefteå Airport, temperature | |||||||||||||
How to Get Around Skellefteå
Skellefteå has good connections for travel.
Road Connections
The main road to the city is the European route E4 highway. This road connects Skellefteå directly to cities like Stockholm and Sundsvall to the south. It also goes north to Luleå. Another important road, Riksväg 95, also serves the city.
Train Travel
Skellefteå has a railway line, but it is only used for freight trains. This means it is the largest city in Sweden without passenger train service.
There were plans for night trains to run from Stockholm to Skellefteå. These trains were supposed to start in April 2022. However, the plans were canceled before they could begin.
The closest train station with passenger service is in Bastuträsk. From there, you can catch trains to cities like Stockholm, Umeå, and Luleå. A bus service connects Skellefteå to Bastuträsk. This bus is timed to help people easily transfer to and from the trains.
Future Train Plans
A new high-speed rail line called Norrbotniabanan is planned. This line will go through Skellefteå. It will bring passenger train service back to the city for the first time since 1990. A new station will be built close to the city center. This new train service is expected to start around 2030.
Sports in Skellefteå
Skellefteå is a city that loves sports! Here are some of its main sports teams and events:
- Skellefteå AIK: This is a very successful ice hockey team. They play in the top Swedish league, the SHL. They have won the Swedish championship in 1978, 2013, 2014, and 2024.
- Morön BK: A football (soccer) club that plays in Division 4 Norra Västerbotten.
- Skellefteå FF: Another football club, playing in Division 2 Norrland.
- Sunnanå SK: This club has a women's football team in Elitettan and a men's team in Division 3 Norrland.
- Skellefteå IBK: A club for floorball, a fast-paced indoor sport.
- Skellefteå Innebandy IF: Another floorball club.
Skellefteå has also hosted big chess tournaments. In 1999, the Skellefteå Kraft Grandmaster Chess Cup took place. It was one of the strongest all-Swedish chess tournaments. The famous chess player Ulf Andersson won it. In 1989, the city hosted the final of a two-year World Cup chess series. Many top players, including former World Chess Champions Garry Kasparov, Anatoly Karpov, and Mikhail Tal, competed. During this event, the musical Chess was performed in Skellefteå. The music for this show was written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus from the pop group ABBA.
Famous People from Skellefteå
Many talented people come from Skellefteå.
Sports Stars
- Anders Andersson, ice hockey player
- Johan Alm, ice hockey player
- Viktor Arvidsson, ice hockey player for the Los Angeles Kings
- Johan Backlund, ice hockey player
- Evy Berggren, Gymnast, Olympic and World Champion
- Filip Berglund, ice hockey player
- Niclas Burström, ice hockey player
- Robert Dahlgren, racing driver
- Jimmie Ericsson, ice hockey player
- Jan Erixon, ice hockey player
- Tim Erixon, ice hockey player
- Toini Gustafsson-Rönnlund, skier
- Filip Gustavsson, ice hockey goaltender
- Jonathan Hedström, ice hockey player
- Adam Larsson, ice hockey player for the Seattle Kraken
- Oscar Lindberg, ice hockey player for the Vegas Golden Knights
- Mats Lindgren, ice hockey player
- Joakim Lindström, ice hockey player
- Gustaf Lindvall, ice hockey player
- Arvid Lundberg, ice hockey player
- Hanna Marklund, football player
- Hardy Nilsson, ice hockey player and later coach
- Joakim Nyström, tennis player
- Marcus Pettersson, ice hockey player for the Pittsburgh Penguins
- David Rundblad, ice hockey player
- Patrik Wallón, ice hockey player
- Adam Wilsby, ice hockey player
Music Groups
- Moon Safari, a symphonic rock band
- The Wannadies, an alternative rock band formed in 1988
- Vintersorg, a metal band
- Amber Oak, a pop-rock band
- Black Bonzo (2003-2011) and Gin Lady (2012-present), progressive-rock bands
Other Notable People
- Per Olov Enquist, writer
- Ardalan Esmaili, actor
- Tore Frängsmyr, historian
- Ingrid García-Jonsson, Spanish-Swedish actress
- Peter Haber, actor
- Andreas "Vintersorg" Hedlund, musician
- Helena Helmersson, CEO of H&M since 2020
- Thomas Idergard, political commentator
- Stieg Larsson, writer
- Stig Larsson, writer
- David Lindgren, musician
- Anna Nordlander, painter
- Victoria Silvstedt, supermodel
- Henning Sjöström, lawyer
- Stina Jackson, Writer
See also
In Spanish: Skellefteå para niños
