The History of the City
With almost 18,000 inhabitants, Kiruna is the most populated city in Swedish Lapland. The town was only founded in 1900 and has its origins in mining. Even today, mining is still an important (if not the most important) factor in Kiruna. Since the iron ore deposits in the area are still large, the city is currently undergoing change: In order to get more ore, Kiruna will be completely relocated 5 kilometers to the east by 2040.
Sami Roots
The name Kiruna was derived from the North Sami word Giron, meaning something like snow grouse, which also adorns the city coat of arms. The Sami culture plays a big role in the history of the place.
The Surroundings
The city is a unique mix of modernism and natural wonders. There is much to explore in the area such as the municipality of Jukkasjärvi with its famous ice hotel and the Sami open-air museum and café. Another highlight are the surroundings of Abisko with its large national park that is one of the best spots for observing the northern lights.
Geography
As Kiruna is located well north of the Arctic Circle, there is midnight sun for around 50 days in summer. This means that the sun never really sets, but just grazes the horizon. In winter, on the other hand, the sun doesn't really rise for about 30 days, instead it bathes the sky above the city in magnificent colors and sets again without having risen above the horizon.
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