| Kiruna is actually one of the biggest municipalities in the
world sizewise. 25 000 people reside there, and they have Sweden's highest
mountain just a few miles from the city centre, Kebnekaise (2 111 metres).
Of course Kiruna's biggest thing is the mine, because without it there would
be no Kiruna at all. In the 19th century it was profitable to mine ore thanks
to the railways. The County Hall and the Church of Kiruna are two other
famous landmarks. The former was designated the most beautiful official
building in Sweden in 1964, and the latter the most beautiful building in
Sweden in 2001. At Jukkasjärvi there are two famous buildings, the
church with the altar-piece made by Bror Hjort, and above all Jukkasjärvi
Ice Hotel. Each year the hotel is built up with ice from the Torne River.
East of Jukkasjärvi, at Esrange,
there is space research going on. |
