Nynäshamn

Nynäshamn
Nynäshamn
Nynäshamn
Coordinates: 58°54′N 17°57′E / 58.9°N 17.95°E / 58.9; 17.95Coordinates: 58°54′N 17°57′E / 58.9°N 17.95°E / 58.9; 17.95
Country	Sweden
Province	Södermanland
County	Stockholm County
Municipality	Nynäshamn Municipality
Area[1]
– Total	6.52 km2 (2.5 sq mi)
Population (2005-12-31)[1]
– Total	13,079
– Density	2,006/km2 (5,195.5/sq mi)
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
– Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)

Nynäshamn is a locality and the seat of Nynäshamn Municipality, Stockholm County, Sweden with 13,079 inhabitants in 2005.^[1]

While interest in the area as a potentially useful port grew from the mid 19th Century, it was only with the opening of the railway to Stockholm in 1901 that Nynäshamn started to develop.

During the early 20th Century, Nynäshamn also became well known as a spa town, though most such facilities were closed down before the end of World War I. Main industries arrived through Telegrafverkets verkstäder (the factories of the Government owned telephone company ) in 1916^[2] and an oil refinery built in 1928-29 by Axel Ax:son Johnson & Co. The latter still remains though under different ownership and under the name Nynas.^[3]

Nynäshamn was the venue of the Olympic sailing regatta in 1912.^[4]

Nynäshamn, which lies about 60 km south of Stockholm, is well-known for being one of the places on the Swedish mainland from where ferries to the island Gotland depart. This is a hugely popular destination for Swedes of all ages in the summer months. The Polferries terminal also offer regular routes to Gdansk in Poland. Several cruise ships on tours in the Baltic Sea also stay in the harbour, because they are too large to go into Stockholm.

Railway station and harbour, seen from the Nynäshamn church

A harbour party is hosted each summer, as well as local craft fairs. During these events a steam train often runs routes to and from Stockholm. During the summer months, the harbour is packed with boats of all sizes, and bustles with both visitors and locals. There are a number of eateries and boutiques with locally made produce. The main town is mainly modern and the buildings uninteresting generally. A library and one screen cinema is centrally located, and a limited amount of shops catering to mainly to local trade.

Many people in Nynäshamn live in apartment blocks, situated in estates, although there are none more than 10 stories high. There are also plenty of villas scattered throughout the town, and terraced houses. Life in Nynäshamn is generally relaxed, in contrast to the bustle of Stockholm. The surrounding nature and sea provides plenty of photographic opportunities, once you get out of the town centre. Crime is low.

Nynäshamn is served by Stockholm commuter rail (Pendeltåg) and several bus routes.

Panoramic view from Nynäshamn harbour, March 2011.

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} "Tätorternas landareal, folkmängd och invånare per km² 2000 och 2005" (in Swedish) (xls). Statistics Sweden. http://www.scb.se/statistik/MI/MI0810/2005A01B/T%c3%a4torternami0810tab1.xls. Retrieved 2009-05-09. 
2. ^ Bo i Nynashamn "Det började för 6500 år sedan", Retrieved on 2009-04-24.
3. ^ Website of Nynas AB, Retrieved on 2009-04-22.
4. ^ 1912 Summer Olympics official report. pp. 224-5.

Nynäshamn is one of 133 places with the historical city status in Sweden.