Avesta, Sweden

:"Not to be confused with Alvesta in Kronoberg County, Sweden."Infobox Settlement
official_name = Avesta


image_caption = The world's largest Dalecarlian horse near Avesta
image_shield =


mapsize =
map_caption =
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settlement_type =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Sweden
subdivision_type1 = Municipality
subdivision_name1 = Avesta Municipality
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Dalarna County
subdivision_type3 = Province
subdivision_name3 = Dalarna
established_title3 =
established_date3 =
area_footnotes = cite web |title=Tätorternas landareal, folkmängd och invånare per km² 2000 och 2005 |publisher=Statistics Sweden |url=http://www.scb.se/statistik/MI/MI0810/2005A01B/T%E4torternami0810tab1.xls |format=xls |language=Swedish |accessdate=2008-05-15]
area_total_km2 = 13.44
population_as_of = 2005-12-31
population_footnotes =
population_total = 14,738
population_density_km2 = 1096
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2
latd=60 |latm=09 |lats= |latNS=N
longd=16 |longm=12 |longs= |longEW=E
website =

Avesta is a locality with 15,000 inhabitants in the traditional province Dalarna, Sweden and the seat of Avesta Municipality, Dalarna County.

The name is first found in 1303 as "Aghastadhum". "Aghe" (pronounced "ave") is of similar origin as the word å, meaning stream, in this case the Avestadfors, a tributary of the Dalecarlia River. "Stadhum" is of similar origin as stead, or farm.

History

In the Scandinavian Middle Ages there was a blast furnace at the location. In 1636 the construction of a giant copper mine was initiated near the Avestadfors.

The town Avesta received partial privileges in 1641 as a town under the city of Falun, and in 1644 a copper mint was built. However, the privileges were withdrawn in 1688 due to complaints of competition from its neighbour, mainly Falun. Copper coins were continued to be minted until 1831, and the copper works was in function until 1869.

Full city rights were regranted in 1919. The designated coat of arms depict the signs for copper and iron.

Geography

The town is located by the Dalecarlia River ("Dalälven").

The railhead Krylbo is situated in Avesta.

References