Kiruna, Sweden's Arctic Lapland
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by: johnpadgett
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Word Count: 526
1300km North of Stockholm lies the city of
Kiruna. With a population just 20,000 it sits in the middle of Norrlands
wilderness. Built around a mining community at the end of the 1800's the city
was designed with the time's foremost experts with architecture and community
planning. Kiruna was the first Swedish community with a city planned around the
climate. The streets were designed to follow the terrain in an irregular
pattern in order to curb the Arctic winds. The city is also built on the side
of a mountain, which means higher temperatures. Despite its northerly location
the city centre temperature rarely drops below -20.
During the winter months the city is plunged into darkness as the sun barely
gets chance to show itself. Even so, the city is far from dark. A combination
of the moon & stars reflecting off the snow give a beautiful glow to Kiruna
and not forgetting the extraordinary Northern Lights which crackle across a
cloudless evening sky.
Just an hour and half's drive away is the Abisko Mountain Station considered as
the best place on earth to view the Northern Lights. With its fresh clean air
and its practically cloud free skies the conditions for seeing the lights are
optimal. More or less aurora occurs every night but to detect it the skies have
to be dark. The period from September to March is best time of year.
Kiruna is also home to the unique Ice Hotel which gets rebuilt year after from
the ice of the local Torne river. With its ice sculptures and fine works of art
the Ice Hotel is truly an experience that should not be missed.
Snow and ice are a big feature in Kiruna and there's plenty of it! Families
seeking snow, Santa Claus and winter activities need look no further, as the
city caters well for people wanting to make the most of this unique and snowy
landscape. With a large range of activities ranging from dog sledging,
snowmobile tours, cross country skiing, wild moose safari's, northern light
tours, hunting, ice fishing, ice sculpting & the Ice hotel to mention but a
few, there's really something of interest for everyone!
This is also true of Kiruna's accommodation with many interesting types
available. As well as a good choice of comfortable hotels and guest houses,
Kiruna also offers a choice of original and exclusive ideas such as the Ice
Hotel, Wilderness cabins, lodges, igloos and traditional wig wams.
The city centre also offers a good selection of shops and restaurants, so your
able to take time out from your winter activities if you wish. You'll find a
good selection of local handy crafts most of which are designed by the local
Sami population, who incidentally herd all the reindeer in the area.
Despite it's location getting to Kiruna is surprisingly easy. With daily
flights by SAS Airlines and an overnight train from Stockholm, it's within easy
reach no matter where you're travelling from.
If you'd like to visit this untouched wilderness visit http://www.ActivitiesInSweden.com
for more details.
About the Author
An Englishman who feel in love with Sweden, so much so he eventually settled there.
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