|
|
| Piteå municipality and seat in Sweden Missing image Piteå_Municipality_in_Norrland.png See also:Municipalities of Sweden | Coat of arms Missing image Piteå_City_Arms.jpg | |
| Seat | Piteå | |
| County | Norrbotten County | |
| Province | Norrbotten | |
| Area Rank | 3,112 km² 28st of 290 | |
| Population Rank | 40,830 (2005) 50th of 290 | |
| Density | 13/km² | |
Piteå Municipality (or Pite in the local dialect) is a Municipality in southern Norrbotten County in northernmost Sweden, where the city Piteå is seat with a population of 22,500.
Geography
Piteå is a large municipality with an appealing nature located at the mouth of Pite river, at the shore of the Gulf of Bothnia. The main part is located on a islet called Häggholmen, which due to land elevation almost has become a part of the mainland (the land elevation in northern Sweden is up to 9 mm/year).
Piteå has a pretty archipelago, which is one of the reasons it is a popular place for tourism both in summer and winter. It proudly boosts a sea bathe, which is labelled "The Riviera of the North", around which there is a spa, a long sandy beach, a popular restaurant and a golf course. The nature is also suitable for fishing and outdoor activites. In the Winter snow activities, such as skiing and winter bathing, set the mark.
History
Piteå_Rådhustorget.jpg
Piteå_winter_image.jpg
Piteå received its city privileges on May 12, 1621.
In July, 1666, the entire city burnt down. Afterwards it was rebuilt in the 17th century. The only building remaining from that time is the city church, as it was the only spared building when the city was demolished by plundering Russians in 1721.
The city square, where the City Hall is located, has however kept its structure from the 17th century, and is today one of only two city squares with closed corners.
The population has increased rapidly since the 19th century. In the years 1870-1920, Piteå had a population of only 2,500 people. The population increase is attributed to the main line railway which was located there in 1911.
Piteå has traditionally not had a strong industry, but its port has been of some importance.
Notablilty
Piteå is known for its pitepalt, a food dish consisting of potato dumplings with chopped pork filling.
Notable natives
See also
External links
- Piteå (http://www.pitea.se) - Official site
- NF, article Piteå (http://runeberg.org/nfca/0529.html)sv:Piteå kommun