The Swedish city of Luleå is located on the coast of the Svartöstaden Peninsula, at the mouth of the Gulf of Bothnia (Lule Bay). The Lule River flows into the bay at this point, making the city an important port in northeastern Sweden. A significant portion of the city"s territory (2,100 square kilometers) is occupied by industrial and transport buildings, as well as port facilities. One of the city"s largest districts is located on the nearby island of Hertsön, Sweden"s seventh-most populous island.
The Port of Luleå, the fifth largest in Sweden, handles over 7 million tons of cargo annually. It is particularly important for the operations of the Swedish mining company LKAB (Luossavaara-Kiirunavaara AB), which develops iron ore deposits in the Kiruna region and Gällivare (the Malmberget mine). Icebreakers keep shipping moving in winter; Luleå is the home port of Sweden"s icebreaker fleet.
The Luleå archipelago comprises 700 bays and islands, extending to the country"s northern (Swedish-Finnish) border. Archaeologists have discovered numerous labyrinths, which many believe were used in fertility and agricultural rituals.
There are about 300 similar labyrinths around the world, built according to the same model, one hundred of these structures are located on the islands of the Luleå archipelago.
Luleå was already an important port city in the 13th to 15th centuries. In 1621, the Swedish monarch Gustavus Adolphus granted the city a royal charter—the document establishing the city. Luleå was founded in what is now Gammelstad (the "Old Town"). In 1649, due to rising sea levels, which made the harbor too shallow for ships to navigate, the city was moved to its current location. Gammelstad Church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In 1887, a massive fire destroyed much of the city, leaving only a few buildings standing. The neo-Gothic cathedral (historically known as the Oscar Frederick Church), completed in 1893, is the tallest building in the city (67 meters).
The city"s main economic sectors are industry, research, education, trade, and the service sector. The university"s educational programs have made the city attractive for developing new business areas, as well as for international companies opening local offices in the city.
The Swedish steel company Svenskt Stål AB (Swedish Steel) and Luleå University of Technology provide significant employment opportunities. The Norrbotten detachment of the Swedish Air Force, F 21, is based near Luleå Airport. Other major employers include Ferruform (a subsidiary of Scania AB) and Gestamp HardTech (which became a subsidiary of Svenskt Stål AB on January 1, 2005).
The information technology sector employs approximately 2,000 people (as of 2008). Luleå is home to several major innovations and important technological discoveries.
Luleå is home to numerous cultural institutions, including the Norrbotten Theatre and the Norrbotten Museum. The city is also known as the birthplace of a major musical group led by Tim Hagans. In January 2007, the Culture House (Kulturens Hus) opened. It houses a library and hosts concerts and art exhibitions. The punk band Raised Fist and The Duskfall, known for their heavy yet melodic rock, both originated and developed in Luleå.
Link to the official website of the city of Luleå – https://www.lulea.se/language/english-engelska.html
