Kiruna Municipality, Administrative division in northern Norrbotten County, Sweden.
Kiruna Municipality is an administrative division in northern Norrbotten County, Sweden. The territory covers mountain terrain above the Arctic Circle, wide forests, and numerous lakes spread across a very large area.
The division was established in 1908 when mining grew quickly and the railway connection was built. The link to Narvik enabled ore transport and encouraged settlement across the region.
The area lies partly within the traditional Sami homeland, where reindeer herding remains an active livelihood. Many place names derive from Sami and reflect this community's long connection to the land.
The settlements are connected by roads and rail lines, though distances between communities can be considerable. Winter brings polar night while summer offers midnight sun.
Kebnekaise, the tallest mountain in Sweden at 2,104 meters (6,903 feet), rises within the territory. Esrange, Europe's only civilian rocket base, also sits here and serves scientific research.
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