Boden, Sweden


Boden is a locality and the seat of Boden Municipality in Norrbotten County, Sweden with 18,277 inhabitants in 2010. It is part of the larger area around coastal city Luleå some southeast. Alongside Kiruna, it is one of the two largest towns in Northern Sweden's interior.

History

The town of Boden started as a railway junction where the Northern Line met with the Ore Line from the rich iron ore fields in northern Sweden.
The town experienced increased growth when the Boden Fortress was constructed in the beginning of the 20th century. The purpose of the fortress was to defend Sweden from a possible attack from the east, where Russia was considered the most dangerous threat.
The first official writings about Boden, was in a 1500~ tax paper, where the mention of "Boden village" with 7 homes.
Boden got the title of city in 1919. This title became obsolete in 1971 and Boden is now the seat of Boden Municipality.

Industry

Today Boden is still a military stronghold, and houses the largest garrison of the Swedish Army.
The army and the municipality are the two largest employers in Boden. As the military is continuously disarming, with the five regiments united into one garrison, the population has decreased by 2,000 people over the past ten years.
The famous Fällkniven knives are from Boden.

Well-known Boden citizens, former or current

Twin towns and sister cities

Boden is twinned with:
The following sports clubs are located in Boden: