Its natural harbour and archipelago is in theGulf of Bothnia and the northern boundaries of theHigh Coast area. It is well known as an exporter of pulp and paper products and heavy machinery goods. It has a strong environmental record and is the "testbed" forethanol-powered cars.
Traces of human activity in the Örnsköldvik area date back to theNordic Bronze Age and there is a reconstructedRoman Iron Age village calledGene fornby that is a popular tourist attraction just outside the town.
However, Örnsköldsvik itself is a relatively young city; it was founded as aköping (a Swedishmarket town) in 1842 and became a city in 1894. Its name originates with the surname ofgovernor of Västernorrland County from 1762 to 1769,Per Abraham Örnsköld, and means "Örnsköld's Bay". The surnameÖrnsköld literally means "Eagle Shield".
The town of Örnsköldsvik is the centre of Örnsköldsviks Kommun orÖrnsköldsvik Municipality. The Municipality has a much larger population than the town itself, at over 56,000 inhabitants, as the municipality is vast with very large forest areas, and consists of several rural communities.
Historically, the most important economic activity was trade and heavy industry. In the surrounding villages (now incorporated into the city itself) two major industrial ventures arose: thepulp, paper, and logging company Mo och Domsjö (MoDo), now known asHolmen, andHägglund & Söner (Hägglunds), a heavy industrial company.
Even today, successors to these two companies are of great importance for the city. The Finnish-ownedMetsä Board runs a former MoDo locale, one of Europe's largestpulp mills, in the village ofHusum 30 kilometres (19 mi) north of Örnsköldsvik,Domsjö Fabriker,[2] another ex-MoDo mill), runs a specialty cellulose mill in Örnsköldsvik, while Hägglunds has been split into several companies, includingBAE Systems Hägglunds, a subsidiary ofBAE Systems. Other notable companies based in Örnsköldsvik includeSvensk Etanolkemisv, a producer ofethanol products, andFjällräven, a manufacturer ofwilderness equipment and clothing.
Örnsköldsvik Airport provides daily flights to and fromStockholm Arlanda Airport operated bySveaflyg.[4] The terminal building was recently upgraded to allow for some international services. The runway was extended to allow service for larger aircraft.
Railway transportation is provided by the recently openedBothnia Line. Completed in August 2010,[5] the Bothnia Line adds 190 kilometres (120 mi) of high-speed railway to theSwedish railway network. At up to 250 km/h (155 mph) this is also the highest-speed track in the country. The route branches off from theÅdalen Line at Höga Kusten Airport just north ofKramfors and goes via Örnsköldsvik toUmeå where it connects to the Umeå-Vännäs line and theMain Line Through Upper Norrland. The railway line has 140 bridges and 25 km of tunnels.
Passenger traffic between Umeå and Örnsköldsvik began in August 2010. The delayed upgrade of the ERTMS signal system on the Ådalen Line meant that traffic south of Örnsköldsvik did not begin until 2012.
There is also a harbor wherecargo ships load and unloadlumber and other merchandise. Prior to Sweden's joining theEuropean Union, Örnsköldsvik had a direct ferry connection toVaasa, Finland. This ceased operation after entry into the European Union along with the abolition oftax-exempt trade between the member states. The harbor now rarely sees passenger traffic on any large scale.
Being situated on the European route E4, the city is well connected with bus lines. A coastal line fromHaparanda in the north to Stockholm makes regular stops at the bus depot in Örnsköldsvik. A cross-country route toÖstersund starts and terminates at Örnsköldsvik bus depot.
Since Örnsköldsvik is a coastal town, there are also beaches near town, as well ascampsites. There is also an indoorwater park called Paradisbadet, with one of the longestwater slides in Europe.[citation needed]
The localfootball teams are not quite as successful, but still popular. On the men's side especially the teamsFriska Viljor FC from central Örnsköldsvik andAnundsjö IF from Bredbyn outside of town, and women'sSjälevads IK. A couple offloorball teams from town have also had some success.
A new golf course, Veckefjärdens Golf Club, to the south of the centre is owned by local celebrity ice hockey playerPeter Forsberg.
The islands surrounding the coastal area of Örnsköldsvik are big tourist attractions which can be reached by ferry.
Maud Olofsson, former politician who was leader of theSwedish Centre Party from 2001 to 2011, Minister for Enterprise and Energy from 2006 to 2011 and Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden from 2006 to 2010. She was a member of the Riksdag from 2002 to 2011.
Miah Persson, soprano, active internationally and in recordings.
Eilert Pilarm,Elvis impersonator. He gained fame when he performed on Morgonpasset in 1992.
M/S Silver Shadow visiting Örnsköldsvik, with Swedbank Arena (nowHägglunds Arena) in the background.The town square Stora Torget in central Örnsköldsvik.
