View source for Kalix

{{Short description|Municipality in Norrbotten County, Sweden}}
{{Expand Swedish|topic=geo|date=May 2022}}
{{Tone|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name          = Kalix
|image_skyline          = Kalix_kyrka_view.jpg
|image_caption          = [[Kalix Church]]
|pushpin_map            = Sweden Norrbotten#Sweden
|pushpin_label_position = left
|subdivision_type       = [[Country]]
|subdivision_name       = [[Sweden]]
|subdivision_type3      = [[Municipalities of Sweden|Municipality]]
|subdivision_name3      = [[Kalix Municipality]]
|subdivision_type2      = [[Counties of Sweden|County]]
|subdivision_name2      = [[Norrbotten County]]
|subdivision_type1      = [[Provinces of Sweden|Province]]
|subdivision_name1      = [[Norrbotten]]
|area_footnotes         = <ref name=scb>{{cite web |url=http://www.scb.se/Statistik/MI/MI0810/2010A01/Tatorternami0810tab1_4.xls |title=Tätorternas landareal, folkmängd och invånare per km<sup>2</sup> 2005 och 2010 |date=14 December 2011 |publisher=[[Statistics Sweden]] |language=sv |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127055525/http://www.scb.se/Statistik/MI/MI0810/2010A01/Tatorternami0810tab1_4.xls |archive-date=27 January 2012 |url-status=live |access-date=10 January 2012 }}</ref>
|area_total_km2         = 7.57
|population_as_of       = 31 December 2010
|population_footnotes   = <ref name=scb />
|population_total       = 7,299 <!-- This is the official figure from Statistics Sweden (Statistiska centralbyrån). -->
|population_density_km2 = 964
|timezone               = [[Central European Time|CET]]
|utc_offset             = +1
|timezone_DST           = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
|utc_offset_DST         = +2
|coordinates            = {{coord|65|51|N|23|10|E|region:SE|display=inline,title}}
|website                = {{URL|http://www.kalix.se/}}
}}
'''Kalix''' ({{langx|sv|Kalix}}; [[Kalix dialect]]: ''Kôlis'' {{IPA|sv|ˈcʰ(j)ɞɽɪs||generic=yes}}, <small>phonemically</small> {{IPA|/kɞɽis/}}; {{langx|fi|Kainuu}}; {{langx|fit|Kainus}}) is a [[Urban areas in Sweden|locality]] and the seat of the [[Kalix Municipality]] in [[Norrbotten County]], [[Sweden]]. The name Kalix is believed to originate from the [[Northern Sami|Sami]] word ''Gáláseatnu'', or "Kalasätno", meaning "The cold river" the ancient name of the [[Kalix River]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kalix.se/templates/Page____802.aspx |title=Kalix historia - www.kalix.se |access-date=2010-04-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100814133249/http://www.kalix.se/templates/Page____802.aspx |archive-date=2010-08-14 }}</ref> It had 7,299 inhabitants in 2005,<ref name="scb" /> out of 17,300 inhabitants in the municipality of Kalix.

== Kalix Löjrom ==
{{Main|Kalix Löjrom}}
There is a culinary speciality specific to Kalix, called [[Kalix Löjrom]], also referred to as [[caviar]] of Kalix. It is basically fish eggs (caviar) of the [[Coregonus albula|vendace]], but because of the large influx of fresh water from the huge rivers around and in Kalix, this has transformed the taste of the fish eggs, rendering them unique in flavour to this area alone. It is the special mix of the elements [[bromine]], [[strontium]], [[iodine]], [[selenium]], [[molybdenum]], [[barium]] and [[lithium]], along with a unique ratio between strontium and barium, that makes the Kalixlöjrom unique, which is why the EU has granted the [[Protected Geographical Status]] for the Kalixlöjrom.<ref>[http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=98&artikel=3470721] Swedish public radio - Kalixlöjrom protected</ref> The Kalix Löjrom has been present at many Nobel dinners through the years,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nobelprize.org/award_ceremonies/banquet/menus/menu-2007.html |title=Nobel Banquet Menu 2007 |access-date=2010-04-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414062741/http://nobelprize.org/award_ceremonies/banquet/menus/menu-2007.html |archive-date=2009-04-14 }} Nobel Prize dinners with Kalixlöjrom</ref> and among others, the 1990 Gastronomy Academy gold medal winner Norbert Lang of Paul & Norbert in Stockholm likes his Kalixlöjrom.<ref>[http://www.recept.nu/1.144913/norbert_lang/smaratter/gronsaker/sparrispannacotta_med_graslok_toppad_med_kalix_lojrom] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100226201754/http://www.recept.nu/1.144913/norbert_lang/smaratter/gronsaker/sparrispannacotta_med_graslok_toppad_med_kalix_lojrom|date=2010-02-26}} Norbert Lang and Kalix Löjrom on Swedish television</ref><ref>[http://www.recept.nu/1.130361/norbert_lang/forratter/fisk_skaldjur/koriandergravad_laxtartar_med_kalix_lojrom] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721235558/http://www.recept.nu/1.130361/norbert_lang/forratter/fisk_skaldjur/koriandergravad_laxtartar_med_kalix_lojrom|date=2011-07-21}} Norbert Lang back on Swedish television with another Kalixlöjrom recipe</ref>

== Sites of interest ==
{{See also|Kalix archipelago}}
[[File:OvermorjarvFromKalixRiver200607.JPG|thumb|Kalix River in Övermorjärv, Kalix]] 
The [[archipelago]] outside the Kalix coast line has 792 islands.
Some of the larger islands in the [[Kalix archipelago]] include:

{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Name !!Latitude !!Longitude
|-
|[[Bergön]] || 65°45'85"N || 22°45'60"E
|-
|[[Berghamn, Kalix|Berghamn]] || 65°40'55"N|| 23°00'00"E
|-
|[[Getskär]]-Renskär || 65°39'05"N|| 22°58'70"E
|-
|[[Halsön, Kalix|Halsön]] || 65°43'10"N|| 23°31'00"E
|-
|[[Likskär, Kalix|Likskär]]  || 65°38'30"N|| 23°02'19"E
|-
|[[Malören]]  || 65°31'60"N|| 23°33'50"E
|-
|[[Rånön]] || 65°44'06"N|| 22°55'01"E
|-
|[[Stora Huvön]]  || 65°40'75"N|| 22°54'00"E
|-
|[[Stora Trutskär]]  || 65°45'60"N|| 23°22'90"E
|}

Bergön is known as having the best sauna in the Kalix archipelago. Halsön has a large white sand beach with barbecue camps. The true gem however,{{editorializing|date=May 2022}} is Malören. Malören is the final outpost of the archipelago and has as such had maritime pilots placed there from the 1830s all the way up to 1967. The island has a church, a small village with houses mostly used as summer cabins today, but also interesting remains of a time past, like one or two graves, a labyrinth and a wreck.<ref>[http://www.bottenviken.se/], Upplev bottenviken.</ref> The archipelago is important to the people of Kalix - if one does not have a cabin there then at least a good boat to get from island to island in. And one of the summer highlights for the local population is the sailing races organized by the Kalix sail- and race boat society (Kalix Segel och Motorbåtssällskap, KSMS).<ref>[http://www3.idrottonline.se/default.aspx?id=317553] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719085105/http://www3.idrottonline.se/default.aspx?id=317553|date=2011-07-19}}, KSMS 2010.</ref>

The perhaps most interesting building in Kalix is [[Kalix Church]]. The building of the church started in the first half of the 15th century. The first time it is mentioned in writing is in an [[indulgence]] letter written on June 29, 1472 by [[archbishop]] Jakob Ulfsson Örnfot of [[Uppsala]]. The letter of indulgence was written on the same day that the archbishop inaugurated the [[polyptych]]. The church also has a very interesting history, with a remarkably well preserved girl buried under the entrance dressed like a bride, and the fact that the church was used as a stable for the horses of the Russian army in 1808.<ref>[http://www.nederkalix.nu/kyrkor/kalix-kyrka.aspx]{{dead link|date=December 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}, Nederkalix församling 2010.</ref>

== History ==
[[File:Kalix kyrka - KMB - 16000200149952.jpg|thumb|Kalix ferryplace in year 1926 before the first bridge has been built, which happened 1930. In the background you can see the church and a few houses and a store that was located next to the harbour.]]
About 4500 years ago the climate in the north of the Nordic countries started to warm up after the last ice age. The warmth together with [[isostasy]] made it possible to inhabit the area around Kalix.

Already around year 1000 Kalix had goods from the forest and river which would cause people from the south to sail all the way up to Kalix. The tradition of trading seems to have continued across the centuries, as [[Carl von Linné]] and his apprentice Lars Montin visited the Kalix marketplace in 1732 and 1749 and complained about the haggling with the Kalix' traders, which allowed the people of Kalix a good price on butter and tar but drove up the inflation in Stockholm.<ref name="kalix.se">{{cite web |url=http://www.kalix.se/templates/Page____802.aspx |title=Kalix historia - www.kalix.se |access-date=2010-04-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100814133249/http://www.kalix.se/templates/Page____802.aspx |archive-date=2010-08-14 }}, Kalix Historia</ref>

Kalix as a socken (Nordic name for Local geographic area with its own administration) was First mentioned in 1482. Before this point the area had been referred to with many different names: Caliss, Kaliss, Calixe, Calix and Neder Kalix. To confuse things further, a current municipality called Överkalix (Upper Kalix) was a part of the Kalix municipality until 1644, when it became its own municipality, with the result that people started referring to Kalix as "Nederkalix (Lower Kalix).<ref name="kalix.se"/>

During the 18th century each village in the Kalix area had its own part of the river to fish Salmon and Common whitefish. The villages along the coast line caught Common bleak and Herring. Part of the catch was transported down south, along with Seal blubber and tar. Around 1660 a copper mine was opened south of Bodträsk by Moån village. At the end of the 18th century Björkfors village also opened a mine, and in Törefors village an iron mine opened in 1801.<ref name="kalix.se"/>

On March 25, 1809, Kalix was the location of the capitulation of the [[Swedish Army]] in the [[Finnish war]]. In effect it surrendered [[Finland]] to [[Russia]]. Peace talks were initiated in the Finnish town [[Fredrikshamn]] (or ''Hamina'' in [[Finnish language|Finnish]]), and a peace treaty was signed on August 30.

== Economy ==
[[File:Kalix centrum kopmannagatan.jpg|thumb|The main street in Kalix, Köpmannagatan.]]
[[File:Karlsborg-Norrbotten-Billerud-120902.jpg|thumb|BillerudKorsnäs pulp mill and paper mill in Karlsborg, 2012.]]
The biggest employer in Kalix is the municipality, with 1600 employees. The hospital in Kalix comes second with 503 employees.

In the private sector the biggest employers are: 
* Billerud Karlsborg AB 420 employees
* Part AB 164 employees
* Borö pannan AB 110 employees
* Samhall AB 110 employees
* Silja Line/Tallink AB 83 employees

The income and employment for many people in Kalix still revolves around the forest industry (Billerud Karlsborg AB and partially Part AB). Billerud is a paper packaging industry.<ref>[http://www.billerud.se/en/?menu=] Billerud Karlsborg AB</ref> Karlsborg is today one of Europe's biggest makers of white, porous paper for packaging of building materials, but they also have  production of other strong packaging paper, and some white, long fiber sulphate mass. Part AB makes prefabricated bathrooms that they sell all over Europe.<ref>[http://www.partab.nu/] Part AB</ref>  Borö Pannan AB makes accumulator tanks for [[water heating]].<ref>[http://www.boroe.com/] Borö Pannan AB, Kalix</ref> Silja Line/Tallink AB are a phone service based office, taking advantage of the perception that the northern accent is pleasant to listen to over the phone, not to mention that the salaries up north are lower than in the south of Sweden.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tallinksilja.com/sv/mainMenu/contact/serviceNumbers/ |title=Tallink & Silja Line » Kundservice |access-date=2010-04-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100503042423/http://www.tallinksilja.com/sv/mainMenu/contact/serviceNumbers/ |archive-date=2010-05-03 }} Silja Line/Tallink AB Kalix office</ref>

The financial situation for the municipality of Kalix looks dark. The economy of the municipality has deteriorated over the past few years. In 2005 the tax incomes from local inhabitants was 562.5 million SEK in 2005 compared to 616.2 million SEK in 2008, but even so, the debt has increased by 8,8% (from 459,278,410 SEK to 499,997,708 SEK). During the same time period, meaning 2005 to 2008, the tax subsidies from the state taxes has increased from 197.1 million SEK to 210.1 million SEK. The municipality population has been steadily decreasing since 1955, and 321 people have left the municipality just between 2005 and 2008. Kalix has, in other words, a smaller population with a higher tax pressure, but also a much bigger debt than ever before.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kalix.se/a84fcc1c-815a-40b3-86f1-f650381af77d.fodoc |title=Archived copy |access-date=2010-04-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100823134604/http://www.kalix.se/a84fcc1c-815a-40b3-86f1-f650381af77d.fodoc |archive-date=2010-08-23 }} Kalix municipality facts 2009</ref>

==Sports==
[[File:Falu BS BK vs Kalix Bandy 2013-01-27 02 Magnus Johansson, Peter Stock.jpg|thumb|[[Kalix Bandy]]]]
 
The following sports clubs are located in Kalix:

* [[IFK Kalix]]

The town's [[bandy]] club, [[Kalix Bandy]], has played in the men's highest division.

== Villages ==
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a location to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦---> 
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order ♦♦♦--->
*[[Långfors]]

== References ==
{{Commons category}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Localities in Kalix Municipality}}
{{Norrbotten County}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Kalix| ]]
[[Category:Swedish municipal seats]]
[[Category:Populated places in Kalix Municipality]]
[[Category:Norrbotten]]
[[Category:Municipal seats of Norrbotten County]]
[[Category:Coastal cities and towns in Sweden]]
[[Category:Cities in Sweden]]