View source for Sollefteå

{{short description|Place in Sweden}}
{{refimprove|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name          = Sollefteå
|image_skyline          = Solleftea-Storgatan.JPG
|image_caption          = Storgatan in Sollefteå
|pushpin_map            = Sweden Västernorrland#Sweden
|pushpin_label_position = 
|subdivision_type       = [[Country]]
|subdivision_name       = [[Sweden]]
|subdivision_type3      = [[Municipalities of Sweden|Municipality]]
|subdivision_name3      = [[Sollefteå Municipality]]
|subdivision_type2      = [[Counties of Sweden|County]]
|subdivision_name2      = [[Västernorrland County]]
|subdivision_type1      = [[Provinces of Sweden|Province]]
|subdivision_name1      = [[Ångermanland]]
|area_footnotes         = <ref name=scb>{{cite web |url=https://www.scb.se/contentassets/2ae651f3169142a7a5812c0aaa4a6070/mi0810_2019a01_tatorter2018_bef_arealer.xlsx |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         = 9.40
|population_as_of       = 31 December 2019
|population_footnotes   = <ref name=scb />
|population_total       = 8,643 <!-- This is the official figure from Statistics Sweden (Statistiska centralbyrån). -->
|population_density_km2 = 911
|timezone               = [[Central European Time|CET]]
|utc_offset             = +1
|timezone_DST           = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
|utc_offset_DST         = +2
|coordinates            = {{coord|63|10|N|17|16|E|region:SE|display=inline,title}}
|website                = 
}}
'''Sollefteå''' ({{IPA|sv|sʊˈlɛ̌ftɛɔ}}) is a [[Urban areas in Sweden|locality]] and the seat of [[Sollefteå Municipality]] in [[Västernorrland County]], [[Sweden]].

==History==
{{Unreferencedsect|date=September 2024}}
The earliest written account on Sollefteå is found in a script dating back to 1270. During this time the name of the village was given as De Solatum - a name that can be interpreted as a composition of ''Sol'' (sun) and ''at'' (property) i.e. literally The sunlit region. ''De Solatum'' also can be interpreted as desolation, which means loneliness or remoteness (see [[Remote and isolated community]]).

With Sollefteå being located at the lowest rapids of the Ångermanälven thereby making it the last outpost to which it was possible to sail. The village developed into a [[municipality]]. The town changed from a commercial town into a town dominated by the military when the two regiments [[Norrland Logistic Battalion|T 3]] (Logistics) and [[Västernorrland Regiment|I 21]] (Infantry) were located there in 1898 and 1911 respectively.

In 1902 Sollefteå obtained the status of market town or ''[[köping]]'' before finally being granted a town charter in 1917 thereby making it a [[cities in Sweden|city]].

It is now the seat of the much larger Sollefteå Municipality. Sollefteå is, despite its small population, for historical reasons normally still referred to as a [[Stad (Sweden)|''city'']].  
<!--[[File:Sollefteå marketplace 1872.jpg|left|frame|Sollefteå marketplace 1872]]-->
{{clear|left}}

== Notable buildings ==

=== The pharmacy ===
{{Unreferencedsect|date=September 2024}}
The pharmacy building was erected in 1889. It is a brick building, two and a half storeys high. The style of the building is influenced by the late 19th-century architectural style and is dominated by the [[Gothic Revival architecture|neo-Gothic]] style. The house was designed by the architect Niclas Wahrgren.

The many various architectural styles represented in the building is seen in the medieval inspired [[Crenellation|crenellated]] corner tower, Norman arches, North German gothic styles, blind windows with pointed arches and [[portico]] supported by [[column]]s. There are also [[renaissance]] elements in the design, for example the staircase's orientalic/antique and geometric mosaics with [[Meander (art)|meanders]]. The overall style of the building is reminiscent of the palatial buildings erected on Strandvägen in [[Stockholm]] and in the Stenstaden in [[Sundsvall]] at the same time.

In 1984, the building was declared a historic building and thereby protected from demolition or major alterations. It is today the home of the local library as well as the city's museum.

=== Hotel Appelbergs ===
{{Unreferencedsect|date=September 2024}}
The hotel is located in the centre of Sollefteå, along the pedestrian district. It is also the oldest hotel in the city, built in 1882 by timberman and innkeeper Erik Appelberg.

The hotel became a hub for timber-merchants as well as local potentates. Notable guests include [[Princess Stéphanie of Belgium|Crown Princess Stéphanie of Austria]], King [[Oscar II of Sweden|Oscar II]] and [[Gustav V]] of Sweden, and Kaiser [[Wilhelm II]]. The hotel also provided accommodation for King [[Chulalongkorn]] of [[Siam]] and four of his princes during their tour of Ångermanland in the early 20th century. Their journey is commemorated in the hotel with a plaque, and in the village of Utanede with a [[King Chulalongkorn Memorial Building|royal pavilion]].

The building is a good example of the early architecture of Sollefteå, being built of wood.

*[[Sollefteå Church]]

=== Multrå transmitter ===
The [[Multrå transmitter]] is a facility for FM/TV broadcasting with a {{convert|288|m|ft|adj=mid|-tall}} mast.

==Climate==
The nearest weather station to Sollefteå is located in [[Österforse]], slightly more than {{convert|10|km|mi}} by air to its south-west. The station's slightly more southerly latitude is likely even exceeded by a 50–80 metres higher elevation depending on location within Sollefteå. This likely renders Sollefteå slightly milder, particularly during afternoons.{{cn|date=September 2024}}

Österforse has a [[subarctic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Dfc]]) that is quite moderate in nature considering its inland position and latitude. Summer days are very warm for North Central Sweden, being heavily affected by its low elevation in comparison to areas further west such as [[Östersund]].{{cn|date=September 2024}} Temperatures are heavily dependent on wind direction and the convergences of warm southerly and cold northerly air. [[Inversion (meteorology)|Temperature inversion]] is also a factor due to its position beneath the [[Scandinavian Mountains|mountain range]]. As a result, cold snaps can be quite extreme, resulting in an all-time low of {{convert|-43|C|F}}. The all-time heat record is from July 2, 2015 with {{convert|32.8|C|F}} in an otherwise chilly summer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://data.smhi.se/met/climate/time_series/month/vov_pdf/SMHI_vov_temperature_wind_jul15.pdf?66125|title=July 2015 Temperature & Wind|language=sv|publisher=SMHI|access-date=6 August 2016}}</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = Österforse (2002–2018; extremes since 1901)
|collapsed = 
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high C = 10.1
|Feb record high C = 12.3
|Mar record high C = 17.0
|Apr record high C = 23.0
|May record high C = 28.7
|Jun record high C = 31.3
|Jul record high C = 32.8
|Aug record high C = 30.8
|Sep record high C = 27.6
|Oct record high C = 22.4
|Nov record high C = 12.1
|Dec record high C = 10.4
|year record high C = 32.8
|Jan avg record high C = 4.5
|Feb avg record high C = 6.0
|Mar avg record high C = 10.5
|Apr avg record high C = 17.3
|May avg record high C = 24.6
|Jun avg record high C = 27.0
|Jul avg record high C = 29.2
|Aug avg record high C = 27.2
|Sep avg record high C = 21.6
|Oct avg record high C = 14.8
|Nov avg record high C = 8.6
|Dec avg record high C = 5.8
|year avg record high C = 30.1
|Jan high C = -4.3
|Feb high C = -2.4
|Mar high C = 3.3
|Apr high C = 9.3
|May high C = 15.7
|Jun high C = 19.5
|Jul high C = 22.6
|Aug high C = 20.3
|Sep high C = 15.0
|Oct high C = 7.2
|Nov high C = 1.1
|Dec high C = -2.0
|year high C = 
|Jan mean C = -8.1
|Feb mean C = -7.0
|Mar mean C = -2.4
|Apr mean C = 3.3
|May mean C = 9.1
|Jun mean C = 13.1
|Jul mean C = 16.2
|Aug mean C = 14.2
|Sep mean C = 9.5
|Oct mean C = 2.9
|Nov mean C = -1.9
|Dec mean C = -5.5
|year mean C = 
|Jan low C = -12.1
|Feb low C = -11.2
|Mar low C = -7.4
|Apr low C = -2.4
|May low C = 2.2
|Jun low C = 6.5
|Jul low C = 9.8
|Aug low C = 8.5
|Sep low C = 4.9
|Oct low C = -0.6
|Nov low C = -4.8
|Dec low C = -9.3
|year low C = 
|Jan avg record low C = -26.3
|Feb avg record low C = -25.4
|Mar avg record low C = -20.8
|Apr avg record low C = -10.0
|May avg record low C = -4.6
|Jun avg record low C = -0.1
|Jul avg record low C = 3.4
|Aug avg record low C = 1.6
|Sep avg record low C = -2.5
|Oct avg record low C = -9.8
|Nov avg record low C = -15.9
|Dec avg record low C = -22.6
|year avg record low C = -29.3
|Jan record low C = -43.0
|Feb record low C = -42.5
|Mar record low C = -31.4
|Apr record low C = -18.0
|May record low C = -7.8
|Jun record low C = -2.5
|Jul record low C = -0.2
|Aug record low C = -2.2
|Sep record low C = -9.8
|Oct record low C = -19.8
|Nov record low C = -30.0
|Dec record low C = -40.0
|year record low C = -43.0
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 42.2
|Feb precipitation mm = 24.5
|Mar precipitation mm = 22.7
|Apr precipitation mm = 29.6
|May precipitation mm = 47.8
|Jun precipitation mm = 54.6
|Jul precipitation mm = 73.4
|Aug precipitation mm = 78.2
|Sep precipitation mm = 54.9
|Oct precipitation mm = 53.2
|Nov precipitation mm = 40.3
|Dec precipitation mm = 51.2
|year precipitation mm = 
|source 1 = SMHI Open Data<ref>{{cite web
| url =https://www.smhi.se/klimatdata/meteorologi/ladda-ner-meteorologiska-observationer/#param=airTemperatureMinAndMaxOnceEveryDay,stations=all,stationid=137080
|title= Open Data for Forse
| publisher =[[Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute]]| language = sv}}</ref>
|source 2 = SMHI climate data 2002–2018<ref>{{cite web
| url=http://www.smhi.se/klimatdata/meteorologi/temperatur/2.1240
|title=SMHI climate data 2002–2018 |language= sv
| publisher = SMHI| date= 10 April 2019}}</ref>
|date=April 2019}}

==Sports==
The following sports clubs are located in Sollefteå:

* [[Sollefteå GIF]]
* Sollefteå Hockey
* Remsle UIF
* Sollefteå Handboll [[handball]] 
* Sollefteå BTK [[Table tennis]]
* Sollefteå Skidor [[Cross-country skiing]]

== Notable people==
{{colbegin}}
*[[Nils Åkerblom]] (1895-1974), equestrian
*[[Adam Alsing]] (1968-2020), television and radio presenter 
*[[Torsten Anderson]] (1904-1986), New Zealand wrestler
*[[Ingela Andersson]] (born 1991), biathlete 
*[[Lena Asplund]] (born 1956), politician
*[[Emil Assergård]] (born 1991), singer-songwriter 
*[[Urban Bäckström]] (born 1954), former Governor of the [[Sveriges Riksbank|Bank of Sweden]], president of the [[Confederation of Swedish Enterprise]] 
*[[Olle Dahlberg]] (1928–1997), speed skater
*[[Helena Ekholm]] (born 1984), biathlete
*[[Jan Eriksson (ice hockey)|Jan Eriksson]] (born 1958), ice hockey player
*[[Ulf Eriksson (referee)|Ulf Eriksson]] (born 1942), association football referee
*[[Margareta Fahlén]] (1918-1978), actress
*[[Laura Fitinghoff]] (1848-1908), writer
*[[Thomas Gradin]] (born 1956), ice hockey scout and former player
*[[Anton Halén]] (born 1990), handball player
*[[Gunnar Hedlund]] (1900-1989), politician
*[[Göran Högberg]] (1948-2019), long distance runner
*[[Erika Höghede]] (born 1963), actress
*[[Emma Johansson]] (born 1983), [[cycle sport|cyclist]]. Won two Olympic silver medals.
*[[Joacim Jonsson]] (born 1974), former football player and manager 
*[[Magnus Jonsson (biathlete)|Magnus Jonsson]] (born 1982), biathlete
*[[Frida Karlsson]] (born 1999), cross-country skier
*[[Sven O. Kullander]] (born 1952), biologist
*[[Rune Lindström (alpine skier)|Rune Lindström]] (born 1944), alpine skier
*[[Lennart Ljung (general)|Lennart Ljung]] (1921-1990), former [[Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces|Supreme Commander Of The Swedish Armed Forces]]
*[[Bo Lundquist]] (born 1942), businessman 
*[[Karl-Göran Mäler]] (1939-2020), economist
*[[Andreas Molinder]] (born 1987), ice hockey player
*[[Mats O. Nyberg]] (born 1958), curler and curling coach
*[[Johan Nyström (swimmer)|Johan Nyström]] (born 1975), swimmer
*[[Marie-Helene Östlund]] (born 1966), cross-country skier
*[[Mona Sahlin]] (born 1957), former chairman of [[Swedish Social Democratic Party]] and [[Parliament of Sweden|Member of Parliament]] 
*[[Therese Sjölander]] (born 1981), ice hockey player
*[[Maj Sønstevold]] (1917 – 1996), composer
*[[Gerhard Strindlund]] (1890–1957), politician
*[[Pär Styf]] (born 1979), ice hockey player
*[[Per Svartvadet]] (born 1975), ice hockey player
*[[Helen Svedin]] (born 1976), supermodel, wife of [[Luís Figo]]
*[[Madelein Svensson]] (born 1969), race walker
*[[Pelle Svensson]] (1943-2020), lawyer and wrestler 
*[[Ellen Tejle]] (born 1984), campaigner for awareness of women's representation in film
*[[Ingrid Thulin]] (1926-2004), actress 
*[[Mattias Timander]] (born 1974), ice hockey player
*[[Mikael Tjallden]] (born 1975), ice hockey player
*[[Kristina Ulander]] (born 1981), wheelchair curler
*[[Lars Vågberg]] (born 1967), Norwegian curler
*[[William Wallinder]] (born 2002), ice hockey player
*[[Ann-Cathrine Wiklander]] (born 1958), singer
{{colend}}

==Sister city==
*{{flagdeco|Mississippi}} [[Madison, Mississippi]]<ref name=mad>{{cite web |url=http://www.madisonthecity.com/history-madison |title = History of Madison {{!}} Madison the City}}</ref>

Madison has been Sollefteå's sister city since 1997. Talks began in 1995 when Madison officials were meeting with the board of Sollefteå-based forestry products company, Haglof, Inc, for the latter was interested in opening a plant in Madison. The Madison officials came to Sollefteå and were more interested to learn about Swedish culture.<ref name=mad/>

A delegation of 30 members of the city of Sollefteå's board came to Madison to tour the city and make the sister city relationship official.
During the visit, Haglof opened its new office in Madison, and another Swedish company, Mini Tube, was also interested in opening offices in Madison.<ref name=mad/>

After the people of the delegation of Sollefteå came to Madison, the latter sent 34 delegates to Sollefteå, once again to tour the city. The Madison delegates learned about Swedish culture and traditions, came to Haglof Inc.'s facilities, and toured an environmental center.<ref name=mad/>

Because of Sollefteå's and Madison's relationship, the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce was created in the latter.<ref name=mad/>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Sollefteå1.jpg|Northern entrance to Sollefteå, crossing [[Ångermanälven]]
</gallery>

== References ==
{{commons}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Localities in Sollefteå Municipality}}
{{Västernorrland County}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Solleftea}}
[[Category:Sollefteå| ]]
[[Category:Populated places in Sollefteå Municipality]]
[[Category:Ångermanland]]
[[Category:Municipal seats of Västernorrland County]]
[[Category:Swedish municipal seats]]
[[Category:Diocese of Härnösand]]

[[fi:Sollefteån kunta]]