Örebro [œrə'bruː] is a City and is a Municipality, in Örebro County, in central Sweden. The municipality covers an area of 1371.4 km². Of the total population of 126 940, 61 631 are male, and 65 309 are female. The population density of the community is 93 inhabitants per km². As of 2004, it is the 7th largest Swedish municipality.

History

Örebro grew around and was named for a bridge (Swedish "bro") over the river Svartån near gravel banks ("örarna"). Although a trade town, the Örebro remained small until the second half of the 19th century, when it grew rapidly as a centre of the national shoe making industry. See the history of Nericia. The national diet meeting at Örebro in 1810 elected Bernadotte king of Sweden as Charles XIV.

Sites of Interest

Örebro Castle originates from the 13th century, when a watchtower was built to guard the bridge over the Svartån. The castle was later generally expanded. It is located in the centre of Örebro. Örebro's old town Wadköping is located on the banks of the Svartån. Consisting of 18th and 19th century wooden houses, Wadköping has several museums and exhibitions.

The water tower of Örebro, nicknamed Svampen ("the mushroom") is a popular destination as a view tower. A copy of this tower, built in 1958, is located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Notable natives

• Christian Berglund, professional hockey player
• Hjalmar Bergman , author
• Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson, politician
• Ronnie Peterson, racecar driver
• Olaus Petri, clergyman
• Gunnar A. Sjögren, Saab designer
• Jonas Wenström , industrialist
• Millencolin - punk rock band consisting of Erik Ohlsson , Mathias Färm , Nikola Sarcevic, and Fredrik Larzon .

See also

• Örebro University
• Statistics Sweden
• Nerikes Allehanda

• Julmust
• Yantai (twin town)

• Örebro County Administrative Board
• List of Örebro Governors
• Örebro Hundred

External links

• Örebro - Official site