Kirunais the northernmosttowninSweden, situated in the province ofLapland.The city's vicinity shares arich history with the indigenousSami people, with evidence of at least 6000 years of settlement. The city of Kiruna was founded in 1900 and quickly became a major centre ofiron oreextraction and mining industry.Due to Kiruna's position north of theArctic Circle the city experiences bothmidnight sunandpolar nightthroughout the year as well as a very cold climate by Scandinavian standards.
Esrange Space Centerwas established in Kiruna in the 1960s.Also in Kiruna are theInstitute of Space Physicsand the Department of Space Science belonging toLuleå University of Technology.