I came from the land of world's longest sea beach to the land of world’s largest brackish water island chain - from Bangladesh to the capital of Norrbotten County, Sweden - Luleå. Notice that the 'a' in the word has a dot over it. It means it is pronounced as 'ou'. Right pronunciation is - Lu-la-ou.
Getting back to the description of the town, Luleå is blessed with 1,312 islands, many rivers and a vast forestland. It is a paradise for people who love nature and island life. However, it is also predominantly an industrial town with a top-notch port through which the natural resources of northern region of Sweden like forestry, iron ore, paper and steel reach the world. The city is therefore strategically significant. A Swedish air force wing, known as F 21, is stationed at the Luleå Airport.
Weather wise, Luleå offers two extremes- from bright sunshine, warmth and midnight sunlight in summer to heavy snow, cold temperatures and a frozen sea in winter.
Luleå hosts one of Sweden's three technology universities - Luleå Tekniska Universitet. The university gained fame for its contribution in making Sweden one of the most innovation oriented countries of the world. Out of the top 20 achievements, one is that the university proudly hosted world’s first GSM mobile phone call in 1989 as Ericsson and TeliaSonera both have research facilities here. I am here however not to contribute to the innovation and science. I am here to understand and learn techniques of international business and perhaps, after completing the programs, to advise the inventers and researchers how to market their innovation globally. Apart from Ericsson and TeliaSonera, Shell, Ford, Airbus, Volvo Aero and IBM have facilities at the university and are involved in intense researches. The university has an annual turnover of more than EUR 140 million. The tuition fees are exempted for all Swedish and European students and geniuses. That sadly puts me in the list of students who have to pay tuition fees.
The dark, cold, long winters in Luleå attracted an unusual guest in 2011 – Facebook. The company developed its first data center outside US on a 900,000 sq ft area in this town. The facility is in fact quite close to our house. They are now expanding the data center and huge construction is ongoing right across the road, we can see movements of huge machinery from our windows. Facebook choose Luleå because of natural cooling ability, reliable electrical networks, environmentally friendly hydro-power, welcoming local government and clean energy. Facebook’s establishment is expected to turn Luleå into a major node for European data traffic.
Luleå is like Cox’s Bazar in some other ways as well – far away from the capital, easy-going lifestyle, smooth transport system. On the other hand, Luleå does not attract huge tourist traffic like Cox’s Bazar. I don’t complain! I have seen enough crowds. Now I want to experience characteristics of this small, cool, calm town.
Previous posts:
Day 1 in Luleå
Days of my life: I am riding a roller coaster that somehow entered into a washing machine
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