Mine
Iron ore extraction is a key industry of the area, and the town is very dependent on the mining company LKAB. During World War II, large quantities of iron were transported from northern Sweden by rail to the east coast, and further down to be sold to Germany. (See Swedish iron ore during World War II).
In recent years attempts have been made to reduce the area's dependence on mining with initiatives to promote science, R&D and government related activities. Initiatives have included the proposed relocation of the Swedish Space Corporation and the establishment of the Environment and Space Research Institute (Milj�- och rymdforskningsinstitutet); the former was never executed and the latter was essentially only a temporary success.
Space research
The ESTRACK Kiruna Station of ESA, the European Space Agency, is located in the municipality. So is Esrange, the European Space and Sounding Rocket Range, as well as an EISCAT station and EISCAT scientific headquarters.
Also in Kiruna are the Institute of Space Physics and the Department of Space Science belonging to Lule� University of Technology.
In 2007, the Swedish government announced that Kiruna would be the host of Spaceport Sweden, signing an agreement with Virgin Galactic.
Tourism
Tourism is an important source of income for Kiruna and the surrounding region with around 300,000 tourist-nights per year (1998).Throughout the year, fishing and hunting are popular activities by both locals and tourists. Visits can be done to the mine, the church and different research agencies, such as Abisko Scientific Research Station the Institute of Space Physics or Esrange. Tourists can experience the sami culture, particularly in combination with winter activities such as dog sledding.
In summer, many come to the mountains to hike up to Kebnekaise, to walk on trails such as Kungsleden and Nordkalottruta, or to hike in the national parks
