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and has 17,382 inhabitants as of January 1, 2004.

Kongsvinger is situated on both sides of the river Glomma, where the south-going river takes a sharp north-westward turn. The Kongsvinger fortress is the main landmark, situated on a hill west and north of the river. Kongsvinger is a regional center of the Glåmdal region, which is made up of the southern parts of Hedmark county.

Kongsvinger existed as a trading center already by the middle ages, due to the accessability by natural waterways. Viking chieftains reached Sweden by boat from Kongsvinger. Kongsvinger fortress was founded in 1669, and a star-shaped plan was laid out for the fortress. Work began in 1682 and it was finished in 1690. Today, Øvrebyen, the old uptown area around the fortress is dominated by wooden buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries, laid out in the typical right angle square plan - by architect Cicignon - popular in this period.

In 1964 the Kongsvinger and the surrounding municipalities Vinger and Brandval were united into the present Kongsvinger Municipality. Actually, Kongsvinger has town status, and is thereby both town and township, governed by a town council under a mayor, elected by popular vote. There is also appointed executive officials like town commissioner or town director (rådmann), which is chief executive of the town/municipality, and its 700 plus workforce. There are 1530 businesses including forestry and farming, and 245 of these are retail outlets. There are one 25000 square meter (300 000 square feet) mall situated in the downtown area. As well as downtown shopping streets, there are also a glass domed pedestrian shopping street. There are also a regional hospital owned and run by the national government. Several manufacturing industries.

Major sights in Kongsvinger are the Kongsvinger Fortress, a museum of female suffrage and Øvrebyen (i.e. "Upper Town").