Jump to content

Västerbotten

Coordinates: 65°00′N 17°30′E / 65.000°N 17.500°E / 65.000; 17.500
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by A6tf3t (talk | contribs) at 01:16, 17 April 2016 (outside the province (in Lappland)). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

This article is about the Swedish historial province. For the modern county, see Västerbotten County.
Västerbotten
Coat of arms of Västerbotten
Coat of arms
CountrySweden Sweden
LandNorrland
CountyVästerbotten County
Area
 • Total
15,093 km2 (5,827 sq mi)
Population
 (2014)[1]
 • Total
262,362
 • Density17/km2 (45/sq mi)
Ethnicity
 • LanguageWestrobothnian
Culture
 • FlowerMoor-king lousewort
 • AnimalCurlew
 • BirdHen harrier
 • FishLamprey
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)

Västerbottenⓘ, known in English as West Bothnia[2] or Westrobothnia, is a province (landskap) in the north of Sweden, bordering Ångermanland, Lapland, North Bothnia and the Gulf of Bothnia. It is known for the cheese named after the province.

Administration

The traditional provinces of Sweden serve no administrative or political purposes, but are historical and cultural entities. The administrative county, Västerbotten County, consists of the province and the southern part of Swedish Lappland.

Heraldry

On 18 January 1884 all provinces gained the rights to the rank of duchy and the arms can be represented with a ducal coronet. Blazon: "Azure Seme of Mullets Or a Reindeer in full course and hoofed Gules."

Geography

Västerbotten was historically divided into chartered cities and districts.

Cities

Historical jurisdiction

The historical province Västerbotten was divided in court districts.

Facts

  • Highest mountain: Åmliden (550 meters)
  • Largest lake: Bygdeträsket
  • The famous Swedish author Torgny Lindgren was born here.

History

Västerbotten's old borders which extended into present-day Finland

Up until the Finnish War 1808-1809 and the Treaty of Fredrikshamn the province of Västerbotten also included a small portion of the extreme north of current Finland. This part has later been integrated in Lapland, Finland. The Eastern Botten or Ostrobothnia lay on the Finnish side of the sea and this province name still survives.

Following the Fredrikshamn treaty, which redefined the outlines and orientation of Sweden, in 1810 Västerbotten County was split in two parts. The northern portion became Norrbotten County, and the Swedish-speaking locals of Norrbotten (which in itself is a multi-lingual area) soon began referring to themselves as Norrbothnians. The county borders thus gradually led to a local provincial identity. Nowadays Norrbotten is considered a separate province, even though provinces had ceased to have any administrative or legal significance hundreds of years before 1810.

Västerbotten Regiment was the provincial regiment.

Dukes of Västerbotten

Since the 13th century, Swedish princes in some dynasties have been created dukes of various provinces. Since 1772, these are only nominal titles.

Geography

Lakes and watercourse

Lakes

Watercourse

Watercourse

Sports

Football in the province is administered by Västerbottens Fotbollförbund.

References

  1. ^ Statistics Sweden
  2. ^ Eric Linklater in The Life of Charles XII pp. 53-54 & throughout

65°00′N 17°30′E / 65.000°N 17.500°E / 65.000; 17.500

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Västerbotten&oldid=715630075"