Västerbotten Explained

Westrobothnia
Mapsize:250px
Subdivision Type:Country
Settlement Type:Historical province
Subdivision Name: Sweden
Subdivision Type1:Land
Subdivision Name1:Norrland
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Västerbotten County
Unit Pref:Metric
Area Total Km2:15,093
Population Footnotes:[1]
Population Total:234,817
Population As Of:31 December 2023
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone1:CET
Utc Offset1:+1
Timezone1 Dst:CEST
Utc Offset1 Dst:+2
Postal Code Type:Postal codes
Area Code Type:Area codes
Demographics Type2:Culture
Demographics2 Title2:Flower
Demographics2 Info2:Moor-king lousewort
Demographics2 Title3:Animal
Demographics2 Info3:Curlew
Demographics2 Title4:Bird
Demographics2 Info4:Hen harrier
Demographics2 Title5:Fish
Demographics2 Info5:Lamprey
Official Name:Västerbotten

Västerbotten (in Swedish ˈvɛ̂sːtɛrˌbɔtːɛn/), known in English as West Bothnia or Westrobothnia, is a province (landskap) in the north of Sweden, bordering Angermannia, Lapland, North Bothnia, and the Gulf of Bothnia. It is known for the Westrobothnian cheese, (Västerbottensost) 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, Västerbottens län ("County of Westrobothnia"), 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

Westrobothnia was historically divided into chartered cities and districts.

Cities

Communes/Municipality Västerbottens län

[2]

Towns and villages

Facts

History

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

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

Westrobothnia's Regiment was the provincial regiment.

Dukes of Westrobothnia

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 watercourses

Lakes
  • Bodträsket
  • Burträsket
  • Bygdeträsket
  • Norsjön
  • Nydalasjön
  • Storvindeln
  • Storsävarträsket
  • Stöcksjön
  • Tavelsjön
  • Storkågeträsket
Watercourses Watercourses

Sports

Regional football in the province is administered by Västerbottens Fotbollförbund. Ice hockey is also popular, with IF Björklöven and Skellefteå AIK.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Folkmängd 31 december; ålder . Statistikdatabasen . 2 June 2024 .
  2. Web site: Kommuner i Västerbottens län.
  3. Web site: Bygdeträsket - Uppslagsverk - NE.se . 2024-06-01 . www.ne.se.