Västerbotten (), known in English as West Bothnia or Westrobothnia, is a province (''landskap'') in the north of

Sweden Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden,The United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names states that the country's formal name is the Kingdom of SwedenUNGEGN World Geographical Names, Sweden./ref> is a Nordic country located on ...

, bordering Ångermanland,

Lapland Lapland may refer to: Places *Lapland or Sápmi, an ethno-cultural region stretching over northern Fennoscandia (parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia) **Lapland (Finland) (''Lappi''/''Lappland''), a Finnish region *** Lapland (former pr ...

North Bothnia Norrbotten (), known in English as North Bothnia, is a Swedish province (''landskap'') in northernmost Sweden. It borders south to Västerbotten, west to Swedish Lapland, and east to Finland. Administration The traditional provinces of Swed ...

, and the

Gulf of Bothnia The Gulf of Bothnia (; fi, Pohjanlahti; sv, Bottniska viken) is divided into the Bothnian Bay and Bothnian Sea, and it is the northernmost arm of the Baltic Sea, between Finland's west coast ( East Bothnia) and the Sweden's east coast (West ...

. It is known for the

cheese Cheese is a dairy product produced in wide ranges of flavors, textures, and forms by coagulation of the milk protein casein. It comprises proteins and fat from milk, usually the milk of cows, buffalo, goats, or sheep. During production, ...

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 Lapland, also known by its Swedish name Lappland (, fi, Lappi, la, Lapponia), is a province in northernmost Sweden. It borders Jämtland, Ångermanland, Västerbotten, Norrbotten, Norway and Finland. Nearly a quarter of Sweden's land area ...

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

* Umeå (1622) * Skellefteå (1845)

Communes/Municipality Västerbottens län

Towns and villages

Björksele Björksele is a town located in Västerbotten Västerbotten (), known in English as West Bothnia or Westrobothnia, is a province (''landskap'') in the north of Sweden, bordering Ångermanland, Lapland, North Bothnia, and the Gulf of Bothnia ...

Facts

*Highest mountain: Åmliden (550 meters) *Largest lake: Bygdeträsket

History

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 Lapland ( fi, Lappi ; se, Lappi; smn, Laapi; sv, Lappland; la, Lapponia, links=no) is the largest and northernmost region of Finland. The 21 municipalities in the region cooperate in a Regional Council. Lapland borders the region of North O ...

. 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

Norrbotten County Norrbotten County ( sv, Norrbottens län; se, Norrbottena leatna, fi, Norrbottenin lääni) is the northernmost county or '' län'' of Sweden. It is also the largest county by land area, almost a quarter of Sweden's total area. It shares border ...

, 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 The Västerbotten Regiment ( sv, Västerbottens regemente), designations I 19, I XIX, I 20 and I 20/Fo 61, was a Swedish Army infantry regiment that traced its origins back to the 16th century. The regiment's soldiers were originally recruited fr ...

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. * Prince Gustaf Adolf (1906-1947)

Geography

Lakes and watercourses

Sports

Regional football in the province is administered by

Västerbottens Fotbollförbund The Västerbottens Fotbollförbund ''(Västerbotten Football Association)'' is one of the 24 district organisations of the Swedish Football Association. It administers lower tier football in Västerbotten County. Background Västerbottens Fot ...

. Ice hockey is also popular, with IF Björklöven and Skellefteå AIK.

References

External links

Västerbotten.seVästerbotten.net
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vasterbotten Provinces of Sweden