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39-573: For history, geography, and culture, see: Västerbotten , Lapland , and Ångermanland Västerbotten County, also known as Västerbottens län in Swedish, is located in the northern part of Sweden. It shares borders with Västernorrland, Jämtland, and Norrbotten counties, as well as the Norwegian county of Nordland and the Gulf of Bothnia. The county's capital is Umeå, which is home to approximately half of

78-548: A province of the same name. Norrbotten province covers only the eastern part of Norrbotten County – the inland mostly belongs to the Swedish Lapland province ( Lappland ). The capital of Norrbotten is Luleå Other significant towns include Boden , Kiruna and Piteå . The majority of the population lives in the namesake province, whereas the Lapland part of the county is sparsely populated. Norrbotten covers

117-454: A Swedish part and a Finnish part , both of which still exist today. Swedish Lapland primarily consists of the inland parts of Västerbotten County in the south and Norrbotten County in the north. It has the coldest climates of Sweden, with vast seasonal differences caused by the high latitudes and the inland location. The history of Lapland is in many ways connected to the history of Norrbotten County and Västerbotten County , since Lapland

156-421: A club as heraldic symbol of Lapland first appeared at the coronation of Charles IX of Sweden in 1607, then at the same king's burial in 1611. The colour red of his skin was decided only in 1949; before then various colours had been used (natural skin colour in the first half of the 20th century). The wildman, though unusual in heraldry, is an old symbol of the uncivilised north and appeared in books and woodcuts of

195-403: A key role in the industrialization of Sweden . The 20th century saw strong mobility in and out of the county, with many young people moving south and people from other parts of the country moving in. In the 1970s and 1980s, the drainage of (mostly young) workers due to high unemployment was considerable, and people in the area began to voice feelings of being misunderstood or economically abused by

234-601: A larger land area than both Austria and Portugal . The four largest municipalities in Sweden by land area are in the county. Sweden's tallest mountain Kebnekaise and deepest lake Hornavan are both within the county. The vast mountains are the source of northern Sweden's vast river systems running through Norrbotten. The northern part of Norrbotten lies within the Arctic Circle . Norrbotten County consists of

273-592: Is 10 km north of the present downtown, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Apart from the Swedish language, Sami , Meänkieli , and Finnish may be used in dealing with government agencies , courts , municipalities , preschools and nursing homes in parts of Norrbotten County. The Sami languages have official minority language status in Kiruna , Gällivare , Jokkmokk , Luleå , Arjeplog and Arvidsjaur municipalites . Meänkieli and Finnish have

312-652: Is a province in northernmost Sweden . It borders the Swedish provinces of Jämtland , Ångermanland , Västerbotten , and Norrbotten , as well as Norway and Finland . Nearly a quarter of Sweden's land area is in Lappland. The historical province of Lapland originally extended further eastward. However, in 1809 the Russian Empire annexed the eastern part of Sweden and formed the Grand Duchy of Finland in that territory. This effectively split Lapland into

351-518: Is a historic region connected to these counties. During the Middle Ages , Norrbotten/Lapland was considered a no man's land . The area was in fact populated by nomadic Sami people , but the region became increasingly settled by Swedish, Finnish and Norwegian settlers - especially along the coasts and large rivers. From the Middle Ages on, the Swedish kings tried to colonise and Christianise

390-484: Is also larger than the Benelux countries combined, being more than double the size of Switzerland and quite a bit larger than the island of Ireland . The traditional provinces of Sweden serve no administrative or political purposes but are cultural and historical entities. Administratively, Lappland constitutes the western part of two counties of Sweden , Norrbotten County in the north and Västerbotten County in

429-532: Is also sometimes used as a means to exclude southerners. These contrasts are well known throughout Sweden and often appear in TV, films, literature and folklore connected to Norrbotten, for characterizing, satiric or dramatic purposes (e.g. some characters in the books of Eyvind Johnson or the police detective Einar Rönn in the crime novels of Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö ). The coast has the historical cities of Luleå and Piteå . Luleå's Gammelstad ("Old town"), which

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468-404: Is by car. The distances are long, e.g. 345 km between Luleå and Kiruna. The roads have been given relatively high speed limits compared to southern Sweden, usually 100–110 km/h. Norrbotten has a railway network focused on heavy freight traffic. There are two main railways. Stambanan genom övre Norrland connects Norrbotten with central and southern Sweden. Malmbanan connects Luleå with

507-831: Is of major importance for the local inhabitants. Major rivers in Norrbotten County (listed north to south) include the Torne , the Lule River , Kalix River , and Pite River . Rivers shared with the Västerbotten County include the Skellefte River and Ume River . Other rivers that flow directly to the sea and that are at least 100 km long are the Sangis River , Råne River , Åby River , and Byske River . The county includes many islands in

546-559: 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 borders with Västerbotten County to the southwest, the Gulf of Bothnia to the southeast, the counties of Nordland and Troms in Norway to the northwest, and Lapland Province in Finland to the northeast. The name "Norrbotten" is also used for

585-564: The Bay of Bothnia , which make up the Norrbotten archipelago . It is divided into the archipelagos of Piteå (550 islands), Luleå (1,312 islands), Kalix (792 islands) and Haparanda (652 islands). The largest island is Rånön in the Kalix archipelago. The population has increased during the last hundred years. The estimated 2002 population was 250,000. In the 1912 census, the population

624-546: The Prime Minister or the lead opposition party towards the end of the elected parliament. During the Middle Ages , Norrbotten was considered to be terra nullius ("no man's land"). The area was populated by Sami , Kvens and different people related to the Finns . From the Middle Ages on, the Swedish kings tried to colonise and Christianise the area. However; even today, Tornedalians and Sami people still live in

663-549: The 16th century. A statue depicting the wildman is placed in Storuman at 65°5′42″N 17°6′56″E  /  65.09500°N 17.11556°E  / 65.09500; 17.11556 . Lapland has a subarctic climate in its lower areas, whereas a polar variety can be found in Tarfala , where the average high for the warmest month of the year (July) is lower than 10 °C (50 °F) in mean temperatures. The southern parts of

702-500: The 19th century, Lapland has been particularly characterised by Laestadian Lutheranism . During the industrialization of Sweden in the late-19th century, natural resources ( hydroelectricity , timber and minerals) from Lapland and surrounding provinces played a key role. Still, mining, forestry and hydroelectric power are the backbone of the local economy, together with municipal services. The unemployment has however been relatively high for several decades and many young people leave for

741-477: The area and maintain their own culture and customs. In the first half of the 17th century, several ore deposits were discovered in what is now known as Norrbotten County. The silver of Nasafjäll was discovered during the autumn of 1634 and subsequently mined from 1635 to 1659 and from the 1770s to 1810. Following the Finnish War in 1809, Västerbotten County was split between Sweden and Finland, with

780-508: The area using settlers from what is now Finland and southern Sweden. Today, despite large-scale assimilation into the dominant Swedish culture, Finnish and Sami minorities continue to maintain their cultures and identities. Despite independent cultural presence, religious beliefs were subject to conversion in the 17th and 18th centuries resulting in Laplanders generally leaving their original shamanism and converting to Lutheranism . Since

819-420: The arms of Västerbotten and the arms of Lappland." Many different cultures can be found in Norrbotten County, including Sami culture, Tornedalian/Kven culture and the Swedish settler-culture. Many of the old local Swedish and Finnic dialects have survived in the area. The people of Norrbotten County have a saying: "I am not a Swede; I am a Norrbothnian". A local way of speaking, coupled with understated irony,

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858-584: The coast and along the lower reaches of the Torne River . Grains, particularly barley , potatoes and turnips are grown to some extent, but the most important crop is hay for livestock . There are around 250,000 reindeer in the winter herd, a number regulated by the Swedish state. The reindeer are herded by the Indigenous Sámi , organised in 15 Sámi Mountain villages, 9 Forest Sámi villages and 8 concession Sámi villages. Hunting and fishing

897-623: The coastal area of Gulf of Bothnia as well as the border area to Finland though neither areas are a part of the geographical province Swedish Lapland, rather the Lapland area as a whole in northern Scandinavia. Lapland has two prominent national minorities the Samí people and Tornedalians . 65°55′44″N 16°44′35″E  /  65.929°N 16.743°E  / 65.929; 16.743 Norrbotten County Norrbotten County ( Swedish : Norrbottens län , Meänkieli / Finnish : Norrbottenin lääni , Northern Sami : Norrbottena leatna )

936-435: The entire province of Norrbotten and about two thirds of Swedish Lapland . Norrbotten County covers almost one quarter of Sweden's land area, but is sparsely inhabited. This is especially true for inland parts of Lapland. The climate is generally cold, because of its northern location. However, the long summer days allow crops to ripen within two to three months, and agriculture is traditionally important, particularly near

975-433: The interests of the county, to promote the development of the county, to establish regional goals, and to safeguard the due process of law in the handling of each case. The County Administrative Board is a Government Agency headed by a Governor. See List of Västerbotten Governors . The Regional Council of Västerbotten or Region Västerbotten . The table details all Riksdag election results of Västerbotten County since

1014-702: The larger cities by the coast or in southern Sweden. Located in Sweden, Lapland is known for containing the Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve , one of the largest nature reserves in Sweden. Other parts of Lapland have been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site , the Laponian area , and the province contains some of the oldest and most spectacular national parks of northern Europe, e.g. Sarek National Park , established in 1909. Lapland has an area of 109,702 square km (c. 42,300 sq miles), larger than Austria and almost equal to Portugal . Its land area

1053-495: The larger part remaining within the Swedish borders. In 1810, the county was divided again when Norrbotten County was created out of the northern part, on the Swedish side. Most people in Norrbotten County still refer to the entire county, including the areas in Swedish Lapland, when they say ' Norrbotten '. The natural resources ( hydroelectricity , timber , and minerals , especially iron ) of Norrbotten have played

1092-720: The last year on record alone. The arms for Västerbotten County is a combination of the arms of Västerbotten , Swedish Lapland , and Ångermanland . When it is shown with a royal crown, it represents the County Administrative Board. Blazon: "Parted per fess, base parted per pale, the arms of Västerbotten, the arms of Lapland, and the arms of Ångermanland." 64°20′41″N 18°18′51″E  /  64.344665°N 18.314209°E  / 64.344665; 18.314209 Lapland, Sweden Lapland , also known by its Swedish name Lappland ( Northern Sami : Sápmi , Finnish : Lappi , Latin : Lapponia ),

1131-506: The northern areas of the province experience midnight sun and a moderate polar night with some civil twilight during opposite sides of the year. Football in the province is administered by Norrbottens Fotbollförbund and Västerbottens Fotbollförbund . An EU-subsidised government tourism marketing organisation aiming to promote tourism in Northern Sweden has taken the brand name "Swedish Lapland". This name also covers towns in

1170-406: The population of Swedish Lapland is 91,333. Together with the rest of historical Lapland, the sum of the population is approximately 250,000. The largest cities are Kiruna ( Northern Sami : Giron , Finnish : Kiiruna ) with 23,178 inhabitants, Gällivare with 18,123 inhabitants and Lycksele with 12,177 inhabitants. In Norrbotten County : In Västerbotten County : Lapland itself

1209-676: The population when combined with the largest town in the northern part, Skellefteå. These two municipalities make up the majority of the population. The county boasts vast wilderness areas and has a land area larger than that of Denmark, the Netherlands or Switzerland. The main aim of the County Administrative Board is to fulfil the goals set in national politics by the Riksdag and the Government , to co-ordinate

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1248-405: The province are significantly milder than the northern, due to the vast geographical differences. However, since Lapland is all made up of inland areas, maritime moderation is less significant than in the counties' coastal areas and in neighbouring Norway , resulting in harsh winters. Southern areas at a lower elevation such as Lycksele also have relatively warm summers. Due to the Arctic Circle ,

1287-500: The same status in Gällivare, Haparanda , Kiruna, Pajala , and Övertorneå , Luleå and Kalix municipalities . SCB have collected statistics on backgrounds of residents since 2002. These tables consist of all who have two foreign-born parents or are born abroad themselves. A majority of them are of Finnish descent. The chart lists election years and the last year on record alone. The main mode of person travel inside Norrbotten

1326-624: The same status in Gällivare, Haparanda , Kiruna, Pajala , and Övertorneå , Luleå and Kalix municipalities . The main aims of the County Administrative Board are to fulfil the goals set in national politics by the Riksdag and the Government , to promote the development of the county, and to establish regional goals. The County Administrative Board is a Government Agency headed by a Governor (see List of Norrbotten Governors ). The Sami languages have official minority language status in Kiruna , Gällivare , Jokkmokk , Luleå , Arjeplog and Arvidsjaur municipalites . Meänkieli and Finnish have

1365-408: The south and especially the capital Stockholm . The coat of arms of Norrbotten County combines the arms of the provinces Västerbotten and Lappland and was granted in 1949. Since 1995 the province Norrbotten has a coat of arms of its own, but the county arms have not been changed accordingly. When it is shown with a royal crown, it represents the County Administrative Board. Blazon: "Quartered,

1404-899: The south. In contrast to most other areas of Sweden, there is more of an identification with the counties rather than to provinces . Thus, most people in these counties refer to the entire county, including the areas in Lapland, when they say 'Norrbotten' or 'Västerbotten'. Citizens of Sami descent are eligible to stand and vote in elections for the Swedish Sami Parliament , which is the case with Sami people elsewhere in Sweden as well. The Sami language has an official minority status in Kiruna Municipality , Gällivare Municipality , Jokkmokk Municipality and Arjeplog Municipality . The following municipalities have their seats in Lapland: As of 31 December 2017,

1443-578: The unicameral era began in 1970 . The blocs denote which party would support the Prime Minister or the lead opposition party towards the end of the elected parliament. See: List of governors of Västerbotten County In Lapland Province: In Västerbotten Province: In Ångermanland Province: SCB have collected statistics on backgrounds of residents since 2002. These tables consist of all who have two foreign-born parents or are born abroad themselves. The chart lists election years and

1482-518: Was 166,641 (4,000 more males than females), of which about 120,000 were in the Norrbotten province part. Twenty years earlier, in 1892, the population was only 110,000. Since the 1960s, however, most municipalities of the county have experienced a decrease in population, particularly those inland. The table details all Riksdag election results of Norrbotten County since the unicameral era began in 1970 . The blocs denote which party would support

1521-514: Was never considered a duchy but on 18 January 1884 the Privy Council gave all Provinces the right of use to a ducal coronet for their arms. Blazon Swedish version: "Argent, a Wildman statant Gules wrapped with birch leaves Vert on the head and around the waist holding a Club Or in dexter over the shoulder." The wildman used to be depicted with more features, impressively drawn muscles and a dour expression on his face. The wildman wielding

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