Västerbotten

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Västerbotten (help·info), is a province or landskap in the north of Sweden. It borders Ångermanland, Lapland, Norrbotten and the Gulf of Bothnia.

**Västerbotten**
The provinces of Sweden with Västerbotten highlighted
	Land	Norrland
	Main corresponding county	Västerbotten County (Historically, also in Norrbotten County)
	Area	15,093 km²
	Flower	Moor-king Lousewort
	Animal	Curlew

1 Government
2 History
3 Geography
4 Heraldry
5 Dukes of Västerbotten
6 External links

[edit] Government

Provinces are not used for administrative purposes such as population consensus and politics. Instead this task is performed by the Counties of Sweden. Västerbotten has an area of 15,093 km² and makes up the eastern part of Västerbotten County.

The boundaries before 1809 also included the current province of Norrbotten and a small part of present day Finland. This part is today included in Lapland, Finland.

[edit] History

Västerbotten's old borders which extended into Finland

Following the Finnish War in 1809 the old province of Västerbotten was separated into a Swedish and a Finnish part. The northern part of Västerbotten County was then split into Norrbotten County. The locals of Norrbotten then started referring to themselves as Norrbothnians. The county borders thus gradually led to a local provincial identity. Nowadays Norrbotten is considered a separate province.

Westrobothnia Regiment was the provincial regiment.

[edit] Geography

Main article: Geography of Västerbotten

Västerbotten was historically divided into chartered cities and districts.

[edit] Cities

Within current borders:

Umeå (1622)
Skellefteå (1845)

Historically:

Now in Norrbotten Province and Norrbotten County):

Now in Finland:

Torneå (Tornio)

[edit] Historical jurisdiction

The historical province Västerbotten was divided in court districts.

[edit] Facts

Highest mountain: Åmliden 550 meters
Largest lake: Bygdeträsket

[edit] Heraldry

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