Westrobothnia
Historical province
Vasterbotten
Coat of arms
Country	Sweden
Land	Norrland
County	Vasterbotten County
Area
? Total	15,093 km 2 (5,827 sq mi)
Population   (31 December 2023) [1]
? Total	234,817
? Density	16/km 2 (40/sq mi)
Culture
? Flower	Moor-king lousewort
? Animal	Curlew
? Bird	Hen harrier
? Fish	Lamprey
Time zone	UTC+1 ( CET )
? Summer ( DST )	UTC+2 ( CEST )

Vasterbotten ( Swedish: [?v??sːt?r?b?tː?n] ^ⓘ ), 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 , (Vasterbottensost) named after the province. ^{[ citation needed ]}

Administration [ edit ]

The traditional provinces of Sweden serve no administrative or political purposes, but are historical and cultural entities. The administrative county , Vasterbottens lan ("County of Westrobothnia"), consists of the province and the southern part of Swedish Lappland . ^{[ citation needed ]}

Heraldry [ edit ]

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." ^{[ citation needed ]}

Geography [ edit ]

Westrobothnia was historically divided into chartered cities and districts. ^{[ citation needed ]}

Cities [ edit ]

• Umea (1622)
• Skelleftea (1845) ^{[ citation needed ]}

Communes/Municipality Vasterbottens lan [ edit ]

^[2]

Towns and villages [ edit ]

• Bjorksele

Facts [ edit ]

• Highest mountain: Amliden (550 meters)
• Largest lake: Bygdetrasket ^[3]

History [ edit ]

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 Osterbotten, 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, Vasterbotten County was split in two parts. The northern portion became Norrbottens lan ("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. ^{[ citation needed ]}

Dukes of Westrobothnia [ edit ]

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 [ edit ]

Lakes and watercourses [ edit ]

^{[ citation needed ]}

Sports [ edit ]

Regional football in the province is administered by Vasterbottens Fotbollforbund . Ice hockey is also popular, with IF Bjorkloven and Skelleftea AIK . ^{[ citation needed ]}

References [ edit ]

External links [ edit ]

• Vasterbotten.se
• Vasterbotten.net

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