Västergötland

Västergötland, or Westrogothia, is a traditional province or landskap on the south west of Sweden. It borders to Bohuslän, Dalsland, Värmland, Närke, Östergötland, Småland and Halland. It is also bounded by lakes Vättern and Vänern, as well as the sea at the City of Gothenburg.

County For current affairs see: County of Västra Götaland

In 1999 the previous counties of Skaraborg, Älvsborg and Gothenburg & Bohus were merged into the current County of Västra Götaland. The province of Västergötland is virtually fitted inside the boundaries of the new county. The main exceptions are the Municipalities of Habo and Mullsjö which are now in the County of Jönköping.

History Main article: History of Västergötland

Chartered cities before 1971:

• Alingsås (1619)
• Borås (1622)
• Falköping (approximately 1200)
• Gothenburg (1621)
• Hjo (approximately 1400)
• Lidköping (1446)
• Mariestad (1583)
• Mölndal (1922)
• Skara (approximately 988)
• Skövde (approximately 1400)
• Tidaholm (1910)
• Trollhättan (1916)
• Ulricehamn (approximately 1400)
• Vänersborg (1644)

The province of Västergötland represents the heartland of Götaland, one of the constituent lands at the unification into one Swedish kingdom in the Middle Ages.

Geography Main article: Geography of Västergötland

• Highest mountain: Galtåsen 362 meters
• National parks: Tiveden, Djurö

Västergötland is geographically bounded by the two largest Swedish lakes Vänern and Vättern.

Culture Main article: Culture of Västergötland[?]

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden (1977-), heir apparent to the Swedish throne is also the Duchess of Västergötland. Prince Carl of Sweden (1861-1951), son of Oscar II of Sweden and father father of Queen Astrid of the Belgians, was too styled Duke of Västergötland.

Heraldry Main article: Heraldry of Västergötland[?]

Västergötland was granted its arms at the time of the funeral of Gustav I of Sweden in 1560. The province is also a duchy and the arms can be represented with the dukal coronet. Blazon: "Per bend sinister Sable and Or, a Lion rampant counterchanged langued and armed Gules between two Mullets Argent in the Sable field."

External Links

• Västergötland Tourist Site (http://www.vastergotland.com/)