Gästrikland
Encyclopedia
is a historical province
or landskap on the eastern coast of Sweden
. It borders Uppland
, Västmanland
, Dalarna
, Hälsingland
and the Gulf of Bothnia
. Gästrikland is the southernmost of the Norrland
provinces.
Other used forms of the name is Gestricia, Gastrikland. Before 1900, the spelling was officially Gestrikland in Swedish.
serve no administrative or political purposes, but are historical and cultural entities. In the case of Gästrikland the province constitutes the southern part of the administrative county
, län, Gävleborg County
.
was granted in 1938, combining the arms of Gästrikland and Hälsingland.
(the northern Sweden part that is traditionally considered scarcely populated, largely unexplored until the 15th century, and with a terrain dominated by forests, mountains and lakes).Gästrikland was often called the gate to norrland because from Gästrikland people went on to the north part of Sweden.
The province uses the slogan "the Iron Kingdom" ("Järnriket").
The main parts of Gästrikland consists of plains, which in the south and east transcends into fertile agricultural areas. To the north the west the terrain becomes hilly and forest covered, unsuitable for agrarian tasks. In the north-western corner one also finds Gästrikland's highest mountain, the Lustigknopp (literally "Funny-hood"), of 402 meters height; this mountain also constitutes the meeting point of the three provinces Gästrikland, Hälsingland and Dalarna.
Few larger water areas are found, but a multitude of small ones, and of the total area around 1/10 is water. Its largest lake is Storsjön
with an area of 72 km², in its central parts.
Gästrikland has one National park
: Färnebofjärden
.
For tourism purposes Älvkarleby Municipality
is also considered a part of Gästrikland.
Historically, Gästrikland was sub-divided into chartered cities and court districts. Its cities were: Gävle
(chartered around 1400) and Sandviken
(chartered in 1943). Its two court districts were Gestricia Eastern Court District and Gestricia Western Court District.
until 14th or 15th century. Mining and iron production became important industries inte the 5th century and the iron works of Hofors
and Sandviken
still employ about 6 500 people, producing specialized steel
and other special metals.
Provinces of Sweden
The provinces of Sweden, landskap, are historical, geographical and cultural regions. Sweden has 25 provinces and they have no administrative function, but remain historical legacies and the means of cultural identification....
or landskap on the eastern coast of Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. It borders Uppland
Uppland
Uppland is a historical province or landskap on the eastern coast of Sweden, just north of Stockholm, the capital. It borders Södermanland, Västmanland and Gästrikland. It is also bounded by lake Mälaren and the Baltic sea...
, Västmanland
Västmanland
' is a historical Swedish province, or landskap, in middle Sweden. It borders Södermanland, Närke, Värmland, Dalarna and Uppland.The name comes from "West men", referring to the people west of Uppland, the core province of early Sweden.- Administration :...
, Dalarna
Dalarna
', English exonym: Dalecarlia, is a historical province or landskap in central Sweden. Another English language form established in literature is the Dales. Places involving the element Dalecarlia exist in the United States....
, Hälsingland
Hälsingland
' is a historical province or landskap in central Sweden. It borders to Gästrikland, Dalarna, Härjedalen, Medelpad and to the Gulf of Bothnia...
and the Gulf of Bothnia
Gulf of Bothnia
The Gulf of Bothnia is the northernmost arm of the Baltic Sea. It is situated between Finland's west coast and Sweden's east coast. In the south of the gulf lie the Åland Islands, between the Sea of Åland and the Archipelago Sea.-Name:...
. Gästrikland is the southernmost of the Norrland
Norrland
Norrland is one of the three lands of Sweden , the northern part, consisting of nine provinces. The term Norrland is not used for any administrative purpose, but it is common in everyday language, e.g...
provinces.
Other used forms of the name is Gestricia, Gastrikland. Before 1900, the spelling was officially Gestrikland in Swedish.
Administration
The traditional provinces of SwedenProvinces of Sweden
The provinces of Sweden, landskap, are historical, geographical and cultural regions. Sweden has 25 provinces and they have no administrative function, but remain historical legacies and the means of cultural identification....
serve no administrative or political purposes, but are historical and cultural entities. In the case of Gästrikland the province constitutes the southern part of the administrative county
Counties of Sweden
The Counties of Sweden are the first level administrative and political subdivisions of Sweden. Sweden is divided into 21 counties. The counties were established in 1634 on Count Axel Oxenstierna's initiative, superseding the historical provinces of Sweden to introduce a modern administration...
, län, Gävleborg County
Gävleborg County
Gävleborg County is a county or län on the Baltic Sea coast of Sweden. It borders to the counties of Uppsala, Västmanland, Dalarna, Jämtland and Västernorrland. The capital is Gävle.- Administration :...
.
Heraldry
Arms granted in 1560. As with other provinces the arms is represented with a ducal coronet. Blazon: "Argent Hurty an Elk stantant Gules attired and hoofed Or." A coat of arms for Gävleborg CountyGävleborg County
Gävleborg County is a county or län on the Baltic Sea coast of Sweden. It borders to the counties of Uppsala, Västmanland, Dalarna, Jämtland and Västernorrland. The capital is Gävle.- Administration :...
was granted in 1938, combining the arms of Gästrikland and Hälsingland.
Geography
Gästrikland is often called the gate to NorrlandNorrland
Norrland is one of the three lands of Sweden , the northern part, consisting of nine provinces. The term Norrland is not used for any administrative purpose, but it is common in everyday language, e.g...
(the northern Sweden part that is traditionally considered scarcely populated, largely unexplored until the 15th century, and with a terrain dominated by forests, mountains and lakes).Gästrikland was often called the gate to norrland because from Gästrikland people went on to the north part of Sweden.
The province uses the slogan "the Iron Kingdom" ("Järnriket").
The main parts of Gästrikland consists of plains, which in the south and east transcends into fertile agricultural areas. To the north the west the terrain becomes hilly and forest covered, unsuitable for agrarian tasks. In the north-western corner one also finds Gästrikland's highest mountain, the Lustigknopp (literally "Funny-hood"), of 402 meters height; this mountain also constitutes the meeting point of the three provinces Gästrikland, Hälsingland and Dalarna.
Few larger water areas are found, but a multitude of small ones, and of the total area around 1/10 is water. Its largest lake is Storsjön
Storsjön
Storsjön is the fifth largest lake in Sweden, with an area of 464 km² and a greatest depth of 74 m. It is located in the province of Jämtland in modern Jämtland County. From Storsjön runs the river Indalsälven and the lake contains the major island Frösön...
with an area of 72 km², in its central parts.
Gästrikland has one National park
National park
A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or...
: Färnebofjärden
Färnebofjärden
Färnebofjärden is a Swedish National Park in Uppsala County and Gävleborg County, on the border between Svealand and Norrland around the lower Dalälven River.-External links:* from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency...
.
Sub-divisions
The sub-division of municipalities is done within the county, not the province. But as the province coincide with the southern municipal borders in Gävleborg County, the following municipalities are in effect located in Gästrikland:- Gävle MunicipalityGävle MunicipalityGävle Municipality is a municipality in east central Sweden where the City Gävle is the municipal seat.Geographically the municipality is situated north of the mouth of the river Dalälven and is the southernmost municipality of the historical land of Norrland.The present municipality was created...
- Sandviken MunicipalitySandviken MunicipalitySandviken Municipality is a municipality in Gävleborg County, in east central Sweden. The seat is the town Sandviken.The present municipality was created in 1971 through the amalgamation of the City of Sandviken with a number of surrounding rural municipalities.The coat of arms was granted to the...
- Hofors MunicipalityHofors MunicipalityHofors Municipality is a municipality in Gävleborg County, east central Sweden. Its seat is in Hofors with 7,400 inhabitants, situated at .The first municipality with the name of Hofors was broken away from Torsåker in 1925...
- Ockelbo MunicipalityOckelbo MunicipalityOckelbo Municipality is a municipality in Gävleborg County, in east central Sweden. Its seat is located in Ockelbo.The present snake was formed in 1971 through the amalgamation of "old" Ockelbo with Skog.-External links:...
For tourism purposes Älvkarleby Municipality
Älvkarleby Municipality
Älvkarleby Municipality is a municipality in Uppsala County in east central Sweden. Its seat is located in the town of Skutskär....
is also considered a part of Gästrikland.
Historically, Gästrikland was sub-divided into chartered cities and court districts. Its cities were: Gävle
Gävle
Gävle is a city in Sweden, the seat of Gävle Municipality and the capital of Gävleborg County. It had 71,033 inhabitants in 12/31 2010. It is the oldest city in the historical Norrland , having received its charter in 1446 from Christopher of Bavaria.-History:It is believed that the name Gävle...
(chartered around 1400) and Sandviken
Sandviken
Sandviken may refer to:* Sandviken, a Swedish town and the seat of Sandviken municipality* Sandviken Municipality, a Swedish municipality around the town of Sandviken* Sandviken, Norway, a neighbourhood in Bergen, Norway...
(chartered in 1943). Its two court districts were Gestricia Eastern Court District and Gestricia Western Court District.
History
Gästrikland was a part of UpplandUppland
Uppland is a historical province or landskap on the eastern coast of Sweden, just north of Stockholm, the capital. It borders Södermanland, Västmanland and Gästrikland. It is also bounded by lake Mälaren and the Baltic sea...
until 14th or 15th century. Mining and iron production became important industries inte the 5th century and the iron works of Hofors
Hofors
Hofors is a locality and the seat of Hofors Municipality, Gävleborg County, Sweden with 7,021 inhabitants in 2005.-Districts:*Born *Böle*Bönhusberget*Centrum*Göklund*Hammaren*Lillån*Muntebo*Rönningen*Silverdalen*Standarn...
and Sandviken
Sandviken
Sandviken may refer to:* Sandviken, a Swedish town and the seat of Sandviken municipality* Sandviken Municipality, a Swedish municipality around the town of Sandviken* Sandviken, Norway, a neighbourhood in Bergen, Norway...
still employ about 6 500 people, producing specialized steel
Steel
Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...
and other special metals.
Dukes of Gästrikland
Since 1772, Swedish Princes have been created Dukes of various provinces. This is solely a nominal title.- Princess Madeleine (1982-, also Duchess of HälsinglandHälsingland' is a historical province or landskap in central Sweden. It borders to Gästrikland, Dalarna, Härjedalen, Medelpad and to the Gulf of Bothnia...
)
External links
- Gästrikland - Tourist site. In Swedish and English.