Gothenburg: Difference between revisions
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'''Gothenburg''' ([[Swedish language|Swedish]]: '''Göteborg''') is a [[Cities of Sweden|city]] and a [[Municipalities of Sweden|municipality]] on the western coast of [[Sweden]], in the [[Counties of Sweden|County]] of [[Västra Götaland County|Västra Götaland]]. With 478,055 inhabitants it is the second largest city in Sweden after [[Stockholm]] and the seat of residence for the county. |
'''Gothenburg''' ([[Swedish language|Swedish]]: '''Göteborg''') is a [[Cities of Sweden|city]] and a [[Municipalities of Sweden|municipality]] on the western coast of [[Sweden]], in the [[Counties of Sweden|County]] of [[Västra Götaland County|Västra Götaland]]. With 478,055 inhabitants it is the second largest city in Sweden after [[Stockholm]] and the seat of residence for the county. |
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The Gothenburg Metropolitan Area (Stor-Göteborg) has 816,931 inhabitants and consists of the following municipalities in [[Västra Götaland County]]: [[Ale]], [[Göteborg]], [[Härryda]], [[Kungälv]], [[Lerum]], [[Mölndal]], [[Partille]], [[Stenungsund]], [[Tjörn]], [[Öckerö]] |
The Gothenburg Metropolitan Area ([[Stor-Göteborg]]) has 816,931 inhabitants and consists of the following municipalities in [[Västra Götaland County]]: [[Ale]], [[Göteborg]], [[Härryda]], [[Kungälv]], [[Lerum]], [[Mölndal]], [[Partille]], [[Stenungsund]], [[Tjörn]], [[Öckerö]] |
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and in [[Halland County]]: [[Kungsbacka]] |
and in [[Halland County]]: [[Kungsbacka]] |
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Revision as of 11:18, 21 July 2004
- This article is about the city in Sweden. See also Gothenburg (disambiguation) for other uses of the name.
Gothenburg (Swedish: Göteborg) is a city and a municipality on the western coast of Sweden, in the County of Västra Götaland. With 478,055 inhabitants it is the second largest city in Sweden after Stockholm and the seat of residence for the county.
The Gothenburg Metropolitan Area (Stor-Göteborg) has 816,931 inhabitants and consists of the following municipalities in Västra Götaland County: Ale, Göteborg, Härryda, Kungälv, Lerum, Mölndal, Partille, Stenungsund, Tjörn, Öckerö and in Halland County: Kungsbacka
The Gothenburg Conurbation (Göteborgs tätort) had 495 849 inhabitans in the 2000 census.
| File:Gothenburg.png | |
| City | Gothenburg (1621) |
| County | Västra Götaland County |
| Historical Province | Westrogothia |
| Area - Total | Ranked 183rd 451 km² |
| Population - Total (dec 2003) - Density | Ranked 2nd 478,055 1060.0 /km² (unknown) |
History
Main article: History of Gothenburg
In the early 17th century Sweden controlled only one point on the western coastline. An attempt in 1607 to found a city by the name of Gothenburg on the nearby island of Hisingen had failed due to the Kalmar War, but the second attempt in 1621, by King Gustavus Adolphus, was successful. Following the successive wars, by 1658 all the Danish eastern provinces were ceded to Sweden, by the Treaty of Roskilde.
In 2001 there was a notable demonstration against the European Union summit. Demonstrators arrested during and after the summit were given heavy sentences. (See also Terrorister.)
Politics
Main article: Politics of Gothenburg
The municipality is subdivided into 21 boroughs, which carry responsibility for primary school, social, leisure and cultural services within their respective areas. A point of some controversy is the fact that the borough councils do not reflect the local majority, but follow the majority at City Hall for the entire municipality. In the election of 1998 three boroughs -- Askim, Torslanda and Älvsborg -- held local referenda on forming their own municipalities, but their petitions were rejected by the Government of Sweden.
Geography
Main article: Geography of Gothenburg
Situated on the western coast by Kattegat, an arm of the North Sea, at the outlet of the river Göta älv and Göta kanal. Nearby municipalities include Mölndal, Partille, Lerum, Kungälv and Kungsbacka.
Economy
Main article: Economy of Gothenburg
By its naturally advantageous location, Gothenburg houses the largest and most important harbor installation in Scandinavia. Trade and shipping have always been important businesses and already in the 18th century it was the home to the Swedish East India Company. Industry developed into an important business, and examples include SKF, Volvo and Ericsson.
Universities
Main article: Universities in Sweden
- Chalmers University of Technology
- Chalmers Lindholmen University College
- Gothenburg University
- Gothenburg School of Economics and Commercial Law
Heraldry
Main article: Heraldry of Gothenburg
Sites of interest
Gothenburg has a wide selection of cultural establishments, including theatres and museums. A new opera house was inaugurated in the 1990s. Museums include art, design and handicrafts, sea history, natural history, science, East India, etc. and a new museum on world culture to be inaugurated in 2004. It is also the site of Scandinavia's largest amusement park, Liseberg.
Sports
Held Events:
- 1992 European Championships in Football
- 1993 World Championships in Handball
- 1993 World Championships in Table tennis
- 1995 World Championships in Athletics
- 1997 World Championships in Swimming (Short track)
- 1997 Davis Cup Finals, Tennis, Sweden-United States
- 1999 European Championships in Athletics (20-22 year olds)
- 2002 European Championships in Handball
- 2002 World Championships in Ice Hockey
- 2002 Volvo Ocean Race
- 2003 World Championships in Skating (allround)
Planned Events:
- 2004 World Championships in Skating (short track)
- 2004 UEFA Cup Final
- 2006 European Championships in Athletics
Arenas: Scandinavium, Ullevi
Notable natives
Miscellaneous topics
Gothenburg is also noted for being the centre of the melodic death metal movement, a typically Swedish musical style, being home to such internationally known bands as At The Gates and In Flames. It is also the hip-hop capital of Sweden.
See also
External links
- Gothenburg - Official City site
- Gothenburg & Co. - Official Tourist site
