SWEDEN : Göteborg

Göteborg is the second largest city in Sweden ( after Stockholm   )with over 600.000 inhabitants. and the seat of residence for the county. Gothenburg is in the historical province of Västergötland .

The present-day city of Götenborg was founded in 1621 by the Swedish King Gustav II Adolf, although the region itself  is an old and exciting cultural area. The many ruins in the area prove that people were already living here 8.000 years ago.  The city was developed largely by city planners and canal experts from the Netherlands and Germany . 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 (known commonly as Gustaf II Adolf), was successful. Following the successive wars, by 1658 all the Danish eastern provinces were ceded to Sweden , by the Treaty of Roskilde.

During the 18:th century the city became an important centre in the international trading, guided by British and Scottish merchants and industrialists. At times the city was the European centre of goods from the far east and China . Later, Göteborg became an important city in trade and shipping. The largest shipyard in Sweden was located here and made a strong impact on the trade and industry in the city for more than a century. The appearance of the city changed dramatically during the 19th century. The fortresses were demolished and made way for the Kungsparken park and the Horticultural Society. The city expanded, some of the canals were filled in, the harbours and quays were extended. Famous buildings which have been preserved from this century are the Stock Exchange, the Central Railway Station, the Stora Theatre, the Feskekörka fish hall and the Saluhallen indoor market.

Göteborg harbour is one of the largest in northern Europe . But nowadays, the old docks and harbour quarters in the city centre has moved closer to the sea. In the end of the seventies and eighties the large shipyards disappeared, and today, only Stena Lines ferry terminal and Göteborg fish harbour remains.  During the 20th century the manufacturing of Volvo cars as well as as the industry of Svenska Kullagerfabriken employed many citizens.

To this day the city owes much to the influence of people from abroad. Tourists and other visitors return year after year - the Göteborg region is one of the most poular tourist areas in Scandinavia .