Gothenburg
- This article is about the city in Sweden. See also Gothenburg (disambiguation) for other uses of the name.\n----\nGothenburg (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\nand in
Halland County:
Kungsbacka
The Gothenburg Conurbation (Göteborgs tätort) had 495 849 inhabitans in the 2000 census.
History
\nMain 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.
\nIn 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
\nMain 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.
| \n*Askim\n*Backa\n*Bergsjön\n*Biskopsgården\n*Centre\n*Frölunda\n*Gunnared\n | \n*Härlanda\n*Högsbo\n*Kortedala\n*Kärra-Rödbo\n*Linnéstaden\n*Lundby\n*Lärjedalen\n | \n*Majorna\n*Styrsö\n*Torslanda\n*Tuve-Säve\n*Tynnered\n*Älvsborg\n*Örgryte\n |
Geography
\nMain 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
\nMain 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
\nMain article: Universities in Sweden
\nHeraldry
\nMain article: Heraldry of Gothenburg
Sites of interest
\nGothenburg 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.\nIt is also the site of Scandinavia's largest amusement park,
Liseberg.
Sports
Held Events:\n*1992 European Championships in Football\n*
1993 World Championships in
Handball\n*1993 World Championships in
Table tennis\n*
1995 World Championships in Athletics\n*
1997 World Championships in
Swimming (Short track) \n*1997
Davis Cup Finals,
Tennis,
Sweden-
United States \n*
1999 European Championships in
Athletics (20-22 year olds) \n*
2002 European Championships in Handball\n*2002
World Championships in Ice Hockey \n*2002
Volvo Ocean Race \n*
2003 World Championships in Skating (allround)
Planned Events:\n*
2004 World Championships in Skating (short track) \n*
2004 UEFA Cup Final\n*2006 European Championships in Athletics
Arenas:
Scandinavium,
Ullevi
Notable natives
Miscellaneous topics
\nGothenburg 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
\n*Gothenburg Opera\n*
Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra\n*
Gothenburg-Landvetter Airport\n*
Gothenburg, Nebraska
External links
\n*Gothenburg - Official City site\n*
Gothenburg & Co. - Official Tourist site
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