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'', is a province or ''landskap'' in the north of Sweden. It borders Ångermanland, Lapland, Norrbotten and the Gulf of Bothnia. It is famous for the cheese with the same name as the province.

Contents

Government

History

Geography

Cities

Historical jurisdiction

Facts

Heraldry

Dukes of Västerbotten

External links

Government

Provinces are not used for administrative purposes such as population consensus and politics. Instead this task is performed by the Counties of Sweden. Västerbotten has an area of 15,093 km² and makes up the eastern part of Västerbotten County.
The boundaries before 1809 also included the current province of Norrbotten and a small part of present day Finland. This part is today included in Lapland, Finland.

History

Following the Finnish War in 1809 the old province of Västerbotten was separated into a Swedish and a Finnish part. The northern part of Västerbotten County was then split into Norrbotten County. The locals of Norrbotten then started referring to themselves as Norrbothnians. The county borders thus gradually led to a local provincial identity. Nowadays Norrbotten is considered a separate province.
Västerbotten Regiment was the provincial regiment.

Geography

''Main article: Geography of Västerbotten''
Västerbotten was historically divided into chartered cities and districts.

Cities

Within current borders:

★ Umeå (1622)

★ Skellefteå (1845)
Historically:
''Now in Norrbotten Province and Norrbotten County):''

★ Luleå

★ Piteå

★ Haparanda

★ Boden
''Now in Finland:''

★ Torneå (''Tornio'')

Historical jurisdiction

The historical province Västerbotten was divided in court districts.

★ Burträsk Court District ★ Bygdeå Court District ★ Degerfors Court District ★ Lower Kalix Court District ★ Upper Kalix Court District ★ Korpilombolo Court District ★ Lövånger Court District ★ Lower Luleå Court District ★ Upper Luleå Court District

★ Norsjö and Malå Court District ★ Nysätra Court District ★ Pajala Court District ★ Piteå Court District ★ Råneå Court District ★ Skellefteå Court District ★ Lower Torneå Court District ★ Upper Torneå Court District ★ Umeå Court District

Facts

★ Highest mountain: Åmliden 550 meters

★ Largest lake: Bygdeträsket

Heraldry

On January 18, 1884 all provinces gained the rights to the rank of duchy and the arms can be represented with a dukal coronet. Blazon: "Azure Seme of Mullets Or a Reindeer in full course Argent attired and hoofed Gules."

Dukes of Västerbotten

Since 1772, Swedish Princes have been created Dukes of various provinces. This is solely a nominal title.

★ Prince Gustaf Adolf (1906-1947)

External links

★ Västerbotten.se

★ Västerbotten.net