Västerbotten

Västerbotten, known in English as West Bothnia or Westrobothnia, is a province (landskap) in the north of Sweden, bordering Angermannia, Lapland, North Bothnia, and the Gulf of Bothnia. It is known for the Westrobothnian cheese, (Västerbottensost) named after the province.

Administration
The traditional provinces of Sweden serve no administrative or political purposes, but are historical and cultural entities. The administrative county, Västerbottens län ("County of Westrobothnia"), consists of the province and the southern part of Swedish Lappland.

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

Geography
Westrobothnia was historically divided into chartered cities and districts.

Cities

 * Umeå (1622)
 * Skellefteå (1845)

Communes/Municipality Västerbottens län
• Bjurholm Angermannia

• Dorotea (Lappland)

• Lycksele (Lappland)

• Malå (Lappland)

• Nordmaling Angermannia

• Norsjö

• Robertsfors

• Skellefteå

• Sorsele (Lappland)

• Storuman (Lappland)

• Umeå

• Vilhelmina (Lappland)

• Vindeln

• Vännäs

• Åsele (Lappland)

Towns and villages

 * Björksele

Facts

 * Highest mountain: Åmliden (550 meters)
 * Largest lake: Bygdeträsket

History


Up until the Finnish War 1808–1809, and the Treaty of Fredrikshamn, the province of Westrobothnia also included a small portion of the extreme north of current Finland. This part has later been integrated in Lapland, Finland. The Österbotten, Eastern Botten or Ostrobothnia, lay on the Finnish side of the sea, and this province name still survives.

Following the Fredrikshamn treaty, which re-defined the outlines and orientation of Sweden, in 1810, Västerbotten County was split in two parts. The northern portion became Norrbottens län ("County of North Bothnia"), and the Swedish-speaking locals of North Bothnia (which in itself is a multi-lingual area) soon began referring to themselves as Northbothnians. The county borders thus gradually led to a local provincial identity. Nowadays North Bothnia is considered a separate province, even though provinces had ceased to have any administrative or legal significance hundreds of years before 1810.

Westrobothnia's Regiment was the provincial regiment.

Dukes of Westrobothnia
Since the 13th century, Swedish princes in some dynasties have been created dukes of various provinces. Since 1772, these are only nominal titles.
 * Prince Gustaf Adolf (1906-1947)

Sports
Regional football in the province is administered by Västerbottens Fotbollförbund. Ice hockey is also popular, with IF Björklöven and Skellefteå AIK.