Västmanland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Västmanland is a historical Swedish province, or landskap, in middle Sweden. It borders Södermanland, Närke, Värmland, Dalarna and Uppland.
The name comes from "West men", referring to the people west of Uppland where the Swedish Suiones tribe gradually came to constitute the center of Svealand.
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[edit] County
Provinces serve no administrative functions in Sweden today; this task is performed by the counties of Sweden. Västmanland is divided between Västmanland County, on the eastern half, and Örebro County, on the western half. In total, about 260,000 people live in the province.
[edit] History
The oldest city of Västmanland is Västerås, founded sometime around 990. The city was once the provincial capital, and from 1120 the seat of the diocese of Västerås. Västerås is today also the largest city in the province, with 130,000 inhabitants in the municipality.
After that Arboga, was chartered in the 12th century, Köping in 1474, Sala in 1624; Lindesberg and Nora both in 1643, and finally Fagersta in 1944. With city status in Sweden being abolished in 1971, these are solely historical titles.
The mines of Norberg and Skinnskatteberg began being in use in the 14th century. The mine of Lindesberg was being cultivated in the early 16th century.
[edit] Heraldry
Arms were granted in 1560. At the time it featured one fire mountain, to represent the mine of Sala Municipality. Soon, their numbers were increased to three, to also symbolize the Lindesberg and Norberg/Skinnskatteberg mines.
When crowned with a dukal coronet it represents the province. Blazon: "Argent, in base tripple Mount Azure issuant from each Flames Gules."
[edit] Dukes of Västmanland
Since 1772, Swedish Princes have been created Dukes of various provinces. This is solely a nominal title.
[edit] Geography
The terrain is to the north and north-west rocky. In these parts the highest mountains are located: Älvhöjden with 422 meters, and Gillersklack with 408 meters.
In the other parts it consists mostly of plains.
The largest lake is Mälaren marking the southern border, Sweden's fifth largest lake.
- National parks: Färnebofjärden
Western Västmanland traditionally belonged to the mining district of Bergslagen.
[edit] Culture
Engelsberg Ironworks is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
[edit] Subdivisions
Västmanland was historically divided into districts. Within Bergslagen they were called mountain districts (bergslag), and in the rest of the province hundreds.
[edit] External links
- Västmanland - Tourist site
- (Swedish) article Västmanland from Nordisk familjebok (1922)
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