| Skövde | |||
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Skövde
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| Coordinates: | |||
| Country | Sweden | ||
| Province | Västergötland | ||
| County | Västra Götaland County | ||
| Municipality | Skövde Municipality | ||
| Area[1] | |||
| • Total | 19.78 km2 (7.6 sq mi) | ||
| Population (2005-12-31)[1] | |||
| • Total | 34 446 | ||
| • Density | 1,674/km2 (4,335.6/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | ||
Skövde is a locality and the seat of Skövde Municipality, Västra Götaland County, Sweden with 34 446 inhabitants (2010-12-31).[1]
Skövde is situated some 150 km northeast of Gothenburg, between Sweden's two largest lakes, Vänern and Vättern. It sits on the eastern slope of a low mountain ridge Billingen (299 m), which cuts through the plain between the lakes. The western main railway (Västra Stambanan) was built through Skövde in the 1890s, which gave the town a dramatic industrial and population boost.
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Skövde traces its history back to the medieval age. In its city arms is the image of Saint Helena who allegedly was a pious woman from Skövde. She was born about 1101, and was canonized in 1165 by Pope Alexander III and Archbishop Stefan of Sweden.
Of the medieval houses nothing remains, as a fire in 1759 burned down the entire city except for some houses called Helensgården. After the fire, the city was rebuilt according to a grid pattern. The city still only had a small population until the railroad between Stockholm and Gothenburg was laid through the city, leading to an industrial and population boost.
AB Volvo and Volvo Cars jointly operate one of the world’s largest automotive foundries in Skövde, with more than 5,000 workers. The plant is known world-wide for producing the most industrial diesel engines in the world for AB Volvo and also for producing compact inline 5 cylinder petrol engines for Volvo Cars.
The armoured corps regiment Skaraborgs regemente (P4) and the logistics corps regiment Trängregementet (TrängR) are both located in Skövde, as is the Army Combat schools.
The following sports clubs are located in Skövde:
It's worth noting that the Skövde Saints Softball club are 6 time SM-GULD champions.
Skövde Airport is located approximately 10 km from Skövde. Currently there are no scheduled flights, however there is an active flying club, gliding club and at least one corporate jet is based at Skövde.
| Skövde is one of 133 places with the historical city status in Sweden. |
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