Westrogothia (Västergötland) is a historical Province (landskap) in the southwest of Sweden. It borders Bahusia, Dalia, Wermelandia, Nericia, Ostrogothia,

Västergötland Land Götaland County Västra Götaland County Area 16,694 km² Provincial flower - Swedish - Latin Heather Ljung Calluna vulgaris Provincial animal Crane

Map highlighting the location of Westrogothia

Smalandia and Hallandia. It is also bounded by the lakes Vättern and Vänern, as well as the sea at the City of Gothenburg.

Population

The population of Westrogothia is 1,198,806 as of 2004. It distrubutes over four counties as follows:

County

For current affairs see: Västra Götaland County

In 1999 the Skaraborg County, Älvsborg County and Gothenburg and Bohus County were merged into the current Västra Götaland County. The province of Westrogothia is virtually fitted inside the boundaries of the new county, where the main exceptions are the Municipalities of Habo and Mullsjö which are now in the Jönköping County.

History

Main article: History of Westrogothia

The province of Västergötland represents the heartland of Götaland, one of the constituent petty kingdoms before the unification into one Swedish kingdom in the Middle Ages (see Geatish kings).

Geography

Main article: Geography of Westrogothia

Westrogothia was historically divided into chartered cities and into hundreds.

Cities

• Alingsås (1619)
• Borås (1622)
• Falköping (approximately 1200)
• Gothenburg (1621)
• Hjo (approximately 1400)
• Lidköping (1446)
• Mariestad (1583)
• Mölndal (1922)
• Skara (approximately 988)
• Skövde (approximately 1400)
• Tidaholm (1910)
• Trollhättan (1916)
• Ulricehamn (approximately 1400)
• Vänersborg (1644)

Hundreds

Västergötland is geographically bounded by the two largest Swedish lakes Vänern and Vättern.

• Highest mountain: Galtåsen 362 meters
• National parks: Tiveden, Djurö

Culture

Main article: Culture of Westrogothia

In Westrogothia the Götaland dialect of Swedish is spoken. The dialect has several varieties like the ones spoken in Gothenburg and Sjuhärad, but the main dialectal variety is the Western Götaland dialect, or Västgötska. "Västergötland", literally means Western Götaland.

Heraldry

Main article: Heraldry of Westrogothia

Westrogothia was granted its arms at the time of the funeral of Gustav I of Sweden in 1560. The province is also a duchy and the arms can be represented with the dukal coronet. Blazon: "Per bend sinister Sable and Or, a Lion rampant counterchanged langued and armed Gules between two Mullets Argent in the Sable field."

Dukes of Westrogothia

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

• Prince Carl (1861-1951)
• Crown Princess Victoria (since the succession reform of 1980)

See also

• Husaby
• Läckö Castle
• Karlsborg Fortress
• Göta Canal

External links

• Västergötland (http://www.vastergotland.com/) - Tourist site