Governors residence, Umeå Welcome to Västerbotten Västerbotten is the second largest county in the country and covers more than one eighth of the total area of Sweden. A journey through Västerbotten takes you from the flat country by the northern part of the Gulf of Bothnia, through the vast coniferous forests and mires in the inland to the magnificent mountains in the west. Barents meeting of Competiveness Ministers in Umeå 18-19 May 2010 Strengthening the Barents region – Raw materials, renewable energy and energy efficiency The Barents region plays a key role in Europe and beyond as a supplier of renewable energy and raw materials. The Swedish Barents Euro-Arctic Council (BEAC) chairmanship will focus on the transition to an Eco-efficient Economy - i.e. how to combine economic development with environmental awareness - to pave the way for innovative and sustainable solutions, growth and new jobs. Energy efficiency, renewable energy and natural resources are all key areas where more can be done to unlock the region’s potential. They are also instrumental in taking concrete steps towards an Eco-efficient Economy in line with Chairmanship priorities. To further promote the economic development of the Barents region, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Enterprise and Energy Ms Maud Olofsson will invite her ministerial colleagues within the Barents cooperation, the European Commission, business and regional representatives to a ministerial meeting in Umeå. Sweden's official website SWEDEN.SE is Sweden's official website. Their mission is to make it easy for you to find information about Sweden in English as well as other languages.  To Sweden.se The twin regions As part of its international work, Västerbotten has a number of twin regions. Lorraine in France, Heilong Jiang in north-west China, the Republic of Karelia in Russia and  the Wielkopolska region in Poland Here you can read more about our international work   The County Administrations and the EU Swedens membership of the European Union gives her access to the EUs structural funds. These are the Regional Fund, the Social Fund, the Agriculture Fund and the Fisheries Fund.   More about the EU isseus in Västerbotten  3 million acres The County Administration administrates government land above the cultivation limit in the County of Västerbotten, an area that extends over nearly 3 million acres (1.2 million hectares). This is roughly the equivalent of 2.5 million football pitches.   Reindeer management and mountain administration

Other languages  Chris Heister The County Governor of Västerbotten Just below the Arctic Circle Web Atlas The County of Västerbotten  Weather forecast Facts about Västerbotten  Swedish website www.sweden.se is Swedens official website for information about Sweden to the outside world. This portal site also offering a search platform providing information about Västerbotten in English. Postal address Västerbotten County Administrative Board SE 901 86 Umeå Sweden Tel:+46 90107000