Västerbotten in brief
Fotograf: Henrik Sporrong
Vindeln, Västerbotten
Here you can find brief information about Västerbotten County divided into different subject areas. Use the list below to get a quick overview of the county.
Västerbotten County consists of the province of Västerbotten, the southern part of Lapland and part of the province of Ångermanland. The county is the second largest in Sweden and covers just over one-eighth of the total area of Sweden.
Diversity and contrast
Västerbotten is a county of diversity and contrast. One of its communities - Umeå - is among the most expansive in Sweden, and is of major importance to the development of the entire county. We have Skellefteå in the north, with its strong industrial traditions and Lycksele at the centre of the county.
Jazz, rock, baroque
The pulse and rich variety of the urban communities contrasts markedly with the tranquillity of the sparsely-popula-ted parts of the. Jazz, rock, baroque and folk music festivals are an impressive complement to the authentic traditions of for example Rismyrliden, Torvsjö Mills and Fatmomakke church town.
Gold, wood and hydropower
Business in the county is based largely on reliable base industries such as gold, wood and hydropower. New technologies that through diligent research and development work are growing and prospering here include optoelectronics, computer technology and hyperpressure technology. SMEs dominate the county industrial sectors, but there are also world-famous companies such as Boliden Mineral AB and Volvo Lastvagnar (trucks).
EU structural funds
Development work in the county is aimed to create good possibilities for people to live and work in the county. Through cooperation between different interests in the county, many development projects are run, both locally and regionally, often with support from EU structural funds.
International commitments
The county’s international commitments have grown over the years. Today there are partnership agreements with Karelia in Russia. Lorraine in France and Heilongjiang in China. An agreement with Wielkopolska in Poland is being drafted.
Barents
Västerbotten also participates in a large number of international organisations, among which Barents co-operation has high priority.
During autumn 2003, Västerbotten will take over the Presidency of the Barents Regional Council.
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Christer Abrahamsson
