Gästrikland
From Freepedia
Gästrikland ▶(?), is a historical province or landskap on the eastern coast of Sweden. It borders Uppland, Västmanland, Dalarna, Hälsingland and the Gulf of Bothnia. The province is the southernmost district of Norrland.
Other used forms of the name is Gestricia, Gastrikland. Before 1900, the name was officially Gestrikland in Swedish.
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County
Provinces serve no administrative function in Sweden today. Instead, that function is served by Counties of Sweden.
Gästrikland constitutes the southern part of the Gävleborg County.
Geography
Gästrikland is often called the gate to Norrland, the northern Sweden part that is scarsely populated, largely unexplored until the 15th century, and with a terrain dominated by forests, mountains and lakes. The province uses the slogan "the wilderness starts here".
The main parts of Gästrikland consists of plains, which in the south and east transcends into fertile agricultural areas. To the north the west the terrain becomes hilly and forest covered, unsuitable for agrarian tasks. In the north-western corner one also finds Gästrikland's highest mountain, the Lustigknopp (literally "Funny-hood"), of 402 meters hight; this mountain also constitutes the meeting point of the three provinces Gästrikland, Hälsingland and Dalarna.
Few larger water areas are found, but a multitude of small ones, and of the total area around 1/10 is water. Its largest lake is Storsjön with an area of 72km², in its central parts.
Gästrikland has one National park: Färnebofjärden.
Sub-divisions
The sub-division of municipalities is done within the county, not the province. But as the province coincide with the southern municipal borders in Gävleborg County, the following municipalities are in effect located in Gästrikland:
- Gävle Municipality
- Sandviken Municipality
- Hofors Municipality
- Ockelbo Municipality
- Älvkarleby Municipality
This is used in the distinguishing a common identity, and also for marketing and tourism purposes.
Historically, Gästrikland was sub-divided into chartered cities and court districts. Its cities were: Gävle (chartered around 1300) and Sandviken (1943). Its two court districts were Gestricia Eastern Court District and Gestricia Western Court District.
History
The provincial regiment, Helsingia Regiment, was raised in Hälsingland and Gästrikland.
In the 18th century a small scale ore extraction of various kind began. Result was poor and never developed into large scale extraction.
Heraldry
Arms granted in 1560. As with other provinces the arms is represented with a dukal coronet. Blazon: "Argent Hurty an Elk stantant Gules attired and hoofed Or."
Culture
Dukes of Gästrikland
Since 1772, Swedish Princes have been created Dukes of various provinces. This is solely a nominal title.
- Princess Madeleine (1982-, also Duchess of Hälsingland)
External links
- Gästrikland - Tourist site. In Swedish and English.
- Image:Symbole-sv.png article Gästrikland from Nordisk familjebok (1909). In Swedish.
| Provinces of Sweden (Landskap) | Image:Sweden flag large.png |
|---|---|
| Ångermanland | Bohuslän | Blekinge | Dalarna | Dalsland | Gästrikland | Gotland | Halland | Hälsingland | Härjedalen | Jämtland | Lapland | Medelpad | Norrbotten | Närke | Öland | Östergötland | Skåne | Småland | Södermanland | Uppland | Värmland | Västmanland | Västerbotten | Västergötland | |
