Gästrikland

Infobox Landskap
fullname=Gästrikland
name=Gästrikland
land=Norrland
county=Gävleborg County
area=4,200
flower=Convallaria
flower_swe=Liljekonvalje
flower_lat=Convallaria majalis
animal=Capercaillie
bird=Black-throated Diver
fish=Baltic herring

Audio|sv-Gästrikland.ogg|Gästrikland, is a historical province or "landskap" on the eastern coast of Sweden. It borders Uppland, Västmanland, Dalarna, Hälsingland and the Gulf of Bothnia. Gästrikland is the southernmost of the Norrland provinces.

Other used forms of the name is "Gestricia", "Gastrikland". Before 1900, the spelling was officially "Gestrikland" in Swedish.

Administration

The traditional provinces of Sweden serve no administrative or political purposes, but are historical and cultural entities. In the case of Gästrikland the province constitutes the southern part of the administrative county, "län", Gävleborg County.

Heraldry

Arms granted in 1560. As with other provinces the arms is represented with a ducal coronet. Blazon: "Argent Hurty an Elk stantant Gules attired and hoofed Or." A coat of arms for Gävleborg County was granted in 1938, combining the arms of Gästrikland and Hälsingland.

Geography

Gästrikland is often called "the gate to Norrland" (the northern Sweden part that is traditionally considered scarcely populated, largely unexplored until the 15th century, and with a terrain dominated by forests, mountains and lakes). The province uses the slogan "the Iron Kingdom" ("Järnriket").

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 height; 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

For tourism purposes Älvkarleby Municipality is also considered a part of Gästrikland.

Historically, Gästrikland was sub-divided into chartered cities and court districts. Its cities were: Gävle (chartered around 1400) and Sandviken (chartered in 1943). Its two court districts were Gestricia Eastern Court District and Gestricia Western Court District.

History

Gästrikland was a part of Uppland until 14th or 15th century. Mining and iron production became important industries inte the 5th century and the iron works of Hofors and Sandviken still employ about 6 500 people, producing specialized steel and other special metals.

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)

References

* [http://runeberg.org/nfbj/0463.html article "Gästrikland"] from Nordisk familjebok (1909). In Swedish.

External links

* [http://www.gastrikland.com/ Gästrikland] - Tourist site. In Swedish and English.