Halmstad

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Halmstad


image_caption = Halmstad, view from "Tradecenter"
pushpin_

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Sweden
subdivision_type1 = Municipality
subdivision_name1 = Halmstad Municipality
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Halland County
subdivision_type3 = Province
subdivision_name3 = Halland
area_footnotes = cite web |title=Tätorternas landareal, folkmängd och invånare per km² 2000 och 2005 |publisher=Statistics Sweden |url=http://www.scb.se/statistik/MI/MI0810/2005A01B/T%E4torternami0810tab1.xls |format=xls |language=Swedish |accessdate=2008-05-15]
area_total_km2 = 33.01
population_as_of = 2005-12-31
population_footnotes =
population_total = 55,688
population_density_km2 = 1687
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2
latd=56 |latm=40 |lats= |latNS=N
longd=12 |longm=51 |longs= |longEW=E
website =

Halmstad ['hulm-stɑː(d)] is a port, university, industrial and recreational city at the mouth of the Nissan River in the province of Halland on the Swedish west coast. Halmstad is the seat of Halmstad Municipality and the capital of Halland County. The city has a population of about 56,000, out of a municipal total of nearly 90,000.

History

Halmstad received its first city charter in 1307, and the city celebrated its 700th anniversary in 2007. The oldest remains of that first town are to be found at "Övraby" upstream on the River Nissan, quite close to the regiment buildings. The remains of the church can still be seen today between a defunct brick industry and a former landfill.

In the 1320s the town moved to the present day town centre. At this time there were two monasteries in the town and during the 15th century the St. Nikolai church was built. Halland was the object of numerous battles, sieges and occupations by Swedish troops.

During the Kalmar Union – a Nordic Union between Sweden, Norway and Denmark which lasted between 1400 and 1520 – it was in Halmstad that the Union King was to be finally selected.

At the end of the 16th century, the Danish King Christian IV ordered the fortification of Halmstad and in the beginning of the 17th century built a crescent-shaped fort with the Nissan as part of the defences.

1619 is an important date in the history of Halmstad. In March of that year, King Gustav Adolf II of Sweden and Christian IV met at the castle. Over a period of a week they celebrated the payment in full of the Älvsborg ransom. August of the same year saw the destruction of Halmstad by fire.

Halland became part of Sweden for a period of thirty years when peace was declared at the Treaty of Brömsebro in 1645 and Danish rule ended. The Treaty of Roskilde in 1658 made this acquisition permanent. Sweden defeated Denmark in the Battle of Fyllebro which took place in 1676 just outside Halmstad.

The first May Day demonstration in Sweden was held in Halmstad in 1897.

The population grew from 48,800 in 1990 to 55,688 in 2005.

In September 2007 the city hosted the Solheim Cup, which was played at the Halmstad Golfklubb.

Notable natives

*Carl Bildt - politician, former prime minister, present foreign minister
*Per Gessle - musician (Roxette/Gyllene Tider).
*Ernst Wigforss - politician, former Minister of Finance.
* - fictional characters
*Thomas Petersson - Stand-up comedian
*Jörgen Persson - table tennis player
*Fredrik Ljungberg - football player
*Jonas Altberg - musician (Basshunter)
*Michael Amott - musician (Spiritual Beggars/Arch Enemy/Carcass)
*Sofia Arvidsson - professional tennis player
*Peter Wahlbäck - Stand-up comedian
*Niklas "Kvarforth" Olsson - musician (Shining/Den Saakaldte/Skitliv)
*Fredrik Andersson Hed, professional golfer

port

*Badminton
** [http://svenskidrott.se/Organisation.asp?OrgElementId=32326 Halmstad Badmintonklubb]
*Football
**Halmstads BK
**IS Halmia
*Golf
**Halmstad GK
*Gymnastics
**Halmstad Frigymnaster
**Halmstad Kvinnliga GF
**Halmstad Rytmiska GF
**Nissaflickorna
*Dancing
**Laxbuggarna
*Handball
**HK Drott
*Icehockey
**Halmstad Hammers HC - Does not exist any longer due to financial problems
*Swimming
**SK Laxen
*Table tennis
**Halmstad BTK
*Track & Field
**IFK Halmstad

Gallery

ee also

* Halmstad Municipality
* Kroenleins Brewery

References

External links

* [http://www.halmstad.se/ Officel homepage]