Norrland
The northernmost region of Sweden covers about 60 percent of the country's total land area. This vast space contains the Scandinavian Mountains in the west and the Muddus Plains across much of the inland. Boreal forests blanket most of the terrain, creating a landscape that differs sharply from the densely populated south. Only coastal areas break the pattern of hilly and mountainous land covered by trees. Sweden's highest mountain, Kebnekaise, rises to 2,097 metres within Lappland province. The deepest lake, Hornavan, also lies within these borders. Long rivers originate in the mountains and run through the forests before reaching the coast. These waterways feature extensive drops in elevation that make Norrland a major producer of hydroelectricity.
Approximately 12 percent of Sweden's population lives in Norrland despite its massive size. Most inhabitants reside in rural areas and small villages along the coast rather than in large cities. Umeå stands as the largest city, while Gävle, Härnösand, Östersund, and Luleå serve as county seats. Sundsvall, Skellefteå, and Örnsköldsvik are significant non-capital towns. Kiruna is the largest town in the vast Lapland province in the far north. During the Industrial Revolution which reached Sweden in the mid-19th century, the region became the source for important wood and pulp industries. All but four of the major Norrland rivers have been exploited for water power. Towards the end of the 20th century, there was a noticeable increase of the population mainly from people moving from larger cities.
Mines for producing precious metals have also been located in Norrland throughout history. The administration in Stockholm viewed Norrland essentially as a colony consisting of natural resources to be exploited. A quote attributed to Axel Oxenstierna describes this attitude: In Norrland we have an India within our borders if only we realize we should be taking advantage of it. The rivers in Norrland account for the bulk of hydroelectric power in Sweden. This energy source accounts for approximately 40 percent of Sweden's total production of electricity. In older history and still today, the government treated the northern parts of the country with little regard. Not much is written about these areas in the official history of Sweden. The extensive drops in elevation allow for significant power generation from some of those rivers.
Several related Norrland dialects form a distinct subset of dialects of the Swedish language separate from those to its south. People from the region tend to have a fairly negative view of people from Stockholm and the rest of southern Sweden. They refer to Stockholm as sissy swamp which loosely translates means sissy swamp. Stockholmers often look down their noses at a working class boy from Norrland even when he had lived many years there. The book The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo depicts how Norrlanders often speak regional dialects which Stockholm people find nearly incomprehensible. Despite being the most diverse of the three lands of Sweden in terms of languages and cultures, fiction usually portrays characters from Norrland as villagers from the wilderness. The majority of the population live in and around the coastal cities rather than deep in the forests.
Ice hockey is generally regarded to be the most popular spectator sport in Norrland. Many of Sweden's most famous hockey players are natives of Norrland including Peter Forsberg Börje Salming Markus Näslund Henrik Lundqvist Nicklas Bäckström Elias Pettersson and twin brothers Henrik and Daniel Sedin. As of the 2023, 24 season four Norrland teams currently compete in the Swedish Hockey League: Luleå HF Skellefteå AIK MoDo Hockey and Timrå IK. Skiing both alpine and nordic is also a popular sport in Norrland. Two of Sweden's largest and most popular ski resorts Åre and Hemavan are located in Norrland. Famous skiers from the region include Ingemar Stenmark Anja Pärson and Per Elofsson. The cold climate has led to winter sports being popular with Norrland teams and athletes being especially successful in ice hockey skiing and bandy.
In older history Norrland is one of the four lands of Sweden bounded to the south by Svealand. To the east it represented the northern half of Finland which was then a part of Sweden bounded to the south by Österland. Up to the Middle Ages the northern part of Norrland was sparsely populated by Sami Kvens and different tribes related to the Finns. In the southern part of Norrland Swedish and Norwegian settlers lived side by side with the Sami population. From the Middle Ages on the Swedish kings tried to colonize and Christianize the area. While the word Finland originally meant only the southwestern part of what is now Finland the border of Norrland was drawn at the rivers Kaakamojoki or later Simojoki. This changed when the eastern half of Sweden was lost to Russia in 1809 and the new border was drawn at Torne River.
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Common questions
What is the total land area of Norrland relative to Sweden?
Norrland covers about 60 percent of Sweden's total land area. This vast space contains the Scandinavian Mountains in the west and the Muddus Plains across much of the inland.
Which city serves as the largest urban center in Norrland?
Umeå stands as the largest city within the region. Other significant towns include Gävle, Härnösand, Östersund, Luleå, Sundsvall, Skellefteå, and Örnsköldsvik.
How does Norrland contribute to Sweden's hydroelectric power production?
The rivers in Norrland account for the bulk of hydroelectric power in Sweden. This energy source accounts for approximately 40 percent of Sweden's total production of electricity.
Who are some famous athletes from Norrland in ice hockey and skiing?
Many of Sweden's most famous hockey players are natives of Norrland including Peter Forsberg Börje Salming Markus Näslund Henrik Lundqvist Nicklas Bäckström Elias Pettersson and twin brothers Henrik and Daniel Sedin. Famous skiers from the region include Ingemar Stenmark Anja Pärson and Per Elofsson.
When was the border of Norrland drawn at the Torne River after losing territory to Russia?
The new border was drawn at Torne River when the eastern half of Sweden was lost to Russia in 1809. Before this event the border was drawn at the rivers Kaakamojoki or later Simojoki.