Norrland - Geography

Geography

Except for the coastal areas, Norrland is sparsely populated. 12 percent of Sweden's population live in Norrland. Unlike the much more densely populated Svealand and Götaland, which are better known for big cities (Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö etc.) with landmarks & tourist attractions, Norrland is known for its nature: wide forests, large rivers and untouched wilderness.

Many people live in rural areas and small villages, and in cities along the coast. During the end of the millennium, there was a noticeable increase of the population in Norrland, mainly from people moving from the bigger cities. The largest cities in Norrland, from north to south, are Luleå, Skellefteå, Umeå, Östersund, Sundsvall and Gävle. With the exception of Östersund, all these cities are located near the coast.

During the industrial revolution, which reached Sweden in the mid-19th century, Norrland became the source for the important wood and pulp industry. All of the major Norrland rivers but four have been exploited for water power. The rivers in Norrland account for the bulk of hydroelectical power in Sweden – in many countries a limited energy source, but in Sweden hydroelectrical power accounts for approximately 40 percent of Sweden's total production of electricity.

Mines for producing precious metals have also been located in Norrland. In older history, the administration in Stockholm viewed Norrland pretty much as a colony consisting of natural resources to be exploited. "In Norrland we have an India within our borders, if only we realize we should be taking advantage of it" (I Norrland hava vi inom våra gränser ett Indien, blott vi förstå att bruka det) is a quote attributed to Axel Oxenstierna that fairly well describes the attitude. In the official history of Sweden not much is written about the northern parts of the country.

Kebnekaise, Sweden's tallest mountain at 2,111 metres (6,926 feet), is located in Lappland in the north of Norrland.