Country | Sweden |
Population | 603325 |
Area | 447.76 km2 (172.88 sq mi) |
Time Zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
Coordinates | 57.70716, 11.96679 |
Highest elevation | 12 m (39 ft) |
City Gallery
City Description
Göteborg, or Gothenburg, is Sweden’s second-largest city and a major port on the country’s west coast. With a city proper population of around 600,000 and a metropolitan area housing about 1.1 million residents, it’s a bustling hub of culture and commerce. Founded in 1621 by King Gustavus Adolphus, Gothenburg was initially a Dutch trading colony and enjoyed special privileges to boost its trading status. Its location at the mouth of the Göta älv River, where Scandinavia’s largest drainage basin meets the sea, made it an ideal site for commerce and port activities.
The city is renowned for its significant industrial and economic contributions. Gothenburg is the birthplace of Volvo, established in 1927, and remains a central location for both the Volvo Group and Volvo Car Corporation, headquartered on the island of Hisingen. In addition to Volvo, Gothenburg is home to other major companies like AstraZeneca, Ericsson, and SKF, reflecting its strong industrial heritage.
Culturally, Gothenburg boasts a vibrant arts scene. It hosts the Gothenburg Film Festival, Scandinavia’s leading film festival, which attracts over 155,000 visitors annually. The city is also known for significant sports events, including the Gothia Cup, the world’s largest youth football tournament, and the Göteborg Basketball Festival, Europe’s largest youth basketball event.
Gothenburg’s academic presence is prominent with institutions like the University of Gothenburg and Chalmers University of Technology, drawing students from across the globe. For travel, the city is served by Göteborg Landvetter Airport, located 25 km southeast of the city center. Although Göteborg City Airport, which was closer to the city center, was closed to regular airline traffic in 2015.
With its rich history, strategic location, and diverse cultural and economic landscape, Gothenburg continues to be a vital and dynamic part of Sweden’s national fabric and the Nordic region.
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