Sweden is located in northern Europe and its capital is Stockholm. The population is 10,230,185 (2018) and in Stockholm City 964,154 (2018) (Greater Stockholm: 2,334,124 - 2018).Sweden is by area one of the larger countries in Europe. The total area of Sweden is 449,964 km2 (173,732 sq. mi), of which 410,934 km2 (158,662 sq. miles) is land area. Sweden stretches 1,572 km (977 miles) from north to south and 499 km (310 miles) from east to west. The highest point is Mount Kebnekaise at 2,111 m (6,926 ft) above sea level.
Lands
Sweden is traditionally divided into three major “lands”, from north to south; Norrland, Svealand and Götaland.These regions are called “landsdelar” (pl.) in Swedish and simply means “parts of the country” or “lands”. Each name of the parts ends with “land”, thereof “lands”.The lands of Sweden are three traditional parts, essentially three collectives of provinces. Prior to 1809 Sweden had a fourth land: Finland. However, the “land” Finland was ceded to Russia in the treaty of a war which lasted between 1808 and 1809.
Norrland
Norrland (Northland) is a land in the northern half Sweden, comprising the traditional provinces (landskap) of Gästrikland, Hälsingland, Medelpad, Ångermanland, Västerbotten, Norrbotten, Härjedalen, Jämtland, and Lappland.Norrland is the largest region by area; its land area constitutes about 58 percent of Sweden's total territory. Norrland covers the land from the city of Gävle and north (eg. the land north of the Dalälven River). Size: 261,292 km2 ( 100,185 sq. miles), Population: 1,175,039 (2016).
Svealand
Svealand (Swealand) is the land in central Sweden, comprising the provinces (landskap) of Uppland, Södermanland, Västmanland, Närke, Värmland, and the southern parts of Dalarna (south of the Dalälven River). Svealand is the smallest of Sweden's three regions.Size: 91,098 km2 (35,173 sq. miles), Population 4,044,083 (2016).
Götaland
Götaland (Gothenland or Gothia) is the land of southern Sweden, comprising the provinces (landskap) of Västergötland, Dalsland, Östergötland, Småland, Öland, Gotland, Bohuslän, Skåne, Halland, and Blekinge.Size: 97,841 km2 (37,776 sq. miles), Population: 4,776,001 (2016).The lands have no administrative function but are still seen by many Swedes as an important part of their identity.
Provinces (Landskap)
Sweden is also divided into counties as well as into provinces. The provinces are very old, from early medieval times.The provinces are historical, geographical and cultural regions and have no administrative or political function but remain historical legacies and the means of cultural identification. The provinces are still used in colloquial speech and cultural references and can therefore not be regarded as an archaic concept. There are 25 provinces. The provinces have had their historical borders outlined for centuries.The provinces play an important role in people's self-identity and If you ask a Swede were he lives he most likely would say the name of "his" province rather than the county. The Swedish term for province is “Landskap”.•The provinces of Norrland: Gästrikland, Hälsingland, Medelpad, Ångermanland, Västerbotten, Norrbotten, Härjedalen, Jämtland, and Lappland.•The provinces of Svealand:Uppland, Södermanland, Västmanland, Närke, Värmland, and Dalarna.•The provinces of Götaland:Västergötland, Dalsland, Östergötland, Småland, Öland, Gotland, Bohuslän, Skåne, Halland, and Blekinge.A map of the Swedish provinces.Detailed information on the Swedish provinces..Plants and animals as symbols of the Swedish provincesTop of page
Counties (Län)
Beside the provinces, Sweden is also divided into a number of counties. The counties are much younger then the provinces. The subdivision into counties is from 1634 when Sweden adopted a new constitution. The sole purpose of the counties is regional administration. The Swedish term for county is Län.The county lines have changed many times since 1634; the Crown often chose to make slight changes to suit its purposes. So, counties have been divided and consolidated over time. In some cases, the administrative counties correspond almost exactly to the provinces, in other cases, they do not.In each county (Län) there is a County Administrative Board (Länstyrelse) headed by a County Governor (Landshövding) appointed by the national government. The purpose of the Länstyrelse is to supervise local state administration and to coordinate national political goals with the central government.Sweden is today (2019) divided into 21 counties.
Landsting
In each county there is also a regional municipality called Landsting, a political assembly to deliberate on the municipal affairs of the county. The Landsting is run by a County Council (Landstingsfullmäktige), a political assembly (regional government) appointed by the electorate. A Landsting has the same borders as the government run county (Län) in Sweden.The major responsibilities for the County Council are:•The public health care system including dental care•Public transportation•Regional planning•Administration of regional government arts and cultural amenities
Landsting becomes Regions
In 1999 the Landsting was given an extended responsibility for the planning and implementing of the regional infrastructure in respective county (Län). This was tasks previously carried out by the national government. In connection with this extended responsibility the Landsting was renamed to Regions. As of 1 January 2019 all Landsting in Sweden had adopted the new responsibility for the planning and implementing of the regional infrastructure. So, from 2019 all Landsting are Regions.Nomenclature: The regions still carry the names of respective county and the term Region are placed in front of the county name; The former Västmanland Landsting (formally “The Landsting of Västmanland County”) are now called Region Västmanland etc.The County Counsil - Landstingsfullmäktige - are now refereed to as Regionfullmäktige. However, the correct legal term still is Landstingsfullmäktige.Today there are 21 counties (2001). The Swedish counties are quite large by area.The Swedish Län (County) has a role more similar to the U.S. State compared to the role of the US County. However, the Swedish counties don’t have the independence of the U.S. States.The US County is better compared to the Swedish “Kommun” (Municipality) rather than to the Swedish Län (County). The US term consolidated city-county probably best describes the Kommun.See Kommun below.
Provinces contra Counties
The subdivision of Sweden into counties is independent of the subdivision into provinces. Some provinces encompass two or three counties (Småland, for example, encompass the three counties of Jönköping, Kronoberg and Kalmar).On the other hand, there are counties with more than one province located within the county (Medelpad and Ångermanland are both provinces located within the County of Västernorrland). In some cases, the counties correspond almost exactly to the provinces, as is Blekinge to Blekinge County and Gotland to Gotland county, etc. A map of theSwedish counties(including the county codes). Detailed information on the Swedish counties.-Top of page
Local Administration - Kommun
The counties are in its turn divided into smaller areas of local administration.
The period before the 1860’s – Socken
Prior to 1862 the counties (län) were subdivided into a number of “socken”. ”Socken” had two meanings:•Religious (church) - A geographical area served by a church,an ecclesiastical unit. In other words this is a parish. When we speak of the "socken" today we only mean the religious "socken".•Worldly (secular) - A geographical area for local administration. A local administration council (sockenstämma) ran the "socken".Before 1862, the church "socken" and the administrative "socken" encompassed the same territorial area. Socken (after 1862 kommun) is better compared to the US county.
The period after 1862 - Municipalities (Kommun)
In 1862 the worldly "Socken" was replaced by the so-called "Kommun" (municipality). The church socken is from 1862 called “församling” (parish) and encompassed the same territorial area as the former socken.In each county there are several smaller entities for local government and administration that constitute municipal self-government, which are independent of the County Councils. These municipal entities are called “Kommun” and there are 290 "kommuner" (pl.) in Sweden. Each kommun is run by a Municipal Council, Kommunfullmäktige, a legislative political assembly appointed by the electorate.The Municipal Councils control local government and taxation and the major responsibilities are: •Childcare and pre-school•Primary and secondary schools•Social service•Elderly care•Support to people with disabilities•Health and environmental issues•Emergency services (not policing, which is the responsibility of the central government)•Urban planning•Sanitation (waste, sewage)•Local roads•Local distribution of powerThe municipalities in Sweden cover the entire territory of the nation. Unlike the USA or Canada, there are no unincorporated areas. In 1971 the formal differences between city and rural areas were removed and all municipalities are now a uniform type with no local statutes or privileges of any kind. The U.S. term consolidated city-county probably best describes the Kommun.[In United States local government, a consolidated city-county is a city and county that have been merged into one unified jurisdiction. As such it is simultaneously a city, which is a municipal corporation, and a county, which is an administrative division of a state. It has the powers and responsibilities of both types of entities.]As the title Borgmästare (Mayor or Burgomaster) is not officially used in Swedish municipalities any more, municipal commissioner is often translated as mayor when referring to the chair of the executive committee.The municipalities are also divided into a total of 2 512 parishes, or församlingar (2000). These have traditionally been a subdivision of the Church of Sweden, but still have importance as districts for census and elections. Many of the parishes still correspond to the original socknar, but there have been a lot of partitions and amalgamations throughout the years.See also Swedish parishes. At this page you will find all the Swedish parishes, arranged by name. A page about the Swedish municipalities.The kommun encompass a far larger area then former socken. Internationally the Swedish Kommun is quite large by area.Top of page
Sweden is located in northern Europe and its capital is Stockholm. The population is 10,230,185 (2018) and in Stockholm City 964,154 (2018) (Greater Stockholm: 2,334,124 - 2018).Sweden is by area one of the larger countries in Europe. The total area of Sweden is 449,964 km2 (173,732 sq. mi), of which 410,934 km2 (158,662 sq. miles) is land area. Sweden stretches 1,572 km (977 miles) from north to south and 499 km (310 miles) from east to west. The highest point is Mount Kebnekaise at 2,111 m (6,926 ft) above sea level.
Lands
Sweden is traditionally divided into three major “lands”, from north to south; Norrland, Svealand and Götaland.These regions are called “landsdelar” (pl.) in Swedish and simply means “parts of the country” or “lands”. Each name of the parts ends with “land”, thereof “lands”.The lands of Sweden are three traditional parts, essentially three collectives of provinces. Prior to 1809 Sweden had a fourth land: Finland. However, the “land” Finland was ceded to Russia in the treaty of a war which lasted between 1808 and 1809.
Norrland
Norrland (Northland) is a land in the northern half Sweden, comprising the traditional provinces (landskap) of Gästrikland, Hälsingland, Medelpad, Ångermanland, Västerbotten, Norrbotten, Härjedalen, Jämtland, and Lappland.Norrland is the largest region by area; its land area constitutes about 58 percent of Sweden's total territory. Norrland covers the land from the city of Gävle and north (eg. the land north of the Dalälven River). Size: 261,292 km2 ( 100,185 sq. miles), Population: 1,175,039 (2016).
Svealand
Svealand (Swealand) is the land in central Sweden, comprising the provinces (landskap) of Uppland, Södermanland, Västmanland, Närke, Värmland, and the southern parts of Dalarna (south of the Dalälven River). Svealand is the smallest of Sweden's three regions.Size: 91,098 km2 (35,173 sq. miles), Population 4,044,083 (2016).
Götaland
Götaland (Gothenland or Gothia) is the land of southern Sweden, comprising the provinces (landskap) of Västergötland, Dalsland, Östergötland, Småland, Öland, Gotland, Bohuslän, Skåne, Halland, and Blekinge.Size: 97,841 km2 (37,776 sq. miles), Population: 4,776,001 (2016).The lands have no administrative function but are still seen by many Swedes as an important part of their identity.
Provinces (Landskap)
Sweden is also divided into counties as well as into provinces. The provinces are very old, from early medieval times.The provinces are historical, geographical and cultural regions and have no administrative or political function but remain historical legacies and the means of cultural identification. The provinces are still used in colloquial speech and cultural references and can therefore not be regarded as an archaic concept. There are 25 provinces. The provinces have had their historical borders outlined for centuries.The provinces play an important role in people's self-identity and If you ask a Swede were he lives he most likely would say the name of "his" province rather than the county. The Swedish term for province is “Landskap”.•The provinces of Norrland: Gästrikland, Hälsingland, Medelpad, Ångermanland, Västerbotten, Norrbotten, Härjedalen, Jämtland, and Lappland.•The provinces of Svealand:Uppland, Södermanland, Västmanland, Närke, Värmland, and Dalarna.•The provinces of Götaland:Västergötland, Dalsland, Östergötland, Småland, Öland, Gotland, Bohuslän, Skåne, Halland, and Blekinge.A map of the Swedish provinces.Detailed information on the Swedish provinces..Plants and animals as symbols of the Swedish provincesTop of page
Counties (Län)
Beside the provinces, Sweden is also divided into a number of counties. The counties are much younger then the provinces. The subdivision into counties is from 1634 when Sweden adopted a new constitution. The sole purpose of the counties is regional administration. The Swedish term for county is Län.The county lines have changed many times since 1634; the Crown often chose to make slight changes to suit its purposes. So, counties have been divided and consolidated over time. In some cases, the administrative counties correspond almost exactly to the provinces, in other cases, they do not.In each county (Län) there is a County Administrative Board (Länstyrelse) headed by a County Governor (Landshövding) appointed by the national government. The purpose of the Länstyrelse is to supervise local state administration and to coordinate national political goals with the central government.Sweden is today (2019) divided into 21 counties.
Landsting
In each county there is also a regional municipality called Landsting, a political assembly to deliberate on the municipal affairs of the county. The Landsting is run by a County Council (Landstingsfullmäktige), a political assembly (regional government) appointed by the electorate. A Landsting has the same borders as the government run county (Län) in Sweden.The major responsibilities for the County Council are:•The public health care system including dental care•Public transportation•Regional planning•Administration of regional government arts and cultural amenities
Landsting becomes Regions
In 1999 the Landsting was given an extended responsibility for the planning and implementing of the regional infrastructure in respective county (Län). This was tasks previously carried out by the national government. In connection with this extended responsibility the Landsting was renamed to Regions. As of 1 January 2019 all Landsting in Sweden had adopted the new responsibility for the planning and implementing of the regional infrastructure. So, from 2019 all Landsting are Regions.Nomenclature: The regions still carry the names of respective county and the term Region are placed in front of the county name; The former Västmanland Landsting (formally “The Landsting of Västmanland County”) are now called Region Västmanland etc.The County Counsil - Landstingsfullmäktige - are now refereed to as Regionfullmäktige. However, the correct legal term still is Landstingsfullmäktige.Today there are 21 counties (2001). The Swedish counties are quite large by area.The Swedish Län (County) has a role more similar to the U.S. State compared to the role of the US County. However, the Swedish counties don’t have the independence of the U.S. States.The US County is better compared to the Swedish “Kommun” (Municipality) rather than to the Swedish Län (County). The US term consolidated city-county probably best describes the Kommun.See Kommun below.
Provinces contra Counties
The subdivision of Sweden into counties is independent of the subdivision into provinces. Some provinces encompass two or three counties (Småland, for example, encompass the three counties of Jönköping, Kronoberg and Kalmar).On the other hand, there are counties with more than one province located within the county (Medelpad and Ångermanland are both provinces located within the County of Västernorrland). In some cases, the counties correspond almost exactly to the provinces, as is Blekinge to Blekinge County and Gotland to Gotland county, etc. A map of theSwedish counties(including the county codes). Detailed information on the Swedish counties.-Top of page
Local Administration - Kommun
The counties are in its turn divided into smaller areas of local administration.
The period before the 1860’s – Socken
Prior to 1862 the counties (län) were subdivided into a number of “socken”. ”Socken” had two meanings:•Religious (church) - A geographical area served by a church,an ecclesiastical unit. In other words this is a parish. When we speak of the "socken" today we only mean the religious "socken".•Worldly (secular) - A geographical area for local administration. A local administration council (sockenstämma) ran the "socken".Before 1862, the church "socken" and the administrative "socken" encompassed the same territorial area. Socken (after 1862 kommun) is better compared to the US county.
The period after 1862 - Municipalities
(Kommun)
In 1862 the worldly "Socken" was replaced by the so-called "Kommun" (municipality). The church socken is from 1862 called “församling” (parish) and encompassed the same territorial area as the former socken.In each county there are several smaller entities for local government and administration that constitute municipal self-government, which are independent of the County Councils. These municipal entities are called “Kommun” and there are 290 "kommuner" (pl.) in Sweden. Each kommun is run by a Municipal Council, Kommunfullmäktige, a legislative political assembly appointed by the electorate.The Municipal Councils control local government and taxation and the major responsibilities are: •Childcare and pre-school•Primary and secondary schools•Social service•Elderly care•Support to people with disabilities•Health and environmental issues•Emergency services (not policing, which is the responsibility of the central government)•Urban planning•Sanitation (waste, sewage)•Local roads•Local distribution of powerThe municipalities in Sweden cover the entire territory of the nation. Unlike the USA or Canada, there are no unincorporated areas. In 1971 the formal differences between city and rural areas were removed and all municipalities are now a uniform type with no local statutes or privileges of any kind. The U.S. term consolidated city-countyprobably best describes the Kommun.[In United States local government, a consolidated city-county is a city and county that have been merged into one unified jurisdiction. As such it is simultaneously a city, which is a municipal corporation, and a county, which is an administrative division of a state. It has the powers and responsibilities of both types of entities.]As the title Borgmästare (Mayor or Burgomaster) is not officially used in Swedish municipalities any more, municipal commissioner is often translated as mayor when referring to the chair of the executive committee.The municipalities are also divided into a total of 2 512 parishes, or församlingar (2000). These have traditionally been a subdivision of the Church of Sweden, but still have importance as districts for census and elections. Many of the parishes still correspond to the original socknar, but there have been a lot of partitions and amalgamations throughout the years.See also Swedish parishes. At this page you will find all the Swedish parishes, arranged by name. A page about the Swedish municipalities.The kommun encompass a far larger area then former socken. Internationally the Swedish Kommun is quite large by area.Top of page
