Västmanland
is a historical
Swedish province, or
landskap, in middle
Sweden. It borders
Södermanland,
Närke,
Värmland,
Dalarna and
Uppland.
The name comes from "West men", referring to the people west of
Uppland where the Swedish
Suiones tribe gradually came to constitute the center of
Svealand.
Provinces serve no administrative functions in Sweden today; this task is performed by the
counties of Sweden. Västmanland is divided between
Västmanland County, on the eastern half, and
Örebro County, on the western half. In total, about 260,000 people live in the province.
The oldest city of Västmanland is
Västerås, founded sometime around 990. The city was once the provincial capital, and from 1120 the seat of the
diocese of Västerås. Västerås is today also the largest city in the province, with 130,000 inhabitants in the
municipality.
After that
Arboga, was chartered in the
12th century,
Köping in
1474,
Sala in
1624;
Lindesberg and
Nora both in
1643, and finally
Fagersta in
1944. With
city status in Sweden being abolished in 1971, these are solely historical titles.
The mines of
Norberg and
Skinnskatteberg began being in use in the
14th century. The mine of
Lindesberg was being cultivated in the early
16th century.
Heraldry
Arms were granted in
1560. At the time it featured one fire mountain, to represent the mine of
Sala Municipality. Soon, their numbers were increased to three, to also symbolize the Lindesberg and Norberg/Skinnskatteberg mines.
When crowned with a dukal coronet it represents the province. Blazon: "Argent, in base tripple Mount Azure issuant from each Flames Gules."
Dukes of Västmanland
Since
1772, Swedish Princes have been created Dukes of various provinces. This is solely a nominal title.
*
Prince Erik (
1889-
1918)
The terrain is to the north and north-west rocky. In these parts the highest mountains are located: Älvhöjden with 422 meters, and Gillersklack with 408 meters.
In the other parts it consists mostly of plains.
The largest lake is
Mälaren marking the southern border, Sweden's fifth largest lake.
*National parks:
FärnebofjärdenWestern Västmanland traditionally belonged to the mining district of
Bergslagen.
Engelsberg Ironworks is a
UNESCO World Heritage site.
Västmanland was historically divided into districts. Within
Bergslagen they were called mountain districts (
bergslag), and in the rest of the province
hundreds.
*
Västmanland - Tourist site
*
article Västmanland from
Nordisk familjebok (1922)
