Before getting on with all the fun stuff regarding the World Cup and the exciting royal wedding (three days to go now!), let’s spend some time studying the geography of Sweden. Quite often we seem to mention a few different provinces  and I figured it was about time to go through them quickly and what they are most famous for.

First of all, Sweden are divided into three big parts, Götaland, the south, Svealand, the middle and Norrland, the north. The country is then divided into 25 provinces, which purely have a cultural and a historical meaning and no political importance what so ever. That is taken care of by the 21 counties that the 25 provinces then are divided into. But let’s forget about the counties today. A Swedish person is much more likely to mention wich province he or she is from rather than the county.

Anyway, every province has its own province bird, province flower and province coat of arms. On a good day, I might know five of these, and I think it’s safe to say that that goes for many Swedes. But it’s definitely good knowledge if you ever plan to play Trivial Pursuit or go pub quizing in Sweden. Or simply just want to impress Swedish family and friends.

Today I give you the eight provinces of Norrland!

 1. Lappland is our biggest province and covers almost 25 percent of the whole country. Here you can find Sweden’s highest mountain Kebnekaise (2111 m), the native Lapps, the famous ice hotel in Jukasjärvi, the biggest mosquitoes and the most amazing nature scenery in the world.
Province flower: Fjällsippa (mountain aven)
Province animal: Fjällräv (mountain fox)

2. Norrbotten is known for being our coldest province with -40 degrees Celsius during the winter. But Norrbotten is also our warmest province and holds the highest temperature ever measured in Sweden, +37 degrees Celsuis. Talk about difference!
Province flower: Åkerbär (arctic bramble)
Province animal: Lavskrika (Sibirian Jay)

3.Västerbotten is a culinary province and is the proud maker of the famous Västerbotten cheese. The scenery is in Västerbotten is amazing with a spectacular mix of mountains, forests, lakes and streams. Our blogger Katja comes from the big University city Umeå, she has written about it here!
Province flower: Kung Karls spira (no translation found) Province animal: Storspov (Eurasian curlew)

4. Ångermanland is the home of surströmming – the fermented fish that smells like… well, I can’t even begin describe it. Anyone?
Province flower: Styvmorsviol (wild pansy)
Province animal: Bäver (beaver)

5. In Jämtland, you can find Sweden’s fifth biggest but most exciting lake, Storsjön. Storsjön is the home of Sweden’s Nessie, Storsjöodjuret, a large sea serpent who is said to be living in Storsjön. This has never been confirmed, but it definitely keeps the tourists coming!
Province flower: Brunkulla (no translation found)
Province animal: Älg (elk)

6. Medelpad has a rich animal life and if you travel there you might bump into deer, elk, bear, wolf, beaver and much much more. Sundsvall is the only city in the province.
Province flower: Gran (Norway spruce)
Province animal: Skogshare (wild hare)

7. Härjedalen is filled with ski resorts, hiking trails and rivers. The province has been home to people since the stone age and has a rich history and over 2000 ancient monuments.
Province flower: Mosippa (spring pasque flower)
Province animal: Brunbjörn (brown bear)

8. Lot of Swedish folk music and folk dancing origins from Hälsingland. If you don’t like cursing but still want to tell someone to go to h**l, you can without guilt shout “Dra åt Hälsingland””, since this province’s name has become a euphemism for “hell”. Last but not least, the Swedish princess Madeleine is the Duchess of Hälsingland.
Province flower: Lin (flax)
Province animal: Lodjur (lynx)

11. Gästrikland  – and especially the small town of Ockelbo – has become known world wide lately, since this is where our new Prince, Daniel, is born and raised.  More royal connections:  the Swedish princess Madeleine is the Duchess of Gästrikland, together with Hälsingland as well.
Province flower: Liljekonvalj (Lily of the valley)
Province animal: Tjäder (grouse)

And speaking of Princess Madeleine, the coming weekend is all about a certain wedding in Sweden and I am pretty sure there will be one or two blogs about that. But then, a trip through Svealand and Götaland!

(Foto: Ove Källström, Sweden.se)