# Västerbotten

Västerbotten (Swedish: ), sometimes called West Bothnia or Westrobothnia, is a province (landskap) in northern Sweden, located by the Gulf of Bothnia. It borders the provinces of Ångermanland, Lapland and Norrbotten. The region is famous for Västerbotten cheese.

## Administration

The traditional provinces of Sweden have no administrative or political functions; instead, they are purely historical and cultural entities. The administrative units are the counties. Västerbotten County encompasses the province of Västerbotten as well as the southern part of Swedish Lapland.

## Heraldry

On 18 January 1884, all Swedish provinces were granted the status of duchies, allowing their coats of arms to be displayed with a ducal coronet. The coat of arms for Västerbotten is described as: "Azure Seme of Mullets Or a Reindeer in full course and hoofed Gules."

## Geography

Västerbotten was historically divided into chartered cities and districts.

### Cities

* Umeå (1622)
* Skellefteå (1845)

### Municipalities in Västerbotten County

* Bjurholm, Ångermanland
* Dorotea,Lapland
* Lycksele, Lapland
* Malå, Lapland
* Nordmaling, Ångermanland
* Norsjö, Västerbotten
* Robertsfors, Västerbotten
* Skellefteå, Västerbotten
* Sorsele, Lapland
* Storuman, Lapland
* Umeå, Västerbotten
* Vilhelmina, Lapland
* Vindeln, Västerbotten
* Vännäs, Västerbotten
* Åsele, Lapland

### Towns and villages

* Björksele

### Facts

* Highest mountain: Åmliden (550 meters)
* Largest lake: Bygdeträsket

## History

Until the Finnish War of 1808–1809 and the Treaty of Fredrikshamn, the province of Västerbotten included a small portion of what is now northern Finland. This area was later incorporated into Finnish Lapland. The province of Ostrobothnia (Finnish: Pohjanmaa, Swedish: Österbotten), was located on the Finnish side of the Gulf of Bothnia, and its name is still in use today.
Following the treaty of Fredrikshamn, which redefined the outlines and orientation of Sweden, Västerbotten County was split in 1810. The northern part became Norrbotten County. The Swedish-speaking residents of Norrbotten, a multilingual region, began identifying as norrbottningar, with the new county borders fostering a local identity. Today, Norrbotten is considered a separate province, even though provinces had lost their administrative and legal significance hundreds of years before 1810.
Västerbotten Regiment served as the provincial regiment.

## Dukes of Västerbotten

Since the 13th century, Swedish princes from certain dynasties have been created dukes of various provinces. Since 1772, these titles have been purely nominal.
* Prince Gustaf Adolf (1906–1947)
* Princess Ines (2025–)

## Geography
### Lakes and watercourses

| Lakes Bodträsket Burträsket Bygdeträsket Norsjön Nydalasjön Storvindeln Storsävarträsket Stöcksjön Tavelsjön Storkågeträsket | Watercourses Åbyälven Tåmeälven Byskeälven Kågeälven Skellefteälven Bureälven Malån Mångbyån Rickleån | Watercourses Dalkarlsån Sävarån Täfteån Tavelån Umeälven Vindelälven Norrmjöleån Åhedån Sörmjöleån |

## Sports

Regional football in the province is administered by Västerbottens Fotbollförbund. Ice hockey is also popular, with IF Björklöven and Skellefteå AIK.