Gästrikland | ||
---|---|---|
|
||
Country | Sweden | |
Land | Norrland | |
Counties |
Gävleborg County Uppsala County |
|
Area | ||
• Total | 4,200 km2 (1,600 sq mi) | |
Population (2009) | ||
• Total | 147,912 | |
• Density | 35/km2 (91/sq mi) | |
Ethnicity | ||
• Language | Swedish | |
Culture | ||
• Flower | Convallaria | |
• Animal | Capercaillie | |
• Bird | Black-throated diver | |
• Fish | Baltic herring | |
Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | |
• Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
Gästrikland is a historical province or landskap on the eastern coast of Sweden. It borders Uppland, Västmanland, Dalarna, Hälsingland and the Gulf of Bothnia. Gästrikland is the southernmost of the Norrland provinces.
Other used forms of the name is Gestricia, Gastrikland. Before 1900, the spelling was officially Gestrikland in Swedish.
The traditional provinces of Sweden serve no administrative or political purposes, but are historical and cultural entities. In the case of Gästrikland the province constitutes the southern part of the administrative county, län, Gävleborg County.
Arms granted in 1560. As with other provinces the arms is represented with a ducal coronet. Blazon: "Argent Hurty an Elk stantant Gules attired and hoofed Or." A coat of arms for Gävleborg County was granted in 1938, combining the arms of Gästrikland and Hälsingland.
Gästrikland is often called the gate to Norrland (the northern Sweden part that is traditionally considered scarcely populated, largely unexplored until the 15th century, and with a terrain dominated by forests, mountains and lakes).Gästrikland was often called the gate to norrland because from Gästrikland people went on to the north part of Sweden.