Gothenburg

Gothenburg, or Göteborg in Swedish, is Sweden's second-largest city. It lies on the west coast at the mouth of the Göta älv river and is part of Västra Götaland County. The city is the seat of Gothenburg Municipality and serves as a major economic and cultural hub for western Sweden.

Founded in 1621 by King Gustavus Adolphus and named after the Göta River, Gothenburg developed as a trading and shipbuilding center. Its early layout and fortifications reflected Dutch and German influence, and the city grew through the ensuing centuries as a major port on the Kattegat.

Economy: The city has a large port that handles cargo and cruise traffic and hosts manufacturing and logistics industries. It is associated with Volvo Group and Volvo Cars and has a diversified economy including technology, life sciences, and education sectors.

Education and culture: The city hosts the University of Gothenburg and Chalmers University of Technology. Cultural offerings include the Gothenburg Symphony, the Gothenburg Museum of Art, Universeum science centre, and the Liseberg amusement park. The city is also known for its archipelago of car-free islands and for festivals such as the Gothenburg Film Festival and Way Out West.

Transportation: Gothenburg is connected by road, rail, and sea, with a tram network within the city and a major airport at Landvetter serving international flights. The port remains a key gateway for Scandinavia.