västra

Västra is a Swedish word meaning western. In geographic naming, västra is often used as a prefix or component to indicate the western part of a municipality, region, or landmark. As a descriptive element, it appears in both informal speech and formal toponyms, shaping how places are identified and navigated.

One of the more prominent uses is in Västra Götalands län, commonly referred to as Västra Götaland County, a county located in western Sweden. The designation reflects its position in the western part of the country, and Gothenburg, the country’s second-largest city, lies within the county. Västra Götaland is among Sweden’s larger and more populous administrative regions, playing a central role in industry, transport, and culture.

Västra also appears in urban district names. A well-known example is Västra hamnen, a district in Malmö situated on the western harbor, noted for its redevelopment and modern mixed-use environment. Such toponyms illustrate how the term functions to describe spatial orientation within cities.

Beyond official names, västra is commonly used in everyday language to refer to the western part of a town or area, as in västra delen av staden (the western part of the city). The term remains a straightforward geographic descriptor, devoid of independent governance beyond its role in place names.