text:
Gullspång Municipality

Gullspång Municipality (Gullspångs kommun) is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the towns of Gullspång and Hova.

The present municipality was formed through the amalgamation of the former entities of Amnehärad, Hova and part of Visnum. The name was taken from the locality Gullspång.

Geography
Gullspång Municipality borders to Mariestad Municipality and Töreboda Municipality in Västra Götaland County It also borders on Laxå Municipality in Örebro County to the east and on Kristinehamn Municipality in Värmland County to the north.

The southern part of the municipality contains the northern part of Swedish national park Tiveden.

Localities

 * Gullspång
 * Gårdsjö
 * Hova
 * Otterbäcken
 * Skagersvik

The two main towns are Hova and Gullspång. The central administration is placed in Hova, thus constituting the municipal seat, but there are also offices in Gullspång. Because of the rivalry between Gullspång and Hova the municipality prefers to call them the "two main localities" ("huvudtätorter").

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Gullspång Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 5,203 residents, including 4,029 Swedish citizens of voting age. 47.3% voted for the left coalition and 50.9% for the right coalition. Indicators are in percentage points except population totals and income.

Local churches

 * Södra Råda Old Church

title: Gullspång Municipality


text:
Götene Municipality

Götene Municipality (Götene kommun) is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the town of Götene.

When the first Swedish local government acts went into force in 1863, 20 rural municipal entities (each corresponding to a parish of the Church of Sweden) were created in the area. The municipal reform of 1952 grouped them into three, new, larger units. These were amalgamated in 1967 to form the present municipality.

The two most notable sights in the municipality are the mountain/ridge Kinnekulle (with 306 meters the highest point in the county) and the village Husaby, with an old church and church well, where the first Christian king of Sweden, Olof Skötkonung, is believed to have been baptized.

Localities
Population figures from Statistics Sweden.
 * Götene (seat), 4,600
 * Källby, 1,500
 * Lundsbrunn, 900
 * Hällekis, 700

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Götene Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 13,244 residents, including 10,275 Swedish citizens of voting age. 48.0% voted for the left coalition and 50.8% for the right coalition. Indicators are in percentage points except population totals and income.

Sister cities
Götene has a sister city in Lithuania called Pasvalys which has about 7,500 inhabitants.

Tourism
Götene is part of the Läckö-Kinnekulle tourism area. To boast its geographical uniqueness, it uses a symbol of the Kinnekulle mountain mirroring in Lake Vänern.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Götene Municipality


text:
Herrljunga Municipality

Herrljunga Municipality (Herrljunga kommun) is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the town of Herrljunga.

The local government reform of 1952 formed two municipalities, Herrljunga and Gäsene, in the area. Before that the number was 22. In 1974 they were merged to form the present entity.

Localities
55% of the population live in built-up areas. The largest of them are:
 * Annelund
 * Fåglavik
 * Herrljunga
 * Hudene
 * Ljung

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Herrljunga Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 9,493 residents, including 7,313 Swedish citizens of voting age. 42.5% voted for the left coalition and 55.8% for the right coalition.

Politics
Since the 2022 election the municipal government is controlled by a majority consisting of the Social Democrats, Left Party, Centre Party and Liberals with Mats Palm of the Social Democrats as commissioner. The municipal council of Herrljunga has 34 seats.

title: Herrljunga Municipality


text:
Hjo Municipality

Hjo Municipality (Hjo kommun) is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the city of Hjo.

The municipality was created in 1971, when the City of Hjo was amalgamated with a part of the rural municipality Värsås. In 1974 parts of Fröjered and Fågelås were added.

Geography
Geographically it is situated by the western shore of Lake Vättern. The large and fish-rich waters have been the main influence on the industry. The largest rivulet intersecting the municipality from Vättern is the Hjo River. Parts of it have been made a nature reserve. Partly this is due to the salmon (Salmo trutta) and the grayling (Thymallus thymallus) that occur natural in the rivulet, but have had hard times due to dams.

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Hjo Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 9,227 residents, including 7,214 Swedish citizens of voting age. 44.6% voted for the left coalition and 54.2% for the right coalition. Indicators are in percentage points except population totals and income.

title: Hjo Municipality


text:
Härryda Municipality

Härryda Municipality (Härryda kommun) is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the town of Mölnlycke, with about 19,000 inhabitants.

Göteborg Landvetter Airport, Sweden's second-largest airport is situated near the locality of Härryda, after which the municipality is named. The airport is named after Landvetter, the second biggest town in the municipality. City Airline has its head office in the Air Cargo Building on the grounds of the airport. Transwede Airways existed, its head office was on the airport property.

Härryda Municipality borders clockwise to the municipalities of Lerum, Bollebygd, Mark, Mölndal, Gothenburg and Partille.

The present municipality was created in 1971 through the amalgamation of the former municipalities of Björketorp, Landvetter and Råda.

Until November 19, 2007 the municipality was the only one in Sweden lacking a coat of arms, just using a logotype.

Localities

 * Hindås
 * Härryda
 * Hällingsjö
 * Landvetter
 * Mölnlycke (seat)
 * Rävlanda

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Härryda Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 38,960 residents, including 28,334 Swedish citizens of voting age. 44.6% voted for the left coalition and 54.4% for the right coalition. Indicators are in percentage points except population totals and income.

title: Härryda Municipality


text:
Karlsborg Municipality

Karlsborg Municipality (Karlsborgs kommun) is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the town of Karlsborg.

The present municipality was formed in 1971 when "old" Karlsborg was amalgamated with Mölltorp and Undenäs.

The area has been dominated by Karlsborg Fortress and military activity throughout the last centuries.

Tiveden National Park is partly situated within the municipality. The Flugebyn airfield, home of the Västergötland Skydiving Club (Västergötlands Fallskärmsklubb) also lies in the municipality.

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Karlsborg Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 6,959 residents, including 5,557 Swedish citizens of voting age. 43.3% voted for the left coalition and 55.8% for the right coalition. Indicators are in percentage points except population totals and income.

title: Karlsborg Municipality


text:
Kungälv Municipality

Kungälv Municipality (Kungälvs kommun) is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the city of Kungälv. It is the 50th largest municipality in Sweden by population size.

The present municipality was formed in 1971 through the amalgamation of the City of Kungälv, the City of Marstrand and territories belonging to four rural municipalities. In 1974 a minor part (situated on the island of Hisingen) was transferred to Gothenburg Municipality.

Geography
Geographically it borders to Gothenburg Municipality (south), Ale Municipality (east), Lilla Edet Municipality (north-east) and Stenungsund Municipality (north). To the east flows the river Göta älv and to the south, marking the border to Gothenburg, flows the river Nordre älv. On an island in the river, the medieval Bohus Fortress faces the city of Kungälv.

Localities

 * Marstrand, which was historically a largely autonomous island territory as the Marstrand Free Port. It's the location of the stone fortress Carlsten.
 * Diseröd
 * Kareby
 * Kode
 * Kungälv
 * Kärna
 * Solberga, where the oldest parts of the church dates back to the 12th century
 * Årsnäs

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Kungälv Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 48,219 residents, including 36,298 Swedish citizens of voting age. 43.6 % voted for the left coalition and 54.9 % for the right coalition. Indicators are in percentage points except population totals and income.

title: Kungälv Municipality


text:
Lidköping Municipality

Lidköping Municipality (Lidköpings kommun) is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the city of Lidköping.

Lidköping sometimes refers to itself as "Lidköping by Vänern", possibly to distinguish itself from the namewise (and historically) similar city of Linköping in eastern Sweden.

Geography
Lidköping Municipality is, together with its western neighbor Götene, located on the Läckö-Kinnekulla peninsula. There are several Vänern islands that belong to the municipality. One of them is Läckö, where the Läckö Castle is a notable sight.

Localities
Population numbers of the towns and villages, from SCB, December 31 of noted year.

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Lidköping Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 40,403 residents, including 31,517 Swedish citizens of voting age. 49.3 % voted for the left coalition and 49.5 % for the right coalition. Indicators are in percentage points except population totals and income.

Symbol
Lidköping is developing a profile plan to market itself as "Lidköping by Vänern" and to this end have established the use of a logo depicting its location by Vänern. This logo is used in all official contexts, and also on the road signs when entering Lidköping.

title: Lidköping Municipality


text:
Lilla Edet Municipality

Lilla Edet Municipality (Lilla Edets kommun) is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the town of Lilla Edet.

The present municipality was formed in 1971, when the market town (köping) Lilla Edet (instituted as late as 1951) was merged with Flundre (part of), Inlands Torpe and Lödöse.

Population figures from Statistics Sweden as of December 31, 2005.

 * Lilla Edet (seat) (pop. 4,936)
 * Lödöse (pop. 1,265)
 * Göta (pop. 962)
 * Nygård (pop. 436)
 * Hjärtum (pop. 384)

Of these localities, Lödöse is nationally known for being the original location of the city of Gothenburg. In the medieval age it was a busy city and hosted an important Swedish harbor, until it was moved to its present location in 1473, and little remained. Today it has an interesting museum with many objects.

Industry
The largest employer in Lilla Edet Municipality apart from the government is the paper mill "SCA Hygiene Products AB Edet Bruk", with some 500 employees. It has been in operation for some 120 years, and is best known today for its manufacturing of the toilet paper brand "Edet", available in every store in Sweden.

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Lilla Edet Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 14,502 residents, including 10,601 Swedish citizens of voting age. 41.7% voted for the left coalition and 56.5% for the right coalition. Indicators are in percentage points except population totals and income.

Friendship cities

 * 🇫🇮 Nurmijärvi, Finland

title: Lilla Edet Municipality


text:
Lysekil Municipality

Lysekil Municipality (Lysekils kommun) is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the city of Lysekil.

The present municipality was formed in 1971, when the City of Lysekil (instituted as such in 1903) was amalgamated with Stångenäs and the island of Skaftö.

Geography
Lysekil Municipality borders to the municipalities of Sotenäs (in the north-west), Munkedal (north) and Uddevalla (east). The city of Lysekil is located on the southern tip of the municipality, by the Kattegatt strait.

The bay to the east, marking the border to Uddevalla, is called Gullmarsfjorden, or Gullmarn. It is Sweden's only true fjord. It is 25 km long, between 1–3 km wide, with a maximum depth of 118.5 meters. The depth at the mouth is only 20–40 meters on average, leading to a distinctive marine life in the fjord. Gullmaren is currently Sweden's only marine nature preservation area, and is home to several marine research institutes due to it being an easily studied microclimate.

Some of the municipal islets are considered part of the Gothenburg archipelago. Many islets are like small communities by themselves, with interesting histories of trading, fishing and stone quarrying in addition to their scenic nature.

Localities

 * Lysekil (seat), 7,300 inhabitants
 * Brastad, 1,800
 * Lyse, 1,700
 * Brodalen, 1,050
 * Grundsund, 627
 * Fiskebäckskil, 438
 * Rixö, 357

History
In Lysekil, humans have long left a mark on water, wood, soil, and stone.

With protected harbor surrounded by water and jutting out toward the fisheries of Kattegatt, The North Sea, and beyond, Lysekil has deep ties to the fishing and canning industry. Mirrored fish on the current municipal coat of arms and a jumping dolphin on that of 1895 show the absolute dominance of the sea on the area.

To many outsiders, especially those coming from Stockholm and the East coast whose ocean access was only the salty waters of the Baltic Sea, The granite beach and sweet water of Gullmarsfjorden made Lysekil a famous bathing location in 19th century. Kallbadhuset (the cold bathing house), a somewhat exclusive, and very popular wooden bathing house dating from 1847 still stands in operation. Local rumor has it that once upon a time the King of Sweden would visit the Lysekil bathing house and specifically ask that the commoners of the town be allowed enter the wooden walls of Kallbadhuset because he 'liked' the everyday people of Lysekil (whom otherwise were not welcome inside the Bathing house compound.

Traditionally fishing, sailing, farming, stone-cutting, and forestry formed the largest chunk of the local economy and continue today; however, petroleum products refining (Preemraff in Lyse,) light industry (Husqvarna in Brastad,) and local and international tourism (especially during the summertime,) all form a large part in the economy of the municipality.

Herring fishing
Herring fishing has played a big role in the history of Lysekil. For some reason the herring always returned close to the coastline in Bohuslän for longer periods of time and therefore made it easier for large amounts of fish to be caught. Herring fishing was popular already during the middle ages but most known is the periods of 1556-1589, 1747-1809 and 1877-1906. During these years, sales of salted herring resulted in hundreds of thousands of exports all over the world.

In Lysekil there are traces of old herring fisheries in several places, most of them on Härnäset, stora skeppsholmen and Saltö, as well as several factory buildings left where the herring was prepared and packaged.

Listed buildings
The municipality of Lysekil has three listed buildings. A listed building (byggnadsminne) is a building that is legally protected and preserved because of its cultural and historical significance. The county administrative board (Länsstyrelsen) and the Swedish national heritage board (Riksantikvarieämbetet) decides which buildings become listed buildings. The three buildings are:

 * Curmanska villorna
 * Wilhelmsons villa
 * Härnäsets folkets hus

Other buildings and areas of cultural and historical heritage in Lysekil are protected through detailed development plans under control of the municipality. Some of those places can for example be found in the old town area (Gamlestan), Fiskebäckskil and Östersidan.

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Lysekil Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 14,245 residents, including 11,346 Swedish citizens of voting age. 47.5% voted for the left coalition and 51.1% for the right coalition. Indicators are in percentage points except population totals and income.

Government and politics
Distribution of the 31 seats in the municipal council after the 2018 election:

 * Social Democratic Party  8
 * Lysekilspartiet  7
 * Sweden Democrats  4
 * Moderate Party  3
 * Liberal People's Party  2
 * Communist Party  2
 * Centre Party  2
 * Left Party  2
 * Green Party  1

title: Lysekil Municipality


text:
Mariestad Municipality

Mariestad Municipality (Mariestads kommun) is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the city of Mariestad.

The present municipality was formed in 1971, when the City of Mariestad was amalgamated with four surrounding rural municipalities.

Geography

Mariestad Municipality is situated on Lake Vänern and is visited by many tourists in summer. The largest fresh water archipelago in Sweden lies within the municipality. Torsö and Brommö are the two largest islands. North of the city, in Sjötorp, Göta Canal meets Lake Vänern.

Localities
Population centers in the municipality include:
 * Lugnås
 * Lyrestad
 * Mariestad (seat)
 * Sjötorp
 * Ullervad

Industry
The largest employers are Electrolux home products and Katrinefors bruk, a part of Metsä Tissue AB. SCA Packaging AB, RM Perfo AB and Jede AB are other notable companies in Mariestad. Within the IT industry Telia Partner AB and WM-data Infra Solutions AB are the two biggest employers. Just south of Mariestad, in Lugnås, you find Nimbus Produktion AB who manufactures Nimbus boats.

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Mariestad Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 24,698 residents, including 19,407 Swedish citizens of voting age. 47.4% voted for the left coalition and 51.5% for the right coalition. Indicators are in percentage points except population totals and income.

Twin towns — sister cities
Mariestad Municipality is twinned with:
 * 🇱🇹 Pakruojis, Lithuania

title: Mariestad Municipality


text:
Mellerud Municipality

Mellerud Municipality (Melleruds kommun) is a municipality in Västra Götaland County by Lake Vänern in Sweden. Its seat is located in the town of Mellerud.

The amalgamation leading to the present municipality took place in 1969 when "old" Mellerud (instituted as a market town (köping) in 1908) was merged with Bolstad, Kroppefjäll and Skållerud. Before the municipal reform of 1952 there were ten entities in the area.

Localities
Population figures from Statistics Sweden as of December 31, 2005.

 * Mellerud, 3,796
 * Dals Rostock, 885
 * Åsensbruk, 530
 * Bränna, 228
 * Dalskog, 151
 * Håverud, 150
 * Köpmannebro, 76
 * Erikstad, 58

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Mellerud Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 9,235 residents, including 6,919 Swedish citizens of voting age. 39.5% voted for the left coalition and 58.7% for the right coalition. Indicators are in percentage points except population totals and income.

title: Mellerud Municipality


text:
Munkedal Municipality

Munkedal Municipality (Munkedals kommun) is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the town of Munkedal.

The nationwide municipal reform of 1952 saw the creation of Munkedal, Svarteborg, Sörbygden and Ödeborg as larger rural municipalities. As early as 1967 Ödeborg was dissolved and parts of it added to Munkedal. Finally, in 1974 Svarteborg and Sörbygden were merged into Munkedal forming the present unit.

Etymology
The municipality is named after the old farm Munkedal. This farm was owned by the monks at Dragsmark Abbey. The last element is dal 'dale, valley'.

Geography
Munkedal is located 110 km north of Gothenburg. The geography is a varied terrain, covered with part forests, part mountains, part plains and part lakes and streams.

Localities
Inhabitants 2005:
 * Munkedal 	3,838 (seat)
 * Dingle 	889
 * Hällevadsholm 	723
 * Hedekas 	358

Subdivisions
Munkedal has 8 parishes, within the Diocese of Gothenburg, the sub divisioning used by the Church of Sweden. Their inhabitants 1 January 2005 and changes since 1 January 2004 are:

 * Foss 	5,020  	-52
 * Svarteborg 	2,683 	+12
 * Krokstad 	1,043 	+-0
 * Håby 	468 	+12
 * Hede 	495 	+10
 * Bärfendal 	248 	+8
 * Valbo Ryr 	262 	-9
 * Sanne 	186 	-10

Source:

History
This area in western Sweden, by the Norwegian border, has been inhabited perhaps longer than any other in Sweden. Distinctives for Munkedal are some tools that have been dated to 8000 BC, found around 1900 at a farm named Herregårda. There is also a petroglyph area called Lökeberg på Tungenäset, dated to the Nordic Bronze Age.

In the medieval age, a monastery of Dragsmark was located within the current municipal borders. It subsequently led to the name Munkedal, and the names chosen for the municipality when it was established in 1974 with the reform. The coat of arms also portrait a medieval scroll and writing pen, characteristics for monks.

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Munkedal Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

Residents include everyone registered as living in the district, regardless of age or citizenship status. Valid voters indicate Swedish citizens above the age of 18 who therefore can vote in general elections. Left vote and right vote indicate the result between the two major blocs in said district in the 2022 general election. Employment indicates the share of people between the ages of 20 and 64 who are working taxpayers. Foreign background is defined as residents either born abroad or with two parents born outside of Sweden. Median income is the received monthly income through either employment, capital gains or social grants for the median adult above 20, also including pensioners in Swedish kronor. The section about college graduates indicates any degree accumulated after high school.

In total there were 10,571 residents, including 8,038 Swedish citizens of voting age. 40.3% voted for the left coalition and 58.2% for the right coalition. Indicators are in percentage points except population totals and income.

Notability
The Munkedal Railroad, a narrow gauge museum railroad, inaugurated in 1896. A railroad museum is also situated by it.

The area, troubled by battles between Norwegian and Swedish armies, has several defence structures that can be visited. In addition, there are many old churches from the medieval age of interest.

title: Munkedal Municipality


text:
Orust Municipality

Orust Municipality (Orusts kommun) is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the town of Henån, with an approximate population of 1,800.

The municipality includes Sweden's third largest island Orust and some other small adjacent islets. The year-round population of around 15,000 increases significantly in the summer due to an influx of summer vacationers.

The former municipal entities on the island Orust and adjacent minor islands were grouped into larger units in 1952 and united into a single municipality in connection with the nationwide municipal reform of 1971.

Geography
The island Orust has a land area of 346 km2, Sweden's fourth largest island.

The villages in the municipality are Ellös, Henån, Hälleviksstrand, Mollösund, Svanvik and Varekil.

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Orust Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 15,322 residents, including 12,490 Swedish citizens of voting age. 44.3% voted for the left coalition and 54.5% for the right coalition. Indicators are in percentage points except population totals and income.

History
Historically, the area has been inhabited for thousands of years, as evident by ancient remains such as tombs, grave fields and rock carvings. Dating from the Viking Age, runestones are plentiful throughout Orust.

In the Nordisk familjebok the island of Orust is mentioned as a Geatish territory. Ramshult (the modern Swedish form), a hill fort, is mentioned in Beowulf as Hrefnesholt, the Geatish hill fort which became the prison of Onela, Ohthere and their mother until their rescue by Ongenþeow.

Economy
Industry wise, the area has always been dominated by fishing and boat production. Shipyard Hallberg-Rassy is the largest employer nowadays. Its shipyard is located in Ellös, on the north-west part of the island, and it has a significant export of sailing boats. The second largest employer is Najad-varvet, also a shipyard.

Points of interest
The geography offers several sights, with a couple of picturesque small villages. A nature reserve called Morlanda features a lookout point that offers a good overview of the area.

title: Orust Municipality


text:
Partille Municipality

Partille Municipality (Partille kommun) is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in Partille, which constitutes a part of the contiguously built-up Gothenburg urban area.

The municipality is by area one of the smallest in Sweden with only 59.35 km2.

The parish Partille was made a rural municipality, when the first local government acts came into force in 1863. Territorially it has not been affected by the nationwide municipal reforms carried out during the 20th century. It has retained its area, but it has developed into a suburb of Gothenburg.

Geography
The municipality is subdivided into four geographical areas: Partille, Sävedalen, Jonsered and Öjersjö.

The area is a traditional Swedish woodland. Much of its industries has therefore a connection to the forest industry.

Localities
The western part of the municipality is part of the contiguous Gothenburg urban area. This then leads into Partille Centrum, which is the seat and the central part of the municipality.

Other localities are:
 * Jonsered
 * Kåhög
 * Öjersjö
 * Furulund, Partille

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Partille Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 39,420 residents, including 28,286 Swedish citizens of voting age. 48.1% voted for the left coalition and 50.7% for the right coalition. Indicators are in percentage points except population totals and income.

History
The area has been inhabited for more than a thousand years. Fifteen ancient monuments from that time remain.

Partille is located in a valley, between some mountains in a rocky terrain. Its name is believed to be derived from something similar to "Part haella" meaning "split rock". Another possible meaning could be "Port haella", the door in the mountain. The small river Säveån flows through the valley and intersects Partille. The name Säveån stems from the words säve, as in sävligt (leisurely, slow) and ån (the stream/creek), as it is a very slowly flowing little river. The river has been of great importance for Partille throughout its history. The fertile soil around it was used for agriculture and during the medieval ages a lot of farms were located there.

The oldest existing building in Partille is Partille Kyrka (Partille Church) which was built in the 13th century. The church, being placed in the current centre of Partille, indicates that the present centre has been the natural rendezvous and centre of the municipality ever since it was built. Being a Swedish, very old-fashioned, Partille Kyrka has no bell tower, as a complement a separate belfry was built in 1652.

It is also an excellent place for fishing. Records from the 16th century show that government officials fished here at the time. As is still the case today, the most popular fish were salmon and trout.

Apart from agriculture and forestry transportations has been a very important field of business. The manager of the East India Company, David af Sanderberg, built Partille Herrgård (manor) between 1770 and 1780, today this manor serves a landmark for everyone who passes through the municipality. Later, during the 19th century, Sweden's first industrial society developed in Jonsered. The Scotsmen William Gibson and Alexander Keiller opened a factory for production of sail- and tent cloth. Sweden's first terrace-houses in classical English style was also built there. Nowadays Jonsered is still classified as a national interest due to its well preserved cultural environment.

Economy
Industries which are based in Partille include: Soft Touch AB (Personal Protective Equipment), Triumfglass (ice cream), Swisslog, Ragn Sells.

Apart from Partille Manor, the main key feature of Partille is the shopping mall Allum. In 1999 Partille municipality initiated a cooperation with the construction company Sten & Ström Sverige. The aim of this co-operation was to unify the two parts of the municipality, each on the north/south of the highway E20. The construction of Allum began on 3 February 2004 and was completed on 9 April 2006. The name "Allum" comes from the old Swedish word for "alla" (everyone), the name thus mean "åt alla" (for everyone) or "till alla" (to everyone). The mall has created roughly 650 new jobs and includes around 100 stores.

Sports
The following sports clubs are located in Partille:

 * Partille IF
 * IK Sävehof
 * Jonsereds IF
 * Partille Badminton
 * Partille Badminton

Partille Cup
The handball tournament Partille Cup was first launched in Partille in 1963, it was then played at Vallhamra Idrottsplats Vallhamra sports field. As the tournament grew in size it was partially, and later entirely moved to Gothenburg, where it is now played. Partille Cup is the world's greatest handball tournament for youths, in 2010 the tournament featured 1035 teams from 46 different countries. The tournament is arranged annually during the first week of July by the Swedish handball club IK Sävehof from Partille.

Education
Partille has several elementary schools including:

 * Casa Montessori
 * Björndammens Skola
 * Furulunds Skola
 * Lexby Skola
 * Jonsereds Skola
 * Lillegårdsskolan
 * Oxeledsskolan
 * Skulltorps Skola
 * Ugglums Skola
 * Vallhamra Skola
 * Öjersjö Brunn
 * Öjersjö Storegård
 * Stadsparksskolan

The municipality then offers a higher education at Porthälla Gymnasium (high school).

Twin cities

 * 🇨🇿 Chrudim—Czech Republic

title: Partille Municipality


text:
Skara Municipality

Skara Municipality (Skara kommun) is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the city of Skara.

The area of the municipality consists of 16 original local government entities. The municipal reform of 1952 grouped them into four new entities. In 1971 the City of Skara was amalgamated with the rural municipalities to form the present unit.

Localities

 * Ardala, pop. 745
 * Axvall, pop 1 164
 * Eggby, pop. 237
 * Skara (seat), pop. 11 437
 * Varnhem, pop. 662

Varnhem is renowned for its medieval monastery.

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Skara Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 18,708 residents, including 14,210 Swedish citizens of voting age. 46.4% voted for the left coalition and 52.4% for the right coalition. Indicators are in percentage points except population totals and income.

title: Skara Municipality


text:
Skövde

Skövde is a locality and urban centre in Skövde Municipality and Västra Götaland County, in the Västergötland (Western Gothland region) in central southern Sweden.

Skövde is situated some 150 km northeast of Gothenburg, between Sweden's two largest lakes, Vänern and Vättern. It lies on the eastern slope of a low mountain ridge, Billingen (304 m ), which cuts through the plain between the lakes. The Western Main Railway (Västra Stambanan) was built through Skövde in the 1850s, which gave the town a dramatic industrial and population boost.

Today, Skövde is home to the headquarters for Skaraborg's District Court and is the Västra Götaland's fourth-largest urban area as well as Sweden's 32nd biggest locality (by population) with 39,580 inhabitants in 2020.

History

Skövde traces its history back to the Medieval Age. In Skövde's city coat of arms is the image of Saint Elin (also known as Saint Helena), who was considered a pious woman from Skövde. She was born about 1101, and was canonized in 1164.

Of the medieval houses that once existed virtually nothing remains, as a fire in 1759 burned down the entire city except for some houses called Helensgården. After the fire, the city was rebuilt according to a grid pattern. The city only had a small population until the railway between Stockholm and Gothenburg was laid through the city, leading to an industrial and population boost.

Pre-16th century
Skövde's patron saint, Saint Elin (also known as Saint Helena), lived in the 12th century. According to legend, she was murdered on the way to a church consecration. She was canonized on 30 July 1164 by Pope Alexander III and Archbishop Stefan of Sweden. During the Middle Ages, people made pilgrimages to Elin's grave, and this contributed to the city's development and growth.

During the Middle Ages Skövde was a successful city, the economy thriving and Skövde eventually developed into a city of significant importance. Adjacent to the city were three churches: The City Church, The Elin Chapel directly south of the city, and Holy Birgitta's Chapel in the north. The city was at this time probably not especially great in area or population, rather its greatness lay in that it was once home to the Patron Saint of the Diocese, St. Elin. The pilgrims travelled here to visit the Saint's origin and burial place, and the commerce around the pilgrims came to be an important prerequisite for Skövde's development in the ensuing century.

The exact year when Skövde got its town charter is unknown, but it can be assumed to be sometime around the year 1400 when the city was mentioned in a tax roll. At the beginning of the 16th century, King Gustav Vasa confirmed the town's charter in a letter.

The 16th century until the Fire of 1759
If the 15th century was marked by success, then the 16th century saw an emergent decline for the city. The main reason for this was the Reformation and the transition to the Lutheran faith. They wanted to cleanse out all forms of idol worship in the form of saintly cults from the churches; these churches were emptied of treasures and relics, and Skövde itself did not escape.

Pilgrims ceased to travel here and a large part of the city's revenue disappeared practically overnight. King Gustav Vasa also had plans to move the city together with some other cities of the West Göta region to Hornborgasjön ('Lake Hornborg') in order to build a great city.

In 1520 the first documented setback took place for Skövde. The Danish King, Kristian II, undertook his third military campaign against Sweden. One of the Danish armies swept through Västergötland (Western Götland) and burned down Skövde, Falköping, Skara and Bogesund (now Ulricehamn).

It was only in the 17th century that figures of how many people lived in Skövde could be estimated with any fair degree of certainty. For the year 1655, the city presented a census of 134 people, 34 farmers, 38 housewives, 12 sons, 3 daughters, 2 farmhands, 8 maids, 10 boarders, 14 boatmen, and 13 described as '63 years old', i.e. contemporary retirees. During the 1660s there was some growth, and in 1669 the city had a population of 168 people.

At the beginning of the 18th century, Skövde was one of the county's smallest towns. In 1700, the town has just 154 inhabitants, but only 50 years later had the population risen to 381. In 1770 the population had risen up to 500 people. At the beginning of the 18th century, the Swedish towns and country districts had to take care of prisoners of war captured by Karl XII's armies. It was the Saxons, Germans, Danes, Norwegians, Poles and Cossacks who lived in enforced internship in Skövde.

In 1708, there were up to 56 prisoners of war in Skövde. In the town hall's civil rules one can read that the number of prisoners was now so great that every citizen had to now take care of a prisoner. In 1718, there were up to 90 Danish prisoners, in other words, the number of prisoners of war came to dominate the small Skövde.

In 1746, Carl von Linné was out on his journey through Västra Götaland, where he also visited tracts of Skövde. He talks in detail about the pollarded meadows in Berg, beeches on Ingasäter and Mölltorp's alum works. When on 27 June he reached Skövde, he did not have much positive to say, 'Skövde town, quarter before six from Berg, was a very small spot, located on the east side of Billingen, without any lake or particular feature, the houses were small, streets irregular and Cemetery on set with lovely boxes. This city has once been the seat of St. Helena.' His journey continued southerly, the next stop being Skultorp. Once again Linnaeus was compelled to share his experiences, describing women's hats, farmhands' courtship and the magnificent view from Skultorp's Nabbe.

The year 1759 saw the destruction of central Skövde in a large fire. A block of old wooden houses are preserved, and together with a botanical garden, form the cultural reserve Helénsparken. The oldest house in the park, Helénsstugan ('Heléns cottage') is from the early 18th century. Next to Hertig Johan's Torg ('Duke Johan's Square') is Saint Helena's Church and church park.

Town after the fire
Skövde recovered after the fire. The social life began to flourish, balls and theatrical performances followed one another. The inhabitants of the city lived a safe and hopefully pleasant small-town life. However, new winds would blow that would change the city's development for a long time.

At the start of the 1860s, the city's area was limited to what is now called the old city. Some major industries did not exist yet; handicrafts, trade and agriculture were the only industries that were practiced. Agriculture and animal husbandry were the primary industries for the inhabitants right up to the 1850s, while the actual town's urban bourgeoisie industries were developed.

The policemen in Skövde, or 'the magistrate's henchmen' as they were known in formal terms of the time, were few in number during the first part of the 19th century. The city's police force consisted of one permanent employee. The uniform cap showed his power and authority, while his armament consisted of a truncheon. His task was to carry out the punishment when someone was convicted to be flogged.

In the early 19th century, the town was dominated by one-storey houses. The roofs were usually covered with straw, reeds, peat or boards. Only in 1850 did it become common to use brick.

During the 19th century, the first half of the year had six or seven markets in Skövde. 1847 saw the introduction of market square days, which soon came to have the character of regular market days. The market came to be limited to two times a year, one in spring and one in autumn. An important market was the remounting market (remonterinsmarknaden), or horse market, that occurred annually on 19 September. It was widely known, even beyond the country's borders. Buyers came from the cavalry and artillery regiments, but also individual buyers from Norway, Denmark and Germany, to buy young horses. The trade was so great that several thousand horses could change hands in a single day.

On 2 April 1832 it was decided that the streets would be named. Previously, all the plots of land were only numbered. But it was not long before street addresses completely broke through, though even in the 1930s plot numbers were sufficient to use as post addresses.

In 1858, the population of the city increased and soon the railway stood finished. In 1859, the Västra stambanan ('Western Main Line') was inaugurated. Discussions on a newspaper began to take off. They got in touch with the editor of Göteborgs Handels- och Sjöfartstidning (Gothenburg Trade and Maritime News Journal), S.A. Hedlund, who promised to provide news content and editorials. The newspaper was called Sköfde Tidning (Skövde Newspaper) and was published every Saturday. The first issue came out on 13 November 1858. In 1960, the paper, then known as Västgöta Korrespondenten Skövde Tidning (VK – The West Göta Correspondent), joined together with Skaraborgs Läns Annonsblad (SLA – Skaraborg County Advertiser, founded in 1884).

On 18 June 1870, a hydrotherapy spa opened nearby the railway station, which had the effect of Skövde experiencing a short period as a spa resort. The spa, founded by Dr. Lars G Dovertie, was busily frequented by during the 1870s and 1880s. Since 1992, the spa has been a student union building.

In 1884 a company was formed to meet the need of an indoor riding arena. The city voluntarily donated a spot just north of the city. The riding school was later to become a key player in future discussions about placing regiments in Skövde. 1889 brought the issue of trying to get Life Regiment Hussars's recruit school to Skövde. It was suggested that this would see a shift from a 'tenement soldier' regiment (soldiers from Sweden's allotment system) to an enlisted troupe. In 1891 it was decided that Skövde would get the regiment in two years, but at the end of 1894 Örebro emerged as a competitor to Skövde. Örebro had certain advantages, for example a large indoor riding arena, but after new bids from Skövde, the town emerged victorious. Since 1896 the Husarernas rekrytskola ('Hussars Recruit School') has been located in Skövde.

The latter half of the 20th century was characterised by furious redevelopment. This brought parking lots and the creation of monumental buildings, some arguably more beautiful than others. Centuries-old features of the cityscape were erased, in particular all the old wooden housing settlements in the old town's western part. Otherwise the 20th century in Skövde was characterised greatly by the presence of the military. Military-dressed men have been a marked feature of Skövde's streets, even if drastically less so at the end of the 20th century and into the new millennium.

Climate
Skövde has a maritime-continental hybrid climate. The town is influenced by being in the slope of a hill, which leads to warmer overnight lows than in Skara on the western side of the same higher area. In July 2018, Skövde recorded a 22 C mean during the 2018 European heat wave. This makes it one of the very few stations in Sweden to have met the Köppen definition of a hot summer at any point in recorded weather history. Even so, Skövde is not frequently warm during an average year. On average, summers are cooler than on the east coast of the country. This is due to strong low pressure systems from the North Atlantic bringing plenty of rainy days along with an elevation of 150 m. Skövde does still have a lower precipitation total than areas to its south such as Borås and areas in Halland that are affected even more by the maritime patterns.

Volvo and Aurobay
Aurobay (formerly part of Volvo Cars) and Volvo Group Truck Operations (a company within the Volvo Group) jointly operate one of the world's largest automotive foundries in Skövde, and are Skövde's two largest employers. The Volvo Group Truck Operations plant is AB Volvo's largest producer of industrial diesel engines worldwide (producing engine blocks, cylinder heads and flywheels as well as engine mounts and disk brakes). Aurobay produces sustainable, efficient, hybrid engines for Volvo Cars and will eventually do so other customers. Aurobay has capacity for 600,000 powertrain solutions a year. In 2021, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency approved a grant of SEK 144 million for the conversion of part of the Skövde plant to produce powertrains for electric vehicles. In 2011, the two plants combined had over 4,000 permanent employees (2,100 employees at Volvo Group Truck Operations ).

Diversified industries
Skövde is a diversified industrial centre, and includes companies such as CEJN AB (pneumatic, hydraulic and high pressure hydraulic quick connect couplings), Furhoffs Rostfria ('Furhoff's Stainless Steel' – sinks and drainage), Cementa (cement) and Grahns Konfektyr ('Grahn's Confectionery' – sweets).

Skövde has many public service employers and the largest of them in Skövde Municipality. Other public service employers include the Swedish Armed Forces, Skaraborg Hospital, Kärnsjukhuset (also known as KSS – The Central Hospital), The University, Skaraborgs District Court (Skaraborgs Tingsrätt), Swedish Police and Västtrafik.

Few places can match Skövde's development in recent years as a commercial centre. Retail sales in the city have increased by 40% over the past 10 years. This contributes to the relatively large trade sector bringing many jobs in small and medium enterprises.

Skövde is a centre for game development and games for training. In the business park Gothia Science Park, there are dozens of game companies that have both developed and produced games in Skövde. The proximity to the relatively large gaming development program at the University of Skövde is a major contributing factor to Skövde having become a game development centre.

The many varied employment opportunities in Skövde have meant an increase in daily commuting to the city from neighboring municipalities.

Commerce, retail and trade
Skövde is a shopping town with a large selection. The city centre is Skaraborg's largest shopping centre with over 40 shops and restaurants. It is located directly adjacent to Hertig Johans Torg and Sandtorget ('Sand Square') and has its own car park. In the centre are several major brands and a variety of smaller shops. In October 2008, the newly renovated shopping mall Vasaporten was finished (formerly Göfab Huset) with a dozen shops, a new entrance to Willys grocery store and 500 parking spaces in the adjoining car park.

Norrmalm's commerce precinct contains about twenty shops along Gustavus Adolphusgatan. Here lies a big, new shopping centre, Elins Esplanad (formerly Maxi-house), with 30 shops, an Ica Maxi Supermarket and a restaurant and cafe. There are thousands of free parking spaces including 200 in the garage. Elin's Esplanade was opened on 28 November 2008.

Stallsikens commerce precinct is an entirely new bulk retail area built for big new stores to open in Skövde. Tenants include auto parts store Biltema, garden store Plantagen, furniture retailer Mio, discount retailer Ö&B, furniture and home decor store Chili, home and leisure department store Rusta and electronics store Media Markt. The inauguration took place in stages, starting in the spring of 2008.

Skövde has three trading areas: The Centre, Norrmalm and Stallsiken, which are all within easy reach of the city. In addition, there are more specific traders in several other areas of Skövde: Aspelund, Hasslum, Mariesjö, Hallenbergrondellen ('Hallenberg'ss roundabout'), Karstorpsrondellen ('Karstorp's roundabout') and Billingesluttningen ('The Billinge Hillside').

Culture and entertainment
Skövde Kulturhus ('Skovde's Civic Cultural Centre') was built in 1964 and is Sweden's first cultural centre to bring together diverse cultural disciplines under the one roof. The cultural centre was designed by architect Hans-Erland Heineman, and houses the art gallery, art museum, library, theatre and cinema.

Museums
Skövde's City Museum was previously situated in Gamla Rådhuset ('The Old Town Hall') at Hertig Johan's Torg. After 2005 the museum was moved to Norrmalm. In the museum, there are letters, legal documents, maps, theatre posters and newspaper clippings. In the archive there are even tens of thousands of photographs from Skövde and numerous portrait photos from the 19th century. In storage there are nearly 40,000 objects, though nobody really knows how many as not all are yet catalogued.

There is also an external exhibition in the city cente: Helénsgården ('Helén's farm' or also Helénsstugan – 'Heléns cottage' or Petter Heléns stuga – 'Petter Heléns cottage'). It is the only remaining building from the great fire affecting the city in 1759, which essentially destroyed the whole town. Helénsgården was probably built in the beginning of the 18th century and is today protected as a cultural preservation. Its park is used widely as a meeting place and for events such as Sweden's National Day celebration.

At the Skövde garrison there is the Garnisonsmuseet ('Garrison Museum'), which has military and soldier exhibits from throughout the ages. Additionally, the central soldier register proves an invaluable tool for genealogy. Skövde Sport History Museum, the newest museum in Skovde, from 2001, is located in the basement of Billingehus. Here you will find the city's sports history in sounds, images, old trophies and sports equipment.

The Volvo Museum tells of the start of Sköfde Gjuteri och Mekaniska Verkstad ('Skövde Foundry and Mechanical Workshop') in 1868 and its transformation to today's automotive industry. Ryttmästarbostället ('The Stablemaster's Residence') is located at Simsjön outside Skövde and is operated by a non-profit organisation. Its purpose is to preserve the buildings, furniture and appliances from the allotment system time and make the collections accessible to the public.

Music
Musical events are often organised in the city, such as Loke, a local initiative organising amateur nights when amateurs can play and even borrow instruments. Valhall is a local initiative right beside Loke in the Kulturhus (Skövdes Civic Culture Centre), which sees established bands play, such as Mustasch and Hardcore Superstar.

In wintertime, Arena Skövde is usually used for major artists that attract large audiences. In summer, Karstorp recreation area or Boulognerskogen ('Boulogner Forrest') are often used.

Theatre
Theatre productions can be seen at the City Theatre, located in the Kulturhus (Skövdes Civic Culture Centre). There you can see everything from revues to children's theatre. Eric Ugglas Theatre is another, in Eric Ugglas plats ('Eric Uggla's Place'), slightly south of Skövde's city centre.

The Food Festival
The Food Festival is a festival of Skövde which started in 1990 and is always the last weekend in August. The festival's focus is on food that is served in small portions from different restaurants in the city. The restaurants also compete to see who makes the best cuisine as decided by the festival's visitors. The Food Festival also has an amusement park that is located on Sandtorget and a market hall that is located on Hertig Johans Torg.

Military
The armoured corps regiment Skaraborg Regiment (P 4) and the logistics corps regiment Göta Logistic Regiment (T 2) are both located in Skövde, as is the Army Combat school.

History
Around the year 1900, several Swedish Army units became stationed in Skövde. In 1913 the Skaraborg Regiment also moved there, costing the city a lot of money but also contributing to increased consumption and business. Today the garrison is one of the largest in Sweden.

Active military units
There are several military units in Skövde, Skaraborg Regiment (P 4) and the Göta Logistic Regiment (T 2) with the Swedish Armed Forces Logistics and Motor School (Försvarsmaktens logistik och motorskola, LogS) and the Land Warfare Centre (MSS). P 4 trains primarily mechanized shooting units and tank units while TrängR trains logistics units of various types. The Land Warfare Centre is for the training of officers in land combat as well as development methods and evaluation practice. The Logistics School is a joint armed school that develops the skills of students and staff from the Army, Navy and Air Force within disciplines of military science, military technology, leadership and individual combat fighting. The Logistics School is located at the Göta Logistic Regiment in Skövde and works together with the Armed Forces Logistics Regiment Centre of Excellence in Logistics. After the recent decision by Defence, Skövde's garrison's role in the Armed Forces has increased, with smaller units being moved to Skövde, including the Armed Forces Engine School and Logistics School.

New duties for the troops in the city include erecting and manning positions for the Nordic Battle Group, a task force within the European Union's battlegroup concept. In essence, Skövde garrison has commitments of approximately 230 soldiers and officers in a logistics battalion, nearly one hundred in an infantry battalion staff and also a couple of independent platoons. Additionally, further troops are assigned to the separate mechanized operation company IA07.

University of Skövde
The University of Skövde is a university with over 9,000 students that conducts research and has a number of courses focusing across several areas. Currently, the main areas of focus are information technology and systems biology, but a few more courses are under development. The university trains, amongst others, biologists, computer scientists, economists, engineers, cognitive scientists, nurses, linguists and teachers. The University of Skövde profiles itself as having strengths across interdisciplinary courses where technology, natural science and the humanities are united. At the university, there is an ongoing project within the teaching faculty in collaboration with KK-stiftelsen called KompLIT (Competence Development Teacher Education and IT).

Other education providers
On the outskirts of the city is also Skövde Garrison, which is one of Sweden's largest, with two regiments, Skaraborg Regiment (P 4), Göta Logistic Regiment (T 2), with the Logistics School (Logistikskolan) and the Land Warfare Centre (MSS).

The Rescue and Survival College (Räddningskolan) is a competency-enhancing education and training provider, providing education and certification in rescue, fire safety and international humanitarian work areas. It also provides hotel accommodation and conference facilities for hire.

The Swedish Rescue Training Centre (SRTC, formerly known by its Swedish moniker, Räddningverkets övningsfält) is located in Hasslum, also providing education and training in risk and safety areas.

There are two municipal highschools in Skövde, Västerhöjdsgymnasiet and Kavelbrogymnasiet, which now operates under the name of Gymnasium Skövde. There is also a municipal adult education school (vuxenutbildning or Komvux).

Sports
Skövde's sports scene has long been focused around handball, however the town boasts other sports played at the elite level, albeit with relatively lower profiles. Such sports include baseball, softball and taekwondo.

Handball
Skövde's handball team play at the highest level for both males and females. IFK Skövde has more recently competed in handball's elite series (Elitserie) and 2005 saw the men compete in the final against Sävehof. This was a final that, despite great success during the season, IFK Skövde lost by the narrowest of margins. In 2007 the team was once again in the final, this time against Hammarby IF, who went on to win the match. Skövde HF's (Handbollsflickor – handball girls) women's team is also in Sweden's highest division. Amongst other achievements, the team played five finals over the course of several years and became Swedish champions in 2008 after they beat IK Sävehof 31−24.

Orienteering
The 1989 World Orienteering Championships were held in Skövde.

The 2002 edition of O-Ringen was also held in Skövde.

Clubs and associations

 * IFK Skövde HK – handball club
 * Skövde HF – Handball club
 * HP Skövde 90 – Handball club
 * Skövde IK – Ice hockey club
 * Skövde AIK − football (soccer) club
 * Skövde KIK − Football (soccer) club
 * IFK Skövde Fotboll Klubb − football (soccer) club
 * Våmbs IF − Football (soccer) club
 * FC Södra Ryd − Football (soccer) club
 * Skövde IBF – Innebandy (floor hockey) association
 * Föreningen SkövdeBor, Stockholm-based expatriate association
 * Skövde Saints BSK − Baseball and Softball club
 * IFK Skövde Friidrott Athletics association
 * IF Hagen Friidrott – Athletics association
 * IF Hagen Orientering – Orienteering association
 * Orienteringsklubben P 4 − Orienteering association
 * Skövde Dukes – American football (gridiron) club
 * IF Hagen SK − Ski club
 * IFK Skövde Skidklubb – Ski club
 * IF Skövde Karate Kai – Karate and Martial Arts
 * Skövde ABK - Athlete- and Wrestling Club
 * Skövde Bandy - Bandy association
 * Skövde BC – Boxing club
 * Skövde Bågskytteklubb − Archery club
 * Skövde CK – Cycling club
 * Skövde GF – Gymnastics association
 * Skövde GK – Golf club
 * Skövde Judo – Judo club
 * Skövde KK – (Konståkningsklubb) – Figure Skating club
 * Skövde FK − Table Tennis club
 * Skövde RF – Equestrian association
 * Skövde SS – Swimming association
 * Skövde Taekwon-do Club − Taekwondo club
 * Skövde Tennisförening − Tennis association
 * Skövde VBK – Volleyball association
 * S:t Helena Basket – Basketball club
 * Candanza DF – Dance association

Airport
Skövde Airport is located approximately 10 km from Skövde. Currently there are no scheduled flights, however there is an active flying club, gliding club and at least one corporate jet is based at Skövde.

Other
The North's largest gold treasure, Timboholmsskatten ('Timboholm's Treasure'), was found in Skövde in 1904 by two farmhands by the names of Carl Wernlund and Per Rythén, better known as Sjôle-Lotta and Bly-Per. The treasure, which contains 24 carat gold, weighs over 7 kilograms and consists of 16 rings and two ingots. Today, the treasure is in the Swedish Museum of National Antiquities in Stockholm (Historiska museet) and a copy can be found in Skövde City Museum (Skövde stadsmuseum). The treasure dates back to the later Migration Period (around the fifth to the sixth centuries.)

Notable residents

 * Stig Bergström, a Swedish-American paleontologist, born in 1935 in Skövde
 * Christian Älvestam, vocalist
 * Fredrik Belfrage, television personality
 * Helena Bergman, orienteering World Champion
 * Mustafa Can, journalist
 * Gustav Ejstes, musician (Dungen, Amason)
 * Alfred Grenander, architect
 * Thomas G:son, musician
 * Robert Gustafsson, comedian
 * Marcus Hellner, cross-country skier
 * David Johansson, football
 * Michael Jonzon, golfer
 * Andreas Larsson, handball player
 * Kristina Lugn, poet
 * Christian Magdu, actor
 * Johan Mårtensson, footballer
 * Johan Sjöstrand, handball player
 * Tim Sköld, musician
 * Petter Stymne, swimmer
 * Oscar Wendt, footballer
 * Gert Wingårdh, architect

title: Skövde


text:
Sotenäs Municipality

Sotenäs Municipality (Sotenäs kommun) is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the town of Kungshamn, with around 3,500 inhabitants.

The present municipality was created in 1974 through the amalgamation of previous units. The name was taken from the old Sotenäs Hundred.

Population figures
Approximate inhabitants of the larger population centres in the municipality. Source: Statistics Sweden (2002). They are here ordered after size.

 * Hovenäset 200
 * Ulebergshamn 300
 * Bohus-Malmön 400
 * Bovallstrand 500
 * Väjern 900
 * Smögen 1,400
 * Hunnebostrand 2,000
 * Kungshamn 3,000 (seat)

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Sotenäs Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 9,117 residents, including 7,627 Swedish citizens of voting age. 39.8% voted for the left coalition and 59.3% for the right coalition. Indicators are in percentage points except population totals and income.

History
Västra Götaland County has been inhabited for several thousands of years. The province, Bohuslän, is among the internationally most known because of its pre-historical remains. The oldest remains in Sotenäs Municipality are from around 6000 BC. From the younger Stone Age are several burial monuments (dolmens). From the Bronze Age and Iron Age are many rock carvings, which the province also otherwise is noted for (especially the northern Tanum Municipality).

The name Sotenäs is believed to have originated from around 1000 AD, when also the first steps from the historical hundred, Sotenäs Hundred (or Härad in Swedish), can be traced.

With the Christianization of Sweden several churches were erected, starting in the 11th century. The first ones were the churches in Askum and Tossene.

Later, in the 16th century, the industry became dominated by fishing of herring. It dominated the industry for centuries; herring was used in large amounts in Bohuslän - as a basic food but also in the making of oil, wax candles, etc.

In the 19th century the island Malmön was started as a quarry. (Note that "Malm" means "rock" in Swedish). The quarry was kept alive and was of industrial significance until the 1930s.

The coat of arms was granted in 1977 and depicts a halibut. It is built on the insignia for Sotenäs Hundred and has been used for centuries.

title: Sotenäs Municipality


text:
Stenungsund Municipality

Stenungsund Municipality (Stenungsunds kommun) is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the town of Stenungsund. The municipality is situated by the sea inside the islands Orust and Tjörn and traversed by the European route E6 and Bohus Line, in which it has three stops (Stora Höga, Stenungsund and Svenshögen).

The municipality was formed through amalgamation in 1952. In 1971 a parish from a dissolved municipality was added.

The coat of arms was registered in 1977. The device in the upper half is a hydrocarbon molecule, which alludes to the petrochemical industry in the municipality.

Localities (urban areas)

 * Aröd och Timmervik (also in Kungälv Municipality)
 * Hallerna
 * Jörlanda
 * Starrkärr och Näs
 * Stenungsund (seat)
 * Stenungsön
 * Stora Höga
 * Strandnorum
 * Svenshögen
 * Ucklum
 * Ödsmål

Smaller localities (villages):

 * Gilltorp
 * Groland
 * Grössbyn
 * Härgusseröd
 * Kullen och Dyrtorp (biggest village)
 * Kyrkenorum
 * Källsby
 * Nolgärde och Johannesberg
 * Rödmyren och Röd
 * Sandbacka
 * Skotthed
 * Spekeröd
 * Svartehallen
 * Talbo och Östra Skår
 * Vulseröd

The seat is located right by the European route E6 highway and the railway Bohus Line, Bohusbanan.

In 2006, archaeological excavations in the area revealed a series of burial sites dating between 1 AD and 300 AD.

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Stenungsund Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 27,522 residents, including 20,770 Swedish citizens of voting age. 41.8% voted for the left coalition and 56.8% for the right coalition. Indicators are in percentage points except population totals and income.

Notable corporations

 * Hogia (Official website), one of Sweden's largest native computer software developers

Since the 1950s, Stenungsund Municipality has become the center for the petrochemical industry. Its distinguished silhouette is four giant chimneys, belonging to a large power plant.

Sports
The following sports clubs are located in Stenungsund Municipality:
 * Stenungsunds IF
 * Vallens IF
 * Stss, Tjörn Runt
 * Stenungsund HF
 * Stenungsunds FC

title: Stenungsund Municipality


text:
Strömstad Municipality

Strömstad Municipality (Strömstads kommun) is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the city of Strömstad.

The municipality got its present boundaries in 1967, when the City of Strömstad was merged with the two adjacent rural municipalities Tjärnö and Vette. Vette had been created in 1952 out of four older entities.

Geography
Strömstad Municipality is located on the Norwegian border and is known to attract large numbers of shoppers from Norway due to the marked price gap, notably in the tax-burdened alcohol and tobacco, but also groceries such as meat and sugar. There are also many deals on automotive services.

Localities

 * Kebal
 * Stare
 * Skee
 * Strömstad (seat)

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Strömstad Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 13,248 residents, including 9,106 Swedish citizens of voting age. 41.4% voted for the left coalition and 57.5% for the right coalition. Indicators are in percentage points except population totals and income.

title: Strömstad Municipality


text:
Svenljunga Municipality

Svenljunga Municipality (Svenljunga kommun) is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the town of Svenljunga.

The present municipality was created in 1971 when five municipal units (or parts thereof) were amalgamated. The number of original entities (as of 1863) is 14.

Through the municipality the river Ätran flows in a scenic valley. It flows through the town of Svenljunga, where an old bridge crosses it.

This was the hometown of the great-great-great grandfather of Emma Stone, American actress. In the 18th-century, the village of Mårdaklev in Svenljunga Municipality was the home of a trio of sibling textile artists: Sven Erlandsson, Katarina Erlandsdotter and Lisa Erlandsdotter.

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Svenljunga Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 10,857 residents, including 8,140 Swedish citizens of voting age. 38.6% voted for the left coalition and 60.3% for the right coalition. Indicators are in percentage points except population totals and income.

title: Svenljunga Municipality


text:
Tanum Municipality

Tanum Municipality (Tanums kommun) is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in southwestern Sweden. Its seat is the town of Tanumshede, with 1,600 inhabitants.

The present municipality was formed in 1971 through the amalgamation of three former units. Before the subdivision reform of 1952, there were seven entities in the area.

Etymology
The parish is named after the old farm Tanum (Norse Túnheimr), since the first church was built there. The first element is tún 'country courtyard', the last element is heimr 'homestead, farm'.

Localities

 * Grebbestad
 * Fjällbacka
 * Hamburgsund
 * Kämpersvik
 * Rabbalshede
 * Tanumshede
 * Bullaren

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Tanum Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 12,959 residents, including 10,274 Swedish citizens of voting age. 41.4% voted for the left coalition and 57.5% for the right coalition. Indicators are in percentage points except population totals and income.

Sights
The rock carvings at Tanum have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The heritage area is located around the seat of Tanumshede, covering an area of 18 km2.

Most carvings show men and ships. Several show animals such as oxen and horses.

Tanum Municipality has made its rock carving the subject of its coat of arms.

The Greby grave field, the largest grave field in Bohuslän, lies near the locality of Grebbestad.

Tanum is one of the first municipalities to require urine separation toilets to help combat the looming global shortage of phosphorus.

title: Tanum Municipality


text:
Tibro Municipality

Tibro Municipality (Tibro kommun) is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the town of Tibro. Fagersanna is the only other population center in the municipality.

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Tibro Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 11,272 residents, including 8,641 Swedish citizens of voting age. 44.0% voted for the left coalition and 54.7% for the right coalition. Indicators are in percentage points except population totals and income.

Sports
The sports club Tibro AIK FK is located in Tibro Municipality.

The famous tennis player Robin Söderling and ice hockey player Anton Strålman come from Tibro.

title: Tibro Municipality


text:
Tidaholm Municipality

Tidaholm Municipality (Tidaholms kommun) is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the city of Tidaholm.

The municipality is located on the banks of the river Tidan.

In the early 1970s a nationwide local government reform was carried out in Sweden. Urban and rural areas were merged into larger unitary municipalities. The former City of Tidaholm (instituted in 1910) was in 1974 amalgamated with the surrounding rural municipality Hökensås and parts of Dimbo and Fröjered. The number of original entities (as of 1863) within the present municipality is 20.

Many well-preserved medieval churches stand in the municipality. Some church sites also contain examples of early Scandinavian runestones.

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Tidaholm Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 12,810 inhabitants, including 9,966 Swedish citizens of voting age. 46.9% voted for the left coalition and 52.0% for the right coalition. Indicators are in percentage points except population totals and income.

title: Tidaholm Municipality


text:
Tjörn Municipality

Tjörn Municipality (Tjörns kommun) is a municipality that covers the island of Tjörn in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the town of Skärhamn.

Tjörn is the sixth largest Swedish island. It is located in the province of Bohuslän.

The former municipal entities on the island and adjacent islets were united to form Tjörn Municipality in 1952.

For centuries the local economy was dominated by fishing and boat building. The largest employers are still the shipping company TransAtlantic (formerly known as B&N) and the shipyards Djupviks varv and Rönnängs varv.

Geography
Tjörn is connected in the east to the town of Stenungsund on the mainland by the Tjörn bridge, and in the north to the island of Orust by the Skåpesund bridge. The municipal seat is Skärhamn. Other communities, many of which are the fishing communities, include Rönnäng, Klädesholmen and Kyrkesund. The island of Mjörn, north-east of Tjörn, has large shell banks.

Localities

 * Bleket
 * Dyrön
 * Klädesholmen
 * Kyrkesund
 * Kållekärr
 * Myggenäs
 * Rönnäng
 * Skärhamn
 * Åstol

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Tjörn Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 16,293 residents, including 12,792 Swedish citizens of voting age. 38.6% voted for the left coalition and 60.5% for the right coalition. Indicators are in percentage points except population totals and income.

Tourism

During the summer, the population swells from 10,000 to 20,000 to 30,000 as vacationers arrive for yachting and swimming. Skärhamn has an ample guest harbour to accommodate yachters travelling along the Swedish west coast. The town of Skärhamn is the location of the Nordic Watercolour Museum (Akvarellmuseet).

title: Tjörn Municipality


text:
Tranemo Municipality

Tranemo Municipality (Tranemo kommun) is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the town of Tranemo.

There are twelve original municipal units (as of 1863) in the area. The municipal reform of 1952 created four larger entities. The next reform was implemented in two steps with amalgamations taking place in 1967 and 1974, leading to the present municipality.

The name comes from the bird Trana, which means crane.

The coat of arms, granted in 1975, show a crane with a glass blowing belge. Glass blowing is an old industry in the municipality, with the first glass blower established in 1741.

Controversies
In 2021, Tranemo Municipality hired a poet to create one poem a week about Tranemo Municipality for 1 year. The project drew heavy criticism because of its cost – nearly 1 million Swedish crowns (SEK). This happened at the same time when municipality demanded 17 million SEK in cost savings from the municipal schools. This incident resulted in a major crisis in Tranemo municipality.

Localities
Localities in Tranemo Municipality with population numbers from 2004-06:
 * Tranemo 	3,205
 * Limmared 	1,445
 * Länghem 	1,178
 * Dalstorp 	824
 * Grimsås 	779
 * Ambjörnarp 	310
 * Ljungsarp 	274
 * Uddebo 	263
 * Sjötofta 	239
 * Nittorp 	211

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Tranemo Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 11,931 residents, including 8,981 Swedish citizens of voting age. 45.8% voted for the left coalition and 52.8% for the right coalition. Indicators are in percentage points except population totals and income.

title: Tranemo Municipality


text:
Trollhättan Municipality

Trollhättan Municipality (Trollhättans kommun or Trollhättans stad) is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the city of Trollhättan.

The municipality was created gradually in 1967, 1971 and 1974 during the last local government reform when the City of Trollhättan (itself instituted in 1916) was amalgamated with surrounding municipalities.

The municipality itself prefers to use the denomination Trollhättans stad (City of Trollhättan) for the entire territory, including rural areas. This is purely nominal and has no effect on its status as a unitary municipality. Until 2012 it was the home of the now defunct Saab Automobile.

Localities

 * Lextorp
 * Björndalen
 * Sjuntorp
 * Skogshöjden
 * Trollhättan (seat)
 * Upphärad
 * Velanda
 * Väne-Åsaka
 * Skoftebyn
 * Stavre
 * Halvorstorp
 * Hjulkvarn
 * Hjortmossen (Strömslund)

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Trollhättan Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 59,062 residents, including 43,921 Swedish citizens of voting age. 50.7% voted for the left coalition and 48.0% for the right coalition. Indicators are in percentage points except population totals and income.

title: Trollhättan Municipality


text:
Töreboda Municipality

Töreboda Municipality (Töreboda kommun) is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the town of Töreboda and it includes the population centers of Älgarås and Moholm.

The present municipality was formed in 1971, when the market town (köping) of Töreboda (itself instituted in 1909) was amalgamated with Moholm and parts of Undenäs and Hova.

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Töreboda Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 9,180 residents, including 7,055 Swedish citizens of voting age. 42.6% voted for the left coalition and 55.2% for the right coalition. Indicators are in percentage points except population totals and income.

title: Töreboda Municipality


text:
Uddevalla Municipality

Uddevalla Municipality (Uddevalla kommun) is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the city of Uddevalla.

The present municipality was created in 1971 when the City of Uddevalla (which had absorbed the rural municipality Bäve in 1945) was amalgamated with the surrounding municipalities Forshälla, Lane-Ryr, Ljungskile, Skredsvik and parts of Skaftö.

Localities

 * Ammenäs
 * Fagerhult
 * Herrestad
 * Hogstorp
 * Ljungskile
 * Sunningen
 * Uddevalla (seat)

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Uddevalla Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 57,031 residents, including 43,062 Swedish citizens of voting age. 45.7% voted for the left coalition and 52.3% for the right coalition.

title: Uddevalla Municipality


text:
Ulricehamn Municipality

Ulricehamn Municipality (Ulricehamns kommun) is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the city of Ulricehamn.

The present municipality was created in 1974 when the former City of Ulricehamn was merged with three former rural municipalities (themselves established through amalgamations of minor units in 1952).

Localities

 * Blidsberg
 * Dalum
 * Gällstad
 * Hulu
 * Hökerum
 * Marbäck
 * Nitta
 * Rånnaväg
 * Timmele
 * Trädet
 * Ulricehamn (seat)
 * Vegby
 * Älmestad

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Ulricehamn Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 24,871 residents, including 18,972 Swedish citizens of voting age. 43.9% voted for the left coalition and 54.8% for the right coalition.

title: Ulricehamn Municipality


text:
Vara Municipality

Vara Municipality (Vara kommun) is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the town of Vara.

The present municipality consists of 25 original local government entities (as of 1863). Between 1974 and 1982 the territory of present Essunga Municipality was also included.

Districts

 * Bitterna
 * Edsvära
 * Eling
 * Fyrunga
 * Hällum
 * Jung
 * Kvänum
 * Larv
 * Laske-Vedum
 * Levene
 * Long
 * Längjum
 * Naum
 * Norra Vånga
 * Ryda
 * Skarstad
 * Slädene
 * Sparlösa
 * Södra Kedum
 * Södra Lundby
 * Tråvad
 * Vara
 * Önum
 * Öttum

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Vara Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 16,140 residents, including 12,219 Swedish citizens of voting age. 38.2% voted for the left coalition and 61.0% for the right coalition. Indicators are in percentage points except population totals and income.

title: Vara Municipality


text:
Vårgårda Municipality

Vårgårda Municipality (Vårgårda kommun) is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the town of Vårgårda. It borders Alingsås Municipality to the west, Herrljunga Municipality to the east, Essunga Municipality to the north, Bollebygd and Borås Municipalities to the south.

The local government reform of 1952 formed this municipality through the amalgamation of many small municipalities. It got its name from the only larger built-up locality in the area, Vårgårda. Its territory was not affected by the reform of 1971.

The Swedish religious revival in the 19th century was strong in Vårgårda Municipality, and the Christian climate is today dispersed in many denominations.

Several nationwide-recognized companies, such as Autoliv, are located in the municipality.

Localities
The seat Vårgårda, situated between Alingsås and Herrljunga, is the largest locality in this predominantly rural area. Horla and Östadkulle are two other localities, both with fewer than 500 inhabitants in 2018.

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Vårgårda Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 12,163 residents, including 9,013 Swedish citizens of voting age. 44.7% voted for the left coalition and 53.9% for the right coalition.

title: Vårgårda Municipality


text:
Vänersborg Municipality

Vänersborg Municipality (Vänersborgs kommun) is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the city of Vänersborg.

The present municipality was created during the local government reform in the early 1970s. In 1971 the City of Vänersborg became a municipality of unitary type and three years later it was amalgamated with three surrounding municipalities. The number of original local government entities (as of 1863) is eight.

Localities

 * Brålanda, 1,500 inhabitants
 * Frändefors, 600
 * Katrinedal, 300
 * Nordkroken, 400
 * Vargön, 5,000
 * Vänersborg (seat), 22,000

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Vänersborg Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 39,574 residents, including 30,181 Swedish citizens of voting age. 47.4% voted for the left coalition and 51.3% for the right coalition. Indicators are in percentage points except population totals and income.

Twin towns — Sister cities
The following cities are twinned with Vänersborg:
 * 🇬🇱 Arsuk, Sermersooq, Greenland
 * 🇦🇽 Åland, Finland
 * 🇫🇴 Eiði, Eysturoy, Faroe Islands
 * Herning, Midtjylland, Denmark
 * 🇩🇪 Lich, Hesse, Germany
 * 🇩🇪 Husby, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
 * 🇫🇮 Kangasala, Western Finland, Finland
 * 🇮🇸 Siglufjörður, Eyjafjörður, Iceland
 * 🇳🇴 Holmestrand, Vestfold, Norway
 * 🇪🇪 Räpina, Põlva County, Estonia

title: Vänersborg Municipality


text:
Åmål Municipality

Åmål Municipality (Åmåls kommun) is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the city of Åmål.

The present municipality was created in 1971 through the amalgamation of the former City of Åmål and the former rural municipality of Tössbo (the latter created in 1952).

Geography and natural resources
The city of Åmål is located in a scenic bay of Lake Vänern, the largest lake in Sweden. The municipality has a small archipelago with some 30 islands, called Tösse skärgård, to the south of the city. The islands are protected as a nature preserve; many of the islands are wooded, but a few are used for farming. They provide habitat for a number of bird species, including grey heron, osprey, mallard, goldeneye, goosander, the black-throated diver and hobby in the bays; on the cobs are colonies of herring gull, and the common tern; while on the fir-covered islands are capercaillie, woodpeckers and other birds.

Population centers in the municipality include Åmål, Fengersfors, and Tösse.

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Åmål Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 12,302 residents, including 9,585 Swedish citizens of voting age. 46.3% voted for the left coalition and 52.5% for the right coalition. Indicators are in percentage points except population totals and income.

Economy
Fishing was once a major industry, as indicated by the fish appearing on the bottom of the coat of arms. Logging was also of importance. In recent years tourism, especially activities connected to the use of the lake, have increased.

Sister cities
Åmål has seven twin towns:

title: Åmål Municipality


text:
Öckerö Municipality

Öckerö Municipality (Öckerö kommun) is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the town of Öckerö on the main island, which is also called Öckerö.

The municipality consists of islands in the Northern Gothenburg Archipelago just outside Gothenburg. With a total area of 26.03 km2 it is one of the smallest municipalities of Sweden.

The municipality is one of very few in Sweden which has not been amalgamated and thus still has the same area as the unit formed out of a parish (socken) by the first local government acts of 1862. In the period 1915–1959 there were a number of municipalsamhällen (a sort of boroughs within a rural municipality handling matters of urban character) in the municipality.

Geography
The municipality consists of ten year-round inhabited islands. They are considered to stretch from the Vinga Lighthouse up to the coastal town of Marstrand in the municipality of Kungälv. The ten islands are named:
 * 1) Björkö
 * 2) Fotö
 * 3) Grötö
 * 4) Hyppeln
 * 5) Hälsö
 * 6) Hönö
 * 7) Kalvsund
 * 8) Källö-Knippla
 * 9) Rörö
 * 10) Öckerö

N.B. that "ö" means "island" in Swedish, hence there are many names ending with "ö". E.g. Björkö means "Birch Island".

Of these, Hönö is the largest with some 4,800 inhabitants, and Öckerö is also fairly large with 3,100. However, all ten are inhabited by people all year around. Most islands have bridge connection between each other. However, there is no road connection to the mainland, just car ferries from western Gothenburg. The ferry connections are good with a dense schedule. A local referendum in 2003 in Öckerö Municipality rejected the plans for a future bridge to the mainland.

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Öckerö Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 12,895 residents, including 10,173 Swedish citizens of voting age. 38.3% voted for the left coalition and 60.6% for the right coalition.

History
During the Viking Age the islands of Öckerö belonged to the Norwegian kings, and the part of the coast was known as Älvsyssel. In the 13th century the King Hakon Hakonarson built himself a house on Öckerö, because he was often around there with his navy.

In 1658 or thereabout, the area became Swedish together with Bohuslän.

In the middle of the 18th century, the fishing of herring blossomed into a full scaled industry, and the islands fishing communities flourished for some 50 years.

In the 1950s the coat of arms were designed. As the main industry has always been fishing, a boat and herring became symbols. The ten herrings correspond to the ten islands.

Ömål, also called öbo, is a Swedish Götamål dialect spoken on the islands of the Öckerö municipality. It has some features of the Gothenburg Swedish dialect (Göteborgska), but also features from English.

title: Öckerö Municipality


text:
Dunseith, North Dakota

Dunseith is a city in Rolette County, North Dakota, United States. The population was 632 at the 2020 census. Dunseith is best known for its proximity to the International Peace Garden. The port of entry at the Peace Garden is one of three 24-hour ports in North Dakota (the others being Portal and Pembina). Dunseith is also the home of the world's largest turtle sculpture, the "W'eel Turtle", made of more than 2,000 wheels painted green.

History
Dunseith was platted in 1882. The town was founded by William Dunseith Eaton of Chicago in 1884. A post office has been in operation in Dunseith since 1884. The city was incorporated in 1908.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.00 sqmi, all land. Dunseith lies just south of the Turtle Mountain plateau.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 773 people, 274 households, and 170 families residing in the city. The population density was 773.0 PD/sqmi. There were 299 housing units at an average density of 299.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 15.0% White, 0.9% African American, 79.6% Native American, 0.4% from other races, and 4.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.2% of the population.

There were 274 households, of which 46.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 27.4% were married couples living together, 25.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 9.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.0% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.41.

The median age in the city was 27.4 years. 35.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.7% were from 25 to 44; 18.2% were from 45 to 64; and 12.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.2% male and 50.8% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 739 people, 253 households, and 178 families residing in the city. The population density was 729.2 PD/sqmi. There were 282 housing units at an average density of 278.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 24.76% White, 0.27% African American, 71.04% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.14% from other races, and 3.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.27% of the population.

There were 253 households, out of which 44.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.6% were married couples living together, 32.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 35.2% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 14.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $17,917, and the median income for a family was $19,531. Males had a median income of $21,042 versus $20,250 for females. The per capita income for the city was $9,478. About 40.0% of families and 36.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 48.7% of those under age 18 and 24.6% of those age 65 or over.

Climate
This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Dunseith has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.

title: Dunseith, North Dakota


text:
East Dunseith, North Dakota

East Dunseith is a census-designated place (CDP) in Rolette County, North Dakota, United States. The population was 500 at the 2020 census.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 5.2 sqmi, of which 5.1 sqmi is land and 0.1 sqmi (1.52%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 219 people, 59 households, and 50 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 181.7 PD/sqmi. There were 60 housing units at an average density of 49.8/sq mi (19.3/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 3.20% White and 96.80% Native American. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.37% of the population.

There were 59 households, out of which 67.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 23.7% were married couples living together, 55.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 13.6% were non-families. 10.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 1.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.71 and the average family size was 3.80.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 53.0% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 8.7% from 45 to 64, and 1.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 16 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 60.9 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $8,667, and the median income for a family was $7,083. Males had a median income of $21,250 versus $13,750 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $3,026. About 85.7% of families and 86.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 93.6% of those under the age of 18 and 100.0% of those 65 or over.

title: East Dunseith, North Dakota