Norrlandsförbundet - Northern Sweden

Norrland consists of the five provinces of Norrbotten, Västerbotten, Jämtland, Väster-norrland and Gävleborg. Taken together they cover 58 percent of Sweden´s land area. 1.2 million people live there.

Trade and industry in the five provinces of Norrland represent a large part of the collected Swedish net export value (the gross export value minus the value of imported input goods). Norrland provides Sweden with a total net export value of SEK 60 billion.

Trade and industry has different specialisations in the different provinces. Along the coast up to Umeå the engineering industry and the pulp and paper industry are dominant. North of Umeå the steel, iron and metal industries are most important. Jämtland has a relatively low level of industry, but is a major exporter of raw goods (timber and hydropower) and has a tourism industry that is of great significance, not least for rural employment.

Tourism is the sector that is predicted to have the greatest potential for development because Norrland has "Europe´s last wilderness". Sweden´s membership of the EU and the changes in Eastern Europe will also strengthen the appeal of Norrland for tourism.

To find out more about Norrlandsförbundet select this link