Hälsingland

Hälsingland is a historical province of Sweden (Swedish landskap ) in the south east part of Norrland. And forms part of the landscape for Gastrikland County Gävleborg.

Princess Madeleine of Sweden holds the title " Duchess of Hälsingland and Gastrikland ", a mere honorary title without powers.

Landscape symbols

• Plant: Common flax or flax ( Linum usitatissimum Latin )
• Animal: Lynx (Lynx lynx)
• Vogel: Ural Owl (Strix uralensis)
• Fish: Aland or Nerfling ( Leuciscus idus )

Geography

The landscape consists largely of stony, mountainous terrain, which slopes slightly towards the coast. The terrain is wooded 530-600 meters high and 85%. Therefore, the wood processing industry plays an important role today.

History

The first certain mention of the residents Hälsinglands dates from the year 1070 from Adam of Bremen, who mentions the fleet.

In the Middle Ages the inhabitants of the entire coastal region north of Uppland were called " Hälsings ". The first provincial boundary between Uppland and Hälsingland established the Ödmården forest as a border.

The oldest cities Hälsinglands are Hudiksvall ( 1582) and Söderhamn (1620 ). These were the only cities in the countryside, was raised to 1942 Bollnäs to the city for three hundred years.

1721 Hudiksvall was destroyed by Russian troops.

Coat of arms

The coat of arms was officially awarded in 1560 in the office of King Gustav Vasa. It shows a stylized goat.

Folk Architecture

Hälsingland is known for its farms, the so-called Hälsingland ( Hälsingegårdar ) known. Two or even three stories high, they were built as a testament to wealth and independence. With a lot of ingenuity succeeded in the decoration of the interior to combine the aristocratic design with traditional materials and techniques. Seven of them were accepted as Swedish cultural monument in the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in July 2012.