GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN

Gothenburg

GOTHENBURG is situated on the west coast of south-western Sweden halfway between Copenhagen and Oslo and is the second largest city with a population around half a million people, Located as such in the centre of Scandinavia, Gothenburg, trade and shipping have always played a major role in the city's economic history and boasts the largest harbour in Scandinavia. Volvo Cars is the largest employer in Gothenburg.

The city of Gothenburg was heavily influenced by planners and engineers from Holland, Germany and Scotland. The town was designed like Dutch cities of Amsterdam, Jakarta and New Amsterdam (New York). The plan of the streets and canals closely resemble that of Jakarta which was being built by the Dutch at the same time. The Dutch initially won political power over the city and it was not until 1652 that Swedes regained political power over Gothenburg.