This web guide is a joint effort by the County Administrative Board, the County Council, and the municipalities of Västerbotten.

77% of its area is forest and its rivers Öreälven and Lögde älv are classed as having national interest. In Lagnäset there is one of the few remaining old-fashioned hay fields in the county. Between the villages of Backfors and Ström is a cultivated countryside that dates back to the new settlement period 300 years ago.

An entrepreneurial spirit and ventures in tourism, especially fishing, canoeing, golf and other recreational activities, characterize the municipality.

Dorotea

Dorotea has a population of about 3,440 (1998 census) and a population density of 1 person/square kilometre. Communications consist of the Inland Railway and Routes 92 and 45. The western portion of the municipality is mountainous and has high plateaus with heaths and old spruce forests, which are the habitat of a rich bird life and several animals that are listed as endangered species. Forest, mires and many lakes characterize the southeast area. Some isolated areas have virgin forests and mires that are of national interest. Around the village of Laiksjöby a cultural environment area can found that dates back to the 1800s. Complete with original buildings and structures.

About half of the population reside in the chief city, Dorotea. 18% are younger than 18, while 25% are over 65. Agriculture is the dominating occupation, but most farms are run on a part-time basis and officially, 5% of the inhabitants are farmers. 50% of the municipality is productive woodlands. Manufacturing accounts for 25% of the jobs. A major employer is the public sector, 38%. There is a great deal of commuting to neighbouring municipalities.

Hunting and fishing dominate the leisure time activities. Half of the population has a hunting licence each year. There are three alpine ski areas in the municipality, one in Dorotea and two in Borgafjäll/Borga.

Lycksele has roughly 13,380 (1998 census) inhabitants and a population density of 2 people/square kilometre. European Route 12 and Route 363 pass through the municipality, as does the junction railway. Most settlements are along the river Umeälven. Hilltop farms characterize the cultural landscape and some areas have preserved the old irrigation meadows that their ancestors used when the areas were settled over 250 years ago.

66% of the population live in the chief city, Lycksele and the average age in the municipality is relatively low, 39.2. The wood industry and manufacturing dominate. Employment is divided as follows: public sector 44%, manufacturing 10%, commerce and hotel/restaurant 9%, and farming and forestry 10%. Many people commute from neighbouring municipalities.

Tourism is very important. The Forestry Museum has become a major attraction together with the nearby Heritage Centre area.

The municipality has a population of about 3,820 (1998 census) and a population density of 2 people/square kilometre. Route 370 passes through the area. The countryside is characterized by large amounts of slate and vulcanite, which cover about 50% of the municipality. Malå has two nature reserves one of which is a unique virgin forest, Fågelmyrkölen.

A little more than half of the population live in the chief city, Malå. Youths under 16 account for 21% of the inhabitants, while 17% are older than 65. The wood industry and manufacturing are important sources of employment.

The municipality has about 7,873 inhabitants (1998 census) and a population density of 7 people/square kilometre. 32% of the people live in the chief city, Nordmaling. Many of the inhabitants commute to either Umeå or Örnsköldsvik. The European Route 4 passes through the municipality. The valleys of the rivers Lögdeälven and Öreälven form a hilly countryside. The coastal area abounds with islands and points of land that stretch out into the Gulf of Bothnia. The archipelagos Kronören and Järnäsudden are classed as areas of national interest.

Most people live along the coast and traditionally the base industries are forestry, farming fishing and commerce. The Olofsfors area has been restored and is now a popular visitors’ centre. In Lever, you find Norrland’s oldest roadside inn, renovated and protected as a historical building.

The municipality has about 4,850 inhabitants (1998 census) and a population density of 3 people/square kilometre. The main railway line passes through the area as does Route 370. The landscape is characterized by rolling woodlands and numerous lakes and mire areas. The Svansele dam meadows is a nature reserve. Farming and forestry, as well as fishing dominate trade and commerce. The municipality itself is the largest single employer. 35% work in manufacturing. There are several sawmills in the area. Tourism is important and the world’s longest cableway is located here.

The municipality has approximately 7,400 inhabitants (1998 census) and a population density of 6 people/square kilometre. A third of the population live in the chief city, Robertsfors. Many residents commute to Umeå. The European Route 4 passes through the city.

The eastern portion of the municipality is mostly farmland. Productive forests cover much of Robertsfors. There are many historical sites with well-preserved structures: Dalkarlså manor house, Robertsfors works with its museum and Roseniusgården in Nysätra. The industrial tradition from the ironworks is continued today by modern, high-pressure technology. Trade and industry are dominated by forestry and farming. Today, 37% are employed in the public sector and 31% in industry and construction. Forestry, farming, commerce and transport divide the remainder equally.

The municipality has around 73,500 inhabitants (1998 census) and a population density of 11 people/square kilometre. The European Route 4 passes through the area and the Route 95. The main railway line passes through the municipality as well, Bastuträsk being the main railway junction.

The exploited mineral and ore deposits of the county are located here. 75% of the countryside is woodlands and 20% mires and rock areas. Two rivers flow through the municipality, the Skellefteälven and the Byskeälven. Along the coast on the Gulf of Bothnia there are several important sites for birds. Futhermore, along the valley of the river Byskeälven, you can see the remains of Stone Age villages and other items of archeological interest.

Industrial development began during the period 1910-1930 when ore began to be mined and power stations were built. An enterprising spirit and numerous small businesses characterize Skellefteå. Boliden Mineral is the largest private company with 1,450 employees in Västerbotten. Of those gainfully employed are 66% employed in the sectors private and public service and commerce. There is a centre for forestry technology (Skeria), an extension of Luleå University of Technology and a college of health sciences.

Sorsele has about 3,280 (1998 census) inhabitants and a population density of 0.5/square kilometre. Routes 45 and 363 pass through the municipality, as does the inland railway line. Most people live in the eastern part municipality and along the river Vindelälven towards Ammarnäs. 35% of the land area is covered by forest. The valley of the river Vindelälven is classed as a nation interest for both nature and cultural preservation. Vindelälvens Nature Reserve, Europe’s largest nature reserve, is located here. A unique cultural landscape can be seen along the river. The river Vindelälven, which is not regulated, is one of four National Rivers.

20% of the population is under 20 and 25% is over 65. Half of the residents live in either Sorsele or Ammarnäs. The municipality is the largest employer and wood processing companies dominate the industries.

The municipality has a population of about 7,175 (1998 census) and a population density of 1 person/square kilometre. European Route 12 and Route 45 pass through the municipality as does the inland railway line.

69% of the area is woodlands and there are large mires and bare mountain areas above the tree-line. The mountainous western portion of the municipality has a considerable amount of limestone, which results in numerous cave systems. Vindelälvens Nature Reserve, Europe’s largest nature reserve, also lies within the municipality and the nature reserve also includes the highest point in the county, Norra Sytertoppen 1767 m above sea level. Some of the natural areas are classed as national interests, e.g. Girjesålandet with its stands of 300-year-old spruces and 600-year-old pines. The Sami culture has several important areas in the municipality like Brandfjäll, Gautajaure and Atoklinten. There are also cultural environments dating back to the early settlements in the mid-1700s.

20% of the inhabitants are younger than 16 and about 20% are over 65. 51% of the gainfully employed work in the private and public service sector. Manufacturing and building employ around 25%, while 13% work in commerce and transportation. Reindeer herding is quite extensive.

Tourism is an important industry, especially in Tärnaby and Hemavan. Thanks to the former slalom aces, Ingemar Stenmark and Stig Strand, and nowadays Anja Pärson have made Tärnaby known all over the world.

The municipality has over 103,500 (1998 census) inhabitants and a population density of 44 people/square kilometre. The European Routes 4 and 12 cross here. The chief city of Umeå is also the seat of the county government. In Holmsund is the area’s largest harbour with daily ferry traffic to Finland.

Several areas are classed as national interest for nature preservation: the river Sävarån, parts of the island Holmön, the island Bonden and the archipelago around Snöan. Furthermore many cultural-historic areas that are protected such as the village of Hössjöby, Västerbackans workers’ housing in Holmsund and Norrbyskär. The city of Umeå also has several well-preserved older wooden houses.

The city of Umeå has become a centre for adminstration and education. There are two universities, Umeå University and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. The regional hospital is located here, Norrland’s University Hospital.

The city is known for its cultural activities. There are many festivals—with festivals for jazz, chamber music, folk music and films. There is an opera company and a symphony orchester. The county museum is also located here as well as the Museum of Contemporary Art and Visual Culture.

23% of the inhabitants are younger than 16 and 12% are over 65. 53% of the working force is employed in the public sector, while 33% are employed in private service and 19% work in the construction and manufacturing industries.

The municipality has around 8,120 inhabitants (1998 census) and a population density of 1 person/square kilometre. The inland railway line passes through the municipality as does Route 45.

The population is concentrated to the area around the lakes Malgomaj and Volgsjön. Large areas of forest and mires characterize the eastern parts of the municipality. There are older cultural landscapes like Risträsk and Kittlefjäll that are well preserved. Fatmomakke is an old Sami cult place. In Saxnäs there is an art museum.

Half of the population reside in the chief city, Vilhelmina. 21% of the municipality’s residents are over 65 and 26% are less than 20.54% of the population works in the service sector, 20% in industry and 8% in forestry and farming. The mountain areas are characterized by tourism. Two Sami villages conduct reindeer herding.

The municipality has about 6,240 inhabitants (1998 census) and a population density of 2 people/square kilometre. The main railway line passes through the area, as well as the junction railway. The European Route 12 and Route 363 cross the municipality also.

The two river valleys of the Umeälven and Vindelälven form the southern areas of the municipality. Slightly more than 75% of the area is woodlands and only 2% is farmlands. The river Vindelälven is classed as national interest for its nature and recreational value. It is also one of four National Rivers.

21% of the inhabitants are younger than 16 and 23% are older than 65. For those who are gainfully employed 42% work in the public sector. 9% work in forestry and farming, 16% in the private sector, 6% in building and 18% in manufacturing. Five Sami villages have grazing rights in the municipality.

The municipality has approximately 8,570 inhabitants (1998 census) and a population density of 16 people/square kilometre. The European Route 12 and Route 92 pass through the municipality. The main railway line and the branch line to Umeå and Holmsund meet in Vännäs.

The valleys of the rivers Umeälven and Vindelälven dominate the countryside, which meet in Vännäsby. Brånsjön is an important bird refuge and is protected as a nature reserve. There are several prehistoric pitfalls in the area. 73% of the municipality is woodlands and 13% is farmland.

Over half of the population reside in the chief city, Vännäs. 23% of the inhabitants are under 16 and 18% are over 65. The work force has 16% working in transportation and communications, 14% in manufacturing, 4% in building and 8% in commerce.

The municipality has slightly less than 3,790 inhabitants (1998 census) and a population density of 1 person/square kilometre. Routes 90, 92 and 365 pass through the municipality, meeting in the chief city, Åsele. A high plateau, expansive mires and abundant lakes characterize the western portion of the area, while the watersheds of the two rivers Lögdeå and Gigån characterize the eastern area. 73% of the land area is forest and less than 0.5% farmland.

Åsele has 11 virgin forest areas of which one is a national park, Björnlandet and another is a nature reserve, Stenbithöjden. The interesting settlement Torvsjö is classed as a national interest due to its cultural environmental values.

More than half of the population live in the chief city, Åsele. 17% are under 16 and 27% are over 65. The dominating source of employment is the service sector, 71% of which 46% are civil employees. 21% work in industry and 8% work in forestry and farming. Four Sami villages have grazing land in the municipality.

Updated: 07 maj 2003