The County of Västerbotten is the second largest in Sweden and covers just over one-eighth of the total area of Sweden. Västerbotten stretches from the Bothnia Gulf in the east to the Norwegian Border in the west. Västerbotten is a county of diversity and contrast. One of our communities Umeå is among the most expensive in Sweden. We also have the city of Skellefteå in the north, with its strong industrial traditions, and Lycksele at the centre of the county.

About 75% of the inhabitants live in the communities on the coastland. The pulse and rich variety of the urban communities contrast markedly with the tranquillity of the sparsely populated parts of the county.

The landscape differs from east to west, from a low coastal area, which raises from the sea about 1 cm per year as a result of the Ice Period 10.000 years ago, to the high mountain area (highest peak 1767 m) in the west. A large number of rivers run from the west to the east. One of them, the Vindel River, is also one of four national rivers in Sweden that are nationally protected. We have 152 nature reserves in the county with a total area of 800.715 hectares. Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve, with its 550.000 hectares, is the largest protected area in northern Europe. We have one national park, Björnlandet.

The County has 6 airports with direct flight connections to Stockholm and other destinations. Two railways, one in the inland with tourist traffic during the summer season and one in the east with traffic all year round, connect Västerbotten to other parts of Sweden. Västerbotten has the northernmost year-round ferry line in the world, which runs to another country, Finland.