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SWEDEN | Gothenburg, Sweden Travel Guide
Monday, January 20, 2025
A Brief History of Gothenburg
A Brief History of Gothenburg
Gothenburg dates back to the 10th century, when it was a stronghold of the Vikings. The town was formally established in 1621, both to secure access to the Atlantic and as a fortification against Danish designs on Sweden. The city, which remains quite easy to navigate with its neat grid of streets, was originally planned by Dutch and German immigrants, with fortifications, a network of canals, and a wide moat.
In 1731, primarily due to its strategic location, Gothenburg became the natural choice as the home of the Swedish East India Company. It remained, for more than a century afterward, the most important European center for trade with China and the Far East, particularly for such commodities as silk, precious stones, porcelain, spices and tea. And in the following years, along with trade, shipping and shipbuilding became an integral part of the city's economy.
During the 20th century, Gothenburg's importance as an industrial center continued to grow. Several of Sweden's modern-day conglomerates and large, iconic companies, such as Saab, Volvo, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Hasselblad Cameras and SFK ball bearings, got their start here.
Last updated January 5, 2012
Posted in Sweden | Gothenburg
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