Götaland

a historic region in southern Sweden. Area, 87,000 sq km. Population, 3.9 million (1969).

The Smoland Highlands, covered with coniferous forests and numerous lakes (Vänern, Vättern, and others) are located in the northern and central parts of Gotaland. The lowland Skáne peninsula makes up the southern part of the region.

More than 50 percent of the industrial workers and about 50 percent of Sweden’s industrial production are concentrated in Gotaland. The principal industries of the area are heavy machine building (automobile assembly and shipbuilding), and the production of textiles and clothing. Paper and chemical processing are also significant industries. The major industrial centers are Göteborg, Trollhättan, Boras, Norr-köping, Linköping, and Malmö. Gotaland is the main area of agricultural production in Sweden. It has three-fifths of the arable land of the country and produces about two-thirds of the country’s grain and about two-thirds of its cattle.