Produced by Regionkansliets informationsavdelning and SCP Reklambyrå. Printed by CELA Grafiska AB. 2009. –VÄSTRA GÖTALAND– A SCANDINAVIAN GROWTH REGION Västra Götalandsregionen, SE-462 80 Vänersborg, Sweden. Tel: +46 521 27 57 00. [email protected] www.vgregion.se A good liFE Begins where PeoPle coME together. Västra Götaland is a meeting place that dates back thousands of years. Throughout history entrepreneurs have gathered here to carry on trade with the whole world, establish major international companies and create new ideas for the future. For centuries people of different nationalities have migrated to the area and contributed to the breadth of today’s trade and industry. In Västra Götaland development and prosperity go hand in hand with the abil- ity to accomplish change together with others. Region Västra Götaland is the democratically elected organisation charged with promoting growth and sustain- able development and offering the region’s inhabitants good healthcare. In coop- eration with the municipalities, trade and industry, the education sector, authorities and organisations, Region Västra Götaland supports and drives development for a good life in Västra Götaland. Welcome to a Scandinavian growth region. – 2 – – 3 – Contents Bengtsfors Strömstad Åmål Dals-Ed Visiting and living in Västra Götaland 6A coMMon vision Gullspång A world of diversity and opportunities 8 – A good liFE Tanum Town and city life in Västra Götaland 10 Färgelanda The Västra Götaland Vision Mellerud The rolling sea and the mighty forest 14 Töreboda “A good life” is the result of Munkedal Mariestad Karlsborg Challenging activities 16 HelsingforsHelsinki close cooperation between Vänersborg Götene Sotenäs Children’s favourites 17 Region Västra Götaland, the Lidköping Tibro Oslo Uddevalla Skövde Stockholm municipalities, and many Lysekil Skara Echoes of history 18 Grästorp public and private players Cultural meeting places 20 Hjo Göteborg Trollhättan Vara (Gothenburg) and organisations. The joint Orust Essunga Creating growth and sustainable development 24 Lilla Edet effort of realising the vision is Falköping Tidaholm KöpenhamnCopenhagen New energy 26 intended to lead to an Tjörn Stenungsund attractive, competitive Västra Vårgårda Herrljunga An innovative automotive industry 30 Ale Alingsås Cutting-edge information technology 32 Götaland and a good life for Kungälv Lerum its citizens – that is to say Ulricehamn Gateway to the world 34 Öckerö Göteborg Partille Bollebygd opportunities for a stimulating Borås Maritime strength 35 job and good education, Härryda Food with diversity and quality 36 good health, a clean environ- Mölndal Innovation and tradition in design, ment, community, participa- Tranemo fashion and textiles 38 tion and a rich cultural life. Mark The good life is based on The Swedish furniture centre 40 Svenljunga Culture and experiences breed new industries 42 long-term sustainability where development does not Health and medicine for life 44 take place at the expense of Learning for life in Västra Götaland 46 future generations’ needs. In the heart of Scandinavia at the Cross-border education 48 point of intersection between the www.vgregion.se Medical training and research 51 North Sea region and the Baltic region lies Västra Götaland – a Education in art, design and culture 52 natural node for trade, industry Region Västra Götaland’s assignment 54 and international transactions. – 4 – – 5 – With an OPen Mind. Visiting and living in Västra Götaland. Västra Götaland offers diversity and varying experiences. From salt-splashed Skagerrak in the rocky west, along Lake Vänern to mysterious Lake Vättern in the densely forested east. From the big city pulse of Göteborg to the calmer tempo of the small timbered town of Hjo. From the Bronze age rock carvings at Tanum to graffiti art at Röda Sten. From working life in an international envi- ronment in a city to life at a small dairy in the countryside. In a nutshell, Västra Götaland is where the contrasts that give life colour and zest come together. – 6 – – 7 – VISITING AND LIVING IN VÄstra GÖtaLAND VISITING AND LIVING IN VÄstra GÖtaLAND The Hammarkullen carnival in Göteborg 20% of Sweden’s horses can be found in Västra The Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra – the The best things in life can’t be bought for money attracts 50,000 visitors a year. Götaland – more than in any other region. National Orchestra of Sweden – is one of Sweden’s – the right of common access, unique to Sweden, major orchestras and tours all over the world. entitles everyone to visit the countryside freely on nature’s terms. A world OF diversitY and OPPortUnities ästra Götaland is a Sweden in miniature, with large cities, rural areas, small commu- Its diversity is also reflected in the 1.6 million people who live here. 17% of Sweden’s nities and medium-sized towns. There is the sea, lakes, rolling hills, deep forests, open population live in Västra Götaland and approximately 130 nationalities are represented. plains – all the different types of natural environment in Sweden except mountains. Trade and industry in Västra Götaland is very varied and internationally oriented with a The countryside in Västra Götaland is very important for its citizens’ recreation and visitors’ focus on research and development. Most people work in the service sector and more than experiences. It invites adventures in the wild, sailing and fishing and offers a great many one in four people in trade and industry are employees of foreign-owned companies. exciting culinary experiences. – 8 – – 9 – VISITING AND LIVING IN VÄstra GÖtaLAND VISITING AND LIVING IN VÄstra GÖtaLAND Göteborg, Sweden’s second-largest city, offers a relaxed international atmosphere. The world’s biggest football tournament, Sjömagasinet is one of the restaurants awarded a star in Gothia Cup, held in Göteborg, brings Guide Rouge. together tens of thousands of young footballers from some 60 countries. Town and citY liFE in Västra Götaland Events at journey through Västra Götaland often begins in Göteborg, Sweden’s gateway to the park, with its Rose Garden and Palm House, is SvensKA Mässan A world. A big city by the sea, renowned for its events and with an international buzz located right in the city centre. EuroHorse 87, 513 and lots of hospitality. Proximity defines the city’s interaction with its residents and guests. The city’s restaurants are among Sweden’s elite Gothenburg Boat Show 85, 279 Most things are within walking distance – the major hotels, the Svenska Mässan exhibition and fish and seafood are popular local speciali- Göteborg Book Fair 78, 216 and congress centre and Liseberg, Scandinavia’s largest amusement park. Göteborg is a green ties. Nightlife is relaxed and if you like shopping “På två hjul” (Bike show) 63, 879 city and people interested in gardening often visit the Botanical Garden, one of the biggest Göteborg is an Aladdin’s cave of shops, depart- TUR (Travel and Tourism Fair) 44, 392 of its kind in Europe, with guided tours and exhibitions the year round. The Garden Society ment stores and shopping malls. Number of visitors in 2008 – 10 – – 11 – VISITING AND LIVING IN VÄstra GÖtaLAND VISITING AND LIVING IN VÄstra GÖtaLAND The old town hall in Lidköping was originally a Strömstad is Västra Götaland’s northernmost town, nobleman’s hunting lodge. with the Koster islands spread out to the west. Café life in the timbered town of Alingsås. Borås has a strong tradition in textiles and design and Jim Dine’s “Walking to Borås” is one of the On the edge of Lake Vänern lies Vänersborg, the tomorrow’s fashion designers are trained here. Shopping Largest exhibits at the new sculpture park in Borås. seat of the Regional Council. is a matter of course in a commercial centre like Borås MUniciPalities and the city also attracts many families for a day out at 1. Göteborg 500, 197 Borås Zoo – a savannah in the heart of the “city of textiles”. 2. Borås 101, 487 Mölndal is part of the metropolitan area around Göte- 3. Mölndal 59, 812 borg with exciting historical environments like Kvarn- 4. Trollhättan 54, 487 byn and Gunnebo House and Gardens. The industrial 5. Uddevalla 51, 186 city of Trollhättan’s outstanding features are its location Number of inhabitants in December 2008 on the Göta Älv river and its falls and locks. There are many more small and medium-sized towns to discover, Stroll among the wooden houses from the 18th, 19th Bohusläns museum is located in the port area of each with its own character and specialities. and 20th centuries that line Hjo’s cobbled streets. Uddevalla and reflects life and nature in Bohuslän. – 12 – – 13 – VISITING AND LIVING IN VÄstra GÖtaLAND VISITING AND LIVING IN VÄstra GÖtaLAND NATIONAL PARKS Tresticklan in Dals-Ed Djurö in Mariestad Tiveden in Karlsborg The Koster Sea – Sweden’s first marine national park. There are 29,611 islands in Västra Götaland, of which 153 are inhabited. Åstol in Bohuslän is one of them. A certain sign of spring: the cranes’ mating dance at Lake Hornborga. The rolling sea and the MightY Forest o the people of Bohuslän, it’s the only place on earth. This is Sweden’s best-loved tourist Tdestination and place names like Smögen, Fjällbacka and the Koster islands awaken dreams of sun, summer and leisure. Dalsland is often called Europe’s closest wilderness, awe-inspiring and untouched, within reach of Europe’s major cities. A retreat for stressed big city dwellers and that many people call “the world’s best kept secret”. Further inland, Västra Götaland shows a different face with open plains that give way to plateaus with rare vegetation, for example flowering Kinnekulle ridge on the eastern shore of lake Vänern, Sweden’s largest lake. If you would like a close encounter with the “King of the Forest” you can book a guided elk safari on the twin hills Halleberg and Hunneberg just outside Vänersborg.