Founded: 1621 by King Gustavus Adolphus II

Number of inhabitants in the city: 581,822

Number of inhabitants in the metropolitan area: 1,009,203

Largest employers:

1. Volvo Cars

1. Volvo Trucks

1. Chalmers

Did you know that…

• Gothenburg is the world’s most sustainable meeting destination. As of November 2016, it has topped the Global Destination Sustainability Index.
• The oldest house in Gothenburg is the impressive Kronhuset. Built 1643-55 in austere Dutch style, with red bricks and high pointed gables.
• Göteborgsvarvet is not only the world’s largest half marathon. It is also Sweden’s half marathon
• Many regard Gothenburg as Sweden’s beer capital – there is a lively beer culture with many local breweries making world-class beer.

• The stock exchange, built in 1849 for Sweden’s oldest trade guild, is today the City Hall.
• The Gustavus Adolphus pastry was created in 1854 in connection with the inauguration of the King’s statue in Gothenburg.
• In 2016, the Gothenburg company SKF registered 229 technical innovations and was awarded 191 new patents.
• Gothenburg is the world’s third friendliest city, according to a survey by the travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler.

1621: “Here is the city”, says King Gustavus Adolphus, pointing to Gothenburg.

1731: The Swedish East India Company starts trading

1847: The Götaverken shipyard delivers its first ship: the iron steamer Kare.

1905: The Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Sweden’s national orchestra, is formed.

1923: The Götaplatsen city square and Liseberg are opened to mark Gothenburg’s 300th anniversary.

1927: The first production model Volvo, Volvo ÖV4, rolls off the test track.

1939: The canal launch Paddan casts off for the first time.

1984: Gothia Towers serves its first King Size shrimp sandwich.

2016: Musician Håkan Hellström sets a new Nordic attendance record of 70,144 people at Ullevi.

2021: Gothenburg celebrates its 400th anniversary with a series of initiatives.