Helsingia, or Hälsingland, is a historical Province or landskap in the north of Sweden. It borders to Gestricia, Dalecarlia, Herdalia, Medelpadia and to the Gulf of Bothnia.

County

For current affairs see: Gävleborg County

Helsingia comprises the northern part of Gävleborg County. Minor parts in the west belongs to Jämtland County.

History

Main article: History of Helsingia

The town of Hudiksvall, one of the oldest in Norrland, was ransacked by Russian troops in 1721. Helsingia Regiment was the provincial regiment.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Helsingia

Helsingia was historically divided into chartered cities and districts.

Cities

• Bollnäs (1942)
• Hudiksvall (1582)
• Söderhamn (1620)

Districts

• Arbrå Court District
• Bergsjö Court District
• Delsbo Court District
• Enånger Court District
• Forsa Court District
• Helsingia South-Eastern Court District
• Helsingia South-Western Court District
• Järvsö Court District
• Ljusdal Court District
• Sveg Court District

The coast line on the Gulf of Bothnia, called the "High Coast", has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The land still rises at the rate of about one centimetre per year, as an effect of the last ice age that ended in the 7th millennium BC.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Helsingia

Archbishop Nathan Söderblom, Nobel Prize laureate for Peace in 1930, was born in Helsingia in 1866.

Heraldry

Main article: Heraldry of Helsingia

Arms granted in 1560. In the original representation the goat was not standing on its hind legs. The arms is represented showing a dukal coronet. Blazon: "Sable, a Goat rampant Or attired and hoofed Gules."

Dukes of Helsingia

Since 1772, Swedish Princes have been created Dukes of various provinces. This is solely a nominal title.

• Princess Madeleine (1982-, also Duchess of Gestricia)

External links

• Hälsingland.nu