Vänersborg

Also known as Lilla Paris, Little Paris

Vänersborg () is a locality and the seat of Vänersborg Municipality, Västra Götaland County, Sweden with 23,882 inhabitants (out of a municipal total of 39,904) Until 1997 it was the capital of Älvsborg County, which merged into Västra Götaland County. Since 1999 Vänersborg has been the seat of the regional council for Region Västra Götaland. The city is located on the southern shores of lake Vänern, close to where the river Göta älv leaves the lake.

Key facts

Settlement.official_name: Vänersborg
Settlement.image_skyline: 0404Vänersborgs_residens.jpg
Settlement.image_caption: Vänersborg in May 2008
Settlement.pushpin_map: Sweden Västra Götaland#Sweden
Settlement.subdivision_type: Country
Settlement.subdivision_name: Sweden
Settlement.subdivision_type3: Municipality
Settlement.subdivision_name3: Vänersborg Municipality
Settlement.subdivision_type2: County
Settlement.subdivision_name2: Västra Götaland County
Settlement.subdivision_type1: Province
Settlement.subdivision_name1: Västergötland

Article

12 sections

Contents

History
Climate
Economy
Education
Sports
Districts
Politics
Nature
Notable inhabitants
See also
References
External links

== History == A marketplace was established at Brätte at the southern end of Vassbotten (southernmost part of Vänern), south of modern Vänersborg, by the end of the medieval period. The settlement developed with paved streets lined with houses and farms and it was granted town privileges in 1580. The site, however, became unsuitable for trans-shipment of goods due to silting of its harbour and it was difficult to protect. Consequently, in 1644, the town was moved 3½ kilometres north to Huvudnäset, and the new town of Vänersborg was established, despite the reluctance of its inhabitants.