Hisingen
Encyclopedia
Hisingen is the fourth-largest island
of Sweden
(after Gotland
, Öland
and Orust
), with an area of 199 km² (76.8 sq mi), and the most populous, forming part of Gothenburg Municipality
, Västra Götaland County
. It is bordered by the Göta älv
in the south and east, the Nordre älv in the north, and the Kattegat
in the west. The northern part of the city of Gothenburg
, with its harbours, industries and suburbs, is located on the island, which is divided between the two historical provinces of Västergötland
and Bohuslän
.
The population of the island is around 130,000, making it the most populated island in Sweden, ahead of Södermalm
and Gotland
.
The basic meaning of the prefix
His- is "to split, cut off" and can be found in the placenames Hisøy
and Hisön. Hence, the name can be interpreted as "the island cut off from the mainland".
It was on Hisingen that the first town with the name Gothenburg
existed. It was founded by king Charles IX
in 1603 on the northern bank of the Göta River
, at Färjenäs. It was inhabited mostly by Dutch merchants, enticed to settle there by favorable economic conditions. However, the town was completely destroyed by the Danish in 1611 during the Kalmar War
.
Until 1658, when the island was ceded from Denmark-Norway by the Treaty of Roskilde
, it was divided into a Swedish and a Norwegian part. The division continued in the official name of the provincial districts of Swedish and Norwegian Hisingen or "Svenska Hisingens härad" and "Norska Hisingens härad", until 1681 when they were renamed as the Eastern and Western districts.
The island was mostly farmland until the 19th century, when industrialization began and companies like Arendalsvarvet, Eriksberg
, Götaverken
and Lindholmen started operating there. For most of the 20th century, until the shipyard crisis in the 1970s, the island was the focus for Swedish shipbuilding.
The Volvo
car manufacturer has its roots on Hisingen; it was there that their first factory was located and the first car, the Volvo ÖV 4
, was produced in 1927. Today, the company still has its main office and production facilities on the island. The Volvo Museum
is also located nearby.
Over the last 20 years, the northern bank of Göta älv has undergone major expansion. Residential areas, university buildings and high tech industry have largely replaced the shipyards.
See also: History of Gothenburg
, History of Westrogothia, History of Bahusia
, is located in the south of Hisingen.
Ramberget, an 87 m high mountain, is a well-known landmark. It is part of Keillers Park, which was established in 1908 and covers an area of over 31 hectares. From the top of the mountain, which can be reached by car, there is a wide view of the whole city.
. It is divided up into six boroughs
:
. From the centre of Gothenburg it can be reached with many bus lines, as well as tram
lines 5, 6 and 10.
The international Gothenburg City Airport
is located at Säve
in the northern part of Hisingen.
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
of Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
(after Gotland
Gotland
Gotland is a county, province, municipality and diocese of Sweden; it is Sweden's largest island and the largest island in the Baltic Sea. At 3,140 square kilometers in area, the region makes up less than one percent of Sweden's total land area...
, Öland
Öland
' is the second largest Swedish island and the smallest of the traditional provinces of Sweden. Öland has an area of 1,342 km² and is located in the Baltic Sea just off the coast of Småland. The island has 25,000 inhabitants, but during Swedish Midsummer it is visited by up to 500,000 people...
and Orust
Orust
Orust is an island in western Sweden, and Sweden's third largest island. The largest town on Orust is Henån, where approximately 1,800 inhabitants live...
), with an area of 199 km² (76.8 sq mi), and the most populous, forming part of Gothenburg Municipality
Gothenburg Municipality
Gothenburg Municipality is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the city of Gothenburg....
, Västra Götaland County
Västra Götaland County
Västra Götaland County is a county or län on the western coast of Sweden.The county is the second largest of Sweden's counties and it is subdivided into 49 municipalities . Its population of 1,550,000 amounts to 17% of Sweden's population...
. It is bordered by the Göta älv
Göta älv
The Göta is a river that drains lake Vänern into the Kattegat at the city of Gothenburg on the western coast of Sweden. It is located in Götaland, with the river itself being a site of early Geatish settlement. The length is 93 km. Often the combination of Göta älv and Klarälven is mentioned...
in the south and east, the Nordre älv in the north, and the Kattegat
Kattegat
The Kattegat , or Kattegatt is a sea area bounded by the Jutland peninsula and the Straits islands of Denmark on the west and south, and the provinces of Västergötland, Scania, Halland and Bohuslän in Sweden on the east. The Baltic Sea drains into the Kattegat through the Øresund and the Danish...
in the west. The northern part of the city of Gothenburg
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second-largest city in Sweden and the fifth-largest in the Nordic countries. Situated on the west coast of Sweden, the city proper has a population of 519,399, with 549,839 in the urban area and total of 937,015 inhabitants in the metropolitan area...
, with its harbours, industries and suburbs, is located on the island, which is divided between the two historical provinces of Västergötland
Västergötland
', English exonym: West Gothland, is one of the 25 traditional non-administrative provinces of Sweden , situated in the southwest of Sweden. In older English literature one may also encounter the Latinized version Westrogothia....
and Bohuslän
Bohuslän
' is a Swedish traditional province, or landskap, situated in Götaland on the northernmost part of the country's west coast. It is bordered by Dalsland to the northeast, Västergötland to the southeast, the Skagerrak arm of the North Sea to the west, and the county of Østfold in Norway to the north...
.
The population of the island is around 130,000, making it the most populated island in Sweden, ahead of Södermalm
Södermalm
Södermalm, often shortened to "Söder", is a district in central Stockholm. It covers the large island formerly called "Åsön". With a population of 99,685, it is one of the most densely populated districts of Scandinavia...
and Gotland
Gotland
Gotland is a county, province, municipality and diocese of Sweden; it is Sweden's largest island and the largest island in the Baltic Sea. At 3,140 square kilometers in area, the region makes up less than one percent of Sweden's total land area...
.
Etymology
The etymology of the name Hisingen is disputed. Hísing makes its first appearance in 13th century Icelandic sources; Hisingen is dated back to 1399.The basic meaning of the prefix
Prefix
A prefix is an affix which is placed before the root of a word. Particularly in the study of languages,a prefix is also called a preformative, because it alters the form of the words to which it is affixed.Examples of prefixes:...
His- is "to split, cut off" and can be found in the placenames Hisøy
Hisøy
Hisøy is an island and a former municipality in Aust-Agder county, Norway. Today, the island is a part of the municipality of Arendal. Hisøy is an island separated from the mainland by the river Nidelv. The village of Kolbjørnsvik is located across the harbor from the town of Arendal...
and Hisön. Hence, the name can be interpreted as "the island cut off from the mainland".
History
The rock wall paintings and remains of ancient settlements prove that Hisingen was inhibited already since 9000 BC.It was on Hisingen that the first town with the name Gothenburg
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second-largest city in Sweden and the fifth-largest in the Nordic countries. Situated on the west coast of Sweden, the city proper has a population of 519,399, with 549,839 in the urban area and total of 937,015 inhabitants in the metropolitan area...
existed. It was founded by king Charles IX
Charles IX of Sweden
Charles IX of Sweden also Carl, was King of Sweden from 1604 until his death. He was the youngest son of King Gustav I of Sweden and his second wife, Margaret Leijonhufvud, brother of Eric XIV and John III of Sweden, and uncle of Sigismund III Vasa king of both Sweden and Poland...
in 1603 on the northern bank of the Göta River
Gota River
The Gota River is a tributary of the Dârjov River in Romania.-References:* Administraţia Naţională Apelor Române - Cadastrul Apelor - Bucureşti* Institutul de Meteorologie şi Hidrologie - Rîurile României - Bucureşti 1971...
, at Färjenäs. It was inhabited mostly by Dutch merchants, enticed to settle there by favorable economic conditions. However, the town was completely destroyed by the Danish in 1611 during the Kalmar War
Kalmar War
The Kalmar War was a war between Denmark–Norway and Sweden. Though Denmark soon gained the upper hand, she was unable to defeat Sweden entirely...
.
Until 1658, when the island was ceded from Denmark-Norway by the Treaty of Roskilde
Treaty of Roskilde
The Treaty of Roskilde was concluded on 26 February or 8 March 1658 during the Second Northern War between Frederick III of Denmark–Norway and Charles X Gustav of Sweden in the Danish city of Roskilde...
, it was divided into a Swedish and a Norwegian part. The division continued in the official name of the provincial districts of Swedish and Norwegian Hisingen or "Svenska Hisingens härad" and "Norska Hisingens härad", until 1681 when they were renamed as the Eastern and Western districts.
The island was mostly farmland until the 19th century, when industrialization began and companies like Arendalsvarvet, Eriksberg
Eriksbergs Mekaniska Verkstads AB
Eriksbergs Mekaniska Verkstads AB was a Swedish shipbuilding company based in Gothenburg. It was founded in 1850 by Christian Barchman under the name Ericsbergs metall och tackjerns-gjuteri. It delivered its last ship in 1979.-Introduction:...
, Götaverken
Götaverken
Götaverken was a shipbuilding company that was located on Hisingen, Gothenburg. It was founded in 1841, and went bankrupt in 1989.The company was founded in 1841 by a Scottish businessman called Alexander Keiller under the name Keillers Werkstad i Göteborg, and was aimed at industrial production...
and Lindholmen started operating there. For most of the 20th century, until the shipyard crisis in the 1970s, the island was the focus for Swedish shipbuilding.
The Volvo
Volvo
AB Volvo is a Swedish builder of commercial vehicles, including trucks, buses and construction equipment. Volvo also supplies marine and industrial drive systems, aerospace components and financial services...
car manufacturer has its roots on Hisingen; it was there that their first factory was located and the first car, the Volvo ÖV 4
Volvo ÖV 4
Volvo ÖV 4 is the first car built by Volvo. The designation ÖV4 stands for , "Öppen Vagn 4 cylindrar" in Swedish, which means Open Carriage 4 cylinders. The model ÖV4 was often referred to as "Jakob" but that was just a name for one of the 10 pre-series ÖV4 that was ready on July 25 Jakob's name-day...
, was produced in 1927. Today, the company still has its main office and production facilities on the island. The Volvo Museum
Volvo Museum
The Volvo Museum is in Gothenburg, Sweden. It covers the development of Sweden's leading vehicle manufacturer Volvo, from the first ÖV 4 to the current cars, trucks, buses and other products. The museum also contains many other exhibits, including Gabrielsson’s and Larson’s joint desk from the...
is also located nearby.
Over the last 20 years, the northern bank of Göta älv has undergone major expansion. Residential areas, university buildings and high tech industry have largely replaced the shipyards.
See also: History of Gothenburg
History of Gothenburg
-Prehistory:The region on the west coast of Sweden has been inhabited for several thousands of years. During the Stone Age, there was incidentally a settlement right on present day Gothenburg...
, History of Westrogothia, History of Bahusia
Geography
The island has a diverse landscape with coasts, farms and forests. The biggest forest area is Hisingsparken, which is also the largest park in Gothenburg. Rya skog, a smaller forest and a nature reserveNature reserve
A nature reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research...
, is located in the south of Hisingen.
Ramberget, an 87 m high mountain, is a well-known landmark. It is part of Keillers Park, which was established in 1908 and covers an area of over 31 hectares. From the top of the mountain, which can be reached by car, there is a wide view of the whole city.
Administration
All of the island belongs to Gothenburg MunicipalityGothenburg Municipality
Gothenburg Municipality is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the city of Gothenburg....
. It is divided up into six boroughs
Boroughs and Districts of Gothenburg
Gothenburg Municipality , Sweden is subdivided into 21 stadsdelsnämndsområden . The term is often translated to borough. But they are really no boroughs, as they are no legal entities or juristic persons of their own, but organs of the central municipal administration...
:
- Backa
- BiskopsgårdenBiskopsgårdenBiskopsgården is a district in Gothenburg Municipality, Sweden.- History :Today you can find the first trace of humans by the hillsides that was once beaches in an archipelago....
- Kärra-RödboKärra-RödboKärra-Rödbo is one of the 21 boroughs of Gothenburg, Sweden. It is located in the northern part of the Hisingen island and has an area of 3 481 hectares, with about 11,000 inhabitants .-External links:*...
- LundbyLundby, GothenburgLundby is a suburb and borough of Gothenburg, Sweden. It is located in the central part of the Hisingen island, stretching along the northern shore of the Göta River...
- TorslandaTorslandaTorslanda is an urban district and a locality situated in Göteborg Municipality, Västra Götaland County, Sweden. It had 10,129 inhabitants in 2005.-The Volvo Torslanda Plant:...
- Tuve-Säve
Transportation
The island is connected to the mainland via several bridges, including the Göta älv Bridge and the Älvsborg BridgeÄlvsborg Bridge
The Älvsborg Bridge is a suspension bridge over Göta älv in Gothenburg, Sweden, which connects the north and the south part of the city. It was built in 1966 and designed by Sven Olof Asplund. The total length of the bridge is 933 metres and distance between the towers is 417 metres, while the...
. From the centre of Gothenburg it can be reached with many bus lines, as well as tram
Gothenburg tram
The Gothenburg tram network is part of the public transport system organised by Göteborgs Spårvägar AB, controlled by Västtrafik in the Swedish city of Gothenburg...
lines 5, 6 and 10.
The international Gothenburg City Airport
Gothenburg City Airport
Gothenburg City Airport or Göteborg City Airport , formerly known as Säve Flygplats, is Gothenburg's second international airport, located north-west from the centre of Gothenburg on the island of Hisingen, Bohuslän, Sweden. It is located within the borders of Gothenburg Municipality, hence its...
is located at Säve
Säve
Säve is a locality situated in Göteborg Municipality, Västra Götaland County, Sweden. It had 774 inhabitants in 2005.The origin of the name Säve is the Old Swedish word "sjöe" , meaning "lake".-See also:* F 9 Säve military airbase...
in the northern part of Hisingen.