Gästrikland Province, Sweden Genealogy

History
Gästrikland is a historical province on the eastern coast of Sweden. The borders that surround Gästrikland are Uppland, Västmanland, Dalarna, Hälsingland and the Gulf of Bothnia. Gästrikland is the southern portion of the Norrland provinces. Gästrikland at one time was a part of Uppland until the 14th or 15th century. Mining and iron production was an important industry in the 5th century and the iron works of Hofors and Sandviken until this day still employ about 6,500 people. They produce a specialized steel and other special metal products. Gästrikland Province is in Gävleborg County.

Other names used are: Gestricia, Gastrikland. Before 1900, the spelling was officially Gestrikland in Swedish. The population of Gästrikland was roughly 153,723 people in 2016.