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The Provinces or Landskap were the subdivision of Sweden until 1634, when they were replaced by Counties in a reform, led by Axel Oxenstierna, that still remains in force in Sweden proper. The county reform also survived until 1997 in Finland, despite the separation from Sweden in 1809. The provinces have no administrative function today but remain as a historical legacy and as a source of cultural identification. Even if the provinces are defunct as entities their traditions are still maintained by present day authorities.1 History
The origin of the division into provinces were the smaller separate kingdoms that eventually united and formed the unified Sweden. Even after being united under a Swedish monarch each of these lands had its own law and Ting, a combined political and judicial assembly. The constituent provinces were held as duchies, but as the kingdom expanded with newly conquered provinces depending on their importance they received a status of duchy or county.
Of the conquests made after separation from the Kalmar Union in 1523 only some were incorporated as provinces. Most significantly at the Treaty of Roskilde in 1658, where the former Danish provinces of Scania, Blechingia, HallandiaHallandia Halland is a historical Province landskap on the western coast of Sweden. It borders Westrogothia, Smalandia, Scania and the sea of Kattegat. County For current affairs see: Halland County The province of Hallandia is virtually fitted with in Ha and BahusiaBahusia or Bohuslan is a historical Province or landskap on the western coast of Sweden. It borders to Dalia and Westrogothia. It is also borders to Skagerrak and to Norway. By the treaty of Roskilde, this formerly Norwegian province was ceded to Sweden., with the NorwegianThe Kingdom of Norway is a Nordic country west of Sweden on the Scandinavian Peninsula. It has a very elongated form and has an extensive coastline along the North Atlantic Ocean, where Norway's famous fjords are found. In addition to Sweden, it borders R provinces of JemtiaJemtia or Jamtland (or simply Jamtland as it is known by its local dialect), is a historical Province or landskap in the north of Sweden. It borders to Herdalia, Medelpadia, Angermannia, Laponia and to Norway. County For current affairs see: Jamtland Coun and HerdaliaHerdalia or Harjedalen is a historical Province or landskap in the north of Sweden. It borders to Dalecarlia, Helsingia, Medelpadia, Jemtia and to Norway. County For current affairs see: Jamtland County Herdalia today makes up Harjedalen Municipality, whi became Swedish and eventually fully integrated. Other than that conquered territories were ruled as separate DominionsThe Dominions of Sweden or Svenska besittningar were territories that historically came under control of the Swedish Crown, but never became fully integrated with Sweden. This generally meant that they were ruled by Governors-General under the Swedish mon under the Swedish monarch, which in some cases lasted for two or even three centuries. NorwayThe Kingdom of Norway is a Nordic country west of Sweden on the Scandinavian Peninsula. It has a very elongated form and has an extensive coastline along the North Atlantic Ocean, where Norway's famous fjords are found. In addition to Sweden, it borders R was in personal union with Sweden for during the 19th centuryAlternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical ( 18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801- 1900. Events The Little Ice Age ended but never an integral part of Sweden.
The division of Västerbotten that took place when ceding Finland inavertly caused the new province of Norrbotten to emerge and eventually it came to be recognised as a province in its own right. It was granted a coat of arms in 1995.
