Gothenburg, city of commerce

Trade, shipping and international contacts have been a part of life in Gothenburg ever since the city was founded in 1621 by King Gustav II Adolf.

The Dutch were the first to build in Gothenburg, and during the 17th century Dutch, German, Swedish and English were all official languages of the city.

The founding of the Swedish East India Company in 1731 boosted commerce in the city. The company had exclusive rights to conduct trade with India and China, and shipped porcelain, tea, spices, fabrics and other luxury goods of the time to Gothenburg.

In the 18th century the manufacture of clothing flourished in Gothenburg, and it became the leading manufacturing city in Sweden. From the late 19th century until the early 20th century the textile industry was the main source of income in Gothenburg.

In the 19th century Gothenburg underwent industrialisation, largely under the influence of Scottish and English entrepreneurs. Over the years, many of them grew rich and founded hospitals, libraries and universities. For instance, Chalmers University of Technology, which opened in 1829, was founded through a donation by William Chalmers, a Scot.

By the 1920s Gothenburg had become the trading centre of Sweden and its largest port town, with a thriving shipbuilding industry. The city is still a hub for international trade and distribution, thanks to having the largest port in the Nordic region, and has developed into a knowledge city where commerce, politics and academia work hand in hand for continuing growth.