Trade, shipping and international contacts have distinguished Gothenburg ever since the city was founded in 1621 by Gustav II Adolf. It was built by Dutchmen, and in the 17th century the official languages were Dutch, German, Swedish and English.

In the 18th century The Swedish East India Company began trading with the east. Porcelain, tea, spices, textiles and other luxury goods of the time were shipped to Gothenburg.
 
In the 19th century Gothenburg became industrialised, largely due to the arrival of Scottish and English businessmen. Over the years many became rich, and they founded a hospital, library and university.

Modern-day Gothenburg with its wide boulevards, parks and stone houses was built around the end of the 19th century.

Read more:
Gothenburg Viking Era
Gothenburgs East India Era
Gothenburg - Castle of the Goths

Gothenburg by numbers

500 085 inhabitants(926,654 in the metropolitan area)

1 county governor

1 Poseidon statue

1 opera house

25 theaters

1 Feskekörka fish market hall

20 museums

50,000 trees

2 market halls

175 square metres of green space per citizen

237 trams

12 tramlines

2 airports

668 restaurants

5 restaurants with one star in the Michelin Guide Rouge

54 art galleries

60,000 students

2 universities

7 Paddan sightseeing boats

10,212 hotel rooms in the Gothenburg region

112 hotels in the Gothenburg region

3,000,000 visitors to Liseberg Amusement Park and Christmas Market

2,500 roses in the Rose garden of Trädgårdsföreningen park

50,000 runners in Gothenburg half marathon

180 shops in Nordstan shopping mall

167 cafés

6 archipelago passenger ferries and 3 harbour ferries

10,940 ship-moorings a year

2,650,000 ferry passengers a year

19 golf courses within 30 minutes by car