Borås

Borås [buˈroːs] is a city in Västergötland in western Sweden, situated at 57°43′N 12°56′E / 57.717°N 12.933°E / 57.717; 12.933. It has a population of about 100,000, and is the seat of Borås Municipality.

Granted city privileges from King Gustav II Adolf (in Europe known as The Lion from the North) in 1622, it soon became a center of textile industries.

Geography

Borås is located at the point of two crossing railroads, among them the railway between Gothenburg and Kalmar, and is often considered the Swedish city gaining the most from the nationwide railway system laid between 1870-1910.

History

The city of Borås received its privileges in 1622. The reason was to give local pedlars a legal place for merchandise.

The city developed strongly from early on. After a century it had increased to over 2,000 inhabitants.

Borås has been struck by fires four times: in 1681, 1727, 1822 and 1827. The Caroli church is the oldest of Borås's buildings, and has withstood all fires.

Industry

Borås is the leading textile city of Sweden, starting as a location spot for textile mills. It currently holds the Swedish record in number of established mail-order firms. The city arms depicts two sheep-shearing scissors as a tribute to this.

The company Swedac is based in Borås, and Ericsson has a large manufacturing plant there also. Mini-Link microwave radios are manufactured here.

Sports

The most successful sports team is the football team IF Elfsborg, current Swedish champions in 2006. Elfsborg was founded in 1904 but received its current name in 1906. The teams home arena is since 2005 Borås Arena (formerly Ryavallen Stadium) in Borås, with a capacity of 15000. Elfsborg play in black and yellow. Another (but not that successful) team is BHC, Borås Hockey Club.