Gothenburg, Port city in western Sweden
Gothenburg is a port on the west coast of Sweden, stretching on both sides of the Göta River and covering several municipalities. Neighborhoods alternate between residential blocks, industrial zones, and green spaces, while islands and canals shape the layout and connect the center to the archipelago shore.
King Gustav II Adolf founded the settlement in 1621 as a fortified trading port to secure Sweden's access to the North Sea. Dutch engineers designed the fortifications and canal layout, which still run through parts of the center and mark the early trade route to the interior.
Locals gather in Haga, walking through cobbled lanes between wooden houses from the 1800s that now hold cafés and small shops. On summer evenings, the waterfront promenades along the river fill with people enjoying the long daylight, sitting on park benches or on restaurant terraces.
A dense tram network links the neighborhoods, with several lines running from the central station in different directions. Ferries depart regularly from the Saltholmen terminal, carrying visitors to the southern archipelago islands where walking trails and swimming spots are found.
Every summer, the Gothia Cup turns the town into an international youth football hub, with teams arriving from over eighty countries. During that week, groups of young players in different jerseys can be seen throughout the streets, moving between playing fields and their accommodation.
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