Gävle
Gävle | |
|---|---|
Town square, Alderholmen, old town, the high-rise "Fullriggaren" at Gävle Strand, the town hall, buildings alongside the river of Gavleån | |
Gävle Location of Gävle Gävle Gävle (Sweden) | |
| Coordinates: 60°40′29″N 17°08′30″E / 60.67472°N 17.14167°E | |
| Country | Sweden |
| Province | Gästrikland |
| County | Gävleborg County |
| Municipality | Gävle Municipality |
| Area | |
• City | 42.45 km2 (16.39 sq mi) |
| • Metro | 1,615.07 km2 (623.58 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 8 m (26 ft) |
| Population (2020) | |
• City | 79,004 |
| • Density | 1,690/km2 (4,400/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 103,619 |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 80x xx |
| Area code | (+46) 26 |
| Website | www |
Gävle (/ˈjɛvleɪ, -lə/ YEV-lay or YEV-lə; Swedish: [ˈjɛ̌ːvlɛ] ⓘ) is a city in Sweden, the seat of Gävle Municipality and the capital and largest city of Gävleborg County. It had 79,004 inhabitants in 2020, which makes it the 13th-most-populated city in Sweden. It is the oldest city in Norrland, having received its charter in 1446 from Christopher of Bavaria and lying around 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) northwest of Dalälven, the traditional boundary line between Norrland and Svealand. The location of the city also gives it a milder climate than that of most other cities in Norrland.
In recent years, the city has received much international attention due to its large Yule Goat figure made of straw – the Gävle Goat. The goat is erected in December each year and is often subsequently vandalized, usually by being set on fire. The goat has now become a symbol for the city and is being used for various marketing purposes.