Umeå

Seaport and capital of Västerbotten county in northeast Sweden on the Gulf of Bothnia at the mouth of the River Ume; population (1995) 101,300. Machinery, furniture, and wood pulp are manufactured here. It is the biggest city in northern Sweden and a cultural centre. There is a ferry service to Vaasa in Finland.

The town was completely rebuilt in 1888 after several serious fires. Umeå has a reputation for theatre and music, and hosts international jazz and chamber-music festivals. Its large museum complex holds the university art collection of contemporary Swedish artists and some old masters.